Centroid Community CNC Support Forum

I converted a mill with the all in one dc and am running the free mill software provided. I searched but can find no answer. I want to create my own g code program at the control the old school way, but all it gives me is the option of the intercon coversational programming? How do i start my own program, name it and start long handing out my own program? Any other CNC, lathe or Mill, i've always been able to do this?

Create program in notepad and run, or use MDI to input code. I don't know if there is a way to input more than one (MDI) line at a time, but you can't create a program and name it.

It's the beauty of Windows. Use you favorite text editor, and create the file in C:\CNCM\ncfiles - name it what ever you want. When you finish entering your G-code, exit the text editor, open CNC12, select F2 Load, select your file and hit enter.

I would then suggest hitting F8 Graph to check the geometry and limits, and then F4 Run and single step through your program, or you can just hit cycle start after the F2 Load and have at it if you are brave.

Notepad++ is a far better text editor than notepad and its free...
I think there is a request into Centroid to expand the MDI from one line to many more, but that will only let you run the program once.

Does the paid version of CNC12 allow you to create and edit your own G Code files? I can't quite wrap my head around why this isn't part of the software free or not. It's been a part of CNC controls since the days of DOS based controls in the 80s. Having to ALT TAB out of your control to open a separate program, create a program file/edit, save and then switch back to the control to open it is frankly unacceptable. Editing your own programs in Notepad++ has always been an option not the requirement. Surely, if one bought their 5 axis $200,000 machine this wouldn't be how you create, view and edit programs, right?

You can use Centroids Intercon to enter individual g-codes into a program. F5 CAM/F1 ICN/F1 File/F1 New After assigning a filename, you will be dumped into the intercon editor. After filling in the header and hitting F10 Accept, press F6 Other/F6 M&G Code and enter your code.

You will find it much easier to alt-tab to do a Windows text editor though. Back in the 80's, CNC controls did not have the underlying OS they have now so you were limited to the rudimentary text editors built into the controls. Time moves on.

KGMAN wrote: ↑Tue May 04, 2021 11:46 am Surely, if one bought their 5 axis $200,000 machine this wouldn't be how you create, view and edit programs, right?

Correct. They would be creating their programs using Master Cam after they pay $10k and up for a seat, and then yearly maintenance fees.

If you don't want to use Alt-Tab, then just press F6/Edit.

That will open the currently-loaded G code program in your chosen text editor. Then you can choose File -> New and start a new, blank program, or choose File -> Save As if you want to use the existing G code file as a starting point for your new one.

Here's a link to the old Mill training video shows basic training for intercon conversational programming software that's included with all centroid CNC controls for your reference.

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