SICO PHP CNC Engraver
What is it?
SPCE is a php-script which uses a (.png/.gif/.jpg) image to produce ISO-G code, other CNC-code
or HPGL code to programm cnc-machines (milling machines, cutter...) with.
You can use any b/w image and feed your machine with the programms output. Every black pixel
will be engraved and every white (other) pixel will be left out. Easy isnt it?
Update: Version 3.20 (untested) Should be able to work with color/greyscale images
and compute 255 engraving depths. This should enable real relief engraving possibilities.
What input files are possible?
The program can handle .jpg .png and .gif black/white images. Possibly some of this
formats wont work on your system. It depends on your installed PHP and GD-lib Version!
( GD up to 1.6 supports gif 1.6 >GD<2.x does not support gif ...
another wired try to make money out of old patent and copyright interpretations )
In case of doubt update this packages and it should work!
What output files are possible?
The program produces HPGL-code (lines or circles only) or standard ISO-G code. You can
configure a major part and change the code which will be produced, so most other cnc-controllers
can be programmed with!
The output of the result is done on screen. Just copy/paste it into your control-software/textfile
whatever.. to have it.
What is needed to run SPCE?
The program itself runs as php-script on a webserver (Apache)
You can use it everywhere where you have acess to this webserver just by using a browser (Firefox)
Why we wrote it:
This is a little tool we needed in our company. Nowhere such a small tool could
be found for less than ridicoulus $x000,-!! Lots of programmers know that tools like
this are needed and therefore they try to rip off customers whats possible.
In some cases their greed reaches up to some hundreds of Dollars per line of code!
Ok! They say thats business. - Ok, but in my opinion thats dubious.
Therefore we decided that everybody who uses a free Operating System and is in need of such a tool -
should be free to have it!
Is it really free to use? Which licence?
If you have the money to buy and run a non-free OS and you need SPCE -
then for sure you have also the money to buy a licence!
...That's business... - you decided to use this business modell; didn't you?
In that case (SPCE running on a non-free environment) it is commercial software and will cost money!
So in that case: please ask for licencing prices!
Nobody is forcing you to use non-free software. Nobody should hinder you, to install a free OS
SPCE is free to use on free OSes (Linux) in this case the actual GPL is
used for its protection (www.gnu.org)
On free OSes everybody may use it for free without paying for!
Can I test it?
sure - only the upload feature is disabled
No.. some people used our test server to play around and we had only work to repair it etc.
But you can see screenshots!
Okay, screenshots?
Yep!
a) This is the main screen. Here you can upload and select your image
and choose which type of output you want.
b) This is the configuration screen. Here you set up the parameters for your machine.
c) A snipplet of the programms output.
Can I see a sample?
sure - This image is engraved into quartz with a laser sheet cutter
Can I get a copy?
sure.. send a mail to ... or ... then you can get the actual release
But you may only use it on free operating systems!! - Otherwise send an order request!
Notice: I am NOT happy with that release, it works but it is not in that stage I would like to have it.
If I find time, I would like to do a another, better release.
NO you can't. Sorry, I hadn't had enough time to do further developments on SPCE.
I decided to give something back to the community. So SPCE was for free to use on free operating Systems.
Lots of people were interested in SPCE.
Option 1: Install it on your Gaming OS from M$ (or anywhere) and pay for SPCE
Option 2: Use it on a free environment (Linux) and get SPCE for free.
Thats it! But some did not understand that there are only two Options, they told me to run it on Linux
but then...
they asked about installation problems with M$ Webserver
Sorry, this is not fair. This is not the idea of giving something back to the community.
So, please don't ask me about a copy. - Checkout EMC2 (www.linuxcnc.org) since some time it can do basically
the same and better as SPCE did.
Be fair and donate to their developers. If you really do not like Linux... try to get EMC2 running on Win ;-))
Whats planned for the next release?
Oh.. computing more bitplanes (grayscale images) to engrave images in more different
levels/heights/layers so to create 3D objects. ... Untested released in 3.20!!
A better customizability for different CNC controllers is also on my list..
We will see...
I do not plan to make a next release!
The software here is supplied at the users own risk, the site operators/author
do not take any responsibility for any problems resulting from the downloading or
use of of this tool.