CNC For Beginners, Order Code

Running Order (CNC For Beginners)

This is part of a series of articles, CNC For Beginners.

The order of your code in one block does not matter from the computer’s point of view (see below).

The computer gobbles up a line or block of code and then makes sense of it. you programme G90 G0 X50. Y50. Z50. all the axis will move together so G90 G0 Z50. Y50. X50. would be exactly the same. I just jumbled it up, not to confuse you, just to show you that it does not matter.

O0001 (G81 DEMO)
(PROGRAMMER PETER ANDRE)
G21 G90 G40
(G90 G40 G21) Works the same

T01 M06 (20.0 MM DIA X 90 POINT SPOT DRILL)
(M06 T01) Works the same

G90 G0 G54 X12.64 Y88.0 S2546 M3
(S2546 M3 G90 G0 G54 X12.64 Y88.0) Works the same

However it is best to keep the order the same. Create your own convention and stick to it.
G90 G0 G54 X12.64 Y88.0 S2546 M3

If you programme as above you will get used to the order and your programmes will be easier to read.

At a customers recently I got really frustrated by the inconsistency of the program. I did the only thing my upbringing has taught me to do.

Headbutt the nearest object.

Consistency (CNC For Beginners)

G90 G0 G54 X12.64 Y88.0 S2546 M3

So you could begin with absolute or incremental (G90 G91).
Then rapid or feed (G0 or G1).
Then G54 (G55 G56…..) work offset.
Then X Y Z not Z Y X.
Then Speed S2546
Then turn on spindle M3

For example if the speed was always at the end of this line you would notice straight away if it was missing

It’s like reading telling the time we learn to recognise patterns.

So although the running order does not matter, in terms of the way the programme runs, it is important from a visual point of view.

Try to make your programmes consistent and to a regular pattern. Anyone using your programmes, including you, will find them easy to read and to fault find.

Remember if you are a programmer then the machinist, setters and operators are your customers so try and imagine the programmes from their perspective.

Heidenhain and Mazak

On these controls you don’t get any choice in the way the code is set out so you don’t need to worry. In fact you wasted your time reading this article.

Rules (CNC For Beginners)

I often say to customers that I work with that it does not matter how you do a lot of these things but you must have a consistent approach.

A good idea is to write a standard operating procedure (SOP) this would document exactly how the running order will be. If you are using CAD/CAM you will need to get into your post processor and make sure it outputs the code in accordance with your SOP.

Even down to leading zeros and training zeros do you programme G0 or G00 do you programme X.2 or X0.2. I know what I prefer because I hate wasting space (I am old school when memory space was sparse). It really does not matter but you must have a consistent approach and if you are not the only programmer, meet with your colleagues and come up with a plan.

If you don’t for example programme X50. Y60. Z80. in that order there is a good chance that you will alter the wrong figure and end up with two X figures or two Y figures.

Standardisation will mean less confusion and it will reduce errors.

Please contact me if you require:

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How do you become a CNC machinist?

How do you become a CNC Machinist ?

For On-site CNC Training Contact David: 0783 858 407

Every day at the CNC Training Centre we get calls from people wanting to get a job as a CNC Programmer or CNC Machinist .

We can’t get you a job but we can get you started on the path.

That’s why we put these courses together.

These courses are designed to get you started on CNC Machining.

If you are a beginner and want to do a hands on course that teaches you to become a setter operator then try these two courses. These are ideal if you think you can get a start on the ladder and don’t want to jump in at the deep end.

Setter Operator Beginners Turning

Setter Operator Beginners Milling

For absolute beginners with no experience at all. Looking to start a career in CNC Machining..

Beginners CNC Machining

If you work on a CNC machine already and you want to advance by learning some programming skills then look at these two courses.

Learn to Programme Basic Milling 

Learn to Programme Basic Turning

I’ve read enough just let me Apply Now

It’s important to realise that there is absolutely no guarantee that you will get a job at the end of this training.

Or a company car.

Read to the end of the article for the good news.

These are two day courses but it will take years to become a skilled machinist.

Beginners CNC Turning

Beginners CNC Milling

These courses are for people who have little or no experience and the idea is to get you on the first rung of the ladder.

Starting with moving the machine around in Manual Mode.

To creating simple programmes.

You’ll learn some basics about measuring equipment.

And we’ll teach you about the common materials used in manufacturing.

Well maybe not gold but steel, brass, aluminium and stainless steel.

I served my time at Rolls Royce as an apprentice circa 1971 (do the maths I’m a real old git).

Well maybe not that old.

It took four years before you could even start as a proper engineer. Even then there was a kind of unwritten rule that you still needed a fair bit of time before you actually would be any good.

In them days there weren’t many people who could call themselves a CNC Machinist. That technology was in its infancy.

There were over 200 apprentices at Rolls Royce then. If you add to that all the other companies in Coventry alone. The pool was massive.

Manufacturing was destroyed in the UK in the 1980’s. Let’s not get political. But it isn’t any better now.

Before I put you off all together and you start looking into hairdressing let’s give you the good news.

The Good News

There is a huge demand for CNC Programmers, Machinists, Setters and Operators. That means it’s a good trade to be in.

Employers are inclined to take more of a risk as a result.

More Good News

There are no filters. Engineering is still old school if you can do it you’ll more than likely get the job.

In the smaller companies no-one cares too much about what qualifications you have if you can do the job.

Please don’t quote me on this it’s just an observation.

So that means if you’re a quick learner and you study hard you got a good chance.

Suggestion To Become a CNC Machinist

Do anything you can to get started in a small CNC Machine shop.

Cleaning up, making the tea anything. There is a good chance if you keep getting in the way, one day when they are really busy you’ll get a chance to run a CNC machine.

Mine is a single-shot-caramel-soya-latte in a Chevron Denby cup.

The number one criteria is to be reliable!!

Of course you need to keep reading the articles on this website.

Colleges are a good place to get the basic training as an engineer but you’re probably not in a position to go to full time college.

You may well have to take a drop in salary to get started but try not to think about the money.

That’s easy for me to say. What I mean by that is if you get any opportunity to learn then grab it. It may mean working over or coming in at the weekend but….

The learning is yours forever.

We offer onsite training and before I start working with my students I always talk to them about their own personal development.

The company they work for is spending a lot of cash to train them and will gain massively from the training. The student will be a lot more valuable as an employee.

That student may even get a pay rise.

The real gain

Knowledge is power.

Now I don’t mean you can go and invade some rich oil state or become a judge on the X Factor.

(Yes that is me) but I ‘m not trying to sell records today.

Your value on the job market is now much higher so every opportunity to learn you need to take. Don’t get me wrong a pay rise is lovely and not to be sniffed at but it’s only as good as it lasts. When you lose your job there is no guarantee you will get paid as much in your next position.

What I always say to students is that if they get made redundant they will gladly pay for college courses or training courses. They will in fact expect to pay.

So when offered any kind of training in the workplace keep this in mind. That is if you want to become a CNC Machinist.

When you get a chance to go onto a new machine or learn don’t hesitate. Yes you are helping the company but even if they don’t realise that think if your own personal development.

Remember knowledge is power.

Beginners CNC Turning

Beginners CNC Milling

So what you waiting for? Apply Now

Thanks for reading

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