As word gets out about the ease-of-use and power of KipwareM® conversational CNC programming software … we are starting to get more and more inquiries from the MAKER community concerning one of the more popular MAKER machines out there … the ShapeOko and now the X-Carve from Inventables. Clients want to know if the code generated by KipwareM® is compatible with the G code requirements for the X-Carve.

Looking and researching the extensive information available from Inventables … we can find the information below :

“The X-Carve is using GRBL81 An open source, embedded, high performance g-code-parser and CNC milling controller written in optimized C that will run on a straight Arduino. Standard g-code is supported.”

While GRBL81 is still basically operational and functional … it also appears to be in a state of constant development and enhancements. Great job guys !! It is still a very basic system … but it does support basic standard programming … G01/G02/G03 … and is completely compatible with the KipwareM® standard output.

Here is a list of G codes for GRBL81 … and all supported out-of-the-box by KipwareM® :

“The G-code interpreter implements a subset of the NIST rs274/ngc standard and … linear, circular and helical motion are all fully supported.”

• Supported G-Codes in v0.9i
  • G38.3, G38.4, G38.5: Probing
  • G40: Cutter Radius Compensation Modes
  • G61: Path Control Modes
  • G91.1: Arc IJK Distance Modes
• Supported G-Codes in v0.9h
  • G38.2: Probing
  • G43.1, G49: Dynamic Tool Length Offsets
• Supported G-Codes in v0.8 (and v0.9)
  • G0, G1: Linear Motions
  • G2, G3: Arc and Helical Motions
  • G4: Dwell
  • G10 L2, G10 L20: Set Work Coordinate Offsets
  • G17, G18, G19: Plane Selection
  • G20, G21: Units
  • G28, G30: Go to Pre-Defined Position
  • G28.1, G30.1: Set Pre-Defined Position
  • G53: Move in Absolute Coordinates
  • G54, G55, G56, G57, G58, G59: Work Coordinate Systems
  • G80: Motion Mode Cancel
  • G90, G91: Distance Modes
  • G92: Coordinate Offset
  • G92.1: Clear Coordinate System Offsets
  • G93, G94: Feedrate Modes
  • M0, M2, M30: Program Pause and End
  • M3, M4, M5: Spindle Control
  • M8, M9: Coolant Control

While there is still a lot of functions … like spindle control … that is dependent on the controller and it’s set-up … KipwareM® can support most modes and set-up … out-of-the-box.

Using the unique “Post Editor” in Kipware® conversational … users can easily create the auto-output of the HEADER lines required for the GRBL language. The G code output needs to place an initialization block at the beginning of your program to set all of the G-code modes explicitly for your program. These are things such as mm/inch modes ( G20/G21) , incremental/absolute modes (G90/G91), feedrate modes(G94/G95), plane selection (G17-G18-G19), or work coordinate system (G54-G59). These can easily be set-up in the Kipware® conversational Post Editor.

It also appears that DRILLING cycles are not yet included … but KipwareM® gives you a standard, long hand G code output capability for drilling that will enable you to go beyond the Inventable’s EASEL programming software and create drilling operations for your machine. All from a fill-in-the-blank format.

Users are referred to use the UNIVERSAL G-CODE SENDER application that is written in JAVA that will send the G code and communicate with the machine to run the G code created outside of Inventables EASEL application. You can get additional information on the Universal G Code Sender HERE.

As of this post writing … Kentech Inc. is looking into the possibilities of purchasing an X-Carve from Inventables and testing and developing our KipwareM® software to be more and fully compatible with the X-Carve.

So stay tuned … we are looking forward to an opportunity to work with Inventables and their equipment … and the MAKER community. It should be a fun ride

You can check out KipwareM® by CLICKING HERE.

Kenney Skonieczny – President

Kentech Inc.