Glossary
- ‘Looper’
Looper is a tool designed to be super easy to use that facilitates DNC file transfers between CNC equipment and computers on a network.
- API KEY
An API key is a unique identifier that is used to authenticate requests to an API. Looper uses an API key to authenticate requests to Open Weather to get the outside local temperature. This is a cute Looper feature to display outside temperature on the LCD display while Looper is idle.
- Baud Rate
The rate at which information is transferred over the serial cable. Higher baud rates allow faster data transfers.
- CNC
‘Computer Numerical Control’ automated control of machining tools (such as drills, lathes, mills, and 3D printers) by means of an embedded computer which runs a user generated program written as G-code.
- Data Bits
The number of data bits used to represent each character that is being sent over the serial cable. Commonly set to 7 or 8. However, must be set to 7 if parity checking is enabled.
- DNC
‘Direct Numerical Control’ or ‘Distributed Numerical Control’ is a system that enables communications between a central computer and multiple CNC machines.
- Drip Feed
Some Gcode programs are too large to download and fit into a CNC’s memory space. To get around that problem, many CNC machines support drip feeding the program. Looper support drip feeding Gcode programs up to 20 gigabytes in size!
- Ethernet Port
A port for connecting Looper to a network via a wired connection. Most often, the Ethernet cable connects Looper to a network switch or router.
- Flow Control
This is a simple protocol that uses Xon and Xoff characters to control the flow, or stream, between two serial devices. Looper can use flow control when drip-feeding programs, as an example.
- G-code
G-code, also known as RS-274, is the language used to control CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machines. It consists of a series of instructions that tell the machine how to move its tools to create a specific design or part. G-code commands can specify movements (such as moving in straight lines or arcs), speeds, and tool changes, among other actions. These programs can become quite large!
- Indicator - Power
On the front face-plate of Looper is a red LED that indicates power is on when illuminated. The red LED slowly fads in and out during normal operation.
- Indicator - Status
On the front face-plate of Looper is a green LED, labeled ‘Status’, that flashes on new events. As an example, an event could be a new file has been downloaded over the network to Looper, or, a new DPRNT message has been captured from the CNC machine - these are just a few examples. The status indicator is handy when your located at a far distance from the CNC machine but still want to see that the file has been received by Looper.
- IP Address
Every computer that wants to connect to a network needs an IP Address. An example would look like, “192.168.0.123”. Rotate the knob on the front of Looper and the LCD display will show the assigned IP Address.
- Parity Checking
Using parity checking each character can be sent with a parity information. If the character and parity do not match a comm error is detected. To use parity checking, the number of data bits must be set to 7. Parity checking can be set to None, Even, or Odd.
- Xmodem
Xmodem is a protocol that is used over a serial link like RS232. The protocol groups characters into packets. After each packet is sent a followup checksum is sent. If the receiver’s packet checksum does not match the protocol will retry the packet until the checksums match. This protocol is a great improvement over simply using