AI Tools

AI Assistant in CNC

How the assistant integrates with the CNC workspace, jobs, and guidance.

5 min readaicnc

Kerfio AI Assistant

Purpose

Kerfio AI Assistant is an embedded assistant bot named Kerfio.

It can help the user:

  • understand the current screen
  • explain CNC concepts
  • explain G-code
  • explain machine errors
  • inspect current document/project
  • suggest next actions
  • prepare safe actions
  • navigate the app

Entry Points

  • floating chat button
  • top bar assistant icon
  • contextual help buttons
  • command palette

Assistant UI

Recommended modes:

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Floating compact chat
Right-side docked panel

Chat panel shows:

  • assistant name
  • context pills
  • messages
  • suggested prompts
  • action cards
  • confirmation cards
  • input box

Context Awareness

Kerfio Assistant should understand:

  • current route
  • machine state
  • active project
  • open Sketch
  • open Kerf project
  • selected layer/path/object
  • loaded G-code file
  • selected G-code line
  • job state
  • camera state
  • calibration state
  • validation warnings

Safe Assistant Actions

Can execute safely:

  • open section
  • run validation
  • take snapshot
  • show panel
  • explain document
  • summarize warnings

Requires confirmation:

  • generate toolpath
  • save/export
  • apply path action
  • set work zero
  • move tool here
  • dry trace
  • home/unlock
  • probe

Must never silently:

  • start job
  • move machine
  • turn spindle/laser on
  • send raw G-code
  • bypass safety manager

Example Prompts

Dashboard:

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What should I do next?
Is my machine ready?
Open my last Kerf project.

Kerf:

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Is this project ready to run?
Explain selected path action.
Generate toolpath for selected paths.
Why is Run disabled?

Sketch:

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Check this sketch for problems.
Create a 100 by 50 mm rectangle.
Can this export to SVG?

G-code:

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Explain this G-code file.
What are the job bounds?
Show spindle commands.

Machine:

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Why is the machine alarmed?
How do I set work zero?
Guide me through homing.

Camera:

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Is camera calibration active?
Help me calibrate the camera.
Take a snapshot.