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Browser CAD/CAM for Pen Plotters Launches

Hacker News •
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Tibor P. released Kurvengefahr, a web‑based CAD/CAM system that converts artwork into G‑code for pen plotters. The tool grew from a simple Prusa MK4 pen‑plotter attachment into a full workflow covering import, creation, preparation, and hardware control. It supports SVG import, a turtle‑style logo interpreter, and a Graves RNN module for handwriting synthesis.

Kurvengefahr communicates with plotters using the Web Serial API and works with devices running EBB (AxiDraw) or GRBL firmware. For developers without physical hardware, the author provides an STM32 mock that emulates plotter responses. The source code and documentation are hosted on GitHub, inviting contributions and testing on real machines.

The application demonstrates how browser‑native APIs can replace dedicated desktop software for low‑speed CNC tasks. By handling both vector generation and motion planning in JavaScript, it lowers the barrier for hobbyists to experiment with pen‑plotting, rapid prototyping, and generative art. Users can feed custom designs or let the RNN synthesize text, then stream commands directly to the plotter without extra drivers.