I made a list of things that have come to mind. I’m an outsider to CNC stuff so it may be a newbie perspective. Also there is overlap here between web controls and the backend code, but I’ll put all my thoughts here.
Zero belts independently:
Edit: This is nonsense since the bolts would be in the way anyway. Leaving it here anyway.
Can we have an option to zero each belt one at a time? My biggest problem right now if anything happens (breaker trip), or I get confused and screw something up and have to re-zero I have to undo my bolts then bolt everything again. Yes it would be slower to do it this way, but maybe others have had this problem and it could help them. Of course ideally we just retract them all at once which is why I’ll be modifying my anchor bolts.
I’m on a horizontal platform. This method may be problematic a vertical platform, but I think it could work on a horizontal one.
Alarm / Idle change:
The button saying Alarm is confusing. Perhaps Engaged / Disengaged, or Armed / Disarmed would be better. Really not sure myself. If that language is perhaps standard in other CNC systems maybe a some kind of hover text could add context for new users.
Control Lock Overrides:
I would love to have a button that overrides not allowing you to control the belts and stuff like that. I got a jam on my belt and the only option was to zero belts. Not ideal
Something to control individual belts yourself manually. I don’t know, just a thought.
Pause and Stop:
Not sure what is limiting this as an option. I know we will always need an E-Stop, but I have multiple times wished I could pause or stopped my calibration or other tasks and been unable to without a hard stop. I realize that it’s going to complete whichever step in the g-code first.
Warnings before start:
For Calibration or running a job can users enable a caution confirmation message allowing user to abort the action. This way you don’t accidentally hit your touch screen or whatever.
I had someone helping me who thought my commenting about calibration meant we should hit the calibration button. Had to E-Stop then of course undo all the @#$% bolts to zero them again.
Button colors:
I think sometimes the gray buttons give the idea that they are disabled when they aren’t. Honestly I’ve been having a hard time when I’m setting things up and get confused between things and perhaps I am wrong about this. Things have been starting to make more sense.
Checklist Toggle Buttons:
I was thinking of making myself a physical device for Maslow Launch Controls with actual switches. It may be better in the user interface. Check off each step before starting your job. Bit inserted, Remove Button Pusher , Home z Axis, Set x/y home, Turn on router, Turn on dust control…
Just some toggle buttons that otherwise don’t do anything. Just there to help you keep track of doing all the steps.
Figured I’d share these thoughts as I procrastinate un-jamming my belt and hacking off the ends of my bolts.
