Laser Cutter Touchscreen
Why do we need a touchscreen!?
When people need to move the laser cutting head, they have to use the controls at the PC. The PC is about 10 ft away and the head isn't visible from the PC. So, you need to get a friend to help or walk back and forth checking the position of the head.
With a touchscreen, you can move the laser cutting head into position while you're standing in front of the laser cutter (where you can see what you're doing).
According to Lisa, another advantage of the touchscreen is being within arm's reach of the E Stop button in case the auto focus fails.
Parts
- This touchscreen monitor from Ebay: File:Touchscreen.pdf
- This mount from Monoprice: http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=108&cp_id=10828&cs_id=1082806&p_id=6514
- 25 ft VGA cable
- VGA splitter (in hindsight, not the best decision)
- 25 ft of USB cable (two lengths shorter than 15 ft, max length allowed by USB spec is 15 ft)
- Powered USB hub (to go in between the two lengths of USB cable)
Total cost: ~$150
Touchscreen Driver
Link: http://www.inotouch.co.kr/new_eng3j/sub04_01.html
Current Issues
- The computer has Deep Freeze installed, and it will wipe out the driver every time the computer is restarted. (Andrew LeCody can fix this?)
- I used a VGA splitter. An unintended consequence was that the resolution on the 1080p monitor needed to be lowered to a compatible resolution (1280 X 1024) for the touchscreen monitor.
- The video card has an open HDMI port, but neither of the monitors have HDMI. So, I ordered a HDMI to DVI adapter.
- To do cleaner cable management, we might need to lengthen the USB cable attached to the monitor another 3 ft.
- The monitor didn't come with a bezel. Someone should laser cut one.
