G-Code Navigation
As shown above, this section of the screen contains the buttons to access the G-code, Plasma (for cutting chart access), and Advanced sidebars, as well as a button to close the selected sidebar. The G-code sidebar shows the currently loaded G-code file. Below is a list of functions and descriptions within the G-Code tab panel.
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The sidebar contains the following:
• The MDI button allows entry from an on-screen keyboard, typically useful for entering short G-code commands or manually launching PLCs/macros
• The Array button functionality allows the user to multiply the currently loaded file into a number of columns/rows.
• Edit button will trigger editing the uploaded G-Code file in a external text editor. Once you save the new changes on the text editor, close the text editor and tap on the refresh button in the top navigation of the software.
• G-code file viewer (G-Code Block viewer) allows you to see the listed command lines in the G-Code file.
• Previous and Next Line buttons allow you to move through the G-Code Block line by line.
• Previous and Next Part buttons allow to move between different cut-in points (using the cut-in codes such as M71)
• Time Elapsed, Estimated Time and a Progress bar allow you to visualize estimated program completion time.
Let’s talk about how to navigate within the G-Code of a control program in Optimum CNC software. So once you have some kind of a file loaded, it will have the G-Code associated with it in the G-Code sidebar that you can access by clicking this button here.
You can scroll through the program to read through every line of G-Code that you have presented to you. You can also navigate to a particular line within the program.
As you can see, my working point indicator — which is the red pin — is now moving line by line. You can also go 10 lines forward or 10 lines backwards within the control program. Note that the line number is changing by 10 every time I click one of these buttons.
And you also have these two useful buttons right here for going to your next part, which means the next M71 cutting-on command, and the previous part. That way you can quickly navigate within the program to start the program from a specific point.
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G-Code Navigation Location: The G-Code tab is a collapsable sidebar located on the right side of the main screen. Tapping on the G-Code tab button opens a complete panel dedicated to working with the uploaded G-Code file and block.
MANUAL: For more information on “G-code Navigation”, review your Optimum CNC Manual User Guide under “G-Code Sidebar” section in your Owners Access Link.
BENEFITS:
Accessing the G-Code Sidebar. The G-Code sidebar in Optimum CNC provides a comprehensive view of your loaded G-code file. This interface displays each line of code, allowing you to monitor and interact with the program in real-time. By accessing this sidebar, you can:
Monitor Execution: Observe the current line being executed, which is typically highlighted, aiding in tracking progress during cutting operations.
Edit On-the-Fly: Make real-time adjustments to specific lines if necessary, which is particularly useful for correcting minor errors without reloading the entire program.
Navigating Through G-Code Lines Optimum CNC offers intuitive navigation controls to move through your G-code:
Previous Line / Next Line: Step through the code line by line, which is beneficial for detailed inspection or troubleshooting specific segments.
Previous Part / Next Part: Jump between different sections or “parts” of your program, facilitating quick access to specific operations or features within complex files.
These navigation tools empower you to:
Resume Interrupted Cuts: If a cut is halted, you can navigate to the exact line where it stopped and resume from there, minimizing material waste.
Test Specific Segments: Run particular sections of your program to verify tool paths or cutting parameters before executing the entire job.
Utilizing the Red Pin Indicator The red pin serves as a visual marker within the G-code sidebar, indicating your current position in the program. This feature allows you to:
Track Progress: Easily identify which part of the code is being executed at any moment.
Set Start Points: Click on a specific line to move the red pin, designating a new starting point for execution.
This is particularly useful for:
Partial Re-runs: Re-executing a specific section without running the entire program.
Error Recovery: Skipping over problematic sections after addressing issues, thereby saving time and materials.
Optimum CNC Software Screenshots: Tap on Images to Enlarge
