How to work with LinuxCNC for EtherCAT Servo drivers?

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09 Apr 2026 19:22 #345371 by hilinda1
I am currently controlling 3 EtherCAT servo drivers via SOEM. I want to run some G-code with my system. I am searching a G-code interpreter and trajectory planner in C++. Then I found LinuxCNC. I read some document and video. I have some questions below.

1. Are there G-code interpreter and trajectory planner API I can call for my application from LinuxCNC?
2. Is there a way to connect my EtherCAT servo to Linuxcnc?

I prefer to use API for my application. Please advise. Thank you guys.  

 

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09 Apr 2026 19:44 #345373 by andrax
LinuxCNC is a fully-fledged CNC controller.EtherCAT Cia402 is supported.I don’t think you can extract any parts for your purpose.It wouldn’t make any sense anyway.

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09 Apr 2026 19:52 #345375 by tommylight


I prefer to use API for my application. Please advise. Thank you guys.  


 

That is all good and dandy, but why?
LinuxCNC has several trajectory planners that you can switch between, so why add another layer between them?
Check the docs and GitHub, you can probably add another API there somewhere, so try the Run In Place version as you can change stuff and test quickly.

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09 Apr 2026 20:04 #345376 by hilinda1
Thank you for the clarification. What can I find the EtherCAT setup instruction? I only see an example for stepper drive. The reason I want to use API, because my system is not only doing CNC motion, but it may include other sequence. I am not familiar with LinuxCNC enough.

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10 Apr 2026 00:38 #345382 by Hakan
I think the best way is to have linuxcnc at the centre.
For custom control you write a hal component
that takes signals in and gives signals out 
with your control algorithm.

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10 Apr 2026 12:01 #345395 by rodw
The instructions to install ethercat are here:
forum.linuxcnc.org/ethercat/45336-etherc...-how-to-step-by-step

We use an xml file to define PDOs and map to linuxcnc pins but its nothing like twincat stuff.

I've been working on a custom ISO that installs ethercat and tunes the kernel but its slow going.

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