keyboard shortcut

I’ve been using Probe Basic for a while, and I was wondering if it’s possible to assign keyboard shortcuts to turn the spindle on and off.

Probably, but I'm not sure what the best way to do it would be. I really hate using the keyboard for things like that because it can be dangerous under some conditions. I use a touch screen and it's easy the way the ui is setup to just use the on screen controls for that type scenario. the risk of accidentally turning something like the spindle on while typing scares the crap out of me. The focus of the ui components can alter keyboard behavior so if you think your in a lineedit but focus is somewhere else in the ui you could easily trigger the spindle inadvertantly. How many times have you typed something only to look up and see no text in the box because I had not set focus on the entry when I thought I had. Bad scary..lol

Yes, I completely agree, it could be more dangerous than practical. Do you think any alternative would be to install a physical button on one of the ports to activate the spindle?

I have a parallel port with all the ports occupied. Would it be possible to configure the parallel port in "in" or "x" mode to have more ports?

you might be able to use a USB modbus interface (serial to rs485)

I was thinking that the best option would be to use an MPG WHB04B? Is the wireless or wired version better? Can everything be controlled from the MPG, including the start/stop spindle?

depending on the type f mpg it is possible. some usb mpg versions require some conflict resolution in the postgui hal but its not too bad.

Do you think the MPG XHC WHB04B 4 model will work well?

Wireless, wired, or does it not matter?

i hve not used it before, but i think others have.. you will need to pay attention to the timer function in the postgui hal file and i think maybe something else in there but i don't remember. im sure someone using it can better directly assist with whats needed or a search in here may bring something up.