Can the console be used on the lathe? I haven’t seen it anywhere so I assume no, but I wanted to see if anyone knows why?
Thanks!
Scott,
The Quick answer is : Absolutely!
I am running my 15L with the console and have video that I’m working on but haven’t been able to get to editing it.
I’ve been using it in production for over 8 months, job setup and working with the lathe is extremely intuitive as is on the other console machines.
My next To-Do is to integrate the Estop/Reset of the Console with the machine, long story short is the 15L has the same wiring as the S3 and older Mills so it will need a few modifications but nothing to expensive or complicated.
For now I mounted the Remote E-Stop to the side as depicted so I have the original two Estops available.
PS: Below the console are 40 Lbs. of Stainless shavings that this little beast has made, I love this lathe.
Here’s a photo of the setup:
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Fantastic! I am thinking about one to compliment my 1100MX. There is a 2015 15L for sale here locally but I’m torn between the savings and getting a new machine. Something about being the first to bang it up… Do you know of any significant differences between the current machine and 2015?
Thanks and nice work!
Yes, I believe the Turret is different along with the shrouding. Personally if you are going to get the Console it is almost a wash when you buy the machine new because the console is almost the same price as the computer/monitor setup.
Personally I would go for new if you want to do the Console setup but I suppose if the machine is a good price you could buy the Console and have extra in your pocket. If it is for production I would recommend New because of warranty if it’s for hobby then either way is fine.
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Thanks Richard! Did you fab up a mount for the console or did the supplied mounting work?
I made it myself to match the holes, I probably have a drawing around somewhere for it, but my ultimate goal is to use the buttons on the console so it is temporary.
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I still find myself using the keyboard a lot on my mill. The touchscreen does not work really well for me.
The largest gains with the console are the feed hold and feed/speed adjustments these are great when you are in cut and want to dial things one way or the other to see the results. Also having jog pendant with step encoder to move the axis during setup are way easier than the old style for sure. The biggest thing for me is the tactile buttons and knobs, the touch screen is useful but I also have Keyboard/Mouse as well sometimes keyboard is more logical.
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I agree with all of that and our conversation got me thinking about a more CNC traditional keypad that I might be able to build that could connect to the bottom of my current console. It would still really be a keyboard but make switching back and forth between the keys and the touchscreen more logical.
I would be interested in a minimal keypad with the ability to type when needed but keeping the keyboard out of the way when not in use. But what buttons would you add besides what is already on the console?
I’m not entirely sure but I like the real buttons over the touchscreen, it just isn’t reliable enough. I can see creating macros for some things like probing routines, I use the arrow keys a lot to move the table around. I look at the Haas vf interface and see some ideas about buttons that would be nice to have. I am really in the “thinking about it” stage so ideas would be great.
That would be some work, but keep in mind during runtime the critical buttons E-stop & Feed Hold are real buttons also the Rapids, Feed and RPM are knobs. That being said it wouldn’t be impossible to create this with a keyboard controller and a PCB. Then the device would act like any other keyboard plugged into the machine for the default functions and macros for things like coolant, MDI, Spindle on/off direction and others.
One thing to keep in mind this interface is one of the reasons I don’t like Syle or Haas because sometimes a standard keyboard for typing can be easier over one finger punching on the panel. That being said I can see times where you only need one letter and this would be faster.
I agree that I like to be able to type where appropriate and can see a place for a keyboard as well. I am just frustrated with the touchscreen and feel like some of those functions being “buttonized” would/might be helpful to me. I find that I would much rather use the physical buttons already on the operator console to using my mouse to click it. I am going to experiment a little and see what I find to be useful vs gimmick…
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Is it kind of plug and play or there are many things you have to modify to use the console, do you need to buy a new monitor or electronic board. Thanks, Jeff
I think Jeff, the Ideal solution would be a USB device that acts as a keyboard and doesn’t require excessive modifications but maybe can eliminate the mouse.
Thanks for the reply, I must keep the mouse because the touch screen does not work half of the time, mostly when I’m in the file menu and try to open a folder, I have to do it with the mouse.
I have a retrofitted portrait touchscreen and use a wireless trackball along with the keyboard. I could see the appeal of the dedicated keyboard with functions. The more I have used mine, I also would appreciate the overrides on dedicated potentiometers/encoders. Ditto for having a MPG. I have also seen the MPG on another platform being used to be able to step back and forth through movements in a program. That would be a worthwhile PP feature request to help prove out programs for those of us who primarily run prototyping as opposed to production.
You might want to look at the parts diagram for your operator console…there are part numbers for some components of interest for making a custom operator console…
This also might be of interest…
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I don’t think Tormach care anymore about lathe users, Just look at the Pathpilot updates of the last couple of years, almost 90% are for the mill, rarely something to improve the lathe. I would think that at least an MPG would not even be an upgrade, just a normal every day tool that every machine have, even Mach3 user have basic MPG for their homemade CNC.
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Have you looked at the 3rd party MPGs that plug into the USB port and cost less than $250 shipped?
@Ashraf I haven’t but that’s a good idea. Any links? I always appreciate your posts!
Scott