About Machinekit
The Software
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Machinekit (the Enhanced Machine Control) is a software system for computer control of machine tools such as milling machines and lathes, robots such as puma and scara and other computer controlled machines up to 9 axes.
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Machinekit is free software with open source code. Current versions of Machinekit are entirely licensed under the GNU General Public License and Lesser GNU General Public License (GPL and LGPL)
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Machinekit provides:
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a graphical user interface (actually several interfaces to choose from)
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an interpreter for 'G-code' (the RS-274 machine tool programming language)
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a realtime motion planning system with look-ahead
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operation of low-level machine electronics such as sensors and motor drives
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an easy to use 'breadboard' layer for quickly creating a unique configuration for your machine
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a software PLC programmable with ladder diagrams
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easy installation with a Live-CD
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It does not provide drawing (CAD - Computer Aided Design) or G-code generation from the drawing (CAM - Computer Automated Manufacturing) functions.
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It can simultaneously move up to 9 axes and supports a variety of interfaces.
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The control can operate true servos (analog or PWM) with the feedback loop closed by the Machinekit software at the computer, or open loop with step-servos or stepper motors.
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Motion control features include: cutter radius and length compensation, path deviation limited to a specified tolerance, lathe threading, synchronized axis motion, adaptive feedrate, operator feed override, and constant velocity control.
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Support for non-Cartesian motion systems is provided via custom kinematics modules. Available architectures include hexapods (Stewart platforms and similar concepts) and systems with rotary joints to provide motion such as PUMA or SCARA robots.
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Machinekit runs on Linux using real time extensions.
The Operating System
Debian has been chosen because it fits perfectly into the Open Source views of Machinekit:
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Debian will always be free of charge, and there is no extra fee for the 'enterprise edition', we make our very best work available to everyone on the same Free terms.
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Debian uses the very best in translations and accessibility infrastructure that the Free Software community has to offer, to make Debian usable for as many people as possible.
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The Debian community is entirely committed to the principles of free software development; we encourage people to use open source software, improve it and pass it on.