G-code which has many variants, is the common name for the most widely used numerical control (NC) programming language. It is used mainly in computer-aided manufacturing to control automated machine tools. G-code is sometimes called G programming language, not to be confused with Lab VIEW's G programming language.
G-code is a language in which people tell computerized machine tools how to make something. The "how" is defined by instructions on where to move, how fast to move, and what path to move. The most common situation is that, within a machine tool, a cutting tool is moved according to these instructions through a tool path and cuts away material to leave only the finished work piece. The same concept also extends to non cutting tools such as forming or burnishing tools, photo plotting, additive methods such as 3D printing, and measuring instruments.
G-codes are also called preparatory codes, and are any word in a CNC program that begins with the letter G. Generally it is a code telling the machine tool what type of action to perform, such as:
Rapid movement (transport the tool as quickly as possible through space to the location where it will cut)
Controlled feed in a straight line or arc
Series of controlled feed movements that would result in a hole being bored, a workpiece cut (routed) to a specific dimension, or a profile (contour) shape added to the edge of a workpiece
Set tool information such as offset
Switch coordinate systems
There are other codes; the type codes can be thought of like registers in a computer.
Students and hobbyists have pointed out over the years that the term "G-code" is imprecise. It comes from the literal sense of the term, referring to one letter address and to the specific codes that can be formed with it (for example, G00, G01, G28). But every letter of the English alphabet is used somewhere in the language. Nevertheless, "G-code" is established as the common name of the language.
and 4 others joined a min ago.
teamques10
★ 68k
pedsangini276
• 4.8k