If you have a machining workshop or you are simply a fan of this type of parts manufacturing, you should know about an exceptional software that you can use on your computer, either by installing the project or simply using it in Live mode. It is called linux cnc and comes with everything you need so you can perform CNC machining in a comfortable and professional manner.
Here we will teach you everything about what LinuxCNC is, how to install it, and how to use it to start making your own projects using this type of CNC machinery.
What is CNC machining?
El CNC machining (Computer Numerical Control) is a subtractive manufacturing process that uses computer-controlled machine tools to remove material from a blank and shape it to a precise dimension. In essence, it is like digitalized sculpture, where a machine follows detailed instructions to create complex objects from blocks of material.
This form of manufacturing has a wide range of applications in various industrial sectors, thanks to its precision, versatility and ability to produce complex parts, automate the procedure and repeat as many times as necessary to create identical parts. Some of its main applications are:
- Prototyping: allows you to quickly create functional prototypes for testing and design validation, accelerating the product development process.
- Mass production: It is ideal for manufacturing large quantities of identical parts with high precision and repeatability, making it essential in the production of components for automobiles, industrial machinery, electronics, etc. For example, nuts, bolts, gears, and more.
- Tool and mould manufacturing: It is used to create cutting tools, plastic injection molds and stamping dies, which are essential in many manufacturing processes.
- Product customization: allows you to create unique and personalized pieces, such as jewelry, medical implants or components for sports equipment. Just change a few parameters and you can create new carvings in wood, metal, plastic and other materials that lend themselves to this type of machining.
- Manufacturing of high precision parts: Thanks to its numerical control, CNC machining can produce parts with extremely tight tolerances, which is essential in industries such as aerospace and medical.
What is LinuxCNC?
LinuxCNC is a software system that transforms any computer (even a Raspberry Pi) into a powerful CNC controllerIn other words, it turns your computer into the brain of a machine tool, such as a milling machine, lathe, or manufacturing robot, allowing you to create parts with astonishing precision from blocks of material.
In addition, It is a free and open source system, completely free of charge. and with access to the source code, which allows you to modify it and adapt it to specific needs. If you use it as a hobbyist, you will avoid paying licenses, and if you use it for professional use, you will also save by not having to invest in other expensive and proprietary systems.
It is also very versatile, as it adapts to a wide range of applications and machines. You can Use it from small hobby machines to large industrial systems. It allows you to create custom configurations for each machine. And if all that seems little to you, it has a large community of users and developers offering support and resources.
Therefore, this LinuxCNC system is designed for both hobbyists who want to start creating with their small CNC machines, from 3D printers to laser engravers or cutters, and many others such as small lathes, milling machines, etc. It can also be a good project for education, to start teaching students this type of machining and numerical control. Of course, for small companies, workshops, researchers, etc. All of them will find a reliable, flexible, and quality platform.
How to install LinuxCNC step by step
To get started testing LinuxCNC, it's as easy as following these steps: Steps for downloading and installing:
- The first thing is to download the LinuxCNC ISO image. To do this, you just have to access the official website and you will see the list of versions of the images that you can download. You can see that there is an image to install on a PC in different versions.
- Once the ISO has been chosen and downloaded, the next step is burn the image to bootable media, such as a DVD or USB. The drive must have at least 4GB of space.
- After that, all that's left to do is boot Live on your computer to try it out without having to install it. However, everything you do will be erased, since it's not a persistent medium, as you know happens with other distros that you try in Live mode.
However, there are also other options for using LinuxCNC, such as install the system or distro itself on your computer:
- Once you start LinuxCNC in Live mode, a menu will be displayed upon loading.
- In this menu you can select whether to try the Live mode or also give you the Installation (Graphical) option, choose this other option.
- You will now have a graphical wizard that will guide you step by step through the installation. However, if you don't know what you're doing, it's better to try Live mode so as not to delete partitions or damage the operating system you already have installed…
For the installation on the Raspberry Pi, however, the steps are these:
- Also another specific one to install on the Raspberry Pi, since you can also use it with your favorite SBC, for this, you must download Raspbian OS images from the official download area.
- You will now have a .xz file with the image, it is a compressed package. You don't have to unzip it or anything, it is already directly readable by the Raspberry Pi. So you can transfer the .xz to an SD memory card.
- You insert it into the Raspberry Pi. And power on the SBC board. If you want to configure options for this image, you can run the command “sudo menu-config” to set your language, time zone, network adapter, etc. If you don’t do this, it starts with the default values.
- Now you will have to enter the username and password, which are:
- Username: cnc
- Password: cnc
- Once it starts, you are ready to start testing LinuxCNC.
There is also another possibility, and that is install the LinuxCNC software packages on your own GNU/Linux distro, that way you will have all the software necessary to work with CNC machinery on your operating system, without having to replace it with another or without needing to use a non-persistent Live. To do this, you can see the steps in the official documentation.
More information, documentation packages in Spanish, packages to install on your own distro, here.
Tools and features included
LinuxCNC offers a Complete set of tools and functionalities for CNC machine control, including:
- Graphical User Interface (GUI): It allows you to interact with the machine intuitively, setting parameters, monitoring the machining process and viewing the tool path.
- G-code interpreter: understands and executes the standard programming language for CNC machines (G code), which defines the tool movements and the operations to be performed.
- Real-time movement planner: Optimizes the tool path to ensure smooth and efficient movements, minimizing cycle times.
- Axle control: manages the movement of multiple axes in a synchronized and precise manner, allowing the creation of complex parts with curved geometries and surfaces.
- Support for different types of machines: fits a wide variety of CNC machines, from milling machines and lathes to robots and laser cutting systems.
- I/O Control: allows the connection and control of various input and output devices, such as sensors, actuators and motors.
- Integrated PLC: includes a programmable logic controller (PLC) to implement the control logic necessary to automate processes.
- Flexible configuration: Allows you to customize system settings to suit different machines and applications.
It should be noted that LinuxCNC supports various hardware interfaces, such as RS232 serial, USB, SPI (on Raspberry Pi), parallel port on PCI or PCIe cards, and Ethernet. In addition, it does not require a computer with high resources, it consumes little RAM, and it can work with both x86 (Intel and AMD) and ARM (Raspberry Pi and Orange Pi).
More help in Spanish:
Getting started with examples: LinuxCNC with Arduino
In order to get practical help from tutorials on use, you have these Tutorials and these video resourcesThere you can get good information on how to use the packages included in LinuxCNC such as QtDragon and QtDragon_hd, both created with the QtVCP framework and with an intuitive interface to start doing CNC work on 3/4 axis machines. In addition, it can work well with a touch screen if you prefer, or simply with the mouse.
For example, here you can see a working case of an aluminum part where LinuxCNC has been used to control the machining machine:
Here are more use cases of LinuxCNC