Knife Controller & CAM Architecture:

This is essentially a customized minimal chilipeppr, a dxf parser built around CLO3d specific layer formats (legacy version: https://github.com/rbuttress/clo2dxf) with a few key drawing functions from inkscape borrowing from PathtoGcode from inkscape gcode tools, a crude replica of deepnest.io, and a 4 axis gcode post processor (legacy version: https://github.com/rbuttress/xyz2xyza) for the tangential knife table I built in 2023 https://github.com/rbuttress/full

Here I gathered a workflow spanning 5 tools into one local javascript application that does the following:

Feature List

Backend Server & API (/, server.js)

• Dynamic DXF Discovery Scans local directories and sorts available CAD files by modification date to build a nested hierarchy.
• Fabric Database API Implements full CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) REST operations for managing material inventory via a flat JSON file.

Core Engines & Mathematics (js/core/)

• Tangential Knife Compensation (slicer.js) Automatically applies calculated corner overcuts and inside undercuts based on blade geometry and lift angle thresholds.
• Nearest-Neighbor Path Optimizer (slicer.js) Re-orders cutting lines and intelligently reverses cut direction (swapping p1/p2) to dramatically minimize rapid gantry movements.
• Vector Deduplication (slicer.js) Analyzes geometry to merge overlapping segments, ensuring the knife never cuts the same shared edge twice.
• Evolutionary Nesting Worker (worker.js, nester.js) A Web Worker that breeds high-yield layouts using Genetic Algorithms, Order 1 Crossover, and sequence mutations.
• Geometric Drop Heuristics (worker.js) Packs shapes using advanced placement algorithms including gravity drops, true-shape NFP, and topographic valley sweeps.
• SPJS Hardware Bridge (spjs.js) Maintains a resilient WebSocket connection to a Serial Port JSON Server for bi-directional TinyG communication.
• Kinematic Machine State (machine.js) Tracks global absolute coordinates (X, Y, Z, A), buffer status, and machine operation modes in real-time.
• Gamepad Vector Drive (controller.js) Translates raw analog joystick inputs into continuous, real-time tangent vector moves to manually drive the machine head.
• Physical Digitizer (tracer.js) Logs physical gantry coordinates via gamepad button presses to generate digital edge profiles of oddly shaped scrap remnants.

Rendering & Canvas Visualizer (js/visualizer/)

• State Orchestrator (canvas.js) Centralizes active layout, tool selection, and job simulation states into a single decoupled hub.
• Hardware-Synced Cut Tracking (canvas.js) Passively tracks the physical gantry position and permanently marks digital lines as "cut" when the machine passes over them.
• Morphological Cut-Line Generator (canvas.js) Calculates a smooth "guillotine" cut line below completed operations to efficiently sever used fabric from the roll.
• High-Performance Render Loop (renderer.js) Utilizes requestAnimationFrame to continuously draw grids, fabrics, active tool paths, ghost layouts, and G-code simulations.
• Rapid Jog Aiming (input.js) Holding Alt draws a dashed heading line to the cursor and rotates the A-axis; clicking triggers a rapid G0 move to that coordinate.
• Persistent History Manager (history.js) Maintains a state snapshot stack for seamless Ctrl+Z / Ctrl+Y undo/redo functionality and local storage persistence.
• Selection State Manager (selection.js) Handles click-toggling, bounding-box multi-selection, and isolation of custom nesting mask geometry.

Interactive Canvas Toolkit (js/visualizer/tools.js)

• Select & Drag Tool (SelectTool, FabricDragTool) Allows dragging individual patterns, shifting the virtual fabric bed to match reality, and right-clicking parts to toggle their nestability.
• Smart Polyline Tool (DrawPolyTool) Draws custom cuts that automatically snap into closed polygons if the cursor approaches the origin point.
• Nesting Masks (FreeMaskTool, BoxMaskTool, PolyMaskTool) Utilizes ClipperLib boolean intersection math to define explicit zones where the auto-nester is permitted to place parts.
• Destructive Fabric Chopping (CutFabricTool, PolyCutTool) Uses boolean difference operations to permanently slice off sections of the virtual fabric outline, simulating physical scrap removal.

User Interface & Floating Widgets (js/ui/)

• Desktop-Style Window Manager (window.js) Creates floating, draggable, dockable widget windows with edge-snapping and dynamic flex-height expansion.
• G-Code Job Tree (gcode.js) Slices massive layouts into horizontal bands (sub-jobs) to accommodate machines that require manual fabric unrolling.
• Smart Execution & Playback (gcode.js) Allows pausing, aborting, or seamlessly resuming a sub-job from any specific clicked line of G-code.
• Live Line Highlighting (gcode.js) Reads line numbers from TinyG serial reports to smoothly auto-scroll and highlight the exact line of code currently executing.
• DXF Ingestion & Arc Tessellation (browser.js) Parses CAD files and interpolates perfect mathematical curves into CNC-ready tiny line segments based on configurable limits.
• Material Inventory UI (fabrics.js) Manages raw roll data and displays scaled digital thumbnails of the physical fabric profiles.
• Evolutionary Leaderboard (ranking.js) Displays the live leaderboard of nesting algorithms as they process, allowing users to hover for a visual yield preview.
• Safety Digital Read-Out (dro.js) Provides jog controls, homing limits, and an input safety lock that forces Z-axis entries to be negative to prevent collisions.
• Dynamic Coordinate Cursor (cursor.js) A floating HUD element that reveals live canvas coordinates or rich metadata depending on hover priority.