Touch Screen PC on Fadal

Tedward4 · Dec 19, 2022

Hi All,

Finally got tired of carrying my laptop over to the machine to send programs. Got a used Dell Optiplex micro and a cheap 15" touchscreen for ~$300 and fabricated a pivoting mount. I almost went with a Raspberri Pi for the computer, but I haven't had great luck sending programs with that. I have the PC on the shop wifi so I can post programs from my laptop right to the mill PC. Also nice for pulling up drawings and browsing the internet. Windows 10 in tablet mode is a little clunky, but I really like the setup so far.

snowshooze · Dec 30, 2022

Well... what do you think of it?
How does it work?
There has to be an interface, a bunch'a headaches, right?
Can't a guy just pitch the one in the pendulum and replace it?
Thanks,
Mark

jhov · Dec 30, 2022

That's some serious overkill just to transfer programs or drip feed a machine, but I really like adding the interface to be able to verify programs right at the machine (for those of us with older controls). Both are something a $5 micro controller could do with a cheap LCD, including the WIFI connectivity and touch interface. I wonder if there's a market for such a device to make it worth the significant development time and effort.

Freedommachine · Jan 1, 2023

Well, I think it was a cool idea. Very clean looking install too. Where did you get the swing mount and chassis?

Tedward4 · Jan 2, 2023

jhov said:
That's some serious overkill just to transfer programs or drip feed a machine, but I really like adding the interface to be able to verify programs right at the machine (for those of us with older controls). Both are something a $5 micro controller could do with a cheap LCD, including the WIFI connectivity and touch interface. I wonder if there's a market for such a device to make it worth the significant development time and effort.

Sure, maybe it's overkill, but the more I use it the more I like it. I did look at some of the $2-300 wireless DNC boxes, but having a Windows box right at the machine is pretty handy for me.

Tedward4 · Jan 2, 2023

Freedommachine said:
Well, I think it was a cool idea. Very clean looking install too. Where did you get the swing mount and chassis?

I fabricated the mount from some scrap aluminum. The black sheet metal sleeve for the computer is a Dell OEM mount. I don't really like the extension cord hanging there, but it works.

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