Canned cycles

A canned cycle is a predefined CNC function that groups a sequence of machining movements into a single parameterized instruction. Instead of writing every movement individually in the NC program, the CNC control executes the sequence associated with the cycle.

Canned cycles in GO2cam

GO2cam can generate NC programs using canned cycles. The availability and format of canned cycles depend on the CNC control and the configuration of the post-processor.

Canned cycles are commonly used for operations such as:

• Drilling

  • Simple drilling

  • Drilling with dwell

  • Deep-hole / peck drilling

• Tapping

• Boring

• Pocket machining

• Facing

• Turning

  • Roughing

  • Facing

  • Threading

Depending on the CNC control, other machining operations may also be available as canned cycles. The available cycles, their parameters, and their NC syntax depend on the CNC control and the configured post-processor.

Canned cycle output

When an operation is output using a canned cycle, the NC program uses the corresponding cycle instruction instead of describing all the elementary movements individually.

For example, depending on the CNC control, a drilling operation can be output as a canned cycle instruction containing the required machining parameters. Without a canned cycle, the corresponding approach, drilling and retract movements are output individually.

G81 ...

Using canned cycles can make the NC program more compact and easier to read, particularly when the same machining operation is repeated at several positions.

Use standard NC output

Even when the post-processor is configured to generate a canned cycle, you can choose not to use it for a particular operation. From the Machining List, activate the stdNC option for the required operation. GO2cam then outputs that operation using standard/decomposed NC code instead of the canned cycle.

▶️ This video shows the difference between decomposed and canned-cycle NC output in GO2cam using a drilling operation. See how the generated NC code changes when the operation uses a canned cycle.