LIST OF G-CODES
| Code | Description | Milling ( M ) |
Turning ( T ) |
Corollary info |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G00 | Rapid positioning | M | T | On 2- or 3-axis moves, G00 (unlike G01) traditionally does not necessarily move in a single straight line between start point and end point. It moves each axis at its max speed until its vector quantity is achieved. Shorter vector usually finishes first (given similar axis speeds). This matters because it may yield a dog-leg or hockey-stick motion, which the programmer needs to consider, depending on what obstacles are nearby, to avoid a crash. Some machines offer interpolated rapids as a feature for ease of programming (safe to assume a straight line). |
| G01 | Linear interpolation | M | T | The most common workhorse code for feeding during a cut. The program specs the start and end points, and the control automatically calculates (interpolates) the intermediate points to pass through that yield a straight line (hence "linear"). The control then calculates the angular velocities at which to turn the axis leadscrews via their servomotors or stepper motors. The computer performs thousands of calculations per second, and the motors react quickly to each input. Thus the actual toolpath of the machining takes place with the given feedrate on a path that is accurately linear to within very small limits. |
| G02 | Circular interpolation, clockwise | M | T | Very similar in concept to G01. Again, the control interpolates intermediate points and commands the servo- or stepper motors to rotate the amount needed for the leadscrew to translate the motion to the correct tool tip positioning. This process repeated thousands of times per minute generates the desired toolpath. In the case of G02, the interpolation generates a circle rather than a line. As with G01, the actual toolpath of the machining takes place with the given feedrate on a path that accurately matches the ideal (in G02's case, a circle) to within very small limits. In fact, the interpolation is so precise (when all conditions are correct) that milling an interpolated circle can obviate operations such as drilling, and often even fine boring. Addresses for radius or arc center: G02 and G03 take either an R address (for the radius desired on the part) or IJK addresses (for the component vectors that define the vector from the arc start point to the arc center point). Cutter comp: On most controls you cannot start G41 or G42 in G02 or G03 modes. You must already have compensated in an earlier G01 block. Often, a short linear lead-in movement is programmed, merely to allow cutter compensation before the main action, the circle-cutting, begins. Full circles: When the arc start point and the arc end point are identical, the tool cuts a 360° arc (a full circle). (Some older controls do not support this because arcs cannot cross between quadrants of the cartesian system. Instead, they require four quarter-circle arcs programmed back-to-back.) |
| G03 | Circular interpolation, counterclockwise | M | T | Same corollary info as for G02. |
| G04 | Dwell | M | T | Takes an address for dwell period (may be X, U, or P). The dwell period is specified by a control parameter, typically set to milliseconds. Some machines can accept either X1.0 (s) or P1000 (ms), which are equivalent. Choosing dwell duration: Often the dwell needs only to last one or two full spindle rotations. This is typically much less than one second. Be aware when choosing a duration value that a long dwell is a waste of cycle time. In some situations it won't matter, but for high-volume repetitive production (over thousands of cycles), it is worth calculating that perhaps you only need 100 ms, and you can call it 200 to be safe, but 1000 is just a waste (too long). |
| G05P10000 | High-precision contour control (HPCC) | M | Uses a deep look-ahead buffer and simulation processing to provide better axis movement acceleration and deceleration during contour milling | |
| G05.1 Q1. | AI Advanced Preview Control | M | Uses a deep look-ahead buffer and simulation processing to provide better axis movement acceleration and deceleration during contour milling | |
| G06.1 | Non-uniform rational B-spline(NURBS) Machining | M | Activates Non-Uniform Rational B Spline for complex curve and waveform machining (this code is confirmed in Mazatrol 640M ISO Programming) | |
| G07 | Imaginary axis designation | M | ||
| G09 | Exact stop check, non-modal | M | T | The modal version is G61. |
| G10 | Programmable data input | M | T | Modifies the value of work coordinate and tool offsets |
| G11 | Data write cancel | M | T | |
| G12 | Full-circle interpolation, clockwise | M | Fixed cycle for ease of programming 360° circular interpolation with blend-radius lead-in and lead-out. Not standard on Fanuc controls. | |
| G13 | Full-circle interpolation, counterclockwise | M | Fixed cycle for ease of programming 360° circular interpolation with blend-radius lead-in and lead-out. Not standard on Fanuc controls. | |
| G17 | XY plane selection | M | ||
| G18 | ZX plane selection | M | T | On most CNC lathes (built 1960s to 2000s), ZX is the only available plane, so no G17 to G19 codes are used. This is now changing as the era begins in which live tooling, multitask/multifunction, and mill-turn/turn-mill gradually become the "new normal". But the simpler, traditional form factor will probably not disappear—it will just move over to make room for the newer configurations. See also V address. |
| G19 | YZ plane selection | M | ||
| G20 | Programming in inches | M | T | Somewhat uncommon except in USA and (to lesser extent) Canada and UK. However, in the global marketplace, competence with both G20 and G21 always stands some chance of being necessary at any time. The usual minimum increment in G20 is one ten-thousandth of an inch (0.0001"), which is a larger distance than the usual minimum increment in G21 (one thousandth of a millimeter, .001 mm, that is, one micrometre). This physical difference sometimes favors G21 programming. |
| G21 | Programming in millimeters (mm) | M | T | Prevalent worldwide. However, in the global marketplace, competence with both G20 and G21 always stands some chance of being necessary at any time. |
| G28 | Return to home position (machine zero, aka machine reference point) | M | T | Takes X Y Z addresses which define the intermediate point that the tool tip will pass through on its way home to machine zero. They are in terms of part zero (aka program zero), NOT machine zero. |
| G30 | Return to secondary home position (machine zero, aka machine reference point) | M | T | Takes a P address specifying which machine zero point to use if the machine has several secondary points (P1 to P4). Takes X Y Z addresses that define the intermediate point that the tool tip passes through on its way home to machine zero. These are expressed in terms of part zero (aka program zero), NOT machine zero. |
| G31 | Skip function (used for probes and tool length measurement systems) | M | ||
| G32 | Single-point threading, longhand style (if not using a cycle, e.g., G76) | T | Similar to G01 linear interpolation, except with automatic spindle synchronization for single-point threading. | |
| G33 | Constant-pitchthreading | M | ||
| G33 | Single-point threading, longhand style (if not using a cycle, e.g., G76) | T | Some lathe controls assign this mode to G33 rather than G32. | |
| G34 | Variable-pitch threading | M | ||
| G40 | Tool radius compensation off | M | T | Turn off cutter radius compensation (CRC). Cancels G41 or G42. |
| G41 | Tool radius compensation left | M | T | Turn on cutter radius compensation (CRC), left, for climb milling. Milling: Given righthand-helix cutter and M03 spindle direction, G41 corresponds to climb milling (down milling). Takes an address (D or H) that calls an offset register value for radius. Turning: Often needs no D or H address on lathes, because whatever tool is active automatically calls its geometry offsets with it. (Each turret station is bound to its geometry offset register.) G41 and G42 for milling has been partially automated and obviated (although not completely) since CAMprogramming has become more common. CAM systems let the user program as if using a zero-diameter cutter. The fundamental concept of cutter radius compensation is still in play (i.e., that the surface produced will be distance R away from the cutter center), but the programming mindset is different. The human does not choreograph the toolpath with conscious, painstaking attention to G41, G42, and G40, because the CAM software takes care of that. The software has various CRC mode selections, such as computer, control, wear, reverse wear, off, some of which do not use G41/G42 at all (good for roughing, or wide finish tolerances), and others that use it so that the wear offset can still be tweaked at the machine (better for tight finish tolerances). |
| G42 | Tool radius compensation right | M | T | Turn on cutter radius compensation (CRC), right, for conventional milling. Similar corollary info as for G41. Given righthand-helix cutter and M03 spindle direction, G42 corresponds to conventional milling (up milling). |
| G43 | Tool height offset compensation negative | M | Takes an address, usually H, to call the tool length offset register value. The value is negative because it will be added to the gauge line position. G43 is the commonly used version (vs G44). | |
| G44 | Tool height offset compensation positive | M | Takes an address, usually H, to call the tool length offset register value. The value is positive because it will be subtracted from the gauge line position. G44 is the seldom-used version (vs G43). | |
| G45 | Axis offset single increase | M | ||
| G46 | Axis offset single decrease | M | ||
| G47 | Axis offset double increase | M | ||
| G48 | Axis offset double decrease | M | ||
| G49 | Tool length offset compensation cancel | M | Cancels G43 or G44. | |
| G50 | Define the maximum spindle speed | T | Takes an S address integer, which is interpreted as rpm. Without this feature, G96 mode (CSS) would rev the spindle to "wide open throttle" when closely approaching the axis of rotation. | |
| G50 | Scaling function cancel | M | ||
| G50 | Position register (programming of vector from part zero to tool tip) | T | Position register is one of the original methods to relate the part (program) coordinate system to the tool position, which indirectly relates it to the machine coordinate system, the only position the control really "knows". Not commonly programmed anymore because G54 to G59 (WCSs) are a better, newer method. Called via G50 for turning, G92 for milling. Those G addresses also have alternate meanings (which see). Position register can still be useful for datum shift programming. The "manual absolute" switch, which has very few useful applications in WCS contexts, was more useful in position register contexts, because it allowed the operator to move the tool to a certain distance from the part (for example, by touching off a 2.0000" gage) and then declare to the control what the distance-to-go shall be (2.0000). | |
| G52 | Local coordinate system (LCS) | M | Temporarily shifts program zero to a new location. It is simply "an offset from an offset", that is, an additional offset added onto the WCS offset. This simplifies programming in some cases. The typical example is moving from part to part in a multipart setup. With G54 active, G52 X140.0 Y170.0 shifts program zero 140 mm over in X and 170 mm over in Y. When the part "over there" is done, G52 X0 Y0 returns program zero to normal G54 (by reducing G52 offset to nothing). The same result can also be achieved (1) using multiple WCS origins, G54/G55/G56/G57/G58/G59; (2) on newer controls, G54.1 P1/P2/P3/etc. (all the way up to P48); or (3) using G10 for programmable data input, in which the program can write new offset values to the offset registers. The method to use depends on shop-specific application. | |
| G53 | Machine coordinate system | M | T | Takes absolute coordinates (X,Y,Z,A,B,C) with reference to machine zero rather than program zero. Can be helpful for tool changes. Nonmodal and absolute only. Subsequent blocks are interpreted as "back to G54" even if it is not explicitly programmed. |
| G54 to G59 | Work coordinate systems (WCSs) | M | T | Have largely replaced position register (G50 and G92). Each tuple of axis offsets relates program zero directly to machine zero. Standard is 6 tuples (G54 to G59), with optional extensibility to 48 more via G54.1 P1 to P48. |
| G54.1 P1 to P48 | Extended work coordinate systems | M | T | Up to 48 more WCSs besides the 6 provided as standard by G54 to G59. Note floating-point extension of G-code data type (formerly all integers). Other examples have also evolved (e.g., G84.2). Modern controls have the hardwareto handle it. |
| G61 | Exact stop check, modal | M | T | Can be canceled with G64. The non-modal version is G09. |
| G62 | Automatic corner override | M | T | |
| G64 | Default cutting mode (cancel exact stop check mode) | M | T | Cancels G61. |
| G68 | Rotate coordinate system | M | Rotates coordinate system in the current plane given with G17, G18, or G19. Center of rotation is given with two parameters, which vary with each vendor's implementation. Rotate with angle given with argument R. This can be used, for instance, to align the coordinate system with a misaligned part. It can also be used to repeat movement sequences around a center. Not all vendors support coordinate system rotation. | |
| G69 | Turn off coordinate system rotation | M | Cancels G68. | |
| G70 | Fixed cycle, multiple repetitive cycle, for finishing (including contours) | T | ||
| G71 | Fixed cycle, multiple repetitive cycle, for roughing (Z-axis emphasis) | T | ||
| G72 | Fixed cycle, multiple repetitive cycle, for roughing (X-axis emphasis) | T | ||
| G73 | Fixed cycle, multiple repetitive cycle, for roughing, with pattern repetition | T | ||
| G73 | Peck drilling cycle for milling – high-speed (NO full retraction from pecks) | M | Retracts only as far as a clearance increment (system parameter). For when chipbreaking is the main concern, but chip clogging of flutes is not. Compare G83. | |
| G74 | Peck drilling cycle for turning | T | ||
| G74 | Tapping cycle for milling, lefthand thread, M04 spindle direction | M | See notes at G84. | |
| G75 | Peck grooving cycle for turning | T | ||
| G76 | Fine boring cycle for milling | M | Includes OSS and shift (oriented spindle stop and shift tool off centerline for retraction) | |
Note: Modal means a code stays in effect until replaced, or cancelled, by another permitted code. Non-Modal means it executes only once. See, for example, codes G09, G61 & G64 below.
