These methods are all fairly manual, but there’s a more automated way to transfer g-code to your CNC machines that is called “DNC,” which stands for “ Distributed Numerical Control.” Some controllers, like Tormach’s PathPilot, can even interface with Dropbox to make file transfer super easy.
Newer machines can connect to your WiFi or cabled Ethernet and access folders on a server. These involve plugging some sort of media into the machine temporarily to transfer the code. There’s the old stand bys–usb key, floppy disk, PCMCIA, and so forth.
How does your shop go about getting g-code part programs on to the various CNC machines on your shop floor?
