Available · version 1.5

Export Preflight

Review Cadivari's Shapeoko job, warnings, manual router mode, and operator confirmations before future NC export.

Updated August 20264 min readCAM & machines

Recommended test

Use a valid standalone circular-arc Open Contour with reviewed motion and G2/G3 output.

  1. Open the CAM operation and find G-code · Shapeoko / GRBL.
  2. Choose Review export preflight. You can also inspect the G-code first and continue from its footer.
  3. Confirm the amber boundary says Local file export only — no machine connection.
  4. Read the summary. Stock, selected XY stock anchor, stock-top Z0, 6 mm cutter, Safe Z, final Z, passes, feeds, router target, direction, tabs, and program size should match the operation.
  5. Automatic facts should be green. Manual router control and any active entry/linking limitations remain amber for deliberate review.
  6. Tick all four operator confirmations. The heading should advance from 0 of 4 to Operator review complete.
  7. Close the dialog and reopen it. All confirmations should reset; old approval must not survive a new review session.
  8. Turn tabs off on a through-cut. Reopen preflight and confirm an amber Through-cut has no holding tabs warning appears.
  9. For a through-depth arc contour, confirm Open through-cut requires workholding review appears because tabs are not available for that operation.
  10. Add a small spoilboard overcut. Confirm the exact intentional overcut appears as a depth warning.
  11. Make Feed invalid. G-code and export preflight should become blocked until the operation is repaired.
  12. After all confirmations pass, Save … .nc should unlock. Localhost downloads through the browser; the desktop app opens a native save dialog.
  13. Confirm there is still no clipboard or machine-send action.

01 · ONE REVIEW SURFACE

The values that matter are visible together

The dialog reads the current resolved operation rather than storing a second copy. Changes to stock, Safe Z, cutter, depth, feeds, spindle target, placement/direction, motion, or G-code rebuild the information shown the next time preflight opens.

JobMachine profile, stock dimensions, job zero, and Safe Z
ToolResolved cutter type and exact diameter
CutFinal Z, pass count, cut or roughing feed, plunge/ramp feed, optional finish feed, RPM target, and travel direction
WorkholdingContour tab details, explicit Open Contour warning, or Pocket not-used state
ProgramGenerated line count, typed motion count, and manual-router M0 pause

02 · MACHINE-CHECKABLE FACTS

Errors block while warnings stay visible

The preflight independently confirms the Shapeoko/GRBL profile, supported job-zero convention, positive stock and Safe Z, matching cutter, phase-specific cutting values, resolved contour or pocket plan, ordered linear or circular motion, and a non-empty consistent G-code program. For splines it separately reconciles sample count, pass count, linear cut moves, generated G1 blocks, and the measured chord-error bound.

GreenInternal check passed
AmberValid but requires human review
RedBlocking inconsistency; confirmations disabled

Intentional spoilboard cutting, unusual cutting parameters, Safe Z below the 10 mm new-job recommendation, explicit straight entry/linking motion, sampled spline approximation, through-cut workholding, and manual router control remain amber. A warning is not silently converted into approval.

03 · REAL-WORLD FACTS

Four checks software cannot prove

CutterCorrect type and diameter installed, secured, and suitable
Work zeroX0 Y0 set at the selected stock anchor and Z0 set on the stock top
WorkholdingStock secured and clamps clear of the cutter and holder
Manual routerTarget RPM and manual start/stop responsibility understood

Confirmations are session-only UI state. Closing the dialog, changing mode, or deleting the operation clears them. They do not enter document history and are never treated as a permanent safety certificate.

04 · DELIBERATE BOUNDARY

Review complete unlocks one local file

After all checks and confirmations pass, Local NC Export v1.3 can save the exact reviewed G0/G1/G2/G3 text. Localhost uses a browser download; the desktop app asks for a destination with the native save dialog. There is no machine connection.

Manual router remains the only supported mode

The generated program contains no M3, M4, or M5. It pauses at M0 before cutter-stage motion so the operator can start the router and resume. Software-controlled spindle semantics must be designed and tested separately instead of appearing as an unchecked option.

05 · SAME VERIFIED SOURCE

One chain from geometry to review

Resolved rectangle or Open Contour
↓
Typed motion plan
↓
Shapeoko / GRBL preview
↓
Export Preflight v1
↓
Session-only confirmations
↓
Local .nc file

Pure preflight logic is covered by focused tests. The UI adds readable summaries and operator acknowledgements without changing the generated program.

Use the Local NC Export checklist to compare the saved bytes with the line-numbered preview.