1

Generating CNC Code

To generate CNC code for the active machining sequence:
1. In the File menu or Main toolbar click Generate Code.
2. Complete the Generate CNC Code dialog that opens. You specify a name for the CNC code file for
example.
Note that when milling you can generate just the code for a single tool change. The code is for the
toolchange you select and all the sequence up to (and excluding) the next toolchange.
For full information click the dialog's Help button, or click here. (Also see the help on the Machining
Sequence dialog - Job Data tab.)
3. Click on OK. The Code Generator main window is now displayed.
4. If the Code Generator has been configured to ask for input before generating the CNC code, then it
displays a dialog box for each option for example. You need to enter or accept the settings for each
dialog box. Once you have input this information, the Code Generator begins to generate code for the
active machining sequence.

If your system can compile Code Generator source files and you have modified the source file, the system
compiles a new Code Generator file before compiling any CNC code.
The generation process can be paused, continued and stopped using these controls. When the code
generation process finishes and if your Code Generator is set up to list the NC code, EdgeCAM displays a
dialog box (similar to this example).
5. Click on OK to dismiss this dialog box and return to EdgeCAM. If you did not choose to list the NC
code, you will be returned to EdgeCAM automatically when the compilation ends.

EdgeCAM User Guide

Generating
About
CNC CNC
Filenames
Code
When
To
generate
a milling
CNC
or single
code for
turret
the turning
active machining
sequence sequence:
is generated, the CNC filename is generated to the
following format:
1. In the File menu or Main toolbar click Generate Code.
CNC file
- example.nc
2. Complete the Generate CNC Code dialog that opens. You specify a name for the CNC code file for
Setupexample.
file (optional)
- example-set.nc
Generating CNC Code
To generate
CNC
code
the
active
machining
sequence:
When
a single
.nc
file milling
is for
generated,
is no -1
included
name.tool
Thischange.
clarifiesThe
thatcode
the file
is for
Note
that
when
you
canthere
generate
just
the codeinforthe
a single
is for
thea
single toolchange
turret machine.
You can
specify
extension
than
.nc.
you select
and
all thean
sequence
upother
to (and
excluding)
the next toolchange.
1. In
the File turret
menuturning
or Mainsequence
toolbar click
Generatethe
Code.
When
a multiple
is generated,
CNC filename is generated to the following
format:For full information click the dialog's Help button, or click here. (Also see the help on the Machining
dialog
- Job Data
2. Sequence
Complete the
Generate
CNCtab.)
Code dialog that opens. You specify a name for the CNC code file for
example.
3. Click on OK. The Code Generator main window is now displayed.
1st CNC file
- example-1.nc
4. If
the that
Code
Generator
configured
askcode
for input
generating
CNC
code,
Note
when
milling has
you been
can generate
justtothe
for a before
single tool
change.the
The
code
is forthen
the it
2nd CNC
file a dialog
displays
box- example-2.nc
for
each
option
for example.
You excluding)
need to enter
accept
the settings for each
toolchange
you select
and
all the
sequence
up to (and
theor
next
toolchange.
dialog box. Once you have input this information, the Code Generator begins to generate code for the
Setupactive
file (optional) sequence.
- example-set.nc
For fullmachining
information click the dialog's Help button, or click here. (Also see the help on the Machining
SequenceEditor
dialogand
- Job
Data tab.)
The EdgeCAM
Communications
modules interpret and use long filenames generated from
EdgeCAM
(or
any
application)
when
running
onwindow
a Windows
installation.
3. Click
on OK.
The Code
Generator
main
is and
nowNT
displayed.
If your
system
can compile
Code
Generator
source
files
you
have modified the source file, the system
Note,
however,
that
long
filenames
are
truncated
when
viewed
from
Windows
3.1 and
networks.
compiles
a
new
Code
Generator
file
before
compiling
any
CNC
code.
4. If the Code Generator has been configured to ask for input before
generating
theNovell
CNC code,
thenFor
it
example,
the
file
1234567890abc.nc
will
be
truncated
to
123456~.nc.
displays
a
dialog
box
for
each
option
for
example.
You
need
to
enter
or
accept
the
settings
for
each
The generation process can be paused, continued and stopped using these controls. When the code
dialog
box. Once
yousetup
have
information,
the
Code
Generator
begins
toEdgeCAM
generate
code
for the
The
name
assigned
to the
file
isthis
configurable
in the
Code
source
file,
for example,
instead
generation
process
finishes
and ifinput
your
Code
Generator
is set
up Generator
to
list the NC
code,
displays
a
active
machining
sequence.
of
including
-SETUP
the
filename, it may be specified as -HEADER.
dialog
box (similar
to in
this
example).
Any CNC file generated using an existing Code Generator that specifies a setup file name should be
ignored
andon
.set
appended
to
the dialog
filename
its place.
5. Click
OK
to
dismiss
this
boxinand
return
EdgeCAM.
you did not
listthe
thesystem
NC
If your
system
can
compile
Code
Generator
source
filestoand
you haveIf modified
thechoose
source to
file,
code,
you
will
be
returned
to
EdgeCAM
automatically
when
the
compilation
ends.
compiles a new Code Generator file before compiling any CNC code.
The generation process can be paused, continued and stopped using these controls. When the code
generation process finishes and if your Code Generator is set up to list the NC code, EdgeCAM displays a
dialog box (similar to this example).
5. Click on OK to dismiss this dialog box and return to EdgeCAM. If you did not choose to list the NC
code, you will be returned to EdgeCAM automatically when the compilation ends.

EdgeCAM User Guide

Editing the CNC Code

Once the Code Generator has created a file containing CNC code for a machining sequence, you can load
the file into the Editor and make any changes directly to the code, should they be required.
To enter the Editor, select the

icon from the EdgeCAM Program Group.

Generating CNC Code

For more details, please refer to the Editor documentation.

To generate CNC code for the active machining sequence:

1. In the File menu or Main toolbar click Generate Code.

2. Complete the Generate CNC Code dialog that opens. You specify a name for the CNC code file for
example.
Note that when milling you can generate just the code for a single tool change. The code is for the
toolchange you select and all the sequence up to (and excluding) the next toolchange.
For full information click the dialog's Help button, or click here. (Also see the help on the Machining
Sequence dialog - Job Data tab.)
3. Click on OK. The Code Generator main window is now displayed.
4. If the Code Generator has been configured to ask for input before generating the CNC code, then it
displays a dialog box for each option for example. You need to enter or accept the settings for each
dialog box. Once you have input this information, the Code Generator begins to generate code for the
active machining sequence.

If your system can compile Code Generator source files and you have modified the source file, the system
compiles a new Code Generator file before compiling any CNC code.
The generation process can be paused, continued and stopped using these controls. When the code
generation process finishes and if your Code Generator is set up to list the NC code, EdgeCAM displays a
dialog box (similar to this example).
5. Click on OK to dismiss this dialog box and return to EdgeCAM. If you did not choose to list the NC
code, you will be returned to EdgeCAM automatically when the compilation ends.

EdgeCAM User Guide

Modifying a Code Generator File

One way to alter the CNC code produced for a machining sequence is to edit the Code Generator itself. The
recommended method for modifying Code Generators is to load the files into the Code Wizard

You must know how Code Generator source files work before trying this!

Generating CNC Code

To generate CNC code for the active machining sequence:

For more details, please refer to the Code Wizard online user guide.
1. In the File menu or Main toolbar click Generate Code.
2. Complete the Generate CNC Code dialog that opens. You specify a name for the CNC code file for
example.
Note that when milling you can generate just the code for a single tool change. The code is for the
toolchange you select and all the sequence up to (and excluding) the next toolchange.
For full information click the dialog's Help button, or click here. (Also see the help on the Machining
Sequence dialog - Job Data tab.)
3. Click on OK. The Code Generator main window is now displayed.
4. If the Code Generator has been configured to ask for input before generating the CNC code, then it
displays a dialog box for each option for example. You need to enter or accept the settings for each
dialog box. Once you have input this information, the Code Generator begins to generate code for the
active machining sequence.

If your system can compile Code Generator source files and you have modified the source file, the system
compiles a new Code Generator file before compiling any CNC code.
The generation process can be paused, continued and stopped using these controls. When the code
generation process finishes and if your Code Generator is set up to list the NC code, EdgeCAM displays a
dialog box (similar to this example).
5. Click on OK to dismiss this dialog box and return to EdgeCAM. If you did not choose to list the NC
code, you will be returned to EdgeCAM automatically when the compilation ends.

EdgeCAM User Guide

Copyright

(C)1988-2005 Pathtrace Engineering Systems. All rights reserved.

Pathtrace Engineering Systems and its registered resellers or sub-resellers shall have no liability or
responsibility to the licensee or any other person or entity with respect to any liability, loss or damage
caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by this product, including but not limited to any
interruption of service, loss of business or anticipatory profits or consequent damages resulting from the use
or operation of this software.
Generating CNC Code
To
generate
CNC code
the active
sequence:
Microsoft,
Windows
andfor
Windows
NTmachining
are registered
trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
MemoHASP is a registered trademark of Aladdin Knowledge Systems Ltd.
1. In the is
File
menu or Main
toolbarTechnologies,
click Generate
Code.
NetSentinel
a trademark
of Rainbow
Inc.
OpenGL(r) and Optimizer are trademarks of Silicon Graphics Inc.
Parasolid
2. Complete
is a trademark
the Generate
of Unigraphics
CNC CodeSolutions
dialog that
Inc.opens. You specify a name for the CNC code file for
Autodesk
example.
Inventor (tm) is a trademark of Autodesk Inc.
SolidWorks is a registered trademark of SolidWorks Corporation.
Solid Edge
Note that
is a registered
when milling
trademark
you can of
generate
EDS Inc.
just the code for a single tool change. The code is for the
PTC, Pro/DESKTOP,
toolchange you Pro/ENGINEER(r),
select and all the sequence
GRANITE
up(tm)
to (and
One,excluding)
are trademarks
the next
or toolchange.
registered trademarks of
Parametric Technology Corporation or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and in other countries.
AutoCAD
For and
full information
DXF are registered
click the trademarks
dialog's Help
ofbutton,
Autodesk
or click
Inc. here. (Also see the help on the Machining
MicroStation
Sequence
is a dialog
trademark
- JobofData
Bentley
tab.)Systems Inc., an affiliate of Intergraph Corporation.
IGDS is a trademark of Intergraph Corporation.
3. Click on OK. The Code Generator main window is now displayed.
EdgeCAM Simulator and EdgeCAM Verify use technology developed by Lightworks Designs Ltd.
ACIS
4. is
If the
a trademark
Code Generator
of Spatial
has
Technology,
been configured
Inc., and
to ask
wasfordeveloped
input before
in co-operation
generating the
withCNC
Three-Space,
code, thenLtd.,
it
Cambridge,
displays
England,
a dialogand
boxApplied
for each
Geometry
option forCorporation,
example. You
Seattle,
need Washington.
to enter or accept the settings for each
dialog box. Once you have input this information, the Code Generator begins to generate code for the
Other brands and product names are trademarks of their respective owners.
active machining sequence.
The information contained within this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent
a commitment on the part of the vendor. The software described in this document is furnished under a
If your system
can and
compile
Generator
source only
files in
and
you have modified
the source
the system
licence
agreement
mayCode
only be
used or copied
accordance
with the terms
of thefile,
agreement.
compiles a new Code Generator file before compiling any CNC code.
The generation process can be paused, continued and stopped using these controls. When the code
Pathtrace Engineering Systems
generation process finishes and if your Code Generator is set up to list the NC code, EdgeCAM displays a
dialog box (similar to this45example).
Boulton Road Reading Berkshire England RG2 0NH
Telephone +44 (0)118 975 6084 Facsimile +44 (0)118 975 6143
5. Click on OK to dismiss this dialog box and return to EdgeCAM. If you did not choose to list the NC
http://www.edgecam.com
code, you will be returned to EdgeCAM
automatically when the compilation ends.

EdgeCAM User Guide