LinuxCNC

LinuxCNC (formerly Enhanced Machine Controller or EMC2) is a free, open-source GNU/Linux software system that implements numerical control capability using general purpose computers to control CNC machines. Designed by various volunteer developers at linuxcnc.org, it is typically bundled as an ISO file with a modified version of 32-bit Ubuntu Linux which provides the required real-time kernel. LinuxCNC (formerly Enhanced Machine Controller or EMC2) is a free, open-source GNU/Linux software system that implements numerical control capability using general purpose computers to control CNC machines. Designed by various volunteer developers at linuxcnc.org, it is typically bundled as an ISO file with a modified version of 32-bit Ubuntu Linux which provides the required real-time kernel. Due to the tight real-time operating system integration, a standard Ubuntu Linux desktop PC without the real-time kernel will only run the package in demo mode. LinuxCNC is a software system for numerical control of machines such as milling machines, lathes, plasma cutters, routers, cutting machines, robots and hexapods. It can control up to 9 axes or joints of a CNC machine using G-code (RS-274NGC) as input. It has several GUIs suited to specific kinds of usage (touch screen, interactive development). Currently it is almost exclusively used on x86 PC platforms, but has been ported to other architectures. It makes extensive use of a real time-modified kernel, and supports both stepper- and servo-type drives.