I have used this board to build a few planes but still wanted a specialized Gcode sender.
My favorite is Universal Gcode Sender, it works well but is not designed to display 4 axis CNC. Currently I was using GrblHotwire (maintained by RCKeith : https://rckeith.co.uk/grbl-hotwire-m…-foam-cutters/. It is specifically designed for foam cutters but lacks some modern features (3d viewing, continuous jogging, etc…)
So I ended by writing my own : “hoWiGS”. I designed it to be as simple as possible (not to say minimalistic)
3d displays profiles on foam stock and on motors planes
allows to read all cutting parameters from Gcode file (if using my other WiHoWi software) but you can also enter these params manually ! (wire length wing length)
allows jogging (fixed choosen distance and feedrate ) AND continuoous jogging while mouse is pressed
allows to trigger heater and temerature (even in real time when Gcode is streaming)
allows to cut stock faces (guillotine mode) including automatic diheadral guillotine.
allows to open and stream any Gcode file (XY AZ planes) compatible with FluidNC standard
allows to pause/resume cut
allows to kill a cut (long click on stop)
allows to reset after alarm
allows to choose Work origin (and go back to this origin)
-allows to input any Gcode command and send it to the board
Finally it’s free and alpha release is attached to this thread (no need for installation… unzip the folder and run the exe)
I have 5 axis cnc foam cutter. 4 axis + 1 rotary table. I use grblGru software. It can upload dxf files and make a gcode and send to ky machine. it has macro so I can prepare the block easily. and newer version is absolute the best.
I have added a few interesting features (specialized wing cutting with hotwire). It’s mainly wire synchro and cutouts compensation to avoid “eating” the foam !
Abstract : “Interestingly it will start by cutting the profile (top skin) to the middle of the V (1), then perform motion (burning) the shell (2, 3, 4) before plunging to the core for the “V” (5, 6), then finishing the cut again at the midlle of V (7) before going again on the profile (8).
This complex motion has the major advantage to preserve the edges of the V on the profile. The wire doesn’t have to “bend” and will follow straight lines (whichis much easier). It will of course damage a little the shell but who cares ?
Here is the result, on the tip side, as sent by FluidNC board to hoWiGS. So it’s not a “simulation” it’s the Gcode orders interpreted and acknowledged by FluidNC and sent back to my program !”
