nm156 / cncinfusion Goto Github PK

// NOTICE:
// This is currently under development and is only recommended for
// air cutting in a controlled environment!

What this attempts to be:

A Windows GUI frontend written in C# to control flow of gcode to an
Arduino based Grbl Gcode processor (https://github.com/grbl/grbl)

I have just concentrated on basic functionality for hobby use. My CNC exposure
has been limited to my home built mill, so I am not familiar with most
of the G codes for anything much more than basic motion and spindle control. 

It should be obvious that I am not a professional coder.  If you are, please help
correct and enhance all of my "mis-features".

This was created using:

Visual C# 2010 Express (as of version 0.1.7.0)

targetting .NET 2.0 framework
http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=19

See CREDITS.txt for additional information about the components used

This version assumes Grbl edge (Grbl 0.7d) which uses '?' to report status and 
status is returned in this format :

// Grbl edge status update looks like this:  (Feb 2012)
//MPos:[0.00,0.00,0.00],WPos:[0.00,0.00,0.00]

The Status Update Interval in the settings form will enable reporting and the interval

CNCInfusion has only been tested with this Grbl version (and only with a 'scope), although I suspect it should
work on any version if status updates remain disabled.

// TESTERS WANTED!  I currently don't have a machine to test this on
// I'm using an Arduino (328) with a scope only for testing at the
// moment

// HISTORY
//
// 0.1.0.0 - initial version
// 0.1.1.0 - feed hold / soft reset 
// 0.1.2.0 - restructuring of serial comm code
//            - known problem with feedhold/cyclestart
// 0.1.3.0 - fixed feedhold/cyclestart problem caused by ok response confusion
//          - known problem ocassionally with re-running after abort 
// 0.1.4.0 - modified delegates for use in threads (created at startup)
//         - starting to create preprocessor that only accepts Grbl gcode
//         - fixed status update interval problem
//         - fixed re-run after abort problem (added lock in commreceive)
//         - added timers for RX and TX indicators
//         - added basic preprocessor for grbl code
//           that is actually loaded and displayed in the backplotter
// 0.1.5.0 - Grbl preprocessor modifications (needs more thorough testing)
//         - changes to settings form, more options
//         - initial code to support joystick
// 0.1.6.0 - Error checking to detect grbl when opening serial port
//         - Added machine/world toggle on display
//         - regex now used to parse Grbl status report
// 0.1.7.0 - Switched to Visual C# Express 2010 due to some
//           problems with SharpDevelop 3.2

// TODO
// REPORTING:
// Grbl reporting of status is undergoing development:
// listbox shows line being buffered in Grbl, not actual line executing (Grbl code for line status needed)
// XON/XOFF is being worked as well in Grbl for flow control need to update this when code stabilizes
//
// MDI
// JOG
// Zero axes (world/machine?)
// Joystick/Joypad integration - having issues on X64 Win7 development box at moment
// Load/Save settings
// Color preferences
//
// KNOWN PROBLEMS
// Abort when feedhold is active, sometime causes loss of sync
// with Grbl.  Hard reset of grbl from Settings page restores
// stability. 

/*
FEATURES:

Hardware (DTR) Reset in Settings
Software Reset (0x18) on main form
Feed Hold / Cycle start
Zero Axes - Untested

INCOMPLETE FEATURES:

Status reporting - GRbl is undergoing heavy development in this area. What is
currently there is mostly a placeholder as a proof of concept but is functional

Feed Override - Grbl work in progress
JOG - Not yet coded, GUI components in place
MDI - Not yet coded, GUI components in place 
Status of modal gcodes - Maybe some indicators?
*/