CNC Machinists

CNC programming software will format the computer code into a "G-Code" type format. Which most CNC machines can read. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G-code

Writing the code by hand is Not difficult by far.

When you see a file named "xxxx.NC" that's normally a G-Code program.

Different Machines use the same G-Code but in different formats based on their parameters. A CNC Lathe would use Z, Y, C axis, Mill X, Y, Z, A axis, Horizontal Mill X,Y,Z,W, A. Lathe canned cycles are different than milling as well.

hi,

writng the code by hand is not always good way... and the Notepad is not an best CNC-editor :) and mainly no good selection for the beginners.

Please search in the net: for example dxf to cnc, dxf2cnc, and others.

Better, if have you use an CAM prg. for example MASTERCAM or ESPRIT.

The little problem is an different dialect between CNC-machines (vs. OKUMA and FANUC).

There are various "brands" of software that generate the G-code to run CNC machines. Using a program like MasterCam for instance, I can use many different file formats to create a program to make the part, .PRT, .SLDPRT, .STEP, IGES, .DXF, .CAT5, and many others. As long as there is enough usable data there to accurately represent the part, a CNC program can likely be created from it!

Hi….I plan on using the output files from a 3D scanner , typically either in  .stl or .obj format, for making stuff that I need CNC milled. 

The CNC guys ask for .NC file format, which I realized from the above discussion is G code 

Are there any good file converters to convert my .stl or .obj files reliably into the .NC  files required by the CNC machines…? Thanks 

HI Pradeep,

If you want to do it, you need to make a program yourself by example MasterCam/Esprit/Edgecam ...

It isn't that easy to just convert a stepfile into a G-code program (ISO program). 

The thing that is a G-code program is all the movements of the machine. It's based on a step-file but it isn't the same.

If you want more information, check above programs websites. They have more information.

It also depens on what kind of machine it's made because the general is the same but the movements and some needed commants are different for every machine type.

Artcam much better

First is geometry, of what you are making.

it stands alone as data defining something.

IT alone cannot run a machine.

Only define the completed object.

All the CAD formats, iges, dwg, etc.........

Second are the motion commands in serial data.

another whole bunch of software to compute motion to the geometry.

Motion is Gcode, Cad is geometry,

So 2018 mcam motion will not transfer? but the Geometry will.

Motion created usually will not go "older" nor cross platforms.

I have been using a pretty simple free version of a program called DeskProto for toolpath conversion from dxf to nc. Haven't tried it on more complex projects yet, but for a beginner like myself it has worked pretty well.

Do you have 3D models or 2D drawings?

I can do G coding for you for your Mill for free