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LinuxCNC_HowItWorks

1. LinuxCNC Overview:

- LinuxCNC is open-source software for controlling CNC machines.
- It runs on Linux with a real-time kernel for precise motor control.
- Commonly used for milling machines, lathes, 3D printers, and robotics.

2. CNC Machine Components:

- Stepper Motors or Servo Motors: Drives the machine's axes.
- Breakout Boards: Connects the PC (via parallel port or Mesa card) to motor drivers.
- Motor Drivers: Controls the current and direction to motors.

3. Parallel Port vs. Mesa Cards:

- Parallel Port: Simple, direct connection to motors using a breakout board.
- Mesa Cards: Provides more I/O ports, better performance, and Ethernet options for real-time control.

4. Real-time Kernel:

- LinuxCNC requires a real-time kernel (RT Kernel) to handle time-sensitive motor controls.
- A real-time kernel ensures consistent timing, critical for CNC precision.

5. INI File:

- Contains machine-specific settings like stepper motor speed, acceleration, axis configuration, and home positions.
- You define the machine’s characteristics here.

6. HAL (Hardware Abstraction Layer):

- Defines how software connects to hardware (motors, switches, sensors).
- You can map physical pins (parallel port or Mesa card) to machine functions (limit switches, step signals).

7. G-code:

- The language that controls CNC machines.
- Commands like G0, G1 (move commands), M3 (spindle on), and G28 (home the machine) are commonly used.

8. Configuration Wizard (Stepconf):

- A simple way to create a basic machine configuration.
- Helps set up axis settings, motor step rates, and pin assignments for parallel port connections.

9. Axis GUI:

- The graphical user interface (GUI) for LinuxCNC.
- Allows you to load G-code, jog axes, set zero positions, and run CNC jobs.

10. Simulation Mode:

- You can run LinuxCNC in simulation mode to learn the interface and run G-code without having a machine connected.
- Great for beginners to practice and learn before using a real CNC.

11. Using HALScope:

- A tool within LinuxCNC to visualize signals and timings.
- Helps in debugging and fine-tuning machine movements.

12. Homing & Limit Switches:

- Homing sets a known reference point for each axis.
- Limit switches stop the machine from overextending beyond its physical range.

13. Spindle Control:

- You can configure spindle speed and direction via G-code commands (e.g., M3, M4, M5).

14. LinuxCNC Documentation:

- [LinuxCNC.org](http://linuxcnc.org/docs/stable/html/) has detailed documentation and a helpful community forum.
- Provides tutorials, example configurations, and troubleshooting tips.

15. LinuxCNC Forum

This forum is an active community where you can:

- Ask questions about LinuxCNC setup, troubleshooting, and configuration.
- Share your CNC projects and solutions.
- Find detailed discussions about hardware (parallel ports, Mesa cards), software configurations (HAL, INI), and more.
- Explore beginner tutorials, advanced configurations, and real-world examples.

16. LinuxCNC buildbot

17. LinuxCNC install for Debian 12.5 Bookworm and Debian 13 Trixie

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IO Expansion for LinuxCNC.

------------ ArduinoConnector I have tried it. ------------

- This Project enables you to connect an Arduino to LinuxCNC and provides as many IO's as you could ever wish for. 

- This Software is used as IO Expansion for LinuxCNC.

Source_code_git

Build_video

Install_tips

sudo pip install pyserial

Project Homepage: [https://github.com/pyserial/pyserial](https://github.com/pyserial/pyserial)
Download Page: [https://pypi.python.org/pypi/pyserial](https://pypi.python.org/pypi/pyserial)

------------

To connect LinuxCNC, you have several options depending on your hardware:

-----------------------------------------------------

Parallel Port (LPT):

  • Many older CNC machines use the parallel port for real-time control.

  • You can connect directly to a CNC machine using a breakout board and the parallel port on a PC running LinuxCNC.

  • Configure the parallel port pinout in the LinuxCNC configuration to match the CNC machine’s input/output.

  • reference:

-----------------------------------------------------

Mesa Card:

  • Mesa cards (e.g., 5i25, 7i76, etc.) are specialized hardware that provides enhanced real-time control over stepper motors and other CNC components.

  • It connects to LinuxCNC via PCI or Ethernet and offloads the real-time processing from the PC.

  • Mesa cards are a preferred option for professional setups as they provide more stable performance and additional I/O options.

  • reference:

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Raspberry Pi:

  • LinuxCNC can run on a Raspberry Pi, but real-time performance is limited. It can be used for less demanding setups or non-real-time tasks.

  • Use a Raspberry Pi with a Mesa card over Ethernet for better control.

  • A real-time kernel is required to achieve better timing accuracy.

  • reference:

raspberrypi_Parallel_Port

https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ChrisWag91/PI-LCNC/master/Graphics/F013_PI-LCNC_Concept.png

LinuxCNC on Raspberry Pi: How to Make It Work

byte2bot.com

wheretobuy:https://byte2bot.com/products/parallel-port-raspberry-pi-hat

https://byte2bot.com/blogs/instructions/setting-up-a-raspberry-pi https://byte2bot.com/products/cnc-serial-raspberry-pi-hat https://byte2bot.com/products/parallel-port-raspberry-pi-hat https://byte2bot.com/products/5-axis-cnc-interface-adapter-parallel-breakout-board-for-stepper-motor-drivers

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ESP32 with W5500 modules.

  • External step generator and IO interface for LinuxCNC over Ethernet with dual-core ESP32 and W5500 modules.
  • The hardware is connected to LinuxCNC over Ethernet. The controller operates in position mode at low speed and at higher speeds in velocity mode.

------------ First Method I have tried it. ------------

reference:

esp32-pinout:

------------ Second Method Haven't tried it yet. ------------

------------ Third Method ------------

------------ Fourth Method ------------

------------ EXTRA Method ------------

https://github.com/dlhenke/linuxcnc-config

https://github.com/ldijkman/WT32-ETH01-LAN-8720-RJ45-

https://github.com/Xinyuan-LilyGO/LilyGO-T-ETH-Series

STUDY https://forum.linuxcnc.org/24-hal-components/52994-how-to-invert-gpio-xdir-pin-output-on-rpi5-parallel-port#303311

Other_Board_0 https://forum.linuxcnc.org/18-computer/39037-linuxcnc-orange-pi-allwincnc https://allwincnc.github.io/

extra video https://www.analog.com/en/product-category/motor-and-motion-control.html#c2378

Notes:

https://forum.linuxcnc.org/27-driver-boards/46770-driver-firmware-pcb-for-pi-rp2040-pio-i-e-an-easy-to-configure-fpga-like-card?start=10 https://linuxgizmos.com/wiznet-board-features-raspberry-pi-2040-and-hardwired-internet-controller-chip/

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Note

Each option has its own configuration needs within LinuxCNC’s INI and HAL files.