Here you’ll get some basic information about optical isolators, how they work, where are used, how they look like and moreover where you can buy a 16 channel optical isolation device – PoOptoIn from PoLabs. What is a digital optical isolator? A Digital optical isolator (also called an optocoupler, photocoupler) is an electronic component that … Read more
8 channel relay module board PoRelay8 allows expanding the number of outputs of the PoKeys device by using the PoExtBus. It features 8 relay outputs. Up to 10 boards can be daisy-chained over the CAN bus for up to 80 additional outputs. CAN (Controller Area Network) bus is a robust bus standard initially designed for … Read more
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 ‘PoKeys pins’, others are not, some have special function (e.g. limit switch inputs), some are general purpose… Short history of PoKeys devices Let’s start with some history … Read more
PoBlocks just got a set of new communication features in PoKeys57 series ethernet devices. UDP sender enables PoKeys device to send simple messages using UDP protocol on request from the PoBlocks project. PoKeys InterCom protocol on the other hand enables sending data between PoKeys devices. PoKeys (Simple) UDP sender As the name applies, UDP sender … Read more
A new version of the PoKeys plugin for Mach4 was released today. Most changes have been done ‘under the hood’, the biggest one affecting the MPG jogging with PoKeys devices. MPG jogging is a very useful feature of PoKeys57CNC devices that enables improved control over the CNC machine and resembles the handwheel of a manual … Read more
PoKeys joystick issues with Windows 7 and Windows 10 resolved Many flight simulator builders are using our PoKeys as flight simulator USB interface between computer and ICP panels with buttons, potentiometers, encoders and other actuators. Lately, we’ve received some reports about problems with PoKeys joystick with Windows 7 and Windows 10 that calibration window is not … Read more
Mach4 CNC tutorial introduction This series of tutorials will help you configure your CNC machine using Mach4 CNC controller software with PoKeys device. Always remember to update your software if newer version is available. Also with newer versions of the Mach4 CNC controller software and PoKeys plugin there is a possibility that some elements may … Read more
Some users asked us to implement the support RC simulator interface, that would decode the data from a general purpose R/C (remote control) receiver in order to control outputs of the PoKeys device and/or allow the PoKeys device to be used as RC simulator interface. Allow us to present how easy is to use PPM … Read more
Mach3 setup tutorial summary This Mach3 setup tutorial will show you how to connect everything together and how to configure the PoKeys plugin so you can move your CNC. You can find the previous Mach3 setup tutorial here. Connecting everything together First you must connect the stepper motors to the drivers. This first step is … Read more
Have you ever imagined that the same device family that is able to function as a fully fledged USB CNC controller can be used in a completely different application, like a flight simulator interface? Look at the following flight simulator (courtesy of Beau Williamson and Christopher Link). PoKeys as flight simulator interface in simulator by … Read more