Requirements for CNC Programs

• Estlcams CNC controller is able to process CNC programs created by other CAM programs...
• But those CNC programs have to meet Estlcams requirements...
• As almost no CAM program offers dedicated post processors for Estlcam you'll usually need to try and customize yourself...
• Estlcam is able to perform any 3d move - all necessary commands are supported...
• But the g-code interpreter is very basic without any gimmicks...

Supported G-Codes:

• G00 rapid linear move...
• G01 linear move...
• G02 arc clockwise...
• G03 arc counterclockwise...
• All other g-codes will be ignored without error messages or warnings...
• Repeating g-codes must not be omitted:
  • OK:
    G01 X10 Y20
    G01 X15 Y10
    G01 X20 Y5
    
  • Not OK:
    G01 X10 Y20
    X15 Y10
    X20 Y5
    
• Only 1 g-code each line - following codes will be ignored...
• No cycles -> cycles need to be broken down into discrete G00 - G03 commands...

Supported M-Codes:

• M00 program pause...
• M01 program pause...
• M03 spindle on...
• M05 spindle off...
• M06 tool change...
• M08 output 1 on...
• M09 output 1 off...
• M10 output 2 on...
• M11 output 2 off...
• All other m-codes will be ignored without error messages or warnings...
• Additional outputs can be controlled by "A(output number) on" respectively "A(output number) off".
  e.g. "A4 on" will switch output 4 on...
• Only 1 m-code each line - following codes will be ignored...

G02 / G03:

• Only "I/J" format - no "R" format...
• I / J only relative to X / Y...
• Repeating J / J coordinates may be omitted...
• Unit according to the length unit selected in Estlcam...
• Simultaneuous Z-move / helix allowed...
• Full circles not allowed...
• Plane changes not allowed - only X/Y plane...

X Y Z coordinates:

• Only absolute coordinates...
• Repeating coordinates may be omitted...
• Unit according to the length unit selected in Estlcam...
• Direction of the Z-axis: positive numbers = upwards...
• Plane changes not allowed...
• Origin or coordinate system changes not allowed...

F and S:

• F feed
• S spindle speed
• Unit according to the feed unit selected in Estlcam...
• Speed unit = rpm...

Misc:

• Number of decimal places as you like...
• Both "." or "," are accepted as decimal separator...
• No thousands separators...
• Line numbering possible but not required...
• "G00" "G0" "g0" etc. are all treated the same...
• Comments in Brackets ()...
• Text encoding UTF-8 or ASCII...
• No cycles -> cycles need to be broken down into discrete G00 - G03 commands...
• No sub program calls...
• No mathematical expressions or functions...
• No variables...