It showed that nobody was happy with their existing solution.That’s not true simulation, and it doesn’t produce accurate results.ĭon’t believe me? We surveyed CNC’ers about Job Cost Estimation and I was shocked at the results:
At least it is when done correctly.Ī lot of estimation software out there tries to just apply fudge factors to real numbers gotten from similar parts. The work needed to estimate the cost of machining for a Job Quote is a perfect example of a great CNC Simulator. G-Wizard Estimator is a Feature-Based CNC Job Simulator… That’s why it is so much more powerful as a tool to improve your Feeds and Speeds while making your work less. You could never calculate everything it does in a spreadsheet, for example. Those are just a few examples of how G-Wizard goes well beyond being a basic “Calculator” and is a full-fledge Feeds and Speeds simulator. It also simulates spindle power curves, rigidity compensation for lightweight Hobby CNC Machines, and more. G-Wizard simulates not just basic specs like rpm range, spindle power, and maximum feedrates. The CNC Machine’s capabilities must be accurately simulated as well.Everything from Endmills to Turning Tools to Saws so G-Wizard can give Feeds and Speeds for all the many types of tooling used in CNC. The behavior of dozens of different Tool Types has to be accounted for.The Feeds & Speeds Engine considers about 60 variables before recommending Spindle Speed and Feedrate.CADCAM Wizards will run hundreds of simulation scenarios to find the optimal combination of Cut Width and Cut Depth to maximize Material Removal Rates and reduce cycle time.But in fact, they are truly CNC Simulators if they do everything a true top-of-the-line Feeds and Speeds Calculator can do.Ĭonsider these CNC Simulator functions in G-Wizard Calculator: It seems odd to think about Feeds and Speeds “Simulators” when we are used to calling them “Feeds and Speeds Calculators”. G-Wizard Calculator is a Feeds and Speeds CNC Simulator… Sure, they also use CAM Toolpath Simulators, but only to visualize what’s happening and as a first check. Shops that want to go from programming office directly to running parts prefer G-Code Simulators. That CNC Simulator did not do its job if that can happen. If there are any problems with the geometry model, any bugs for example, the CAM Simulation may look perfect only to have the part crash on the CNC Machine. Remember, it doesn’t see the CAM package’s geometry model. This is in contrast to a g-code simulator that works from the g-code your CNC Machine will actually execute. The problem is they work off the geometry model the CAM software uses to create toolpaths.
But they have their limitations as a type of CNC Simulator. Visually, CAM Toolpath Simulation is very satisfying. They use 3D graphics and show the progress of the tool whittling away material to create a finished part. They’re included with almost every CAM software package. This kind of CNC Simulator can save a lot of time for the CNC Programmer, and also eliminate the need to tie up an expensive CNC Machine for testing.Īnother type of CNC Simulator is the CAM Toolpath Simulator. With a good simulator, “cutting air” should not be a requirement before you can run a part on a CNC Machine.
The idea behind a g-code simulator is to eliminate manual testing of g-code part programs by using a simulator. We even make one ourselves– G-Wizard Editor is a G-Code Simulator. One of the most common and useful types of CNC Simulator is a G-Code Simulator.
The goal of a CNC Simulator (or any other Simulator), is to solve the problems faster and easier than fooling around creating the real thing and using trial and error.
As a result Simulators can solve an extremely broad range of problems. In addition, for something like a g-code simulator, the answer isn’t a single number. What’s the difference between having a formula that simply gives the answer and a simulator? Having a straight up formula is faster and easier, but often formulas don’t exist to give the answer. That math, if the problem is well enough understood, will predict what will happen when various parameters are entered as inputs.
The idea is to model the math behind whatever the problem is on the computer. Ever since computers became available, simulation became a powerful or even the preferred way of solving problems. What’s a CNC Simulator and How Can They Help?ĬNC Simulators follow in the footsteps of many other kinds of simulation.