Portable controller for interfacing with process system components

A control system for controlling a cylindrical grinding machine, the control system comprising:

• a portable control unit comprising:
• a controller attachment mechanism;
• and
• a controller communications interface;
• and
• a docking station mechanically and communicatively coupled to the cylindrical grinding machine, the docking station comprising:
• a docking station attachment mechanism configured to demountably couple to the controller attachment mechanism;
• a docking station communications interface configured to communicatively couple with the controller communications interface;
• a power interface configured to receive power from the cylindrical grinding machine;
• and
• a component interface communicatively coupled to the cylindrical grinding machine,
• wherein the docking station communications interface receives commands from and transmits status data to the controller communications interface.

A portable control unit for controlling a cylindrical grinding machine, the portable control unit comprising:

• an attachment mechanism configured to demountably couple the portable control unit to a docking station on the cylindrical grinding machine;
• a communications interface configured to electrically and communicatively couple with the docking station, wherein the docking station is communicatively coupled to the cylindrical grinding machine;
• an input interface configured to receive a command, wherein the communications interface transmits the received command to the cylindrical grinding machine;
• an output interface configured to display status data received via the control interface;
• and
• a support element protruding beyond the communications interface, wherein the communications interface is separated from a surface when the support element rests on the surface.