Installing LinuxCNC

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====== Installing LinuxCNC  ======

There are several options for running LinuxCNC:

  * Raspberry PI
  * Windows PC using Virtual Box
  * Windows PC using Docker
  * Debian PC

The following may work:

  * Windows PC with Raspbberry PI OS (Raspbian) running on the QEMU emulator

The following have issues:

  * Ubuntu 24.04 (As of March 2025, there are package issues)

If you want to run on a Windows PC, the recommended method is to use Virtual Box.

==== Installing LinuxCNC on VirtualBox on a Windows PC ====

  * Install VirtualBox from https://www.virtualbox.org/
  * If necessary, enable Virtualization in the BIOS and under 'Turn Windows features on and off'.
      * It should work if Hyper-V is enabled but if not, try disabling it.
  * Download LinuxCNC from https://linuxcnc.org/downloads/. You need this one: LinuxCNC 2.9.4 Debian 12 Bookworm PREEMPT-RT ISO. It's a complete image including the OS and the LinuxCNC application.
  * In VirtualBox, use the 'New' button to create a new virtual machine.
      * Give it a name e.g. Linux CNC
      * Select the ISO file downloaded above.
      * Set type to 'Linux'. Should be selected automatically.
      * Set version to Debian (64 bit). Should be selected automatically.
      * Select 'Skip unattended installation'
      * (Optional) Under Hardware, extend the memory from the default 2GB to 4GB (for light usage) or up to 8GB for more complex designs.
          * 2GB may cause LinuxCNC to run slowly. The memory can be increased later but you have to stop the VM first.
      * (Optional) Under Hard Disk, increase the size of the virtual hard disk.
      * Click on Finish.

==== Running LinuxCNC ====

The LinuxCNC app should appear in the applications menu under CNC. Running it should produce

{{:equipment:cnc:mill:linuxcnc-run.png?600|}}

You can try out the various cnc types and styles of user-interfaces but if you want the look and feel of the actual CNC, you should choose sim.gmoccapy -> gmoccapy