Academy
The free knowledge platform for NC code and CNC technology: fundamentals, CAD/CAM, and control-specific references for Fanuc, Heidenhain, Hurco and Okuma.
The CNC-Master Academy is a free knowledge platform for NC code and CNC technology. All content is available without registration and written to answer practical questions directly – from your first G-code program to control-specific syntax.
The Academy serves two groups: beginners who want to learn G-code and CNC programming from the ground up, and experienced machinists and programmers who need to look something up quickly on the job – the parameters of a drilling cycle, say, or the quirks of a particular control.
The best place to start is Basics: coordinate systems, motion commands, tool calls, and the structure of an NC program. How a 3D model becomes finished NC code is covered in the CAD and CAM sections – from design through toolpaths to the postprocessor. Once the fundamentals are in place, Advanced offers further topics for everyday programming.
Because every control speaks its own dialect, the Controls section provides vendor-specific references for Fanuc, Heidenhain, Hurco and Okuma. The Machines section rounds things out with knowledge about the CNC machines themselves.
Simply pick the section that matches your current question – or start with the basics.
CNC Basics
CNC basics explained clearly: the Cartesian coordinate system, G0/G1 and G2/G3 motion commands, tool changes and spindle control – your G-code foundation.
CAD
CAD software at a glance: Computer-Aided Design fundamentals, a comparison of CAD kernels, vendors and products, and criteria for buying a CAD system.
CAM
How CAM software turns a 3D model into toolpaths for CNC machines: defining stock and clamping, programming, simulating and generating NC code.
Advanced
Advanced CNC topics: NC program structure, macro programming and custom cycles – in-depth knowledge for experienced CNC programmers and machinists.
Controls
Vendor-specific references for CNC controls: G-code and M-code tables, parameter references and the quirks of each manufacturer's NC dialect at a glance.
Machines
Knowledge about the CNC machines themselves: starting with a comprehensive overview of machine manufacturers – more know-how will follow here.