ShopBot Remote Pro for Android and iOS

[Coogara]

I wrote the ShopBot In Control Remote software a couple of years ago. It allowed you to perform various ShopBot-related activities on a mobile device.

A few months ago I was informed that one of the libraries I was using may, in some circumstances, be vulnerable to a security flaw. Unfortunately all of this has required a complete rewrite of both the server software (that runs on your CNC-connected computer) and the iOS and Android apps. But it has also given me the opportunity to introduce some asked-for features. So here we are with the new:

ShopBot Remote Pro
If you just want to go get it, take a look at the support page and search on iTunes or Google Play for "ShopBot Remote Pro": http://www.coogara.com/shopbot.aspx

Remember, it requires new server software to go with the mobile app. The old server software will not work with the new mobile apps. Get the new server software from the above page.

There is both a free version and a paid version. As this version necessitated a complete rewrite and months of work, I hope you will understand that this new product is not offered as an upgrade to the previous product.

The new features

Now supporting over 10,000 Android devices
Dynamic button/functions that YOU define on the server
Job progress displayed in the app
A standalone desktop program available for Windows and Mac to display job progress


One of the problems with the first product was that some Samsung devices were not supported. Hopefully this is now overcome.

In the server software, you get to define functions you want to have appear on the mobile app (paid version only). These functions can be set up to require input, such as for the MX command. They can also be set up to require confirmation so that the ShopBot doesn't immediately run off to execute a task before you are ready. The Free version displays a small number of pre-configured commands.

http://www.coogara.com/Images/ShopBot/CustomCommands.png

http://www.coogara.com/Images/ShopBot/MobileMenu.png

Job progress is displayed in the red area at the top:

http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=26348&stc=1

The free version displays job progress, but for a limited time.

The paid version of the app gives you free access to a corresponding desktop app (for Windows and Mac) that also displays job progress on the desktop. Users of the free mobile app can purchase the desktop application separately:

http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=26349&stc=1

Because this is a complete rewrite, there may be issues I haven't anticipated or encountered. I'll try to attend to such things as quickly as possible.

Cheers

Graeme

[Coogara]

Overview
As explained above, the purpose of the remote software is to allow various commands to be issued from a mobile device to the ShopBot control software to drive your Shopbot CNC. The device could be a phone or tablet. The software supports a large range of iOS and Android devices. I recommend trying the free version of the app first so that you can confirm that everything works well before shelling out your hard-earned dollars.

Getting it working
To get the app working on your mobile device, you need to start by installing the server software. This is a small piece of software that runs on the same computer to which your ShopBot CNC is connected. It runs in the Windows tray. Right-clicking the tray icon gives you access to configuration and diagnostic features, including the ability to define custom commands that can be loaded on the paid version of the app:
26350

Your Wireless Network
To work effectively, your ShopBot computer and mobile device require access to the same wireless connection. It must be fast enough to be responsive, allowing commands to be quickly handled. If it isn't, you run the risk of, for example, starting to move the gantry and not being able to stop it quickly enough. To give you an idea of how fast your wireless network connection is, a performance test is built into the app. My typical response time is under 15 milliseconds and usually under 10. My wireless access point is about 15 metres from the ShopBot computer. I have the computer's wireless antenna elevated on an extension cable (SMA), which improved performance dramatically.

Configuring the mobile app
The only configuration required by the mobile app is the IP address of the computer on which the server software is installed. Without it the app won't know where to send commands. Not sure of your computers IP address? Just right-click the tray icon and open the properties dialog. It will list the IP address(es) of your computer.

Built-in command support
The main interface of the mobile app includes a number of fixed functions such as opening the keypad, moving the gantry in X/Y/Z, sending the Escape and Return keys, abd pressing the space bar. The mobile app does this by sending commands to the server software (in the tray), which in turn communicates the command to the ShopBot control software.

Custom Commands
In addition to the standard built-in commands, custom commands can be added or you can edit the existing commands. My previous post shows the screen on which the default commands are listed, as well as a command that requires input (eg MZ). When you first start the mobile app, it checks with the server to load any custom commands. If the server software is not running when the app is loaded, it will load the default commands. Once the server is running you can then either restart the app to load the custom commands, or choose "Load custom buttons" from the app's menu to load the custom commands you have defined.

Custom commands can be executed immediately or require confirmation. Other commands, such as MX, MY, MZ, require input. When defining a command button, you can control whether the command requires input or whether it requires confirmation before execution. The latter prevents accidental execution of commands such as ZZ and Z2.

More information about configuration and trouble-shooting (as well as the obligatory video that Apple wanted to see to prove that the app works) are available here:
http://www.coogara.com/shopbot.aspx

Let me know if I can help further.

Cheers

Graeme

[Davo]

Fairly safe? - doesn't unexpectedly make the machine move all over does it?

[Brady Watson]

Great write-up Graeme. Thanks for taking the time to spell it all out.

Also, thanks for developing this. I am sure it was a lot of hard work the first time...AND the 2nd time! ;)

-B

[Coogara]

Hi Davo,

As I mentioned above, the reliability of its behaviour has a lot to do with the speed of your wireless network. For example, when your finger presses a button to move the gantry, releasing your finger is the trigger to stop moving. If your wireless connection is flaky or slow, this becomes a risk and is the usual cause of aberrant behaviour. This is the main reason I now include a performance test so you can check how quickly commands are received and processed. So, all things being well set up, it can be expected to behave properly.

Cheers

Graeme

[Coogara]

Thanks, Brady,

And thanks for suggesting I write a little more about it. The second time around was possibly more frustrating than the first product. Getting the job progress into the app taught me a lot more about something I thought I already knew pretty well :-)

Graeme

[knight_toolworks]

the android software works great easier then your original one to get going. but the shopbot monitor connected just fine and got the ok but it does not show job progress it just shows the red configuration message. having the x,y,z displayed would be great. I trace these paper patters and it kills my eyes to look over at the shopbot monitor when I am doing it.

[Coogara]

Thanks for the feedback. One the one hand. pleased to hear it. Regarding the monitor, I'll look into it. Disappointing. Amazing how everything always works in testing ;)

Has anyone else had a chance to try the Win/Mac monitor? Working? Not?

Thanks

Graeme

[rb99]

Nice deal for $5!

[jerry_stanek]

I was wondering if you can run it on a windows based tablet

[knight_toolworks]

Thanks for the feedback. One the one hand. pleased to hear it. Regarding the monitor, I'll look into it. Disappointing. Amazing how everything always works in testing ;)

Has anyone else had a chance to try the Win/Mac monitor? Working? Not?

Thanks

Graeme
you can only test it so much. it was dirt easy to setup though. but I found out that you can use a android device and mirror a pc screen so that would be great for a second display.

[Tim Lucas]

Downloaded the Free app - Have to purchase! Just to make sure I support the man developing it for the shopbots!

Questions, would it be possible to include - notify app when tool change needed and when file complete?

Thank you for your awesome app!

Tim

[Coogara]

I was wondering if you can run it on a windows based tablet

Hi Jerry,

I assume your tablet is an Intel-based one. Do you run other standard Windows software on it? If so, I can build a version for you to try out. Are you happy to be a guinea pig for me?

Cheers

Graeme

[Coogara]

Hi Tim,

I'll have to look into the information I can access when a tool change is required.

The file complete notification is difficult because I can't actually read a job progress value from the control software. The only choice I have is scraping the graphic from the control software to display in the app.

Cheers

Graeme


Downloaded the Free app - Have to purchase! Just to make sure I support the man developing it for the shopbots!

Questions, would it be possible to include - notify app when tool change needed and when file complete?

Thank you for your awesome app!

Tim

[Tim Lucas]

Hi Tim,

I'll have to look into the information I can access when a tool change is required.

The file complete notification is difficult because I can't actually read a job progress value from the control software. The only choice I have is scraping the graphic from the control software to display in the app.

Cheers

Graeme

Its still great, so if I understand - the app cant read any info from the computer? its still very useful when zeroing on the far side of the table and being able to add other function controls.

Thanks
Tim

[willnewton]

Tested briefly on my Windows 8 computer and iOS9 iPad. Works fine.

Unfortunately, this would not be something I would make use of as my computer is inches from my Shopbot Desktop and the machine is small enough that I can manage just fine. I have tried a gaming joystick as well and never used it past quick testing for the same reason as well.

I will readily concede that this app is better than the joystick! I can also see how this would be useful for folks with a large machine or with a control computer further away.

If you could replace my desktop PC Shopbot control app with an iPad app, then I and many others would be lined up with cash in hand! :D

[barrowj]

Graeme,

I have an HP Envy X2 w/Windows 10 - 15" tablet/laptop and would love to test it on that, let me know.

Joe Barrow

[Coogara]

Tested briefly on my Windows 8 computer and iOS9 iPad. Works fine.

If you could replace my desktop PC Shopbot control app with an iPad app, then I and many others would be lined up with cash in hand! :D

Yep, all I need to do is replicate all the ShopBot control software functionality on an iPad app... I can see my future retirement will be very busy :rolleyes::p

[Coogara]

Will do, Joe,


Graeme,

I have an HP Envy X2 w/Windows 10 - 15" tablet/laptop and would love to test it on that, let me know.

Joe Barrow

[Coogara]

With Keith Larrett's assistance, a new version of the server software is available today.

The purpose of the update is to correctly handle the C1 command for auto-tool changers.

There is no need for a new version of the app itself. The server download is:
http://www.coogara.com/zips/shopbot/ShopBotProServer.zip

Cheers

Graeme

[Keith Larrett]

With Keith Larrett's assistance, a new version of the server software is available today.

The purpose of the update is to correctly handle the C1 command for auto-tool changers.

There is no need for a new version of the app itself. The server download is:
http://www.coogara.com/zips/shopbot/ShopBotProServer.zip

Cheers

Graeme

After purchasing the app I was having trouble getting it to recognize the C1 (Change Tools) command on an ATC. I contacted Graeme as I wasn't sure if I was setting up the custom commands correctly in the app. He went out of his way to work on the issue and wrote a new version of the server. I downloaded and installed it today and it worked great.

A picture being worth a thousand words I did a short video showing the app in action implementing a tool change. You can see the video at the following link:


https://youtu.be/dOhlWHeczqE

Thanks again for all your efforts Graeme!