NC-code simulation – why it matters
Why CAM simulation alone is not enough: the postprocessor can silently alter your NC code – only NC-code simulation verifies what really runs on the machine.
NC-code simulation software verifies NC programs in a virtual environment before they run on the real CNC machine. Collisions and programming errors are caught before they can damage the machine, the tool, or the workpiece.
Why CAM simulation is not enough
The simulation built into a CAM system only shows the toolpaths computed by the machining algorithms. The final NC code, however, is generated by the postprocessor – and that is exactly where a potential source of error lies: the postprocessor can apply changes and mathematical operations to the NC code that are never shown in the CAM simulation and remain invisible to the user.
CAM simulation verifies the toolpath, not the NC code. What the postprocessor turns it into stays invisible. Only simulating the finished NC code verifies what actually runs on the machine.
That is why the CAM system’s end product – the NC code – should be verified by a simulation that works exclusively from the generated NC code.
Workflow with NC-code simulation
This is how NC-code simulation fits into the process as a dedicated verification step:
The NC code is simulated after the postprocessor run. If the program passes the simulation, it goes to the machine. If errors or collisions are detected, the program goes back to the CAM system, where the cause is fixed.
Typical features
Most products offer:
- Collision detection between tool, workpiece, fixtures, and machine components
- Toolpath analysis and optimization
- Material removal verification
- Machining time evaluation
Catching and fixing potential errors and collisions in the virtual environment saves time and money: scrap, machine downtime, and rework are minimized.
Vendors
NC-code simulation is a niche market – compared to the CAD and CAM vendors, there are only a few suppliers: