// 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? */