SimCam is designed to speed up toolpath creation. It generates generic, FANUC‑style G‑code that works as a starting point. Every shop and controller has its own conventions, so you’ll usually need light edits (post‑style tweaks) before running on a real machine.
Bottom line: SimCam assists the programmer; it doesn’t replace one. You remain responsible for verifying code before cutting.
Common reasons the code doesn’t “look right”
Different controller dialects: Haas vs. FANUC vs. Siemens vs. Okuma, etc.
Header/ footer style: program numbers (
O1234),G17/G40/G49/G80/G90preamble,M30vsM2, comment style(…)vs;.Units/formatting: mm vs inch, decimals/leading zeros, feed in mm/min vs inch/min.
Tool/coolant calls:
Txx M06,M08/M09, spindle syntaxSxxxx M03/M04.Work offsets:
G54–G59vs.G92or local shifts.Arcs: center format
I J Kvs radiusR, arc plane (G17/G18/G19).Canned cycles: drilling/boring (
G81–G89), peck/ream/tap variations.Subprograms / repeats:
M98 Pxxxx Lvs explicit repeats.
Quick wins: make the output match your shop
Decide your house style (once):
Header:
O####,G17 G40 G49 G80 G90, units (G21/G20), work offset (G54).Footer: spindle/ coolant off, retract,
M30.Comment style, decimal precision, feed/spindle formatting.
Set SimCam’s output preferences (decimals, format, leading and ending blocks, etc.).
Try different settings and test the output.
Create a reusable header/footer template. Paste this at the top/bottom of every program (or set the Leading and Ending blocks to merge automatically):
(JOB: <name>) O1000 G17 G21 G40 G49 G80 G90 G54 (TOOL 1: <desc>) T1 M06 S1200 M03 M08…
M09 G28 G91 Z0 G90 M30Map codes with quick find/replace rules. Keep a small table you can apply in your editor:
From To Notes ;( )Convert to parentheses comments M2M30Shop standard end code R…in arcsI JIf your control requires center format G55G54If you standardize on G54 Standardize tools and offsets. Ensure your tool numbers (
T01/T1) and length/diameter comp (G43 Hxx,G41/G42 Dxx) match what’s set on the machine.Simulate and prove out.
Run inside the simulator first.
On the machine: graphics/ dry run, single‑block, feed‑hold ready.
“Will SimCam ever output my exact machine’s code?”
Not perfectly for every brand/option combination. Controllers vary widely, and shops prefer different preambles, cycles, and macros. SimCam aims to produce solid, readable “FANUC‑like” output that you tailor for your environment.
Safety & responsibility
You must verify that the program is correct and safe for your machine before cutting. Check units, work offsets, tool lengths, and any canned cycles outside the simulator environment.