PathPendant for Tormach Mills

The PathPendant is a USB hot-pluggable pendant for Tormach machines (mills for now, lathe support coming soon).

They can be built however you like, but they typically include three encoders (to adjust Feedrate, Spindle RPM and Max Velocity) and three to six buttons which are completely customizable.

Not only are they customizable, but they are hot-editable, meaning you can change what they do inside PathPilot without exiting or rebooting PathPilot.

Anything that you can enter on the MDI line can be a button.

• Machine moves (G0 X5, G1 F40 X10 Y-2, etc)
• Canned moves (G30)
• WCS changes (G54, G55, etc)
• Spindle Stop (M5)
• Spindle Start (M3 S5000)
• You can also do Cycle Start and Stop.

You can do all those, and change them around by editing a simple text file.

The scale of the knobs is also completely adjustable. One "click" can be a 2% change in Feedrate, 5%, 10% or anything you want.

Installation is simply dropping two files into /gcode/python and restarting PathPilot. And just plug the pendant into the machine via an available USB port.

The pendant itself has a detachable USB cable for easy storage and a flat back for custom mounting (velcro, hooks, etc). You can also rotate the cover 180° so the USB cable hangs down instead of up (useful for mounting vertically, like on your enclosure).

I am also offering a code-only option, which will include a general list of materials if you want to build your own pendant and utilize my code. I will also help walk you through the process, as necessary.

Demonstration Video & Showing 180° Reversible USB Cable
This is the Three Knob, Three Button option. Photos of other options coming soon.

Status Window Updates & the Editable INI File