Member-only story
How to control a 3 axis CNC router w/ PS2 controller & Arduino Uno!
Stuart Hollinger @telosmfg
I had to cut the edges and ends of some boards for this project we are finishing up. Instead of writing a program for the machine to do it on its own, I just do it manually. It can be done manually by interacting with the computer CNC program interface. Whilst doing this task, I thought it would be much more efficient if I would just be able to use a controller and control functions such as, X, Y, Z movement, spindle speed, motor speed, setting 0, and going to 0. Here is the solution!
Define problems
We currently have to turn and the grab the mouse and the drag the cursor over an icon either saying X up, X down, Y up, Y down, etc. and then having to look back over to the machine to see how far to take the function. This is extremely tedious and if we are able to improve the speed of this process then this would save a minimum of half an hour in shop time a week. With our current setup which equates to around ~$50/wk or ~$2500/yr. Plus, implementing this controller would mean a lot less micro decisions, which would alleviate ram in my brain. So save time, and think less? Sounds…
