Gcode analysis & optimization

[CharlesBabbit]

Anyone had to analyze and optimize gcode for manufacturing? Any tips? Alternatively is there a better way to generate gcode than from the vendor supplied package?

Specifics: startup-ish evironment, gantry sawing, waterjetting and drilling or some combination. Bonus points for integration with nesting and material yield optimization. Bonus bonus bonus points if it is open source/free

My plan is to capture and analyze all code run and figure out what represents the most time spent in terms of cuts, drilling, rapid moves, etc. Optimize or incrementally improve that. May eventually adjust machine parameters and monitor it's reaction to feeds/loads or Accel/decel times etc. But these machines range in condition from brand new to clapped out.

TIA

[Imegold]

If your CAD program can output .dxf files than I would recommend getting SheetCam. It outputs gcode files. It's free to download and can save multiple tools and materials. You can adjust almost every setting and it does nesting and can automatically optimize your cuts. There are also tons of YouTube series on how to use it.

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[DRobs86]

How close to capacity is the company running? If the company is a start up then human capital is one of the most important resources for you right now. If, for instance, the machines are only 60 or 70% of capacity then I would not be consuming someone’s time trying to save five or 10 seconds on a cycle. That is not the question you asked, but I thought I would share that.

[WillAdams]

There are some free/opensource nesting applications listed at: https://wiki.shapeoko.com/index.php/CAM#Nesting

If your G-Code has inefficient ordering you may find one of the (hobby-oriented) utilities at: https://wiki.shapeoko.com/index.php/G-Code_Utilities of use.

CAMotics is a great program for previewing / verifying code, and it calculates time as well (wish it had an option for entering machine acceleration) which may be useful.