UIO-10
The UIO-10 is intended to allow the user to use physical switches to control the Eding CNC software. The goal is to make it simpler for users to make their operator panel.
It's important to understand that due to new developments, new features become available that might not yet be available in your current UIO-10. It's possible to update the firmware to allow you to upgrade.
The I/O interface has input different inputs or dedicated inputs. The image below shows an overview of all available connections.
Depending on the PC software and/or firmware version not all features might (yet) be available.
Please note, that the analog inputs for feed and speed override (FEED OV & SPEED OV) are only available at firmware version v0.5 or higher.
In the overview of the UIO-10, the different functions are colorized. They have the following meaning:
Name | Function |
GND | Ground, also called 0V |
+3.3V | Power, used by analog inputs |
+5v | Power, 5V, used for connecting MPGs |
Dig.Input | Digital input, can be switched to the ground. |
Feed OV | Dedicated analog input for feed override (Firmware >0.5) |
Speed OV | Dedicated analog spindle speed override (Firmware >0.5) |
HWx-A/HWx-B | A/B signal for MPG. Max. 3 handwheels are supported |
The MPGs/handwheels can only be connected to designated inputs. This will also be reflected in the setup of such an input.
Connecting a toggle
Using a switch is nothing more than connecting the top GND contact and bottom digital input. The picture below shows a push button connection, and also the connections of a toggle switch.
In this case, input #22 is used as input for this, the next step will be setting up the software
The final step is setting up the software. For the example below software version, 4.03.58 was used.
To start the setup go to the setup tab, and click on the 'UIO-10' button.
The next step, is to configure IO #22. This is done by simply selecting the 'Switch' option in the Function 'Function' column for input #22.
When the 'Switch' function is selected two new options will appear. This is related to either what can happen to a switch:
- Switching on / pushing
- Switching off / releasing
It's not necessary to use both, you can use either one or both.
In this case, we configure the input to show the 'Load Job' dialog when pressed.
Do not forget to press 'Save settings' when finished.
Besides a normal switch also rotary switches can be used. The rotary switch is very similar to a normal switch, and in fact, it is actually a collection of switches into one housing. One side of these switches is common to all of them and is connected to one pin. Below is an example of such a rotary switch.
For your information, many of these rotary switches can be set to a certain amount of positions. This can often be done by a ring that is sitting on top of the housing, this ring limits the number of positions. Therefore, you could have a 12-position rotary switch but only use 4 positions.
To help in understanding the internals, the drawing below shows a little more of the 'inside' of such a rotary switch.
As you can see the switch will always only have one connection with one pin. The advantage of such a switch is that there will always be only one 'switch' turned on, the other automatically will have been switched off since there can only be one connection.
This example will connect the rotary switch to select an axis for using an MPG to control the axis position. We will make the following connections:
Rotary #pin | UIO-10 #pin | Function |
Common | Ground | |
#1 | IO #1 | Axis selection OFF |
#2 | IO #2 | Select Axis X |
#3 | IO #3 | Select Axis Y |
#4 | IO #4 | Select Axis Z |
The image below shows a diagram of how it is connected.
The final step is setting up the software. For the example below software version, 4.03.58 was used.
To start the setup go to the setup tab, and click on the 'UIO-10' button.
The next step, is to configure the inputs. please not first the difference when selecting a 'switch' or 'rotary switch', a rotary switch is called a 'selector':
We first now configure a new selector, by selecting the appropriate inputs and selecting 'Selector' as function, next make sure that you group these together by giving them the same ID.
Next, we set the function for each of the four positions:
The video below shows again the step of connecting a rotary switch. Please note that the colors of the wires used in this video example are not related to the example above.
Besides using switches it is also possible to use a rotary encoder (or Manual Pulse Generator, abbreviated to MPG).
In a CNC application the most common version that is used is the one below:
An MPG can be used for moving an axis. It's possible to connect up to 3 MPGs to the UIO-10.
An important parameter of the selected MPG is the number of pulses it gives for one rotation. The most common version is either 100 or 400 pulses.
We only support MPGs that offer 100 pulses per rotation.
An MPG has the following connections
- +5V
- A
- optional, /A (pronounced as 'not A')
- B
- optional, /B (pronounced as 'not A')
- Ground
The signals that are marked with '/' are inverted signals, in our application, these are not used. The output signals need to be TTL level, meaning it should be either 5V or 0V.
Connecting the MPG to the UIO-10 is very simple. In this case, we will choose to use handwheel input #1.
Please note that the MPGs can only be used on dedicated inputs of the UIO-10.
The following connections need to be made:
VCC --> +5V
0V --> Ground
A --> IO #16
B --> IO #18
The connections shown in the image below can vary for the MPG you use. Make sure you check in advance which signal is available where on the MPG.
The final step is setting up the software. For the example below software version, 4.03.58 was used.
To start the setup go to the setup tab, and click on the 'UIO-10' button.
The next step, is to configure inputs #16 and #18 for MPG use. This is done by simply selecting the 'MPG' option in the Function column for input #16.
Please note that input #18 is automatically also configured as MPG. The indicator in front of '16' and '18' will turn green to indicate that MPG functions have been assigned to these inputs.
Do not forget to press 'Save settings' when finished.
In order to use the handwheel, an axis needs to be selected. When an axis is selected this is shown in the DRO. The currently active axis will have a different color and a 'T' will appear indicating that the axis is in 'tracking mode'. So it will track the movement of the MPG.
NEEDS TO BE DOUBLE CHECKED!!!!
If all three handwheels are used simultaneously they are assigned as:
X-axis --> Input #16,#18 Y-axis --> Input #24, #25 Z-axis --> Input #26,#28
Please note, that all axis need to be selected, this is indicated by the color of the DRO.
NOTE: Select the axis before it will use the handwheel
The video below will show you a little more about the steps.
It's possible to create a manual Feed or Speed override. To use this feature you need at least firmware version v0.5. The override input is controlled via an analog value. This analog value is made by using a potentiometer, below an image of a potentiometer. This is in fact one big resistor whose value can be changed by turning it.
Please note, to use the Feed and/or Speed Override the firmware version needs to be at least version 0.5 or later.
The value of this potentiometer can be between 4k7 to 10k ohm.
The first step is connecting the potentiometer to the UIO-10. It's important to notice two facts:
- The feed override and speed override have dedicated inputs
- The input voltage needs to be 0 and 3.3V.
For this purpose, there is a 3,3V power supply available on the board. The image below shows how to connect a potentiometer to operate as a feed override.
The final step is setting up the software. For the example below software version, 4.03.59 was used.
To start the setup go to the setup tab, set Feed and/or Speed override inputs to "UI" since only one override source can be used.
Then, proceed to page 2 and click on the 'UIO-10' button.
The analog inputs that can be used are Feed and Speed override are 14 and 15, respectively. Please configure the inputs in order to enable the feature.
After inputs are configured, test mode can be entered by pressing "Set test-mode ON". Then the values of the analog inputs are displayed.
And of course, the result can be seen as the Speed and Feed override values:
On above images, the potentiometers are set to low values, so the resulting override value is 0%.
The UIO-10 has one relevant jumper. That is jumper #1 on jumper header JP1. If this jumper is mounted the bootloader will be skipped at startup. This means if you have to upgrade the firmware you have to make sure to remove this jumper.
Jumper positions #2 and #3 are reserved.
If a new firmware version becomes available it's possible to download it from the website. Besides the firmware, you also need the bootloader application. Both can be found on our website:
If you have downloaded both you can start the bootloader application.
The next steps are:
- Load the new firmware file (.CRY) by clicking on 'File'
- Connect to the UIO-10
Please note, that it is only possible to connect to the UIO-10 if it is in bootloader mode. This is indicated by two LEDs toggling. If the bootloader does not become active it's very likely that jumper #1 of JP1 is still mounted, please remove it, reset the board by removing the USB cable and start again.
The final is pressing the 'Program' button and the firmware is uploaded to the UIO-10.
The UIO-10 can now either be restarted by unplugging the USB cable or issuing a reset command by clicking on the 'Reset' button.