FW Ideas

[GeckoSub]

Hi Max,
Thought of another potential tiny FW improvement.
And since I am pretty much done (worn out, haha) with my own FW, I'd thought I'd also share a few more, small changes that I found nice in actual use. Perhaps you will, too. But my changes probably reflect that I still use the machine in more of a semi-manual mode.

Anyhow, the first one is about X/Z values:
You have that function where you can input a known value on the X/Z by starting a numeric input and then instead of hitting B_ON to set it as a pitch, you press the coordinate box. I actually only realized that yesterday, haha. I have had some different code do the same by long pressing the coordinate box and then a prompt would come up to "set Dia" or "set Z" and then you'd lock that in with B_ON.

But your way is faster, but it seems yours always defaults to a negative value? And mine did to a positive so I made the +/- buttons work to toggle the value between positive and negative.
All this said, I don't actually know how people use this input in real life and whether this is needed but if it is, perhaps you can add the +/- functionality to your FW.

And here are the rest of my list, perhaps some of it could be useful:

• The locking down of the number of decimals shown combined with using a mono space font makes the readout really nice and "calm" to look at
• Hold down scrolling on the +/- is kinda nice, too for adjusting pitch/feed without having to type on the numpad
• Oh, Numpad - I moved the "0" to the end instead of the front, it felt a bit more intuitive in terms of input as we often end on a "0" so our fingers are moving in that direction already. It's also how I think most laptops have it (but yes, it's an HMI/png change which is more work)
• Separating the pitch in Thread mode from the rest of the modes is a nice little quality of life improvement

I was about to say that a FW true/false table for setting which modes are actually shown on the display is really nice, too and the different Mode colors add a bit of visual aid so that we know stuff has changed. But then I saw your "two page" screenset and that totally accomplishes the same with the benefit that you can still have all the modes present and yet, you don't have to tap 8-9 times to cycle through all the modes. And with the page swap, we certainly have plenty of feedback that we are doing a big change:)

Finally, the ability to hook up external buttons is an improvement to me as it's nice to have some tactile buttons for certain functions.

I think that was it - Thanks as always Max. I am so happy I found this project. What I have now, is exactly what I need all thanks to your hard work over the years:)

[kachurovskiy]

But your way is faster, but it seems yours always defaults to a negative value?

It's used as an absolute value. You can travel by that value in any direction. You can only set stops on one side of the current position, too. If you use the value as pitch, you can reverse it by clicking pitch. The only place where it's used as negative is when setting axis 0 value. Since part is always on the left of the cutter, it should be the majority use case?

Great ideas, thanks for writing this up, hope we can incorporate them in future versions.

[GeckoSub]

But your way is faster, but it seems yours always defaults to a negative value?

It's used as an absolute value. You can travel by that value in any direction. You can only set stops on one side of the current position, too. If you use the value as pitch, you can reverse it by clicking pitch. The only place where it's used as negative is when setting axis 0 value. Since part is always on the left of the cutter, it should be the majority use case?

Great ideas, thanks for writing this up, hope we can incorporate them in future versions.

Yeah, I missed the part where it can be used for a defined travel move:)
I was referring to the "used as negative is when setting axis 0 value. Since part is always on the left of the cutter, it should be the majority use case?"
You are probably right and I am honestly still confused or uneducated on this one. On my machine Z+ is actually towards the headstock which may not come from your stock FW (?) but from me tinkering but it works with the jogging and modes. But I think it may not be standard, I think on industrial CNCs Z- is towards the headstock. But I have seen diagrams of both.

And you're welcome on the other little points, happy they may be of inspiration:)