On 24 Jul 2018, at 07:33, Chris Albertson wrote:

>   What I want and am looking for is a kind of conversational system
> where I can walk up to the mill and use it for something simple with no
> need for g-code.   I'm going back and forth on what would be best.
> 

I use a library of self-written general-purpose programs for the everyday 
common tasks. These have a parameter block at the start where I can quickly 
modify sizes and speeds, so that the program can be modified in the editor for 
the task on the mill at the time.
It's half a step removed from conversational programming, but makes most simple 
tasks easy and quick to do (like taking a pass along an edge, cutting a 
rectangular perimeter (with or without radiused corners or ends), cutting a 
rectangular or circular pocket, cutting an arc on the end of a workpiece, 
executing multiple surfacing passes to flatten a face,engrave a scale, etc, etc.
This means (a) I only have to load one of these programs to do most 
straightforward tasks, and (b) I can easily edit the guts of several routines 
together, or add additional code, to make a more complex program quite quickly.
For anything with more complex curves or multiple perimeters and pockets, I use 
the CAD (VCarve Pro).

>   But my
> first try will be a hand held box with a control wheel and an LCD screen
> and so buttons.   It can completely by-pass LCNC


I used to think I would need manual knobs as well as the computer control of 
the machine, but in 15 years or so, I have never had the need.
We each have our own style, though, and I have a friend who has a gantry router 
and he often moves it manually.

Marcus


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