This software is a command-line tool that allows for real-time stepper motor control with CNC gcode. It creates a virtual machine that can be used with a USB-to-parallel dongle.
The rt-stepper program, accompanied by its USB-to-parallel dongle, functions as a real-time stepper motor CNC gcode virtual machine. This software is a perfect match for existing CNC controllers that only support a parallel port. The rt-stepper is a small ncurses terminal program compatible with any OS that supports libusb, and easily supports both manual and auto CNC operations.
As an open source software, rt-stepper is available for anyone to use. Still, the dongle is sold as a product. According to the developer, he designed this product after using EMC for several years with his Sherline CNC mills. EMC is an excellent software as well, but it necessitates a PC with a real-time kernel and a parallel port to control the mill.
The said developer owns two mills and two CNC controllers made by Camtronics and Xylotex, respectively. In order to drive these controllers, the PC must have a parallel port. Space consideration implies that a notebook is the ideal PC for controlling the controllers. However, notebooks with parallel ports are a thing of the past, and the developer aims to utilise the newer notebooks while still using the old CNC controllers.
Typically, the EMC requirement of a real-time kernel means having to re-boot to run the gcode program or have a dedicated PC to execute the gcode. With the rt-stepper solution, the parallel port and real-time kernel requirements are eliminated. The rt-stepper has no special runtime requirements aside from ncurses and libusb; hence, it will run well on most OSs such as Linux, Mac, and Windows.
The developer is currently utilising this product himself; he uses rt-stepper to build the USB-to-parallel dongle. In fact, both the dongle PCB and case are milled with rt-stepper. According to the developer, "You don't get a feel for a product unless you use it." Thus, it may be concluded that rt-stepper is a useful and effective product that is worth a try for anyone who is interested in CNC simulation software.
As an open source software, rt-stepper is available for anyone to use. Still, the dongle is sold as a product. According to the developer, he designed this product after using EMC for several years with his Sherline CNC mills. EMC is an excellent software as well, but it necessitates a PC with a real-time kernel and a parallel port to control the mill.
The said developer owns two mills and two CNC controllers made by Camtronics and Xylotex, respectively. In order to drive these controllers, the PC must have a parallel port. Space consideration implies that a notebook is the ideal PC for controlling the controllers. However, notebooks with parallel ports are a thing of the past, and the developer aims to utilise the newer notebooks while still using the old CNC controllers.
Typically, the EMC requirement of a real-time kernel means having to re-boot to run the gcode program or have a dedicated PC to execute the gcode. With the rt-stepper solution, the parallel port and real-time kernel requirements are eliminated. The rt-stepper has no special runtime requirements aside from ncurses and libusb; hence, it will run well on most OSs such as Linux, Mac, and Windows.
The developer is currently utilising this product himself; he uses rt-stepper to build the USB-to-parallel dongle. In fact, both the dongle PCB and case are milled with rt-stepper. According to the developer, "You don't get a feel for a product unless you use it." Thus, it may be concluded that rt-stepper is a useful and effective product that is worth a try for anyone who is interested in CNC simulation software.
What's New
Version 1.3: N/A