Alternating control computer locations?

[jTr]

Need advice on the smartest way to alternate control from one end of table to another. My current home and control computer location is on what's generally considered the back of the table. I'd like to begin doing dovetails and end milling joinery off the front of the table, as that's where my rails have the extra few inches of overhang and can accommodate these operations.

Thinking it might be easiest to leave desktop style tower where it is, and simply use extension cables on the monitor, mouse and keyboard. This avoids altering my current working arrangement with the USB cables connected to the bot and spindle control. Experience says leave them alone if at all possible.

Have thought of putting these items on a rolling cart, or even having a second control location that I could toggle between - (possibly a switch to toggle those inputs?)
Wireless seems logical, but I'm sure I've read that others have experienced comm issues with wireless peripherals going to sleep and disrupting communications when waking back up.
(Is this an unfounded fear?)

When finished, I'd like to be able to move back to original home location where the majority of operations are focused.

Anyone else operating this way or have suggestions?

Thanks!

jeff

[Brady Watson]

Get yourself a large TV that has a monitor port on it. I got a Westinghouse 37" TV for under $300. It does 1080 pixels, but I run it 800x600 to be able to see everything from across the room. I run a Logitech Bluetooth MK520 mouse/kb combo & it has proven to be very reliable. The CPU and monitor mount on the wall; TV/monitor is mounted on a swivel mount so it can be articulated to wherever I am working. KB & mouse sit on top of Harbor Freight rolling cart with 5 drawers for tool storage. I don't use the top storage because keep the KB, mouse & other stuff on top. It works very well when you setup different things around the table.

Now...If you wanted to change your gantry orientation so that X0 is where X96 used to be etc, Turn off the power to the control box & swap out the X1 & X2 motors with each other. (easier on an Alpha or 4G than RBK) Then put a negative sign in front of the X and Y unit values (VU command). Now your tool should be set for working on the back side of the tool with the same type of orientation & keyboard arrow commands as before the switch.

When it comes to your proxy switches, you might have to do without them - The reason being, that the targets on the back side are at different places than the ones on the front side. You could run ShopBot Setup (TS) after you got the tool to where you want 0,0 to be, but you would have to do this routine every time you switched sides....so it may not be worth it.

-B

[feinddj]

Check out the two ipad/iphone apps to control your shopbot wirelessly

D

[paul60]

can the iphone be used to control shopbot using Mach3 software?
paul

[Bob Eustace]

Jeff you could try plugging in a second monitor and just have that showing a duplicate of whats on your main screen but down where you are working. Then use a wireless mouse (we have zero problems with this). Of course the big drawback with this system is you lose all your keyboard short cuts. Nothings perfect!

[tri4sale]

Jeff you could try plugging in a second monitor and just have that showing a duplicate of whats on your main screen but down where you are working. Then use a wireless mouse (we have zero problems with this). Of course the big drawback with this system is you lose all your keyboard short cuts. Nothings perfect!

Use a wireless mouse and keyboard and the dual monitor setup and you won't loose anything. If running a desktop, most can add an additional video card to support a second monitor, at low cost since you're don't need a powerhorse video card, just need a long enough video cable. Under Windows just set the second monitor to mirror the first and you're good to go.

[jdervin]

Gefen Systems makes some great keyboard/video/mouse (KVM) extenders. I use a model that provides simultaneous operation of the same CPU, 100' apart , and with only one Cat-5 cable between the two workstations (not on my 'Bot, but in another mission critical application). Only problem is, they ain't cheap -- and that's an understatement. You might find a used one on EBay...

[jTr]

Oh yeah - geffen system is the magic box I was looking for, but a cheap-o tv is more economical as you pointed out.

Since my monitor is already on an articulated wall mount, I'll likely go the route Brady described, as it had previously occurred to me I should have done that in the first place. Now that it's been a year and a half, my internal accountant may allow the upgrade to correct that error.

I enjoy logitec products on all my other computers, so I'll dispense with the unfounded fear and go wireless.

Now I just need to enclose that cpu in a filtered air flow cabinet...

Thanks all!

Jeff

[Bob Eustace]

Jeff I dont do toooo good with looking into the future but when making a dedicated room for the bot I had a powerpoint installed on the ceiling in case I ever needed a monitor up there.