UGS Platform

The UGS Platform is the next generation of Universal Gcode Sender. It is built ontop of the Netbeans Platform which allows us to leverage its mature modular framework. This platform allows more features to be added without compromising on code quality, or being bogged down by a home grown framework. The Classic GUI is used as a library, so core features benefit both interfaces.

Screenshot

Platform Benefits

  • This is the current target for new UGS features.
  • Out of the box dynamic windowing system allows arranging the UI dynamically.
  • Plugin Framework available for decoupling features.
  • Huge library of modules to leverage: Code Editors, Auto-updates, Keybindings

Usage

How to run

  1. Download and extract the UGS Platform build from the downloads page.
  2. Go to the ugsplatform/bin directory.
  3. On Windows run ugsplatform.exe or ugsplatform64.exe.
    On Linux or Mac OSX run ugsplatform.
    Run ugsplatform executable

Connecting to the controller

Start off by connecting to your controller hardware using the toolbar at the top of the program.

  • Select the correct hardware in the firmware combo box:
    Firmware combo box

  • Refresh the serial ports list and select the correct port for your hardware. If you can't find the correct port in the list, make sure you have the drivers installed.
    Serial port

    The ports are usually named like this:
    - MacOSX: /dev/tty.usbmodem* or /dev/tty.usbserial*
    - Linux: /dev/ttyUSB* or /dev/ttyACM*
    - Windows: COM1, COM2 and so on.

  • Select the correct baud rate for your controller.
    - GRBL - version 0.9 or later are using 115200, earlier versions are using 9600.
    - TinyG/g2core will adapt to the baud rate you are connecting with so it really doesn't matter.

Setup wizard

Do you need help configuring your hardware? In that case the setup wizard might be helpful, it will allow you to configure limit switches, homing, soft limits and calibrating your machine.

  • To start the wizard open the menu Machine -> Setup wizard...
    Start the setup wizard
  • If you aren't connected to your controller a connection dialog will be presented:
    Connect to controller
  • The version of the controller will be shown after connecting and the available setup steps will be loaded for your controller:
    Connected controller
  • If you have a settings file from your machine manufacturer or if you have a backup of your settings you may import it here:
    Import settings
  • On the motor wiring configuration page you can test the direction of your motors and change its direction if needed.
    Motor wiring configuration
  • On the step calibration page you can move the machine and measure the actual distance. It will then recommend a step setting for your machine:
    Step calibration
  • If you have limit switches you may enable them on this page and test if they are firing correctly:
    Limit switches
  • If limit switches are enabled you may enable homing as well. This page helps you figuring out in which direction the homing should be made:
    Homing setup
  • If homing is enabled you may also configure soft limits so that the controller knows if it can process a command without triggering limit switches:
    Soft limits setup

Digital read-out

The Digital read-out (or Controller state) panel displays the current status of your machine such as the work/machine coordinates, machine/spindle speeds and gcode states.

Controller state (DRO)

The panel provides the following functions:

  • Coordinates of both the machine and your current work
  • Buttons for resetting the work coordinates for each axis
  • Changable work coordinates using simple mathematical expressions.
    You can either set an exact coordinate or, as an example, use the following # / 2 to divide the current position in half. The #-character will be replaced with current position. If you start your expression with * or / the current position is prepended.
    Work coordinate
  • Display the current machine state (Idle, Run, Jog, Alarm, etc.)
  • Display the current feed rate and spindle speed
  • Display the different GCode states
  • Display alarm with the triggered limit switches

Overrides

With the overrides plugin you can tweak the running session of a gcode program in real time. You can speed up/down the feed rate, spindle and the fast movement. To use, open the menu Window -> Overrides.

Overrides window