Everyone involved in programming and operating CNC machining centers knows how much time it takes to set offsets on the workpiece. The machine is idle during this process - and the offset accuracy is limited by operator's skill. As an example look at this part. There are four offsets on the part. Four times to measure offset positions on the machine table. Life would be much easier if we knew exactly the position of the workpiece on the machine table when we make the CNC program on a PC. But as we all know - the part position is known only after the part is set on the machine. So the machining program has its X0,Y0,Z0,B0 coordinates (offsets) set by a CNC programmer and this offset(s) has to be established on the machine during setup stage by a machine operator. On a workpiece with 4 sides to be machined, we have to establish at least 4 offsets. A time consuming process.

   CNC Offset Calculator has been designed to eliminate this and make the setup process easy. How?
All offset positions on the workpiece will be entered into the CNC Offset Calculator in the office - while the machine is running. Typing the data into CNC Offset Calculator is also automated - using dxf files or using geometry drawn in the CNC Offset Calculator. The CNC code generated by CNC Offset Calculator can be inserted into your CNC part program with click of a button - no copy/paste is necessary.

  On the machine the operator will meassure only one primary offset - this process can also be automated by using a probe sensor - and the machine will calculate all offset positions when it runs - dynamically.

   The latest version of CNCOffsetCalc can import dxf files (e.g. from AutoCAD) together with offset positions taken from the drawing in AutoCAD - this eliminates typing X and Z values into entry boxes and saves time and makes the process even easier. You can set offsets on your machining center in 4 easy steps ...

Dxf with offsets marked as points

Dxf opened in CNC Offset Calculator

Offset Y and B values adjusted

CNC code generated

  CNCOffsetCalc can write dxf file from drawn geometry, including offset positions and this can be opened in AutoCAD (any version after R12 inc.).

Note: this version works for countries using decimal separator "dot" - e.g. 3.14.
Countries using decimal separator "comma" - e.g. 3,14 will have new release available soon.

  Main features of the CNC Offset Calculator.

  The build-in CNC editor allows you to customize CNC code for your machine (OKUMA, TOSNUC and FANUC post processors included as standard). You can setup as many different post processors as you have CNC controls and machines, all of them can be loaded on start up and you can select one from the list on the toolbar as needed. And if you want to program offsets for vertical machining centers - just swap X and Y axis in the MC Set up page.

  Use a probe sensor - see example. Insert code for your probe sensor into the code generated by CNCOffsetCalc (at the top section - bellow the line "Insert code for probe sensor here") and read the values from the sensor into the Primary offset. The rest is identical - machine CNC control will calculate the secondary offsets from the code generated by CNCOffsetCalc. Using probe sensor enables to run the machine in unmanned mode (like FMS systems) - without operator intervention.

  Set any of the Secondary offsets as the Primary offset, or set any of the secondary axis as primary axis - useful if your part has a machining feature on a secondary offset, and you need to measure this feature on the part and not rely on its position taken from Primary offset. For example a margin for finishing operation on a side other than primary offset, a hole that has to line up with an existing hole etc. In this case you can use Advanced set up and mix primary and secondary axis. The program generated by CNC Offset Calculator will set all primary axis first, so that the operator (or a probe) can enter measured values into it and the machine will calculate the rest.

  You can swap offsets - select Edit Offset | Swap Offset. Swap the currently selected offset with a another registered offset.

  You can visualize the machining position by rotating the table - check the box "Rotate table to mc position" bellow the buttons on the calculator area.

  You can save all your work in one file and load it again - together with all graphics.

  CNC Offset Calculator can also generate hard coded positions - these the X,Y,Z positions are identical to those calculated by machine CNC control (click "MC WKS" button). These hard coded positions can be exported to MS Excel spread sheet (click File | Print to Excel). However, hard coded positions are valid only for one known workpiece position on the machine table. In order to use hard coded values, the operator must setup the part, measure the Primary offset, record its values and enter them into PC, calculate all secondary offsets, record all the values and enter them into machine - quite lengthy process. Hard coded positrons should be used only as a feedback for checking the offset positions on the machine. Using the CNC code is what makes this program powerful - and what saves you money.

  Can you afford not having this tool in today's global economic situation? Can you afford your competitors taking advantage of using it?   

  If you need to customize the software to suit your particular needs or if you have any questions regarding the software please contact sales(at)cncplusplus.com

   Release Notes