How I Tweaked My G-Code to Save Cycle Time

Marc from G-Code Tutor takes a pre-written program and improves the cycle time by making a few small adjustments. Marc often writes programs that include a rapid move followed by a feed move as the tool approaches the part. This method is particularly useful during the initial setup to avoid crashes when positioning the part. However, once the machine is running safely and consistently, these air moves can be removed to improve efficiency. In this session, Marc systematically goes through the program, identifying and removing unnecessary lines, and shaving off a few seconds of machine time with each edit. He also highlights situations where air moves should not be shortened or eliminated, such as when approaching screw cutting. In these cases, a longer run-up is needed to account for any potential backlash that might occur. While saving a few seconds per part may seem small, the time saved adds up when running large batches, helping reduce overall machine time and costs.