The Pendant discussion

Software / Firmware Jackpot Board / FluidNC
1

Let’s talk about pendants with the Jackpot or webui in general.

I see three main points people are trying to solve.

-The first is easier jogging, I am not a fan of either webui V2 or V3, or the pendant encoders version of jogging. I think Jason has made the ideal jog extension, ESP3D-WEBUI-Mods/Extensions/JoyJog at main · jeyeager65/ESP3D-WEBUI-Mods · GitHub.

-Second is the ease of connection. Picking up a device that is hardwired is just good to go no dealing with AP/STA stuff, internet nothing. I think a optional hardwired/wireless device showing the webui would be fantastic. I get this myself, the connection step is an added step, but for me offset by the wireless freedom. (STA sort of fixes this issue as well if you have a decent connection).

-The third is sort of a non-issue, wireless file transfer, and not even really pendant related. This is solved by letting people know STA mode exists, but stressing that it is not part of the Yellow Brick Road. The yellow brick road is use the SD card for reliable file transfer.

All with this knowledge one solution will not please everyone, but I am looking for the best bang for the buck solution to help with users that are unsatisfied with the webui as is.

The major cons.

-Price
-I don’t think it does anything better than the webui, besides the direct connection, it just has different some options. I think most things are harder, and you lose the terminal.
-low resolution.

I can do things in bulk to bring the price down but it is difficult for me when I don’t feel very passionately about it as a solution.

The part I know the least about is the connection aspect. I could use some help here. Is there a way to hardwire the webui device if STA mode is not an option? Is there a way to make STA mode easier? (I think STA mode solves my “use this network option as is” issue with webui v3).

I still think a phone/laptop/tablet/local computer in AP mode is the yellow brick road for the first few interaction for new builders.

We can already run in wired mode and still have all the functionality if you despise wifi, pick a sender with a jog interface you like and you even get gcode visualizations. GCode Senders | Wiki.js

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3

This should be the recomended use.
If you source the parts and resell them, i think we all would prefer to buy from you, but it should come with a big “know what you are getting into” disclaimer

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For me personally. The Pendant encoder is way easier. You just set which unit you want to move in and move it a few clicks. I can be zeroed in looking at where I want the bit to go and not have to look and make sure my finger didn’t wander a little bit on a screen. (I will say the keyboard buttons on the webui make this just as easy)

This is just easy. Also will add that on longer jobs if your computer/phone/tablet goes to sleep sometimes it can be a pain to get back in the webui. With the pendant it never goes to sleep, its always ready to go.

Agreed

Price will depend on the user. Some people will find it worth the cost and others wont. Those that don’t want to spend the money aren’t forced to. The normal webui from the phone is still a very viable option. For me I built the more expensive M5 dial and I am very happy that I did. I have now built a CYD just to see the difference and it was cheaper yet. Could have been even cheaper if I would have waited and ordered from Aliexpress, but I went Amazon because I don’t have patience :rofl:

Everyone has their own opinions about the pendant I am sure. But I have yet to see a post where someone built one and hated it. Its possible that I just missed it though. So I can only speak for myself and say I have loved mine.

STA mode will always be a difficult one because everyone’s personal wifi network is different. Most don’t have a mesh system with an AP in their garage like I do. Some will be willing to add that, some wont want to. I do feel it is the much better way to run FluidNC, but for the reason’s stated here I agree with you on AP mode being the yellow brick road. Its not cheap to get a robust Wifi network that will have a great connection all the time.

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This respone will likely to be deleted for being off topic but: with my router sitting less than 4ft away, some times i pressed the start button and took 2&4secs to start moving, now something bad happens and you catch it before is to late and the action needs 2+secs -your work is done man.

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I think this is a “YMMV” situation. I had more “delay” issues with AP mode and have never had any with STA. But I get exactly what you are saying.

This is also another vote for the Pendant. With it direct wired I don’t ever get any delay at all.

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We do have to be careful here, in terms of all connection stuff 3.9.+ is significantly better than all previous versions. If you have not tried since 3.7/8 it is not very valid opinion anymore.

3.9.1-3.9.5 are all pretty valid test branches.

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I agree completely here. I used to be able to connect and control just fine. But couldn’t transfer files. Now it all works wonderfully!

FluidNC is for sure still an evolving firmware. Mostly in a really good way

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I dont usually update fluidnc last time i did had to roll back and lost 4 precious hours because i hadn’t backit up properly

My 6pack is on ancient firmware, my jackpots runs whatever they came with

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Usually I think that is the best option, but if we are talking about adding features you need to be using something very current to compare things as connection things specifically have drastically improved, along with other random memory issues.

As an example trade show connections issues are much improved. I connected just fine to an updated Zen everyday all day in a crowded open sauce, without a reboot.

Also things are more responsive as well.

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11

I have several modes of controlling my CNC: A mini keypad, a keyboard, a touchscreen monitor, my mouse and an X-Box controller.
The two things I mostly use are the mouse/keyboard for roughly jogging the tool where I want to have it. To exactly hit X/Y I use the wired X-box controller because I can move the CNC while basically lying on the table checking whether the tip of the V-endmill is exactly where it should be. Before I had the controller I did it with the mouse, clicking the arrows and then using the scrollwheel, but the controller is just so much easier.

Not always though. For some cuts the touchplate is enough because the X/Y position does not matter too much. Not using the controller there…

TLDR: A controller/wheel are useful, but not always. If I didn‘t have the keyboard, I‘d use it way more often I guess. :slight_smile:

12

Great point.

We do have a lot of options. If we stick with a wireless/wired webui. You can use Bluetooth connected devices pretty easily.

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This is a great discussion. Ive been debating building a pendant or not. I have wanted a wired controller that I didn’t have to deal with connecting to wifi and everything but maybe I need to start with updating FluidNC. Sounds like its been much improved as far as connection goes.

Been also throwing around the idea of a touchscreen pc in my shop so that if I need to make a cam adjustment I dont have to go back inside and do it from my other computer or something.

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14

I think it is pretty hard to beat a $35 tablet and Jason’s joystick extension. If you did not already have an old device to use. I think a high resolution 7-8" screen is pretty ideal, my 10.1 fire tablet is a bit too big.

If you use AP mode and that is the only network you use and have it sign in automatically, with the http blocking off. I doubt you would ever notice any connections happening or actually have a connection issue at the machine. If your connection to the home was good slap the jackpot in STA mode and be done with it.

With that you could still even use a Bluetooth controller or keyboard if you just had to have a physical button, that you could map to anything. This one looks super clean and has a 1/24 dial, Amazon.com

OR some sort of CyberDeck style custom interface, all you need is a web page to be able to be displayed.

The M5 dial alone is $35, plus shipping, M5Stack Dial - ESP32-S3 Smart Rotary Knob w/ 1.28" Round Touch Screen | m5stack-store

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Are you looking at the pendant replacing the webui? That’s what I get from some of your responses. I don’t see it as doing that at all. I still very much use the webui, to me this is just another tool.

Jason’s jog extension looks great, but I personally am not a fan of doing any jogging from a touch screen. But I know there are plenty others that are good with that.

Having the options for different things is one of my favorite parts of the jackpot/fluidNC. Its so easy to make it how each user wants it.

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16

This part will not be changing.

This is what I am shooting for.

I will only officially support the yellow brick road but if we find something half decent that is easy I can recommend it and give basic instructions. But so many people keep recommending the fluid dials I want to explore this further as I do not think it is the best option.

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17

That extension on a 7-8" tablet is very nice. Single axis, or xy mixed. It solves a lot of the issues I have with the current two jog modes.

This one is already available to any jackpot /fluidnc machine and I think it might need to come as a default plug in for the v3 ui side.

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My perspective is I never had a satisfactory experience using the webui from a phone or tablet - my old iPads couldn’t run the UI, my phone always kicked me off the wifi to get one with internet, or if it went to sleep during a job the UI locked. I was always frustrated. The idea of keeping in on AP mode and having to transfer files to SDCard would be a barrier to use<for me personally. I’ve used it on STA from day one and don’t think I could do without it.

Webui on the nearby PC is ok for uploading but too far away to set up x,y,z zero.

The pendant lets me jog incredibly responsively, zero the axes while looking at the work not the screen, select files and start. I can also tweak the feed rate +/- on the fly.

I’d rather the CYD interface was optimised a bit more - maybe making the 3 buttons assignable shortcuts instead of duplicating the hardware buttons but it’s still a much more enjoyable user experience than using the webui.

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19

Its not the size of the screen for me. Its feeling a physical button/dial while I am looking at the bit. with the touch screen 9 times out of 10 I will push in the wrong spot.

I am by no means saying this is the same for everyone. You asked for opinions so I am just giving mine. I have a pendant already so I am good to go.

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20

That means you have a strong signal to your nearest wifi router. Perfect option for you, but not everyone. This is acceptable obviously.

Use AP mode to get some machine time under your belt. then do whatever you want.

Ui lock is a function you can turn on or off and have you tried ap mode since 3.9.1 or newer?

This is part of the discussion I am purposely staying away from. I do not currently posses the skills to modify any UI so I have to treat things as they are off the shelf. I prefer to spend my time making the CNC hardware better.

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21

Understood but his extension is so responsive you have no need to look at it. For people not wanting to spend any money can add it to there devices right now for free.

Your argument is how I feel about the current jog system. I can use them without looking but it is easy to hit the wrong button, Jason’s takes that away. The machine moves with your finger.

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