free cnc simulator

[ahmedsamy_81]

hello;
i nowdays try to learn Gcode for milling machines but i need asimulator that help me to visualize my programs.and check for errors.

[Al_The_Man]

MicroTech CNC simulator free! http://www.cncsimulator.com/download.shtml
Al.

[j m]

http://www.cncsimulator.com/MicroTech CncSimulator
I’m new to cnc and haven’t built my mill yet, but have used this to start to lean some basic gcoad. It is free but you have to go back to the web site every couple of moths to get a code to keep it working. If any body else knows a better simulator or had bad experaceis with MicroTech CncSimulator I’d like to know.
Hope that helps jm

[j m]

I’m to slow at typing !!

[drummerboy]

that looks good.

actually looking forward to work in the morning.

[omar sanad]

ahmed -- you are from Egypt - Cairo ? so ( i need asimulator that help me to visualize my programs.and check for errors ) I am

[EL34]

CNC Simulator works great for me except for G81 drilling.
Apparently, the interpreter needs updating, it's old.

This code will not simulate
G81 X-7.639681 Y-22.85559 Z-4

This code will simulate.
G01 X-7.639681 Y-22.85559
G81 Z-4

Found this post on the cnc simulator forum, posted by the ADMIN.

I think the CncSimulator’s interpreter needs G81 on every single block to perform a drill hole. The CncSimulators interpreter is kind of old and basic. I hope we can supply our users with an updated version of the interpreter soon.

[tobyaxis]

Originally Posted by ahmedsamy_81 hello; i nowdays try to learn Gcode for milling machines but i need asimulator that help me to visualize my programs.and check for errors.

Have you seen NC PLOT V1.1? It is Free. NC Plot V2.1 is $300.00 but it will show you 3 and 4 Axis Mills, Lathes plus use run Sub Programs.

You can check it out at www.ncplot.com

Cheers!!!!

[EL34]

Thanks for the links.

I figured out how to make CNC simulator execute the G81 drilling rountines properly. Actually it's done in Cambam.

I'm using Cambam to create my gcode. Cambam has the ability to run scripts on the gcode and filter the code as it creates it.
I run a script that takes one long g81 code line and separates it into a

G01 x10 y10
G81 z-4

CNC simulator has several nice features above the other free simulators and so I am going to stick with it for now. The gcode from Cambam is simulating perfectly now with the script function.

[nomodoh]

EL34 -

Would you mind posting an example of your CamBam script that modifies the G81 lines?

[EL34]

here's a screen shot of a drilling routine in cambam.
The script you enter is this
G01x$Xy$Y
G81z$Z
there is a line feed/return character after the $Y

A small text editing window will open up so you can enter your script.
then choose CustomScript as your drilling method and cambam will apply your script to the Gcode it produces.



let me know if you have any questions

[nomodoh]

I just can't get the return character. How do you insert it? When I hit return in the pop up it doesn't show up in the sidebar. Is it a keyboard trick? What am I missing?

Thanks for the help.