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How to Determine Your Z Home Switch Offset
Importing and Managing Toolsets in SheetCam

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Advanced Tips and Tricks

PN200 Hand Controller - Advanced Topics

Table of Contents

  • Overview

  • Installation & Setup

  • MACH3 Configuration

  • Macros and Programming

  • Program Mode

  • E-Stop Wiring & Safety

Overview

The PN200 Hand Control from CandCNC is a compact, feature-rich pendant controller for MACH3-based CNC systems.

Key Features:

  • 360° jog stick (XY or ZA)

  • 90 stored macros, 29 buttons, 6 LED indicators

  • Feed rate and DTHC control via rotary encoders

  • Hardwired NC emergency stop button

  • USB-to-RS485 connection using CAT5 cable

LED indicators show system states such as run/pause, THC active, and communication status.

Installation & Setup

Kit Includes:

  • PN200 Hand Controller

  • USB-485 RS485 module

  • USB A–B cable (5ft)

  • CAT5 UTP cable (25ft)

  • 9–12V DC wall adapter

  • Installation CD

Steps:

  1. Plug USB-485 module into the PC using USB A–B cable

  2. Connect CAT5 cable from USB-485 to PN200

  3. Run installer from CD or download from CandCNC’s website

  4. Confirm USB-485 shows up as a COM port in Windows

  5. Install MACH3 screen set file

  6. Enable the ccc_rs485 plugin and assign correct COM port

Notes:

  • Only tested with Windows XP (original release notes); may work with newer OS manually

  • USB-485 must be close to PC (6ft max USB length)

  • PN200 becomes active once plugged in — all LEDs flash once

MACH3 Configuration

Steps:

  1. Load MP3000-DTHC-ESP-PN200.set screen set

  2. Open Config > Config Plugins, enable ccc_rs485

  3. Click “Config” to set the correct COM port (e.g., COM3)

  4. Restart MACH3 after saving

Jog Increment Settings:

  • Must be set to .1, .01, and .001

  • Found in Config > General Config

Touch-Off Switch Offset:

  • Enter the offset value in the custom DRO field in the Settings tab

  • This is used by Macro M1001 to reset Z height

Macros and Programming

Reserved Macros:

  • M1001: Touch Off (single-button macro)

  • M1004, M1007: Other default macros

  • M1001–M1009: Single-button macros

  • M1010–M1025: Reserved by CandCNC

  • Custom macros: Use M1026 and above

How to Run a Macro from PN200:

  1. Press MACRO

  2. Enter macro number (last two digits)

  3. Press ENTER within 5 seconds to execute

Example: Touch-Off Macro (M1001)

vb
Dim Switchoffset Switchoffset = GetOemDRO(1045) If Switchoffset > 0 Then While ismoving() Code "G28.1 Z.500" Code "G92 Z 0.000" Code "G00 Z " & Switchoffset Code "G92 Z 0.000" Wend Else MsgBox("Your Switch Offset value in MACH needs to be set") End If

You can edit these using the MACH3 VB script editor under Operator > VB Script Editor

Program Mode

  • Enter Program Mode by pressing the MODE button (flashes green)

  • Allows typing and executing single-line G-code from the keypad

  • Display switches to Program screen automatically

  • Unsupported: IJ, O, L commands

Exit Program Mode by pressing MODE again. Toggle display using the SCREEN button.

E-Stop Wiring & Safety

The PN200 includes a hardwired NC emergency stop button.

Wiring Scenarios:

  • Wire PN200 E-stop in series with any other NC E-stop switches

  • Connect to T20/T21 terminals on CandCNC Table I/O board

  • If using a 3rd-party controller, connect to appropriate NC E-stop input

Absolute E-stop (for servo systems):

  • Use USB-485 screw terminals to break drive power and trigger MACH reset

Pro Tip: Unplugging the PN200 should drop MACH into reset — this is a test that the E-stop is wired correctly.

How to Determine Your Z Home Switch Offset
Importing and Managing Toolsets in SheetCam