INI Configuration

[EMC] general information

[DISPLAY] settings related to the graphical user interface

[FILTER] settings input filter programs

[RS274NGC] settings used by the G-code interpreter

[EMCMOT] settings used by the real time motion controller

[TASK] settings used by the task controller

[HAL] specifies .hal files

[HALUI] MDI commands used by HALUI

[APPLICATIONS] Other applications to be started by LinuxCNC

[TRAJ] additional settings used by the real time motion controller

[JOINT_n] individual joint variables

[AXIS_l] individual axis variables

[KINS] kinematics variables

[EMCIO] settings used by the I/O Controller

a file in the same directory as the INI file

a file located relative to the working directory

an absolute file name (starts with a /)

a user-home-relative file name (starts with a ~)

VERSION = 1.1 - The format version of this configuration. Any value other than 1.1 will cause the configuration checker to run and try to update the configuration to the new style joint axes type of configuration.

MACHINE = My Controller - This is the name of the controller, which is printed out at the top of most graphical interfaces. You can put whatever you want here as long as you make it a single line long.

DEBUG = 0 - Debug level 0 means no messages will be printed when LinuxCNC is run from a terminal. Debug flags are usually only useful to developers. See src/emc/nml_intf/debugflags.h for other settings.

RCS_DEBUG = 1 RCS debug messages to show. Print only errors (1) by default if EMC_DEBUG_RCS and EMC_DEBUG_RCS bits in DEBUG are unset, otherwise print all (-1). Use this to select RCS debug messages. See src/libnml/rcs/rcs_print.hh for all MODE flags.

RCS_DEBUG_DEST = STDOUT - how to output RCS_DEBUG messages (NULL, STDOUT, STDERR, FILE, LOGGER, MSGBOX).

RCS_MAX_ERR = -1 - Number after which RCS errors are not reported anymore (-1 = infinite).

NML_FILE = /usr/share/linuxcnc/linuxcnc.nml - Set this if you want to use a non-default NML configuration file.

DISPLAY = axis - The file name of the executable providing the user interface to use. Prominent valid options are (all in lower case): axis, touchy, gmoccapy, gscreen, tklinuxcnc, qtvcp, qtvcp-qtdragon or qtvcp-qtplasmac.

POSITION_OFFSET = RELATIVE - The coordinate system (RELATIVE or MACHINE) to show on the DRO when the user interface starts. The RELATIVE coordinate system reflects the G92 and G5x coordinate offsets currently in effect.

POSITION_FEEDBACK = COMMANDED - The coordinate value (COMMANDED or ACTUAL) to show on the DRO when the user interface starts. In AXIS this can be changed from the View menu. The COMMANDED position is the position requested by LinuxCNC. The ACTUAL position is the feedback position of the motors if they have feedback like most servo systems. Typically the COMMANDED value is used.

DRO_FORMAT_MM = %+08.6f - Override the default DRO formatting in metric mode (normally 3 decimal places, padded with spaces to 6 digits to the left). The example above will pad with zeros, display 6 decimal digits and force display of a + sign for positive numbers. Formatting follows Python practice: https://docs.python.org/2/library/string.html#format-specification-mini-language . An error will be raised if the format can not accept a floating-point value.

DRO_FORMAT_IN = % 4.1f - Override the default DRO formatting in imperial mode (normally 4 decimal places, padded with spaces to 6 digits to the left). The example above will display only one decimal digit. Formatting follows Python practice: https://docs.python.org/2/library/string.html#format-specification-mini-language . An error will be raised if the format can not accept a floating-point value.

CONE_BASESIZE = .25 - Override the default cone/tool base size of .5 in the graphics display.

MAX_FEED_OVERRIDE = 1.2 - The maximum feed override the user may select. 1.2 means 120% of the programmed feed rate.

MIN_SPINDLE_OVERRIDE = 0.5 - The minimum spindle override the user may select. 0.5 means 50% of the programmed spindle speed. (This is used to set the minimum spindle speed.)

MIN_SPINDLE_0_OVERRIDE = 0.5 - The minimum spindle override the user may select. 0.5 means 50% of the programmed spindle speed. (This is used to set the minimum spindle speed.) On multi spindle machine there will be entries for each spindle number. Only used by the QtVCP based user interfaces.

MAX_SPINDLE_OVERRIDE = 1.0 - The maximum spindle override the user may select. 1.0 means 100% of the programmed spindle speed.

MAX_SPINDLE_0_OVERRIDE = 1.0 - The maximum feed override the user may select. 1.2 means 120% of the programmed feed rate. On multi spindle machine there will be entries for each spindle number. Only used by the QtVCP based user interfaces.

DEFAULT_SPINDLE_SPEED = 100 - The default spindle RPM when the spindle is started in manual mode. If this setting is not present, this defaults to 1 RPM for AXIS and 300 RPM for GMOCCAPY.

DEFAULT_SPINDLE_0_SPEED = 100 - The default spindle RPM when the spindle is started in manual mode. On multi spindle machine there will be entries for each spindle number. Only used by the QtVCP-based user interfaces.

SPINDLE_INCREMENT = 200 - The increment used when clicking increase/decrease buttons. Only used by the QtVCP based user interfaces.

MIN_SPINDLE_0_SPEED = 1000 - The minimum RPM that can be manually selected. On multi spindle machine there will be entries for each spindle number. Only used by the QtVCP-based user interfaces.

MAX_SPINDLE_0_SPEED = 20000 - The maximum RPM that can be manually selected. On multi spindle machine there will be entries for each spindle number. Only used by the QtVCP-based user interfaces.

PROGRAM_PREFIX = ~/linuxcnc/nc_files - The default directory for G-code files, named subroutines, and user-defined M-codes. The PROGRAM_PREFIX directory is searched before the directories listed in [RS274]SUBROUTINE_PATH and [RS274]USER_M_PATH.

INTRO_GRAPHIC = emc2.gif - The image shown on the splash screen.

INTRO_TIME = 5 - The maximum time to show the splash screen, in seconds.

CYCLE_TIME = 100 - Cycle time of the display GUI. Depending on the screen, this can be in seconds or ms (ms preferred). This is often the update rate rather then sleep time between updates. If the update time is not set right the screen can become unresponsive or very jerky. A value of 100 ms (0.1 s) is a common setting though a range of 50 - 200 ms (.05 - .2 s) may be useable. An under powered CPU may see improvement with a longer setting. Usually the default is fine.

PREVIEW_TIMEOUT = 5 - Timeout (in seconds) for loading graphical preview of G-code. Currently AXIS only.

HOMING_PROMPT = TRUE - Show prompt message with homing request, when the Power On button is pressed in AXIS GUI. Pressing the "Ok" button in prompt message is equivalent to pressing the "Home All" button(or the Ctrl-HOME key).

FOAM_W = 1.5 sets the foam W height.

FOAM_Z = 0 sets the foam Z height.

GRAPHICAL_MAX_FILE_SIZE = 20 largest size (in mega bytes) that will be displayed graphically. If the program is bigger then this setting, a bounding box will be displayed. By default this setting is 20 MB or 1/4 of the system memory, which ever is smaller. Setting negative will set no limit.

EMBED_TAB_NAME = GladeVCP demo

EMBED_TAB_COMMAND = halcmd loadusr -Wn gladevcp gladevcp -c gladevcp -x {XID\} -u ./gladevcp/hitcounter.py ./gladevcp/manual-example.ui

DEFAULT_LINEAR_VELOCITY = .25 - The default velocity for linear jogs, in machine units per second.

MIN_VELOCITY = .01 - The approximate lowest value the jog slider.

MAX_LINEAR_VELOCITY = 1.0 - The maximum velocity for linear jogs, in machine units per second.

MIN_LINEAR_VELOCITY = .01 - The approximate lowest value the jog slider.

DEFAULT_ANGULAR_VELOCITY = .25 - The default velocity for angular jogs, in machine units per second.

MIN_ANGULAR_VELOCITY = .01 - The approximate lowest value the angular jog slider.

MAX_ANGULAR_VELOCITY = 1.0 - The maximum velocity for angular jogs, in machine units per second.

INCREMENTS = 1 mm, .5 in, ... - Defines the increments available for incremental jogs. The INCREMENTS can be used to override the default. The values can be decimal numbers (e.g., 0.1000) or fractional numbers (e.g., 1/16), optionally followed by a unit (cm, mm, um, inch, in or mil). If a unit is not specified the machine unit is assumed. Metric and imperial distances may be mixed: INCREMENTS = 1 inch, 1 mil, 1 cm, 1 mm, 1 um is a valid entry.

GRIDS = 10 mm, 1 in, ... - Defines the preset values for grid lines. The value is interpreted the same way as INCREMENTS.

OPEN_FILE = /full/path/to/file.ngc - The file to show in the preview plot when AXIS starts. Use a blank string "" and no file will be loaded at start up. GMOCCAPY will not use this setting, as it offers a corresponding entry on its settings page.

EDITOR = gedit - The editor to use when selecting File > Edit to edit the G-code from the AXIS menu. This must be configured for this menu item to work. Another valid entry is gnome-terminal -e vim. This entry does not apply to GMOCCAPY, as GMOCCAPY has an integrated editor.

TOOL_EDITOR = tooledit - The editor to use when editing the tool table (for example by selecting "File > Edit tool table…" in AXIS). Other valid entries are gedit, gnome-terminal -e vim, and gvim. This entry does not apply to GMOCCAPY, as GMOCCAPY has an integrated editor.

PYVCP = /filename.xml - The PyVCP panel description file. See the PyVCP Chapterfor more information.

PYVCP_POSITION = BOTTOM - The placement of the PyVCP panel in the AXIS user interface. If this variable is omitted the panel will default to the right side. The only valid alternative is BOTTOM. See the PyVCP Chapter for more information.

LATHE = 1 - Any non-empty value (including "0") causes axis to use "lathe mode" with a top view and with Radius and Diameter on the DRO.

BACK_TOOL_LATHE = 1 - Any non-empty value (including "0") causes axis to use "back tool lathe mode" with inverted X axis.

FOAM = 1 - Any non-empty value (including "0") causes axis to change the display for foam-cutter mode.

GEOMETRY = XYZABCUVW - Controls the preview and backplot of motion. This item consists of a sequence of axis letters and control characters, optionally preceded with a "-" sign:

ARCDIVISION = 64 - Set the quality of preview of arcs. Arcs are previewed by dividing them into a number of straight lines; a semicircle is divided into ARCDIVISION parts. Larger values give a more accurate preview, but take longer to load and result in a more sluggish display. Smaller values give a less accurate preview, but take less time to load and may result in a faster display. The default value of 64 means a circle of up to 3 inches will be displayed to within 1 mil (.03%).

MDI_HISTORY_FILE = - The name of a local MDI history file. If this is not specified, AXIS will save the MDI history in .axis_mdi_history in the user`s home directory. This is useful if you have multiple configurations on one computer.

JOG_AXES = - The order in which jog keys are assigned to axis letters. The left and right arrows are assigned to the first axis letter, up and down to the second, page up/page down to the third, and left and right bracket to the fourth. If unspecified, the default is determined from the [TRAJ]COORDINATES, [DISPLAY]LATHE and [DISPLAY]FOAM values.

JOG_INVERT = - For each axis letter, the jog direction is inverted. The default is "X" for lathes and blank otherwise.

USER_COMMAND_FILE = mycommands.py - The name of an optional, configuration-specific Python file sourced by the AXIS GUI instead of the user-specific file ~/.axisrc.

HELP_FILE = tklinucnc.txt - Path to help file.

PROGRAM_EXTENSION = .extension Description

FILTER_PROGRESS=%d
If the environment variable AXIS_PROGRESS_BAR is set, then lines written to stderr of the form above sets the AXIS progress bar to the given percentage. This feature should be used by any filter that runs for a long time.

PARAMETER_FILE = myfile.var - The file located in the same directory as the INI file which contains the parameters used by the interpreter (saved between runs).

ORIENT_OFFSET = 0 - A float value added to the R word parameter of an M19 Orient Spindle operation. Used to define an arbitrary zero position regardless of encoder mount orientation.

RS274NGC_STARTUP_CODE = G17 G20 G40 G49 G64 P0.001 G80 G90 G92.1 G94 G97 G98 - A string of NC codes that the interpreter is initialized with. This is not a substitute for specifying modal G-codes at the top of each NGC file, because the modal codes of machines differ, and may be changed by G-code interpreted earlier in the session.

SUBROUTINE_PATH = ncsubroutines:/tmp/testsubs:lathesubs:millsubs - Specifies a colon (:) separated list of up to 10 directories to be searched when single-file subroutines are specified in G-code. These directories are searched after searching [DISPLAY]PROGRAM_PREFIX (if it is specified) and before searching [WIZARD]WIZARD_ROOT (if specified). The paths are searched in the order that they are listed. The first matching subroutine file found in the search is used. Directories are specified relative to the current directory for the INI file or as absolute paths. The list must contain no intervening whitespace.

CENTER_ARC_RADIUS_TOLERANCE_INCH = n (Default: 0.00005)

CENTER_ARC_RADIUS_TOLERANCE_MM = n (Default: 0.00127)

USER_M_PATH = myfuncs:/tmp/mcodes:experimentalmcodes - Specifies a list of colon (:) separated directories for user defined functions. Directories are specified relative to the current directory for the INI file or as absolute paths. The list must contain no intervening whitespace.

INI_VARS = 1 (Default: 1)
Allows G-code programs to read values from the INI file using the format #<_ini[section]name>. See G-code Parameters.

HAL_PIN_VARS = 1 (Default: 1)
Allows G-code programs to read the values of HAL pins using the format #<_hal[HAL item]>. Variable access is read-only. See G-code Parameters for more details and an important caveat.

RETAIN_G43 = 0 (Default: 0)
When set, you can turn on G43 after loading the first tool, and then not worry about it through the program. When you finally unload the last tool, G43 mode is canceled.

OWORD_NARGS = 0 (Default: 0)
If this feature is enabled then a called subroutine can determine the number of actual positional parameters passed by inspecting the #<n_args> parameter.

NO_DOWNCASE_OWORD = 0 (Default: 0)
Preserve case in O-word names within comments if set, enables reading of mixed-case HAL items in structured comments like (debug, #<_hal[MixedCaseItem]).

OWORD_WARNONLY = 0 (Default: 0)
Warn rather than error in case of errors in O-word subroutines.

DISABLE_G92_PERSISTENCE = 0 (Default: 0) Allow to clear the G92 offset automatically when config start-up.

DISABLE_FANUC_STYLE_SUB = 0 (Default: 0) If there is reason to disable Fanuc subroutines set it to 1.

PARAMETER_G73_PECK_CLEARANCE = .020 (default: Metric machine: 1mm, imperial machine: .050 inches) Chip breaking back-off distance in machine units

PARAMETER_G83_PECK_CLEARANCE = .020 (default: Metric machine: 1mm, imperial machine: .050 inches) Clearance distance from last feed depth when machine rapids back to bottom of hole, in machine units.

LOG_LEVEL = 0 Specify the log_level (default: 0)

LOG_FILE = file-name.log
For specify the file used for log the data.

REMAP=M400 modalgroup=10 argspec=Pq ngc=myprocedure See Remap Extending G-code chapter for details.

ON_ABORT_COMMAND=O <on_abort> call See Remap Extending G-code chapter for details.

EMCMOT = motmod - the motion controller name is typically used here.

BASE_PERIOD = 50000 - the Base task period in nanoseconds.

SERVO_PERIOD = 1000000 - This is the "Servo" task period in nanoseconds.

TRAJ_PERIOD = 100000 - This is the Trajectory Planner task period in nanoseconds.

COMM_TIMEOUT = 1.0 - Number of seconds to wait for Motion (the realtime part of the motion controller) to acknowledge receipt of messages from Task (the non-realtime part of the motion controller).

HOMEMOD = alternate_homing_module [home_parms=value] The HOMEMOD variable is optional. If specified, use a specified (user-built) module instead of the default (homemod). Module parameters (home_parms) may be included if supported by the named module. The setting may be overridden from the command line using the -m option ($ linuxcnc -h).

TASK = milltask - Specifies the name of the task executable. The task executable does various things, such as

CYCLE_TIME = 0.010 - The period, in seconds, at which TASK will run. This parameter affects the polling interval when waiting for motion to complete, when executing a pause instruction, and when accepting a command from a user interface. There is usually no need to change this number.

HALFILE = example.hal - Execute the file example.hal at start up.

HALFILE = texample.tcl [arg1 [arg2] …] - Execute the tcl file texample.tcl at start up with arg1, arg2, etc. as argv list. Files with a .tcl suffix are processed as above but use haltcl for processing. See the HALTCL Chapter for more information.

HALFILE = LIB:sys_example.hal - Execute the system library file sys_example.hal at start up. Explicit use of the LIB: prefix causes use of the system library HALFILE without searching the INI file directory.

HALFILE = LIB:sys_texample.tcl [arg1 [arg2 …]] - Execute the system library file sys_texample.tcl at start up. Explicit use of the LIB: prefix causes use of the system library HALFILE without searching the INI file directory.

TWOPASS = ON - Use twopass processing for loading HAL components. With TWOPASS processing, lines of files specified in [HAL]HALFILE are processed in two passes. In the first pass (pass0), all HALFILES are read and multiple appearances of loadrt and loadusr commands are accumulated. These accumulated load commands are executed at the end of pass0. This accumulation allows load lines to be specified more than once for a given component (provided the names= names used are unique on each use). In the second pass (pass1), the HALFILES are reread and all commands except the previously executed load commands are executed.

TWOPASS = nodelete verbose - The TWOPASS feature can be activated with any non-null string including the keywords verbose and nodelete. The verbose keyword causes printing of details to stdout. The nodelete keyword preserves temporary files in /tmp.

HALCMD = command - Execute command as a single HAL command. If HALCMD is specified multiple times, the commands are executed in the order they appear in the INI file. HALCMD-lines are executed after all HALFILE-lines.

SHUTDOWN = shutdown.hal - Execute the file shutdown.hal when LinuxCNC is exiting. Depending on the hardware drivers used, this may make it possible to set outputs to defined values when LinuxCNC is exited normally. However, because there is no guarantee this file will be executed (for instance, in the case of a computer crash), it is not a replacement for a proper physical e-stop chain or other protections against software failure.

POSTGUI_HALFILE = example2.hal - Execute example2.hal after the GUI has created its HAL pins. Some GUIs create HAL pins and support the use of a postgui halfile to use them. GUIs that support postgui HAL files include Touchy, AXIS, Gscreen, and GMOCCAPY.
See section PyVCP with AXIS for more information.

HALUI = halui - adds the HAL user interface pins.
For more information see the HAL User Interface chapter.

MDI_COMMAND = G53 G0 X0 Y0 Z0 - An MDI command can be executed by using halui.mdi-command-00. Increment the number for each command listed in the [HALUI] section. It is also possible to start subroutines. MDI_COMMAND = o<yoursub> CALL [#<yourvariable>]

DELAY = value - seconds to wait before starting other applications. A delay may be needed if an application has dependencies on [HAL]POSTGUI_HALFILE actions or GUI-created HAL pins (default DELAY=0).

‘APP =` appname [arg1 [arg2 …]]’ - Application to be started. This specification can be included multiple times. The appname can be explicitly named as an absolute or tilde specified filename (first character is / or ~), a relative filename (first characters of filename are ./), or as a file in the INI file directory. If no executable file is found using these names, then the user search PATH is used to find the application.
Examples:

ARC_BLEND_ENABLE = 1 - Turn on new TP. If set to 0 TP uses parabolic blending (1 segment look ahead) (Default: 1).

ARC_BLEND_FALLBACK_ENABLE = 0 - Optionally fall back to parabolic blends if the estimated speed is faster. However, this estimate is rough, and it seems that just disabling it gives better performance (Default: 0).

ARC_BLEND_OPTIMIZATION_DEPTH = 50 - Look ahead depth in number of segments.

# n = v_max / (2.0 * a_max * t_c)
# where:
# n = optimization depth
# v_max = max axis velocity (UU / sec)
# a_max = max axis acceleration (UU / sec)
# t_c = servo period (seconds)

# min_length ~= v_req * t_c
# where:
# v_req = desired velocity in UU / sec
# t_c = servo period (seconds)

# v_ripple = a_max / (4.0 * f)
# where:
# v_ripple = average velocity "loss" due to ramping
# a_max = max axis acceleration
# f = cutoff frequency from INI

SPINDLES = 3 - The number of spindles to support. It is imperative that this number matches the "num_spindles" parameter passed to the motion module.

COORDINATES = X Y Z - The names of the axes being controlled. Only X, Y, Z, A, B, C, U, V, W are valid. Only axes named in COORDINATES are accepted in G-code. It is permitted to write an axis name more than once (e.g., X Y Y Z for a gantry machine). For the common trivkins kinematics, joint numbers are assigned in sequence according to the trivkins parameter coordinates=. So, for trivkins coordinates=xz, joint0 corresponds to X and joint1 corresponds to Z. See the kinematics man page ($ man kins) for information on trivkins and other kinematics modules.

LINEAR_UNITS = <units>_ - Specifies the machine units for linear axes. Possible choices are mm or inch. This does not affect the linear units in NC code (the G20 and G21 words do this).

ANGULAR_UNITS = <units> - Specifies the machine units for rotational axes. Possible choices are deg, degree (360 per circle), rad, radian (2*π per circle), grad, or gon (400 per circle). This does not affect the angular units of NC code. In RS274NGC, A-, B- and C- words are always expressed in degrees.

DEFAULT_LINEAR_VELOCITY = 0.0167 - The initial rate for jogs of linear axes, in machine units per second. The value shown in AXIS equals machine units per minute.

DEFAULT_LINEAR_ACCELERATION = 2.0 - In machines with nontrivial kinematics, the acceleration used for "teleop" (Cartesian space) jogs, in machine units per second per second.

MAX_LINEAR_VELOCITY = 5.0 - The maximum velocity for any axis or coordinated move, in machine units per second. The value shown equals 300 units per minute.

MAX_LINEAR_ACCELERATION = 20.0 - The maximum acceleration for any axis or coordinated axis move, in machine units per second per second.

POSITION_FILE = position.txt - If set to a non-empty value, the joint positions are stored between runs in this file. This allows the machine to start with the same coordinates it had on shutdown. This assumes there was no movement of the machine while powered off. If unset, joint positions are not stored and will begin at 0 each time LinuxCNC is started. This can help on smaller machines without home switches. If using the Mesa resolver interface this file can be used to emulate absolute encoders and eliminate the need for homing (with no loss of accuracy). See the hostmot2 manpage for more details.

NO_FORCE_HOMING = 1 - The default behavior is for LinuxCNC to force the user to home the machine before any MDI command or a program is run. Normally, only jogging is allowed before homing. For configurations using identity kinematics, setting NO_FORCE_HOMING = 1 allows the user to make MDI moves and run programs without homing the machine first. Interfaces using identity kinematics without homing ability will need to have this option set to 1.

HOME = 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - World home position needed for kinematics modules that compute world coordinates using kinematicsForward() when switching from joint to teleop mode. Up to nine coordinate values (X Y Z A B C U V W) may be specified, unused trailing items may be omitted. This value is only used for machines with nontrivial kinematics. On machines with trivial kinematics (mill, lathe, gantry types) this value is ignored. Note: The sim hexapod config requires a non-zero value for the Z coordinate.

TPMOD = alternate_trajectory_planning module [tp_parms=value]
The TPMOD variable is optional. If specified, use a specified (user-built) module instead of the default (tpmod). Module parameters (tp_parms) may be included if supported by the named module. The setting may be overridden from the command line using the -t option ($ linuxcnc -h).

NO_PROBE_JOG_ERROR = 0 - Allow to bypass probe tripped check when you jog manually.

NO_PROBE_HOME_ERROR = 0 - Allow to bypass probe tripped check when homing is in progress.

JOINTS = 3 - Specifies the number of joints (motors) in the system. For example, a trivkins XYZ machine with a single motor for each axis has 3 joints. A gantry machine with one motor on each of two of the axes, and two motors on the third axis, has 4 joints. (This config variable may be used by a GUI to set the number of joints (num_joints) specified to the motion module (motmod).)

KINEMATICS = trivkins - Specify a kinematics module for the motion module. GUIs may use this variable to specify the loadrt-line in HAL files for the motmod module. For more information on kinematics modules see the manpage: $ man kins.

TYPE = LINEAR - The type of this axis, either LINEAR or ANGULAR. Required if this axis is not a default axis type. The default axis types are X,Y,Z,U,V,W = LINEAR and A,B,C = ANGULAR. This setting is effective with the AXIS GUI but note that other GUI’s may handle things differently.

MAX_VELOCITY = 1.2 - Maximum velocity for this axis in machine units per second.

MAX_ACCELERATION = 20.0 - Maximum acceleration for this axis in machine units per second squared.

MIN_LIMIT = -1000 - The minimum limit (soft limit) for axis motion, in machine units. When this limit is exceeded, the controller aborts axis motion. The axis must be homed before MIN_LIMIT is in force. For a rotary axis (A,B,C typ) with unlimited rotation having no MIN_LIMIT for that axis in the [AXIS_<letter>] section a value of -1e99 is used.

MAX_LIMIT = 1000 - The maximum limit (soft limit) for axis motion, in machine units. When this limit is exceeded, the controller aborts axis motion. The axis must be homed before MAX_LIMIT is in force. For a rotary axis (A,B,C typ) with unlimited rotation having no MAX_LIMIT for that axis in the [AXIS_<letter>] section a value of 1e99 is used.

WRAPPED_ROTARY = 1 - When this is set to 1 for an ANGULAR axis the axis will move 0-359.999 degrees. Positive Numbers will move the axis in a positive direction and negative numbers will move the axis in the negative direction.

LOCKING_INDEXER_JOINT = 4 - This value selects a joint to use for a locking indexer for the specified axis <letter>. In this example, the joint is 4 which would correspond to the B axis for a XYZAB system with trivkins (identity) kinematics. When set, a G0 move for this axis will initiate an unlock with the joint.4.unlock pin then wait for the joint.4.is-unlocked pin then move the joint at the rapid rate for that joint. After the move the joint.4.unlock will be false and motion will wait for joint.4.is-unlocked to go false. Moving with other joints is not allowed when moving a locked rotary joint. To create the unlock pins, use the motmod parameter:

unlock_joints_mask=jointmask

OFFSET_AV_RATIO = 0.1 - If nonzero, this item enables the use of HAL input pins for external axis offsets:

axis.<letter>.eoffset-enable
axis.<letter>.eoffset-count
axis.<letter>.eoffset-scale

JOINT_0 = X

JOINT_1 = Y

JOINT_2 = Z

JOINT_3 = A

JOINT_4 = B

JOINT_5 = C

JOINT_6 = U

JOINT_7 = V

JOINT_8 = W

JOINT_0 = X

JOINT_1 = Z

TYPE = LINEAR - The type of joint, either LINEAR or ANGULAR.

UNITS = INCH - If specified, this setting overrides the related [TRAJ] UNITS setting, e.g., [TRAJ]LINEAR_UNITS if the TYPE of this joint is LINEAR, [TRAJ]ANGULAR_UNITS if the TYPE of this joint is ANGULAR.

MAX_VELOCITY = 1.2 - Maximum velocity for this joint in machine units per second.

MAX_ACCELERATION = 20.0 - Maximum acceleration for this joint in machine units per second squared.

BACKLASH = 0.0000 - Backlash in machine units. Backlash compensation value can be used to make up for small deficiencies in the hardware used to drive an joint. If backlash is added to an joint and you are using steppers the STEPGEN_MAXACCEL must be increased to 1.5 to 2 times the MAX_ACCELERATION for the joint. Excessive backlash compensation can cause an joint to jerk as it changes direction. If a COMP_FILE is specified for a joint BACKLASH is not used.

COMP_FILE = file.extension - The compensation file consists of map of position information for the joint. Compensation file values are in machine units. Each set of values are are on one line separated by a space. The first value is the nominal value (the commanded position). The second and third values depend on the setting of COMP_FILE_TYPE. Points in between nominal values are interpolated between the two nominals. Compensation files must start with the smallest nominal and be in ascending order to the largest value of nominals. File names are case sensitive and can contain letters and/or numbers. Currently the limit inside LinuxCNC is for 256 triplets per joint.

COMP_FILE_TYPE = 0 or 1 - Specifies the type of compensation file. The first value is the nominal (commanded) position for both types.
A COMP_FILE_TYPE must be specified for each COMP_FILE.

MIN_LIMIT = -1000 - The minimum limit for joint motion, in machine units. When this limit is reached, the controller aborts joint motion. For a rotary joint with unlimited rotation having no MIN_LIMIT for that joint in the [JOINT_N] section a the value -1e99 is used.

MAX_LIMIT = 1000 - The maximum limit for joint motion, in machine units. When this limit is reached, the controller aborts joint motion. For a rotary joint with unlimited rotation having no MAX_LIMIT for that joint in the [JOINT_N] section a the value 1e99 is used.

MIN_FERROR = 0.010 - This is the value in machine units by which the joint is permitted to deviate from commanded position at very low speeds. If MIN_FERROR is smaller than FERROR, the two produce a ramp of error trip points. You could think of this as a graph where one dimension is speed and the other is permitted following error. As speed increases the amount of following error also increases toward the FERROR value.

FERROR = 1.0 - FERROR is the maximum allowable following error, in machine units. If the difference between commanded and sensed position exceeds this amount, the controller disables servo calculations, sets all the outputs to 0.0, and disables the amplifiers. If MIN_FERROR is present in the INI file, velocity-proportional following errors are used. Here, the maximum allowable following error is proportional to the speed, with FERROR applying to the rapid rate set by [TRAJ]MAX_VELOCITY, and proportionally smaller following errors for slower speeds. The maximum allowable following error will always be greater than MIN_FERROR. This prevents small following errors for stationary axes from inadvertently aborting motion. Small following errors will always be present due to vibration, etc.

LOCKING_INDEXER = 1 - Indicates the joint is used as a locking indexer.

MAX_FORWARD_VELOCITY = 20000 The maximum spindle speed (in rpm) for the specified spindle. Optional. This will also set MAX_REVERSE_VELOCITY to the negative value unless overridden.

MIN_FORWARD_VELOCITY = 3000 The minimum spindle speed (in rpm) for the specified spindle. Optional. Many spindles have a minimum speed below which they should not be run. Any spindle speed command below this limit will be /increased/ to this limit.

MAX_REVERSE_VELOCITY = 20000 This setting will default to MAX_FORWARD_VELOCITY if omitted. It can be used in cases where the spindle speed is limited in reverse. Set to zero for spindles which must not be run in reverse. In this context "max" refers to the absolute magnitude of the spindle speed.

MIN_REVERSE_VELOCITY = 3000` This setting is equivalent to MIN_FORWARD_VELOCITY but for reverse spindle rotation. It will default to the MIN_FORWARD_VELOCITY if omitted.

INCREMENT = 200 Sets the step size for spindle speed increment / decrement commands. This can have a different value for each spindle. This setting is effective with AXIS and Touchy but note that some control screens may handle things differently.

HOME_SEARCH_VELOCITY = 100 - FIXME: Spindle homing not yet working. Sets the homing speed (rpm) for the spindle. The spindle will rotate at this velocity during the homing sequence until the spindle index is located, at which point the spindle position will be set to zero. Note that it makes no sense for the spindle home position to be any value other than zero, and so there is no provision to do so.

HOME_SEQUENCE = 0 - FIXME: Spindle homing not yet working Controls where in the general homing sequence the spindle homing rotations occur. Set the HOME_SEARCH_VELOCITY to zero to avoid spindle rotation during the homing sequence.

TOOL_TABLE = tool.tbl - The file which contains tool information, described in the User Manual.

DB_PROGRAM = db_program - Path to an executable program that manages tool data. When a DB_PROGRAM is specified, a TOOL_TABLE entry is ignored.

TOOL_CHANGE_POSITION = 0 0 2 - Specifies the XYZ location to move to when performing a tool change if three digits are used. Specifies the XYZABC location when 6 digits are used. Specifies the XYZABCUVW location when 9 digits are used. Tool Changes can be combined. For example if you combine the quill up with change position you can move the Z first then the X and Y.

TOOL_CHANGE_WITH_SPINDLE_ON = 1 - The spindle will be left on during the tool change when the value is 1. Useful for lathes or machines where the material is in the spindle, not the tool.

TOOL_CHANGE_QUILL_UP = 1 - The Z axis will be moved to machine zero prior to the tool change when the value is 1. This is the same as issuing a G0 G53 Z0.

TOOL_CHANGE_AT_G30 = 1 - The machine is moved to reference point defined by parameters 5181-5186 for G30 if the value is 1. For more information see G-code Parameters and G-code G30-G30.1.

RANDOM_TOOLCHANGER = 1 - This is for machines that cannot place the tool back into the pocket it came from. For example, machines that exchange the tool in the active pocket with the tool in the spindle.