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Mach 4 Motion Controller
PoKeys57CNC is the next generation of PoKeys devices that was designed specifically for CNC applications. Used together with the PoKeys plugin for Mach4, it becomes a great choice for the Mach 4 motion controller. It is a blend between general purpose PoKeys device and a USB/Ethernet CNC controller. The device is targeted primarily for controlling up to 8 STEP/DIR signal driven motors (stepper motors, servo drives, etc.) in various applications with the addition of powerful PoKeys device features. Device contains dedicated connectors for connections with motor drivers, pendants, (HD44780-compatible) LCD module, etc. In addition, 5 analog inputs with 12-bit resolution are available. The...
CablePack PoKeys57CNC Connectors
CablePack PoKeys57CNC connectors and cables In this tutorial we will explain how CablePack PoKeys57CNC connectors and flat cables can be used. The cable pack contains four types of flat cables that should be used with appropriate connector. All black IDC (Insulation-Displacement Contact) connectors are female gender connectors and can be plugged into corresponding male gender connectors on the PoKeys57CNC board. There are also a blue 25-pin D-Sub connector for PoPendant and 10-pin red male connectors (these are standard Micro-MaTch IDC connectors) that are used for PoExtension bus and E-Stop for dedicated emergency button connection. In order to get the best result (good contact, no...
Getting Started With PoKeys57CNC
This post is a first PoKeys tutorial in the series of the tutorials for PoKeys57CNC devices. This one will cover the basics on connecting your PoKeys device with the computer and configuring the network connection if it is used. PoKeys57CNC is a blend between general purpose PoKeys device and a USB CNC controller. The device is targeted primarily for controlling up to 8 STEP/DIR signal driven motors (stepper motors, servo drives, etc.) in various applications with the addition of powerful PoKeys device features. Device contains dedicated connectors for connections with motor drivers, pendants, (HD44780-compatible) LCD module, etc. In addition, 5...
Mach3 Tutorial With PoKeys
Introduction to Mach3 tutorial This is the first Mach3 tutorial in a series of tutorials which will help you to know PoKeys devices and how to use them with Mach 3 software for controlling your CNC machine. The tutorials will begin with simple configurations which will describe how to setup Mach3 and PoKeys plugin properly and then advance to more complex features that the PoKeys devices provide. Installing software and drivers All of the devices interface with Mach3 software via PoKeys plugin which is the same for all of the devices. The devices use USB or Ethernet connection to connect...
PoKeys57CNC Pinout Explained
This blog article is mostly to explain the confusing PoKeys57CNC pinout, as some users reported it. There is a myriad of connectors and signals, some are labelled as âPoKeys pinsâ, others are not, some have special function (e.g. limit switch inputs), some are general purpose⌠Short history of PoKeys devices Letâs start with some history on how early PoKeys devices led to PoKeys57CNC device, which has a lot to do on how PoKeys57CNC is laid out. It all started in 2008, when PoLabs presented a humble PoKeys55 keyboard-emulation device (shown below). The keyboard emulation nature is the reason for the...