So it's been 11 or 12 years since I built my machine's control system. Since then it's followed me from one job to another, thrown numerous wobblies and been hacked and patched to kingdom come and I'm thinking ... I should buy an ESS.
This is looking even more promising now that I've got the hang of OEM inputs and outputs, those three ports will come in handy. I've got a long list of things I want the beasty to do, including being more operator friendly in service. Stuff like pushing a proper button to start a cycle rather than messing about with an increasingly gungy keyboard and mouse. Stuff you get on a proper machine. It's all a bit undefined right now but I'm getting places in terms of the ports and pins layout, panel layout basics and other conceptual level stuff.
Most of the limit sensors, contactors and relays were recycled from its initial build so they are a bit old. I think for reliability and a fresh start generally I'll just fit new.
I might even change the coolant this time.
Anyway, wish me luck and I'll update when there's something worth a photograph.