Grbl Controller

Overview
Grbl Controller 3.6.1 for Mac, Windows and Linux - by Zapmaker

See Previous Version Change log

Grbl Controller is a piece of software which is used to send GCode to CNC Machines, such as a ShapeOko. As of version 3.0, the software has been optimized to send GCode to a Grbl Arduino Shield, which is the standard and default controller type for the ShapeOko.

Grbl Controller is written to work on Windows, Mac, and Linux. It has been written as a superior replacement for the popular GCodeSender, and UniversalGCodeSender.

User Bobt was able to get it running on a Raspberry PI. c.f. Running Grbl Controller on Raspberry Pi

Implements “Agressive preload” and Z-rate limiting options.

Will trim too-long lines when sending. Current version doesn't consider line-endings, so will overflow the buffer, change the Grbl Line Buffer Size in Tools | Options from 50 to 49 (48 on linefeed and carriage return systems such as Windows).

Home page
Visit the Grbl Controller home page

On-line Documentation

 * Main screen
 * Options

Downloading
Installers for Mac, Windows and Linux Grbl Controller by Zapmaker













Building from Code (may be necessary for Linux)
See information here

Using Grbl Controller 3.0
Preparing
 * Power up Arduino and shield
 * With motor off, manually position milling bit over origin (0,0) on the work piece. The origin is the intersection of X and Y on your CAD drawing.
 * Start Grbl Controller
 * Select COM port and open

Adjusting
 * Choose appropriate step size (start with 1)
 * Press the Z down button, the milling bit should move down towards the work piece 1 mm. The Z jog speed can be adjusted in menu Tools -> Options
 * Repeat until the the bit is almost touching
 * Turn on motor
 * Press Grbl Controller's Reset button to zero the Arduino Grbl code

Sending G-code
 * Choose Send GCode radio button
 * Open desired file, usually .nc
 * Press Begin. If for some reason there is a long, slow traverse, the controller may time out. Increase timeout value in Tools -> Options

Finish
 * Turn off motor when milling is complete

Emergency
 * Press the Reset, Stop or Close button on Grbl Controller - the steppers should stop within a second or two. If not, power off your shield

Original Kosme Version
Grbl Controller by Kosme