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.
Welcome to the CNC basics! In this chapter you will learn the building blocks that every NC program is made of. A CNC machine executes exactly what the program specifies – line by line, command by command. For that to work, both sides need a common language: G-code.
We start with the Cartesian coordinate system, which describes every position in the working area unambiguously. Building on that, we look at linear interpolation with G0 and G1 and circular interpolation with G2 and G3 – the fundamental motion commands of every CNC control. Finally, we cover tool changes and spindle commands (T, M6, M3/M4/M5, S), which you use to load tools and control the spindle.
Step by step, this builds the foundation that all other Academy topics rest on.
Cartesian coordinate system
The Cartesian coordinate system explained simply: X, Y and Z axes, origin and coordinates – the foundation of every position in an NC program.
Linear interpolation
G0 and G1 explained: rapid traverse and linear interpolation with feed rate F – the fundamental motion commands in CNC programming, with a code example.
Circular interpolation
Circular interpolation with G2 and G3 explained: clockwise and counterclockwise arcs, programming the center with I/J or the radius with R – with example.
Tool & spindle
Tool change and spindle commands in NC code: tool call with T and M6, spindle speed S, and M3, M4 and M5 clearly explained – with a G-code example.