With CAMotics, you can simulate 3-axis GCode programs for CNCs and visualize the results in 3D. CAMotics runs on Linux, OS-X or Windows. It's fast, easy to use and best of all Open-Source and free.

With the power to simulate your CNC tool paths you will avoid dangerous and expensive mistakes. By looking at the built-in examples and using the online documentation you'll be running your own simulations in no time. And, if you need more help, we'll be happy to answer your questions via the discussion group.

Would you start cutting without measuring first? Then why would you run a CNC program with out simulating? CAMotics will save you time and money and open up a world of creative possibilities by allowing you to rapidly visualize and improve upon designs without wasting materials or breaking tools. If you find CAMotics useful, consider donating some money, otherwise it's totally free so go ahead and download CAMotics now.

Click on the images below to get started:

At home manufacturing is one of the next big technology revolutions. Much like the PC was 30 years ago. There have been major advances in desktop 3D printing (e.g. Maker Bot) yet uptake of desktop CNCs has lagged despite the availability of cheap CNC machines. One of the major reasons for this is a lack of Open-Source simulation and CAM (3D model to tool path conversion) software. CAM and NC machine simulation present some very difficult, yet not insurmountable, programming challenges, as is evidenced by 30+ years of academic papers on these topics. Whereas, 3D printing simulation and tool path generation are much easier.

CAMotics aims to be a useful CNC simulation platform for the DIY and Open-Source community. CAMotics should serve the highly technical user but remain simple and user friendly enough to support less techie types as well. To this end CAMotics will focus on facilitating specific simulation tasks (i.e. use cases) such as engraving and PCB board cutting as well as more advanced simulation techniques and programming interfaces.

Click on the screenshots below to see a larger view.

Joseph Coffland of Cauldron Development LLC, began development of CAMotics in early 2011. An alpha release of the software was first made available to the public in April, 2012. CAMotics has an active community of users and active development continues in to 2019 (and hopefully beyond!). Although there are plans to do much more, many of its users find CAMotics very useful in its current state. True to the nature of Open-Source software, and unlike our commercial counterparts, version number increases and claims of software stability remain conservative.

Features

• Fast 3-axis cut-workpiece simulation with 3D visualization.
• Simulates cylindrical, conical, ballnose, spheroid and snubnose tool shapes.
• Tool path 3D visualization.
• Multi-threaded rendering can take advantage of multi-processor CPUs.
• GCode parsing, simulation, verification and annotation.
• In application GCode and TPL view and edit.
• Supports LinuxCNC (AKA EMC2) O-codes.
• Export cut workpiece to STL file.
• Tool table editing.
• Add height probing to 2D GCode files. Very useful for circuit board cutting and metal engraving.
• 2D GCode path optimization. (in progress #11)
• Operates in Windows and Linux.
• Released under the GPL v2+ license.

Limitations

• No 5-axis simulation. See issue #17.
• No Lathe simulation.
• No CAM facilities yet, e.g. 3D model to tool path conversion.
• Does not yet detect over/under cutting, collisions with the tool shaft or fixtures or rapid moves in the material.
• Not all of the LinuxCNC GCode language is implemented, yet.

Future Plans

Many features are planed for the future of CAMotics. Much of this depends on the availability of developer time and funding.

Here are some of the current ideas:

• Faster real-time cutting simulation.
• Rotational 4th axis simulation.
• 5-axis simulation.
• Lathe simulation.
• Tool collision detection.
• Fixture collision detection.
• Simulate cutting multiple sides of a workpiece.
• Feed and speed calculator.
• Machine description: speeds, dimensions, axes, etc.
• CNC remote control.
• Workpiece view slicing.
• Multiple workpieces.
• Composite tools.
• 3D printer simulation.
• CAM routines: pocketing, offsetting, arrays, etc.
• Font V-Carving.
• Tool path optimization.

This project is funded through donations. If you find CAMotics useful please consider donating $25 or more. Your donations will make new features, bug fixes and the continued development of this software possible.

Make a One-time Donation

To make a one-time donation with Paypal click the graphic below:

Make a Recurring Donation

Want to really help this project? Make a recurring donation:

Advocate : $5.00 USD - monthly Supporter : $10.00 USD - monthly Generous : $25.00 USD - monthly Philanthropist : $50.00 USD - monthly The Boss : $100.00 USD - monthly

BitCoin

Make a donation by sending to the address or QR code below:

182aJsBrnmcWxqZ9VCACJyFYNWSH7eKS9R

There are several ways you can get involved in the CAMotics community.

• Join the Mailing List: This is a very low volume mailing list for CAMotics announcements.
• Join the User's Forum: Discuss CAMotics with other users.
• Join the Development: Get involved with development on GitHub by opening an issue or submitting a pull request.

License

CAMotics is Open-Source software. You may use it under the terms of the GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE Version 2.

Disclaimer

Always use caution when operating any dangerous machinery. Simulation is no substitute for carefully checking the accuracy and safety of your CNC programs. This or any other software could very well make mistakes. Programs which appear correct in simulations might be very dangerous to run on real machines. The results of running any CNC program on a real machine are the sole responsibility of the CNC operator. Read the software license for additional disclaimers.

For more information about CAMotics email joseph@cauldrondevelopment.com.