Programming skills for CNC wood cutting machines

Programming skills for CNC wood cutting machines mainly include reasonable planning of the cutting sequence, setting up lead and exit wires, performing slit compensation, applying mirror instructions, choosing the appropriate programming method, and conducting simulation verification, etc. The following is a detailed introduction:

Plan the cutting sequence: For graphics with inner and outer contours, the inner contour should be cut first, followed by the outer contour. In the cutting direction of the outer contour, the part with less reserved space should be cut first. If there are multiple parts cutting and blanking on a board surface, the cutting sequence should minimize thermal deformation as much as possible and be uniformly arranged in the order of small parts first and then large ones, and inside parts first and then outside parts.

Set the entry and exit lines: To achieve a good cutting effect, it is recommended that users set both the entry and exit lines when editing the cutting path. If the requirements for the workpiece are not too high or there is post-processing, the cutting can be carried out directly without setting the lead lines. The principle of lead setting is to break a trajectory and extend it into the reserved area or waste material. The length of the lead should be at least greater than the width of one slit.

Seam compensation: The size of the compensation amount needs to be comprehensively considered based on the cutting method, cutting thickness and cutting speed of the CNC cutting machine. The compensation amount is half of the seam width. Generally speaking, for flame cutting of plates over 10mm and plasma cutting of plates within 6mm, under the condition that other process parameters are appropriate, the width of the cut seam is about 2mm, and the compensation amount can be more appropriate within 1-1.2mm. If particularly precise cutting is required, it is still recommended that users try cutting and actually measure the width of the cut seam. After setting up software compensation, it is generally not necessary to compensate on the numerical control system; otherwise, the repeated dimensions after compensation will deviate again. However, if the size is still slightly lower after cutting due to software compensation, it can be further compensated through the numerical control system. If compensation is made through the numerical control system, the compensation amount should be set to zero in the software. If it is impossible to determine how much size should be compensated, a rectangle can be cut on the waste material, and the actual size and programmed size can be measured to calculate the required compensation amount. The numerical control system of a CNC cutting machine has difficulty in handling the compensation of small arcs. If the arc is smaller than the compensation radius, it cannot be cut out, let alone be correctly compensated (theoretically, the radius becomes negative). In such cases, it is necessary to consider modifying the part drawing or using software compensation to identify problems in a timely manner.

Use the mirror command: CNC wire cutting processing has mirroring processing instructions, such as G05 (X-axis mirroring), G06 (Y-axis mirroring), G07 (X and Y-axis swapping), G08 (X-axis mirroring, Y-axis mirroring), G09 (first X-axis mirroring, then X and Y-axis swapping), G10 (first Y-axis mirroring, then X and Y-axis swapping), G11 (first X and Y-axis mirroring respectively, then By switching the X and Y axes, G12 (unmirroring), etc., programming can be simplified.

Choose the appropriate programming method: Programming can be done directly on the CNC cutting machine system, but this method is inefficient, complex to operate, not intuitive, prone to errors, and requires the occupation of the CNC cutting machine during programming, which affects the usage efficiency of the CNC cutting machine. Programming can also be carried out using FastCAM software. This method is highly efficient, simple and intuitive to operate, convenient for inspection, less prone to errors, and does not require the occupation of a CNC cutting machine during programming.

Conduct simulation verification: After the programming is completed, relevant software can be used for simulation to check if the cutting trajectory is correct and if there are any interference issues. Only after ensuring the program is error-free can the actual cutting be carried out.