I have the new(complete re-write) Kflop WebNC
replacement nearly complete.
The little project is growing to become more
of a kflop server that happens to include a useable
web based CNC application. The thought behind
running it as a server is that you can connect to it
from any device, and also any software
system(Winforms, WPF, Silverlight, QT, etc...).
The server also adds benefits over using the
.net library alone as many common functions you need
to have a system running are already implemented for
you and can be accessed via socket commands.
In summary, the new `WebNC' or whatever it should
called has two major differences
1. Server is separated from application, this means
you do not need to use a browser to run an app.
There is now a light-weight (though full-featured)
HTTP web server plus a high speed web-socket
server that handles interaction with the kflop
libraries.
As it is a standalone server, you can run
whichever apps you want to create, AND you are not
limited to HTML.
There is no reason you could not connect to the
socket server via WPF, winforms, or from other
native applications on a linux/Mac/mobile device.
2. No longer uses a web browser control inside of
a winform, you can use the browser of your choice.
The winform control in VS relies on IE fallbacks,
and many new web features are not yet supported.
Another benefit of being browser-based is you can
use any browser you want from any device you want
You can have your machine computer connected to
the kflop, but then use your smart phone or tablet
to access the HMI and control the machine(best
pendant ever!)
Of course you can also log in from your laptop in
the comfort of your living room to check on the
machine that is running a long program in the
shop.
Hopefully this will make it more
useful/accessible to more users.
-Brad Murry
