Auto-Discovery¶

Auto-discovery is the process by which the platform automatically identifies the axes, spindles, tools, and programs available on a newly connected CNC machine — without requiring you to enter them manually.

How it works¶

When a CNC machine is connected and the edge connector starts reading data, it observes the live signals from the controller. After approximately 3 minutes of stable communication, it builds a picture of:

• Which axes are active (X, Z, Y, A, B, C …) and their units
• Which spindles exist and their names
• Which tool numbers have appeared in the tool offset table
• Which program numbers have been loaded

This discovered information is sent to the cloud platform automatically.

First connection — auto-apply¶

If the machine has no configuration yet (it was just added), the platform applies the discovered configuration immediately and automatically. No action is needed from you. The machine detail page will already show axes and spindles when you open it.

Subsequent discoveries — review and apply¶

If the machine already has a configuration, the platform stores the new discovery as a pending update rather than overwriting your settings. This protects any tool names, SKU mappings, or other details you have customised.

You will see:

• A "Config Ready" amber badge on the machine card in the list view
• A yellow banner at the top of the machine detail page

Applying a pending discovery¶

1. Click Review & Apply in the banner (or open the detail page from the "Config Ready" badge).
2. A dialog shows the discovered axes, spindles, tools, and programs.
3. Review the list — confirm it matches the physical machine.
4. Click Apply & Configure.

The platform will:

• Replace the axis and spindle configuration with what was discovered
• Add any new tool numbers as blank stubs (existing tool entries with names/wear limits are not touched)
• Add any new program numbers as stubs (existing program→SKU mappings are preserved)

Dismissing a discovery¶

If you do not want to apply the discovered config (for example, you know the configuration is already correct), click Dismiss. The badge and banner will disappear. The next discovery cycle will surface a new badge if the machine configuration changes.

When to re-run discovery¶

Discovery runs passively and continuously while the machine is connected. A new discovery is published every time the edge connector restarts, or when it detects that axes or spindles have changed.

If you have just changed the machine hardware (added an axis, replaced a spindle) and want an immediate re-discovery, the quickest option is to restart the edge connector process on the edge computer.

Manually adding configuration¶

Auto-discovery creates the structure but leaves details like tool names, maximum spindle RPM, and cycle time targets blank. Fill these in using the Manual Configuration page.