Centroid API Introduction

The Centroid CNC API is designed with openness and extensibility in mind, extending beyond its native support for C# and Visual Basic .NET in Visual Studio. The community has embraced this flexibility by developing powerful wrappers that broaden accessibility for developers using other languages!

Notable examples include:

• The Python wrapper created by GitHub user fca1 (available at https://github.com/fca1/cnc_centroid_skinning), which provides an unofficial but robust bridge to the Centroid API. This allows rapid prototyping and development in Python — ideal for scripting, automation, data analysis, or cross-platform applications — while maintaining compatibility with CNC12's core functionality.
• The C++ wrapper (CLI bridge) developed by Filardo (available at https://centroidcncforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=12525), enabling integration with C++-based projects or legacy codebases that require high-performance native execution.

These community-driven wrappers demonstrate the API's versatility and encourage broader innovation. While the core Centroid API remains officially supported in .NET environments, these extensions empower developers in diverse languages to build custom interfaces, add-ons, or full GUI replacements without being limited to a single ecosystem. This approach highlights Centroid's commitment to an open platform, fostering collaboration and enabling OEMs, machine builders, and power users to adapt the system to their preferred development stack.

Click one of the links below for more information!

• What can I do with the Centroid API?
• Where can I find Centroid API documentation?
• Centroid API FAQ
• Centroid API Videos
• Need Help with the Centroid API?

What can you do with the Centroid API?

• You can create your own Centroid CNC Apps!
• Your App will command and control Centroid's CNC12 CNC software.
• You can create simple Apps like the Power Feed example shown in the video below or a more complex App that would completely replace the Centroid UI.
  
  • Its all up to you!
• The Centroid API is free, there is no charge to use the Centroid API tools themselves!

Where can you find Centroid API documentation?

• Centroid API documentation is current included with every CNC12 installation.
  
  • Mill: c:\cncm\CentroidAPIDocumentation
  • Lathe: c:\cnct\CentroidAPIDocumentation
  • Router: c:\cncr\CentroidAPIDocumentation
  • Plasma: c:\cncp\CentroidAPIDocumentation
  
  
  • MillDemo: c:\Centroid_Mill_Intercon_Offline\CentroidAPIDocumentation
  • LatheDemo: c:\Centroid_Lathe_Intercon_Offline\CentroidAPIDocumentation
• Also available online!
  • https://centroidcnc.com/CentroidAPI/
• Need help?
  • Just make a post on the Centroid API Technical Support Forum

Centroid API FAQ

• Q: What is the Centroid CNC API?
• A: The Centroid API (Application Programming Interface), formerly Skinning API, is an easy way to build your own Custom CNC Applications and solutions powered by any of Centroid's CNC Control Boards (Allin1DC, Oak, Hickory, Acorn, and AcornSix).

• Q: What can I do with it?
• A: Use the Centroid API to create your own custom CNC applications that can run along with CNC12 or completely replace the CNC12 UI.
  Your Apps can command motion, control motors, pumps, activate accessories, interface with a robot, read sensors, read inputs, control outputs, run macros, run g codes, display all kinds of machine tool information such as but not limited to: spindle speed, feedrate, WCS and Machine positions. Run probing cycles, set part zeros, interface with 3rd party software. The applications and functions are nearly limitless.

• Q: How much does the Centroid API cost?
• A: The Centroid APi is free and open, there is no charge to use the Centroid APi tools to create your own CNC application. A CNC12 "Pro" License is the recommended minimum software license to use the Centroid API effectively.

• Q: What programming languages can I use to create a Centroid CNC App using the Centroid API?
• A: At this time only Visual Basic.net and C# languages are officially supported however, Console, WinForms, and WPF projects are supported with those languages.

• Q: What programming tools does Centroid use and recommend when creating Apps?
• A: Visual Studio Community Edition (Free) or Visual Studio Pro/Enterprise (Paid), see more here: https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/vs/compare/

• Q: Is there a place I can get help?
• A: Yes, Centroid has created the Centroid API Technical Support Forum where we will answer questions and take suggestions.

• Q: Can I download the Centroid example Apps to edit myself?
• A: Yes, on the CentroidCNC GitHub Repos:
  1. VB: https://github.com/CentroidCNC/CentroidAPI_VBnet_PowerFeed
  2. C#: https://github.com/CentroidCNC/CentroidAPI_CSharp_PowerFeed

• Q: Where is the Centroid CNC12 API documentation?
• A: New CentroidAPI Documentation will be coming soon on the website.
  Current CentroidAPI Documentation is available in your CNC12 Install Directory:
  • Mill: C:\cncm\CentroidAPIDocumentation
  • Lathe: C:\cnct\CentroidAPIDocumentation
  • Router: C:\cncr\CentroidAPIDocumentation
  • Plasma: C:\cncp\CentroidAPIDocumentation
  • MillDemo: C:\Centroid_Mill_Intercon_Offline\CentroidAPIDocumentation
  • LatheDemo: C:\Centroid_Lathe_Intercon_Offline\CentroidAPIDocumentation

• Q: What are the requirements for using the Centroid API?
• A:
  1. Centroid CNC12 Installed (Offline or Standard, but Offline is limited, ie. no jogging or skin_event calls possible)
     - https://centroidcnc.com/centroid_diy/centroid_cnc_software_downloads.html)
  2. Visual Studio Installed
     - https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/vs/compare/
  3. A 64-bit Development PC running Windows 10 or 11
     - https://centroidcnc.com/cnc_pc_performance_requirements.html
     - Note: Must Exceed our Minimum Spec but will vary depending on the scale of your CentroidAPI Application
  4. (Optional but Recommended) A CentroidCNC Control Board
     - https://shopcentroidcnc.com/
     - The Offline CNC12 Mill and Lathe Intercon installer can be used for basic development and testing but is not ideal for complex operations.

• Q: I am inexperienced with programming. What knowledge do I need to have the best chance at success?
• A: You should understand how to reference external assemblies, call into unmanaged or third-party code, and wrap lower-level APIs in higher-level abstractions for use within your application. The Centroid API is not network-based; it operates entirely through method calls exposed by a DLL. As such, familiarity with object models, method invocation patterns, and error/return-code handling is important.
  
  You should also have a basic understanding of concepts such as:
  • Designing wrapper classes or service layers around an external DLL
  • Managing state between calls, especially when calls must be sequenced correctly
  • Handling synchronous operations that may be invoked in rapid succession
  • Identifying and mitigating performance bottlenecks in high-frequency API usage
  • Working with APIs that rely on return codes rather than exceptions

Centroid API Videos

Introduction: Make your own CNC App using the Centroid API

Make your own CNC Applications with the Centroid CNC12 APi, Power Feed App example step-by-step!

Centroid API Help

The primary source of Centroid API tech support and the lastest API Information is the Centroid API Technical Support Forum. Please post any questions you have in this Support Forum so other users can benefit from your questions and our Community's Answers.