In order to create CNC turned parts, machinists must use a programming language, such as G code, to communicate instructions to their CNC machines, telling them where to cut, turn, etc. There is no one single “best” way to program CNC machines, however; instead, there are several acceptable methods: Manual programming, conversational programming, and CAM system programming. Which method you choose will depend on the unique needs of your business.
Manual Programming
Manual programming, as the name suggests, is the act of manually typing out lines of code containing the correct commands needed to create CNC turned parts.
In general, it’s accepted that all budding machinists should begin by mastering a bit of manual programing, i.e. G-code. While manual programming is rather tedious, and therefore not suitable for all large manufacturing operations, those working in the CNC industry absolutely must have the ability to manually debug CNC code in the event that something goes wrong while using the other methods outlined below. Additionally, there are still many firms that exclusively use manual programming techniques; small companies who own just a few machine tools, for example, often find manual methods preferable.
Conversational Programming
Conversational programming is likely the most popular method of CNC programming in use today. Conversational programing is completed right at the CNC machine with the use of convenient graphic and menu-driven functions. These give the programmer a useful visual reference which helps him or her to disambiguate complex code and verify whether or not inputs are correct while he or she is programming. As such, he or she will not face the time-consuming prospect of completing a large program only to have it fail in an unknown location, causing the programmer to have to carefully review each line of code to manually detect the error.
CAM System Programming
CAM system programming completely streamlines the process of creating CNC turned parts; as such, it’s becoming increasingly popular in the CNC industry. CAM systems eliminate the need for the programmer to do math calculations and the need for the programmer to learn a multitude of different programming languages (as CAM systems make it possible to program diverse models of CNC machine with the same basic language). In essence, the CAM system proactively helps the programmer to create functional code which can be fed directly to the machine upon completion. CAM systems are therefore the most practical choice for large CNC firms which rely on a wide variety of different tools.
As a final note, keep in mind that if you are a very small business, skipping right to using a CAM system is not generally advised; not only should you and your employees become familiar with manual and conversational programming methods first, utilising a CAM system will mean taking on additional costs. As CNC machines are themselves very expensive, it’s often difficult enough for new CNC firms to get on their feet without taking on additional expenses which are not strictly necessary. Once your business has grown and your need for efficiency has increased, you can safely make the switch over to CAM programing.
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