TU Tools

Fabrication tools for Technical University Dublin by Axis Consulting.

Overview

TU Tools is a Grasshopper plugin that provides CNC machining capabilities for Rhino 6. It allows users to generate, compile, and export G-code toolpaths directly from Grasshopper definitions. The plugin includes authentication features and is designed specifically for educational use at Technical University Dublin.

Features

• CNC Toolpath Generation: Convert points into G-code cutting commands
• Arc Interpolation: Generate smooth curved toolpaths using G02/G03 commands
• Program Compilation: Compile individual operations into complete CNC programs
• File Export: Export programs to Axiom machine file format (.mmg)
• Toolpath Validation: Analyze and detect potential issues in toolpaths
• Visual Preview: Color-coded visualization of cutting and rapid movements
• Authentication: Secure login system using Auth0 with 3-day token validity
• Utility Functions: Helper methods for geometry operations and plane interpolation

Components

Core

• Login: Authenticate users with DIT email addresses to access CNC features

CNC

• Cut: Generate G-code cutting commands from a list of points

  • Input: List of points, feed speed (mm/s)
  • Output: G-code commands (G01)

• Arc Cut: Generate G-code arc commands for smoother curved toolpaths

  • Input: List of circular arcs/circles, feed speed (mm/s), direction (CW/CCW)
  • Output: G-code arc commands (G02/G03)

• File: Compile individual CNC operations into a complete program

  • Input: List of cut commands
  • Output: Formatted CNC program with headers and footers

• Export: Export compiled programs to machine files

  • Input: Program commands, filename, filepath, export trigger
  • Output: .mmg file with export log

• Validate Toolpath: Analyze toolpaths for potential issues

  • Input: Toolpath points, rapid threshold, safe height
  • Output: Validation status, issue list, statistics
  • Checks: Rapid movements, path continuity, negative Z values

• G-Code Preview: Visualize toolpaths with color-coded movements

  • Input: Toolpath points, rapid threshold
  • Output: Cutting moves (green), rapid moves (red), statistics
  • Features: Visual preview, time estimation, workspace dimensions

Installation

Prerequisites

• Rhino 6 or later
• Grasshopper (included with Rhino 6+)
• .NET Framework 4.6.1 or later

Build from Source

1. Clone this repository:

   git clone https://github.com/rhughes42/tu-tools.git

2. Open TUTools.sln in Visual Studio 2015 or later

3. Restore NuGet packages:

   • Right-click solution in Solution Explorer
   • Select "Restore NuGet Packages"

4. Build the solution:

   • For development: Build in Debug mode (outputs to Grasshopper Libraries folder)
   • For distribution: Build in Release mode (outputs to bin folder)

5. The post-build event will automatically:

   • Copy the DLL to the appropriate location
   • Rename it to .gha extension
   • Clean up unnecessary files

Installation

1. Copy TUTools.gha to your Grasshopper libraries folder:

   • Windows: %AppData%\Grasshopper\Libraries\

2. Unblock the file:

   • Right-click the .gha file
   • Select Properties
   • Click "Unblock" if present
   • Click OK

3. Restart Rhino and Grasshopper

Usage

Basic Workflow

1. Login:

   • Place a Login component in your Grasshopper definition
   • Connect a boolean toggle to the Run input
   • Set to True to authenticate with your DIT email
   • Authentication is valid for 3 days

2. Create Toolpath:

   • Generate or import a list of 3D points representing your toolpath
   • Connect points to the Cut component
   • Optionally specify feed speed (default: 40 mm/s)

3. Compile Program:

   • Connect Cut component output to the File component
   • The program will include necessary initialization and cleanup commands

4. Export:

   • Connect File output to Export component
   • Specify filename and output path
   • Set Export boolean to True to write file

Example

Points → Cut → File → Export → .mmg file
         ↓
      Speed (optional)

Arcs → Arc Cut → File → Export → .mmg file
       ↓
    Speed, Direction

Points → Validate → Issues, Statistics
         ↓
      Thresholds

Points → G-Code Preview → Visual toolpath, Time estimate
         ↓
      Display settings

Code Structure

TUTools/
├── CNC/
│   ├── ArcCut.cs           # Arc interpolation for curves
│   ├── Cut.cs              # Linear toolpath generation
│   ├── Export.cs           # File export
│   ├── GCodePreview.cs     # Visual toolpath preview
│   ├── Program.cs          # Program compilation
│   └── ToolpathValidator.cs # Toolpath validation
├── Core/
│   └── Login.cs            # Authentication
├── Properties/
│   ├── AssemblyInfo.cs
│   └── Settings.Designer.cs
├── Resources/              # Icons and assets
├── Utilities.cs            # Helper functions
└── TUToolsInfo.cs         # Plugin metadata

Development

Code Style

• Use XML documentation comments for all public methods and classes
• Follow C# naming conventions (PascalCase for public members)
• Use constants for magic numbers
• Include input validation and error handling

Building

• Debug builds output to: %AppData%\Roaming\Grasshopper\Libraries\TU Tools\
• Release builds output to: bin\

Dependencies

• RhinoCommon (Rhino 6)
• Grasshopper SDK
• Auth0.OidcClient.WPF (2.4.3)
• Newtonsoft.Json (11.0.1)

G-Code Reference

The generated G-code follows standard CNC conventions:

• G00: Rapid positioning (non-cutting movement)
• G01: Linear interpolation (cutting movement)
• G02: Circular interpolation clockwise (arc cutting)
• G03: Circular interpolation counterclockwise (arc cutting)
• G21: Metric units (mm)
• G90: Absolute positioning mode
• M03: Spindle on (clockwise)
• M09: Coolant off
• M30: Program end

Arc commands use IJK format for center offsets:

• I: X-axis offset from start point to arc center
• J: Y-axis offset from start point to arc center
• K: Z-axis offset from start point to arc center

Default machine settings:

• Spindle speed: 12000 RPM
• Safe height: 50mm
• Feed rate: 2400 mm/min (for rapid moves)
• Default cutting speed: 40 mm/s (2400 mm/min)

License

Copyright Axis © 2019

Contact

• Developer: Axis Consulting
• Email: [email protected]
• Organization: Technical University Dublin

Contributing

This is an educational project for Technical University Dublin. For questions or issues, please contact the development team at [email protected].

Version History

• v1.0.0 (2019): Initial release
  • Core CNC functionality
  • Auth0 authentication
  • Axiom file export

Acknowledgments

• Quaternion interpolation code adapted from the Robots plugin by Vicente Soler
• Built for Technical University Dublin
• Developed by Axis Consulting