NC File Simulation?

[dstryr]

Alright so here goes. Family owns a CNC shop and has owned it for over 20 years. I've been working here for about 2 years now and I've just now started learning how to program the CNCs @ 18. I've got most of the basics down right now but what I'm looking for is some sort of 3d modeling program where I give it my NC coding and have it generate a type of movie so I can watch what the code does? It is either that or I load up the program on the machine and hope I don't break something from a simple mistake =x

I'm a very visual learner and being able to see what code does what and how , I think is the next step to me mastering it. Coding is just for brother and fadal machines. If there is a program like that out there that would be awesome.

Anyone have any suggestions? I mean I could cheat and use Geopath to generate the NC files for me but the first step to learning is understanding.

Thanks
Dennis

[Al_The_Man]

Try http://www.cncsimulator.com/ it may work for you and its free!
Al.

[Andre' B]

I use NCPlot for that kind of stuff.
http://www.ncplot.com/

It does not simulate the part and tool just plots the path of the programmed point, it is a lot less expensive then the back plotters that do the fancy grafics.

Also it is one of the very few that will plot a macro-B program.

[neilw20]

If you just have plain vanilla gcode with no variables NCPlot seems to work.
I use lots of variables for parametric work using Mach3 and NCPlot just displays garbage. It does not emulate the standard properly so it no good to me.
If there are syntax errors or logical problems like a silly R value in a G83 line then it won't warn of a pending crash or load failure.

I just load up the program in Mach3 and at least if the syntax has a problem it won't load until you fix it.
Then you can zoom and rotate the display to see if all looks OK within the machine boundaries (if you have setup Mach3 correctly).

If you as much as have a wrong offset table selected it shows up on the graphics, as long as it is not a small subtle error.
You can step through the program and see every move.

It has a shortcoming (or I have) when it comes to repeated patterns using G52 offsets and I just ignore it and watch what the machine does with Z inhibit turned on for a dry run.

[MetLHead]

Neil,

Being the author of NCPlot, I'm a bit bothered by this post. As someone who has installed many, many Mitsubishi and other industrial grade CNC's I have to admit I think I have a good idea of what the standard is. And I can tell you that while Mach 3 is an excellent hobby class control, it is not industry standard. So please, just because NCPlot does not simulate the Mach 3 way of doing things - don't dismiss it as non standard.

Thanks,
Scott

[dertsap]

http://www.cs.technion.ac.il/~gershon/NCSim/
this is free and works ok for straight forward g coding

to each his own but nc plot is a good peice of software

[MetLHead]

Neil,

Thanks for the code sample. I apologize if I seemed defensive, I would rather have you send me a sample and ask me "why doesn't this work?" than have you just tell everybody "It doesn't work" without giving me a chance to explain why.

So, with that said... Here is what I get from your code sample. The code all looks good, the only code in it that's not supported by NCPlot is G90.1. In NCPlot, arc center designation absolute/incremental is a program setting rather than a G-Code.

If you'd like to send me the whole program my email is scottmartinez@ncplot.com

Thanks,
Scott

[zicci]

Try NCplot it is great and free to use.Thanks to Scot for not
wanting to rip us off.