Some buttons of the pendant not responding - KRC4

i have seen buttons pressed too hard for too long so that membrane collapsed in. this makes button always on. once this happens, pressing it again may not be registered or... sometimes connection is momentarily lost before it is on again. that would appear as button that "works" but only sometimes.

there could be other issues, to but if hardware is defective, it has to be replaced.

try program i have in downloads to test key presses.

Post

RE: Kuka Downloads (software, cad...)

Is_Key_Pressed codes. same values are used on both smartPad and smartPad-2

11 Stop
12 Run+
13 Run-

14 Stat Key 1 (top)
15 Stat Key 2
16 Stat Key 3
17 Stat Key 4 (bottom)

18 Run+ (Pistolgrip)

20,21 A1 or X -/+
22,23 A2 or Y -/+
24,25 A3 or Z -/+
26,27 A4 or A -/+
28,29 A5 or B -/+
30,31 A6 or C -/+

90/91 Prog_speed -/+
92/93 Jog_Speed -/+
94 Pen/Keyboard
95 Menu
96 disconnect smartPad button
97 E-Stop
98 Mode Switch
99 Enabling switch

panic mode

May 16, 2024 at 2:05 PM

Post

RE: Kuka Downloads (software, cad...)

to find them i used small program like this and simply had it called from Submit main loop.
but one does not always have access to real robot, hence the list in previous post.

(Code, 8 lines)

panic mode

May 16, 2024 at 2:42 PM

Quote from Wall-E

Recently have have gotten some issues with the pendant buttons, mostly the "-" (minus) buttons.

The issue is inconsistent as not all "-" buttons are inactive, and it sometimes disappears after a cold start.

To be clear: these are screen buttons, not the hardware buttons around the edge of the screen bezel?

If the latter, that's most likely hardware. If the former... I'm not sure why the issue would be limited to the "-" buttons (which ones, BTW?), but I agree with Panic -- my first thought would be that the touchscreen touch-detection membrane is beginning to fail in spots. I can't think of a software issue offhand that could cause what you describe.

this is what it looks like. the green FPC cables are for button connections. maybe it became lose or one or more tracks are broken. they would be replaced as a unit.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/115976650170?chn=ps&mkevt=1&mkcid=28&google_free_listing_action=view_item&srsltid=AfmBOoqlo5fSwMqZjge5dA4XLrd4dkqui9E9VdUe2M3HjLk1OR2sTh9aC1g&gQT=2

Quote from Wall-E

It is the physical "Minus" symbol buttons on the right side of the pendant.

If it was me pressing too hard, there is no way this would affect only the "Minus" side, and not the "Plus" side...

I think there's some kind of wire or strip dedicated to this side, and it could be unplugged somewhere, but two of the "Minus" buttons still work, so this is kind of weird.

I guess I'll rummage in there and see if there's an obvious issue.

Thanks !

Ah, so these guys:

It seems quite odd that only the "-" keys would be affected. The first thought that comes to my mind is that the hardware buttons are monitored using a matrix-scan method, and all the "-" buttons might be sharing a common wire.

Which would line up nicely with Panic's theory that one of the traces on the green flat cable is beginning to have intermittent contact.

if the plan is to open smartPad i would suggest to watch some videos on ESD and proper use of FPC connectors. if the cable is not connected correctly, forcing it is only going to make things worse. if cable is damaged, it is usually near the edges. normally this would only happen due to stresses like flexing or bending too much or pinch through incorrect assembly. one may attempt repair but that delicate process would need to be done carefully and accommodate curvature of the cable when installed.