CNCMill

G-Code

This may be specific to Acorn CNC at HSL.

Comments

Comments are in parentheses.

G0X0Y0 (rapid traverse to origin - the traverse will be executed, but this parenthetical comment is ignored)

Active Units

G20 (set active units to inches)
G21 (set active units to millimeters)

Absolute v. Incremental

G90 (absolute measurements, relative to machine zero)
G91 (incremental measurements, relative to previous ending position)

Feeds

F sets the feed rate in the active units.

G20 (inches)
F15 (15 inches per minute)
G1 X0 Y0 (traverse to origin at 15 IPM) (spaces are optional)
G21 (millimeters)
F375 (375 mm per minute)
G1X0Y0 (traverse to origin at 375mmPM)

Straight Line Traversal

G0 is fast traversal. Careful not to run the tool into the part. Each axis is run at full speed until reaching its destination (ie: the tool follows multiple line segments, not an interpolated straight line).

G21 (set millimeters)
G90 (set absolute coordinates)
G0X3 (fast traverse the X axis to origin + 3 millimeters)
G0X1Y-2.6Z3 (fast traverse to { 1, -2.6, 3 } millimeters)
G0X0Y0Z0 (fast traverse to origin)
G0 X1 Y-2.6 Z3 (fast traverse to { 1, -2.6, 3} mm with spaces for readability)

Straight Line Cuts

G1 is an interpolated straight line from current position to the new position, moving at feed rate.

G21 (set millimeters)
G90 (set absolute coordinates)
F350 (set feed speed to 350mm per minute)
G0X0Y0Z0 (move to origin)
G1X10Y20Z-5 (move in a straight line from {0,0,0} to {10,20,-5} at 350mm per minute)

Plane Selection

G17, G18, G19 select XY, ZX, or YZ as the active plane.

Arc Cuts

G2 is a clockwise cut from the current position to the destination at { X, Y, Z } about the center { I, J, K }.

If the active plane is XY, all three Z's must be the same and do not need to be specified. The same applies for ZX and Y, and for YZ and X.

G17 (set plane to XY)
G90 (set absolute coordinates)
G1 X-1 Y0 Z0 (cut line to {-1, 0, 0 } at feed rate)
G2 X1 Y0 I0 J0 (cut arc to { 1, 0, 0 } about center at { 0, 0, 0 } )