Simulator Tutorials

Simulator tutorials

Simulator tutorials are built in tutorials that you can run directly in the simulator 3D window. You find them under the help menu item Run Tutorial.

When you start a simulator tutorial you will see messages and questions at the bottom of the 3D view. You will also see contour lines, arrows and a grid coordinate system. Be careful to read the instructions for each tutorial so you understand what to enter.

General rules for the tutorials.

1.You need to enter G codes for each block where we ask you to move the tool. This is true even if the G code you have entered in the previous block is the same as the current one. They always have to be repeated.

2.You do not have to worry about upper case or lower case characters and other formatting. For example, these two blocks will both work when the tutorial ask you to go with a feed movement to X123 Y234.

G01 X123 Y234

g1x+123.00y234.0

3.You should never write F, S or other codes when not asked to do so. We fill in these codes for you so that you can focus on G, M codes and coordinates.

4.While you are running the tutorial, the program blocks will be sent to the CNC editor so that you can study and simulate the program afterwards.

5. If you want to end the tutorial prematurely, you can click on the stop button below the 3D view.

6. Coordinates that we ask you to enter are either in steps of five or steps of 10 (5,10,15,20,25 etc.). No other values or decimals are used in our exercises unless clearly specified.

7. All simulator tutorials are in millimeters

Tutorial 2 getting started with the CNCSimulator Pro Turning

The purpose of this tutorial is to learn the basic concepts of how to use the CNCSimulator Pro turning from scratch. We are going to make a very simple part, taking a few rough cuts, fine cuts and drill a hole.

This is the part we are going to make:

This tutorial is made in millimeters, so the first thing we have to do is to ensure we have millimeters set as units in the program settings. Click Settings Settings from the main menu.

While we are at it, set all other settings like in the picture above. Click OK.

Now what we have to do is to load a machine for the project. Click on the Open Machine button to show the Select Machine dialog. You can also click File Load Machine from the main menu.

Uncheck the Open demo checkbox and click on the Turning Center machine button.

This is how your CNCSimulator Pro window should look like now.

OK, now we need to create a workpiece for your project. Press F2 to open the Inventory Browser where we keep all our tools, workpieces, materials and offsets.

Click the Lathe Workpieces tab.

If you have not previously created any workpieces, this is what you will see.

Click on the Add button to add a new workpiece.

Enter 50 for diameter, 100 for length and ignore all other settings.

As you can see on the blue bar below the workpiece picture, our index for this workpiece is one. Yours might be another index if you already had workpieces stored.

OK great, now let's start writing the CNC program!

We start with a special CNCSimulator Pro command to put the workpiece we just created in the chuck. It is called $AddRegPart. You can either type in the command by hand followed by the index number for the workpiece or take a shortcut by clicking the Insert at cursor button. This button will automatically put the command in the editor.

Put the cursor at the end of the first line and press enter. This is to ensure that the next command we insert will end up on a new line.

Next step is to select a tool to use for our rough cuts.

Press F2 again to open the Inventory Browser. This time we are going to stay on the first page (Tools) and click on the Embedded lathe tools option.

We are going to use one of the fixed embedded tools that come with the CNCSimulator Pro. Actually, we are going to use the first one so you could just go ahead and click the Insert at cursor button again.

This is what you should have in the editor at the moment:

Normally, to select a tool you use only the code T but as this is an embedded tool, we use ET as in Embedded Tool. If you create your own tools later, you will use only T for tool selections.

Besides selecting the tool, we need to execute the actual tool change by putting the code M06 after the tool selection. Note when you press M (or G or any other recognized code) a list of available codes will pop-up.

Either type 6 or select M06 from the list by using the mouse or the arrow keys on the keyboard.

OK, by now we are all set to start cutting the workpiece.

Click the Reset View button to zoom in on the workpiece.

Zoom in a bit further by clicking in the 3D view and rolling the mouse wheel away from you.

Click the Start Simulation button to execute the commands we have entered so far.

Now, this is what the 3D view should look like:

As you can see, the workpiece that we made and the tool we selected are in place.

Let's move the tool in position for the first rough cut by using the G00 code.

Important! The CNCSimulator Pro does automatically put the zero point at the right plane of the jaws. The distance from the plane to the spindle is 23 millimeter. That means that the right end of our 100 mm long workpiece is at (100-23) 77 in the Z axis. This rule goes for all lathes in the CNCSimulator Pro. Always take the 23 millimeters into account!

We want to take away 10 millimeter from the diameter per cut (5 mm material) so we should put the tool on 40 as our initial diameter is 50. Let us also put the tool on Z 80 so we have some space (3 mm) between the tool and the workpiece end plane.

Type G00 X40 Z80 and press Enter.

Fine, now let's take the first actual cut.

Type G01 Z50 F250 S1000 M04 M08 and press Enter.

If you move the mouse over the codes in the block above, you will see tooltip windows explaining what they do.

OK, now we back out the tool a bit before going with fast traverse back to Z80.

Type X44 Z52 and press Enter.

Note that we did not have to write G01 again as it is already activated. The code is modal.

To help us see clearly the tool moves we do, we can turn on the toolpath display. Click on the glasses button and check the Feeds and Fast Traverses checkboxes.

Now, if you simulate you will see feed movements (G01-G03) in green and fast traverses (G00) in red.

We continue by going back to 80 in the Z axis with fast traverse.

Type G00 Z80 and press Enter.

We go down to diameter 30.

Type X30 and press Enter.

Type G01 Z60 and press Enter.

Again, we back off a little.


Now we need another tool for the fine cut. Press F2 to open the inventory browser again, then select Embedded lathe tools and click the blue right arrow to go to the second tool.

Click the Insert at cursor button.

Without pressing Enter, write M06 to execute the tool change, then press Enter.

After a tool change, the tool is at the tool change position of the machine and we need to go back to the workpiece.


Enter the following blocks to finish the fine cut:

G01 Z59 X38 Z49 X45 X50 Z45

This is how your program should look by now:

Back off again as we did earlier.


Time to select a drilling tool to make the hole.

Press F2 on the keyboard, click Embedded lathe tools and browse to tool number 17 (drill diameter 10 mm).

Click the Insert at cursor button.

Enter M06 and press Enter.

We will now take the tool back from the tool change position and place it in the center of the workpiece.


We are going to use a canned drilling cycle to make the hole.

Type G81 Z60 R78 and press Enter.


Type M30 to end the program and press Enter.

Excellent! We are done. Simulate the program and then click the cutting (knife) button.

Check the Show inside checkbox.

The final program:

$AddRegPart 1 ET1 M06 G00 X40 Z80 G01 Z50 F250 S1000 M04 M08 X44 Z52 G00 Z80 X30 G01 Z60 X34 Z62 ET2 M06 G00 X28 Z80 G01 Z59 X38 Z49 X45 X50 Z45 X54 Z47 ET17 M06 G00 X0 Z80 G81 Z60 R78 G00 X100 Z200

M30

Tutorial 1 getting started with the CNCSimulator Pro

The purpose of this tutorial is to learn the basic concepts of how to use the CNCSimulator Pro from scratch. We are going to make a very simple part, milling a slot and drilling four holes on a 100 x 100 x 20 millimeter workpiece. For simplicity we are going to ignore radius compensation and we work only in absolute coordinates.

This is the part we are going to make:

First of all, we need to set millimeters as units and load an appropriate machine for our project.

From the main menu, select Settings and click on Settings.

Ensure that you have millimeters selected as this tutorial is made in millimeters.

Click OK to close the settings dialog.

Click File Load Machine from the main menu or click the open machine button .

In the dialog that shows, please deselect Open demo. Then click on the Milling Center button.

Fine, now let's get started by defining our workpiece. Press F2 on the keyboard to open the Inventory Browser.

Click on the Mill Workpieces tab at the top of the dialog.

Click on the green plus button to add a new workpiece.

In the Workpiece Name field, enter a name for your new workpiece, let's call it Tutorial1.

Enter X, Y and Z size as 100, 100 and 20. Take a mental note of the workpiece index number. Here we did not have any workpieces before in the registry, hence the index number became 1. In your case, the number could be different. See the red arrow.

Ignore the rest of the settings and click OK to close the Inventory Browser.

Now we need to call up our new workpiece from the program. We do that by using the command $AddRegPart followed by the workpiece index number (we use 1) and the table displacement values.

We are going to put our new workpiece 30 millimeter from the machine zero in both X and Y. The machine zero is placed near the lower left corner of the machine table and it is marked by a cross symbol (could be somewhat hard to spot).

To call up our workpiece number one (or your index number if different) on X30 Y30 from the machine zero, we write ($AddRegPart 1, 30, 30)

Now you can go ahead and click on the Play button (simulation start) to see that your workpiece shows up on the table.

In the lower toolbar, click this button to zoom in on the machine table.

At this moment, please note that you can click in the simulation window with the left mouse button and drag the mouse around to rotate the view. If you click with the right mouse button and drag you will pan the view. Also please note that you can roll the mouse wheel to zoom in and out.

OK, let's get started with the actual CNC program!

As we moved the workpiece in on the machine table and away from the machine zero our lower left corner on the workpiece now is at X30 Y30. That is not very practical so let's move the programming zero point to X30 Y30 Z20. This will result in a zero point in the upper (Z) lower left corner (XY) of the workpiece.

We move the programming zero point by using the G-code G92. (This can also be done from a zero point registry using G54 to G59 but that is out of scope of this tutorial).

Type G92 X30 Y30 Z20 in the editor.

Click on the Play button again and note how the zero point moves to the corner of your workpiece.

Now, we need tools to mill the 10 mm wide slot and drill the diameter 10 mm holes.

Again, press F2 on the keyboard to open the Inventory Browser (or select Settings Inventory Browser from the main menu).

In this tutorial, we assume you have no previous custom made tools, if you do, please add these two new tools at the end of your list and use the tool index you get.

Select My milling tools and click on the button with the green plus icon, the Add button.

First we will add the tool to mill the slot. Select a flat tool tip, enter 10 as diameter and 50 as length. Enter the name of the tool Tutorial1 flat mill. Ignore all other settings and click OK.

In our case, this new tool will get tool index number 1 (take a note of yours).

Now, we repeat the procedure adding the drilling tool. Click the Add button again.

This time, select a pointed tool tip and enter diameter 10, length 50 and tip angle 80 degrees. Name it Tutorial1 drill. Click OK.

Click on the X in the upper right corner of the Tool Browser to close it.

Congratulations! Now we have a workpiece and tools and can start programming the rest of our part.

To call up our new milling tool we use T1 (or your tool index number) followed by M06 to tell the virtual machine to go to its tool change position and execute the tool change. T1 M06

Next, let us move the tool to the start position. We have decided to use the lower left corner of the slot as the start where we will drill down into the material.

We use G-code G00 to move with rapid speed to the position stopping 2 mm over the workpiece. G00 X15 Y15 Z2

Now, press Play to see that the positioning works.

We now enter the G-code G01 for feed movement down to working depth. We also need to start the spindle (M03) and set the Feed rate (F) and spindle RPM (S). G01 Z-5 F250 S2000 M03

Now we will move the mill to the start point of the arc, there is no need to type G01 in this block as the code is modal meaning it will remember the G01 code from the previous block (block = line). Y70

From now on, feel free to click the Play button at any time to check the simulation.

Now, let's program the clockwise arc movement. To do so, we use the G02 code followed by the X/Y coordinates of the endpoint and the I/J coordinates of the relative center point (I stands for incremental distance from starting point to center in X and J is the same in Y).

G02 X30 Y85 I15 J0

Great! Let's enter the rest of the blocks to finish the slot. G01 X85 Y15 X15

How about that? We are back to where we started. Let's go up in Z to a safe position and then change tool for the drilling. G00 Z2 T2 M06

Make sure you use your tool index after T for the drilling tool we created.

Now we can come back from the tool change position and put the drill over the first hole. G00 X30 Y30 Z2

Next, we will start a drill cycle. We only need to start it and then it will drill on each position we program until we tell it to stop. For this we use a common drill G-code called G81. We tell the cycle to drill to a total depth of 15 mm and a start depth of 1 mm above the workpiece. As we have changed tool, we need to start the spindle again (M03). This time, let us also use coolant water (M08) to not overheat the tool. G81 Z-15 R1 M03 M08

Now we can just position over each hole center and the drilling will start automatically. Y70 X70 Y30

Now we need to end the drilling cycle using the G80 code. G80

Finally we go up in Z and the write M30 to end the program. Z50 M30

Congratulations! You have done your first CNC program in the famous CNCSimulator!

The complete program:

$AddRegPart 1, 30, 30

G92 X30 Y30 Z20 T1 M06 G00 X15 Y15 Z2 G01 Z-5 F250 S2000 M03 Y70 G02 X30 Y85 I15 J0 G01 X85 Y15 X15 G00 Z2 T2 M06 G00 X30 Y30 Z2 G81 Z-15 R1 M03 M08 Y70 X70 Y30 G80 Z50

G codes

Codes and commands

These are the default standard codes that are used in our normal virtual machines. Please note that customized machines may have other codes and formats.

The following tables will give a brief explanation to the various G, M and other codes recognized by the CNCSimulator interpreter. In the Format column, you will see the format expected by the program. If a code is written within brackets like this [X#] it means that the code is non obligatory and can be omitted if not needed. The # sign means that the CNCSimulator expects a number and the $ sign means that it is expecting a text string within quotation marks.

Let's show an example: G12[X#][Y#]Z#R#Q#S#SA#AS#RA#H#

This means that the code G12 accepts X and Y coordinates but they are not obligatory and can be omitted. On the other hand, you must specify the Z,R,Q,S,SA,AS,RA and H codes to avoid an alarm at runtime.

G-code (codes valid from V1.0.6.5)

Explanation Format Example Machine type

G00

Go rapidly (with maximum traverse rate) to the X/Y/Z position. This code is used for position and not for actual machining.

G00 [X#][Y#][Z#] G00 Z100 All machines

G01

Travel in a straight line using the programmed feed rate (F). This code is used for machining.

G01 [X#][Y#][Z#][F#]

G01 X2.5 Y4.1 F200

All machines

G02 XY-machines

Lathe

Circular/Helical Interpolation clockwise. It causes a clockwise circular movement at programmed feed rate (F). The motion can be 2-dimensional (flat) or 3-dimensional (helical). The default plane of the circular movement is the XY-plane (G17) but other planes can be used as well (see G17-G19). The center of the arc or circle is programmed using the I, J and K letters (R can also be used).

G02[X#][Y#][Z#] [I#][J#][K#][R#][F#]

G02 X10 Y10 I10 J0 F200

All machines

G03 XY-machines

Exactly like G02 but the circular motion is going counterclockwise.

G03[X#][Y#][Z#] [I#][J#][K#][R#][F#]

G03 X10 Y10 I10 J0 F200

All machines

Lathe

G04

Dwell in milliseconds. This will keep the axes unmoving for the period of time specified by the P number.

G04 P# G04 P2000 (Two seconds delay)

All machines

G09 Will force the machine to do a full stop before continuing with the next move. This is a non-modal variant of G61 and hence does not have to be cancelled.

G09 All machines

G12

Circular drilling canned cycle. Use to drill holes around the contour of a circle. R is starting plane and Z is total drill depth for each hole. Q is incremental depth (peck). SA is circle start angle (angle of first hole too) and AS is angle between holes. RA is circle radius and H specifies the number of holes to drill.

G12[X#][Y#]Z# R#Q#S#SA# AS#RA#H#

G12 X0 Y0 Z-20 R2 Q5 SA0 AS36 RA30 H10

Milling machines only

G17

Selects the XY plane for circular movements (see G02 and G03).

G17 G17 Milling machines only

G18 Selects the XZ plane for circular movements (see G02 and G03)


G19

Selects the YZ plane for circular movements (see G02 and G03).


G20 Enforce use of inches units.

G20 G20 All machines

G21 Enforce use of millimeter units.


G28 Return home command. This command will first go to the programmed position X/Y/Z and then to the Xmin Ymax Zmax of the machine axes. It can be a convenient way to end a program putting the machine table in a position to change workpiece.

G28[X#][Y#][Z#] G28 Z10 Milling and turning machines only

G40

Cancel cutter compensation previously activated by G41 or G42.

G40 G40 More info

All machines except the 3D Printer

G41

Activates left side cutter compensation (or nose radius compensation in a lathe).

G41[D#][P#] G41 More info


G42

Activates right side cutter compensation (or nose radius compensation in a lathe).

G42[D#][P#] G42 More info


G43 Activates tool length compensation. (Optional, if not used, automatic tool length compensation will be used).

G43[H#][P#][Z#] G43 H2 Z2 More info


G49 Cancel tool length compensation (activated by G43).


G53 Move in absolute non-compensated coordinates.

G53 [X#][Y#][Z#] G53 X0 Y0 Z100

All machines

G54-G59 Fixture (work) offsets. A typical use of these G-codes is to establish a local coordinate system for each workpiece when using multiple ones. You need to setup the offsets in the Zero Points Data table in the Inventory Browser (F2). G54 corresponds to offset registry index 0, G55 to index number 1 etc

G54 G00 G54 X0 Y0 Z3

All machines

G54.1 Fixture (work) offsets. A typical use of these G-codes is to establish a local coordinate system for each workpiece when using multiple ones. You need to setup the offsets in the Zero Points Data table in the Inventory Browser (F2). G54.1 uses letter P to specify the offset registry index.

G54.1 P# (0-99) G54.1 P10 (Use work offset 10)

All machines

G61 Exact stop mode. G61 G61 All machines

G64 Normal stop mode (cancels G61)


G70 Finishing Cycle.

After roughing, finishing can be performed with this cycle. P is first block of finishing contour and Q is the last block.

For more information see: G71 Rough Turning Cycle and G70 Finishing Cycle.

G70 [P#][Q#] G70 P100 Q250

Turning machines only

G71 Rough Turning Cycle

Two block format Roughing cycle.

For more information see: G71 Rough Turning Cycle and G70 Finishing Cycle.

G71 G71 Turning machines only

G73

Peck drilling canned cycle. The cycle is intended for deep drilling or chip breaking milling operations. The cycle retracts the tool to break chips. Code letter Q is used for peck size. R is starting plane and Z is total depth. Parameter P is used for dwell at each peck. Please note that at the end of the cycle, the return position in Z is controlled by G98 and G99.

G73 [X#][Y#][Z#] [R#][Q#][P#]

G73 Z-20 R1 Q1 P100

Milling and turning machines only

G74-G75 Generic drilling/boring/tapping canned cycle. These are used in a generic way to create compatibility with many common CNC controllers on the market. They will bring the tool to the programmed Z depth. If R is programmed it will be used as the start plane, if not the current Z position will be used as the start plane. All other parameters will be ignored.

G74 [X#][Y#][Z#][R#]

G74 Z-20 R1


G76 Generic drilling/boring/tapping canned cycle. See G74-G75 above.


G76 Threading Cycle

Turning machines only

For more information see: G76 Lathe Threading Cycle

G80 Cancels any canned cycle. Please note that G00 G03 also cancels canned cycles.

G80 G80 Milling and turning machines only

G81

Basic drilling canned cycle. R is starting plane and Z is total depth. Please note that at the end of the cycle, the return position in Z is controlled by G98 and G99.

G81 [X#][Y#][Z#][R#]

G81 Z-6 R2 Milling and turning machines only

G82-G89 Generic drilling/boring/tapping canned cycle. Same as G74-G76 above.

G82 [X#][Y#][Z#][R#]

G82 Z-20 R1


G90 Absolute programming mode. Distances given will move the tool relative to an absolute zero.

G90 G90 G00 X10 Y10

All machines

G91 Incremental programming mode. Distances given will move the tool relative to the current position of the tool.

G91 G91 G00 Z5 All machines

G92 Use to reposition the origin point (zero point).

G92[X#][Y#][Z#] G92 X20 Y20 Z10

All machines

G94 Set feed in millimeter or inch per minute.

G94 G94 Milling machines

G95 Set feed per revolution mode.

G95 G95 Milling machines

G96 Constant surface speed control.

G96[S#] G96 S300 Turning machines

G97 Cancel constant surface speed control.

G97 G97 Turning machines

G98

Initial level return at the end of a canned cycle.

G98 G81 G98 Z-7 R2


G99

R level return at the end of a canned cycle.

G99 G81 G99 Z-7 R2


G71 Rough Turning Cycle and G70 Finishing Cycle

Codes and commands

Let's start with G71. This cycle is programmed by using two blocks.

Example:

N10 G71 U2 R1

N20 G71 P8 Q9 U0.4 W0

The parameters of the first block are:

U: The depth of cut during the cycle.

R: The retraction height for each completed cut.

The parameters of the second block are:

P: Start block number for the contour.

Q: End block number for the contour.

U: Finishing allowance in the X-axis.

W: Finishing allowance in the Z-axis.

If you load the turning center machine and then open the demo files, there is an example called: Sample3_G70_G71_unit.CNC that you can try to see the cycle in action.

The G70 block at the end of the example is the Finishing Cycle. It simply repeats the blocks used in the G71 cycle but instead of doing rough cuts it does a contour cut removing the material left from the finishing allowances.

Threads can be done externally or internally with this two-block threading canned cycle. Here is a brief explanation of the cycle and its parameters.

The parameters of the first block are:

P: This parameter is composed of three values that control the thread behavior.

In the example above we have P010060. Let's take the numbers apart.

01: Number of spring cuts. This means, when done with the thread cuts, that the machine can be programmed to take a number of extra cuts at the same depth to smooth the final thread.

00: Run out angle. The angle used to leave the thread.

60: Infeed angle. The angle used when entering the thread.

Q : Depth of each normal cut. This value is given in hundreds so the Q500 above means 0.5.

R: Depth of last or finish cut.

The parameters of the second block are:

X: End value in the X-axis.

Z: End value in the Z-axis.

P: Thread depth (radial value).

Q: Depth of first cut.

F: Thread pitch.

Note! The CNCSimulator Pro simplifies the threading process by ignoring some of the parameters, as for the simulation, it is not important to take every parameter literary. The important parameters for the simulator are the following:

The Q parameter in the first block tells the simulator how much to take for each cut.

The X and Z values of the second block tells the simulator where to end the thread.

The F parameter of the second block tells the simulator the pitch of the thread.

There is an example among the demo programs called Sample4_G76_Threading_unit.cnc that you can run to see the cycle in action

Other codes interpreted by the simulator

Code Explanation Format Example

X Absolute or incremental X axis value used in canned cycles and codes like G00-G03.

X# X2.43

Y Absolute or incremental Y axis value used in canned cycles and codes like G00-G03.

Y# Y1.16

Z Absolute or incremental Z axis value used in canned cycles and codes like G00-G03.

Z# Z-3.2

I Represents the center in X in G02 and G03 circle/ arc commands.

I# G02 X34 Z106.867 I4.8 K0

J Represents the center in Y in G02 and G03 circle/ arc commands.

J# G02 Y0 J-20

K Represents the center in Z in G02 and G03 circle/ arc commands.

K# G02 X34 Z106.867 I4.8 K0

T Selects a tool from the user defined tool

T# T1 M06

registry in the Inventory Browser (F2). M06 is used to execute the actual tool change.

ET Selects a tool from the fixed embedded tool registry. M06 is used to execute the actual tool change.

ET# ET9 M06

DT Selects a predefined milling tool. The tool must first have been defined using the $DefineMillTool command. M06 is used to execute the actual tool change.

DT# DT3 M06

S Defines spindle rotation in revolutions per minute (RPM).

S# S2000

F Defines feed rate in millimeter or inches per minute.

F# F240

P Used in M98 to define a sub program number. Also used as dwell time in canned cycles.

P# M98 P1001 L1

G73 Z-20 R2 Q5 P100 F350

L Used in M98 to define the number of repetitions.

L# M98 P1001 L1

O Sub program number. Should be the first line of every sub program.

O# (Drilling sub program 1) O1000

R Reference or starting plane in

canned cycles. R is also used in G02/G03 to give the radius when I/J/K are not used.

R# G81 Z-20 R2

Q Peck size in canned cycles.

Q# G73 Z-20 R2 Q5 P0 F350

SA, AS, RA Start Angle, Angle Step and Radius used in G12 Circular drilling cycle.

SA# AS# RA# G12 X0 Y0 Z-20 R2 Q5 SA0 AS36 RA30 H10

H Used for number of holes in the G12 Circular drilling cycle.

G12 X0 Y0 Z-20 R2 Q5 SA0 AS36 RA30 H10

( and ) Used for comments. G and M codes inside parenthesis will not be executed. $-commands will be executed even when inside the parenthesis.

(text) (Drilling sub program 1)

/ Used for comment out one or several lines. G, M and $-commands will not be executed.

G01 Z-20 F440 /G03 I23.2 J0 /G03 X15 I19 G00 Z7

N Block number. N# N500

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