GCode Builder

Programming interface to build gcode, and make it possible to use scripting to dynamically generate tool paths.

Limitations

CNC only.

Ideas

• Different levels of abstraction when building G-code.
  • G-code level should be available.
  • Geometry helpers should be available (blocks).
    • Circles.
    • Rectangles.
    • Zig zag.
    • Planing.
  • Block editing tasks should be available.
    • Holding tabs.
    • Stepdown.
• Optimizers in each level.
  • Optimize program by calculating the least amount of traveling.
• Decorator pattern for decorating a Program, or decorating a Block?
  • Decorating a block with holding tabs?
  • Decorating a Program with a machining step?
    • Cutout.
    • Engraving.
    • Drilling.
    • Planing.
• Should not be able to add a block to a block, just blocks to a program.
• Command -> Block -> Program -> Job.
  • Purpose of each?
    • Command - Obvious - Primitive - Lib
    • Block - Group of Commands - Primitive - Lib
    • Program - Collection of blocks - Primitive, extendable - Lib

    • Not part of lib below

    • Job - Extended Program w. parameters/conditional block construction.
• No need for tool change if the correct tool is already loaded.
  • Virtual machine?
• Add operator hints and help in jobs.
  • Description of the job.
    • Where is the origin? Orientation etc.
• Support for adding blocks at specific positions:
  • After another block, using IDs of some sort.
  • First, last.