G'Day All.

I decided to upgrade my CNC system to KiCad & MACH3. It hasn't worked since.
MACH3 responds to commands like G01 X20 Y20.
Unfortunately, KiCad generates commands like G01*
I know that I am doing something wrong, but what is it?
Please HELP!

Peter

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Peter what controller are you using for your CNC ? Last year I got one from a Aussie Ebay seller and asked the question before I bought it will it run on win10 and the reply was yes it can.

Now I did find I had to download off the mach3 website the software and on the CD I got was a file called motion software. Installed that and my cnc just worked.

So when you say you upgraded what did you upgrade.

Regards Bryan

G'Day Bryan

KiCam is on a WIN10 PC
MACH3 is on a separate WIN10 PC
My hardware is probably like yours, Ebay cheap.
The problem is (Ithink) KiCam generates code that is not compatible with MACH3.
What does G01* mean and were does it come from?

Peter

I was curious, so I asked chatgpt thinks the "*" is about.  ChatGPT thinks this is a placeholder for a post-processing step.

The response said: 'KiCad does not generate finished machine-ready G-code by itself

Officially, KiCad’s PCB editor exports Gerber (and drill/Excellon) files, not CNC G-code directly. Those Gerber files are industry standard formats intended for PCB fabrication and OTHERS tools (CAM) to interpret and convert into final toolpaths and G-code'

So something along the lines of  https://github.com/r-gal/KiCAD2GCode  will still be needed.

Note: I don't do any of this kind of work... it just got me curious.

I'm using pcb2gcode
It is nice but a journey to install under Linux. Don't know about Windows

Thanks to you both.

That should get me going......I hope.

And the Shed still does wonderful things.

Peter

Back again.

I have always had problems with GitHub.
When I download pcb2gcode or kiCad2gcode I get things like "compressed zipp" or "File folder".
Where to from here?

Please understand that you are dealing with a very old idiot.

Peter

You can download the whole project by clicking on the green "code" button.
In both cases it is source code and needs to be compiled. How to do it is described in the Readme below.

I would start with KICAD2gcode. So you need to install VSCode first and open the downloaded project and compile it.

I have no idea of windows and the details and can't help further..sorry

And again.

I did warn you, old, senile etc.
I can get to a file called pcb2gcode-master
If I open that, there is a READ ME
This opens up to a KiCad screen.

I asked a young lady in the local PC repair shop but she had no idea.

If I do a google search I am given instructions at great length for developing code.
Why is life so difficult? Why me?

Peter (the confused)

Your not alone Peter as when one finally finds time to do things that we did all those years ago and try to them today ends up being a new learning experience.

Now my use of my CNC now I have it going on win10 trying to find a decent cheap software package to do the G-code just became too hard.

Now if I have this right KICAD2gcode runs on linux so one could develop the project in KICAD on linux use the KICAD2gcode app to develop the G-code then just save it to a USB disk then open up Mach3 and do the job on win10  

If you want mate I can have a go as I did just this week setup a linux box that is sitting on my CNC   as it was free space in my shed. Now this may also be the ticket to getting my CNC going  

Regards Bryan

Edit: Just fired up my linux box and in MX within a minute I am downloading KICAD in a flatpack which is a new way for me in linux.
Edited 2026-02-06 17:03 by Bryan1

OK Peter finally got KICAD running in MX after that huge download so if you want to share your file in the morning I will download that KICAD2gcode so I can convert that file for you.

Now if I can get some tips on this KICAD as I just need to make a 97.5mm circle and go dots as this project is on making perf plates in copper. A 25mm hole for the down comer will need to put near the edge.

Then edit the g-code file so I can get the code right to make these perf plates as few need to be made

G01 is Start linear move but it needs the parameters. Example:

X10.5   Move to 10.5 on the X-axis
Y20.0   Move to 20.0 on the Y-axis
Z-1.5   Drop the tool to -1.5 (cutting depth)
F500    Move at a speed of 500 units/min

G'Day

My question was about the asterix, KiCad generates code like G01* which is not what I expected. I agree with you. Nice simple, easy to understand instructions like G01 X1.

I think I am missing something in this (a brain?)
Why doesn't KiCad talk to MACH3?
Does anything talk to MACH3 directly?

I have been looking at ZORIN which I have on a spare laptop. It all seemed so simple when I started.

Peter

I'm using Kicad 8 on Linux. It doesn't create gcode for isolation milling directly.
It creates Gerber files which need to be translated into gcode. I use pcb2gcode for this task.
Then the generated gcode needs to be loaded with the front end milling software.
In your case it would be Mach3 for windows.
The Mach3 software then talks to your CNC controller board.

Edit: I'm using GRBL. I think the very old Mach3 will give you a headache
Edited 2026-02-06 21:39 by dddns