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Revision as of 15:32, 29 September 2004 by JohnLeroy (talk | contribs)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)G-code is a common name for the language that is used to program CNC Machine tools
G-code is also the name of any word in a CNC program that begins with the letter G, and generally is a code telling the machine tool what type of action to perform, such as:
- rapid move
- controlled feed move in straight line or arc
- series of controlled feed moves that would result in a hole being drilled or bored
- change a tool
- turn on or off coolant
- change a pallet
- Set tool information such as offset
There are other codes, and the type codes can be thought of like "registers" in a computer
- X position
- Y position
- Z position
- M code (another "action" register)
- F feed rate
- S spindle speed
- N line number
- R Radius
- I Arc data X axis
- J Arc data Y axis
Warning: Different machine tools may use the same code to perform different functions. Even machines that use the same CNC control. some have said that "Fanuc" G-code is standard, but that is a myth.
A standardized version of G-code known as BCL is used on very very few machines
G-code is understood by machine tool controls, and some machinists.
G-code is spoken by CAM software such as Smartcam, Gibbscam, Featurecam, Edgecam, Mastercam, etc.
Such software must be customized for each type of machine tool that it will be used to program.
Some CNC machines use "Conversational" programming, which is a wizard-like programming mode that either hides G-code or completely bypasses the use of G-code.