A clearer second look at NC programs
A machinist preparing to run an unfamiliar NC program may be working under pressure. The machine may be waiting, the job may already be behind schedule, and one programming error could damage a tool, scrap a part or interrupt production.
Modern CAD/CAM systems can generate sophisticated toolpaths, but the posted NC program is still what the machine receives. BACKPLOT-WR was developed to help machinists inspect that program directly.
Connecting code with motion
The NC program is displayed beside its plotted toolpath. A machinist can step through individual blocks and follow the corresponding motion. Selecting a plotted segment identifies its program line, while selecting a block identifies its position in the path.
What BACKPLOT-WR is being built to do
Backplot posted NC code
Review rapid, linear and circular moves with practical Top, Front and ISO views.
Keep code visible
Follow the program and toolpath together instead of treating them as separate documents.
Step through motion
Highlight the move produced by an individual block and locate suspicious geometry in context.
Translate existing programs
Development includes Z-level roughing, coordinate transformation, mirroring and longhand canned cycles.
A practical shop-floor tool
BACKPLOT-WR is browser based, requires no conventional installation and is being developed for both desktop and phone-sized screens. It is intended to give machinists another useful layer of review before Cycle Start.
It does not replace control-specific simulation, machine knowledge or a careful prove-out procedure. Tooling, offsets, fixtures, workholding and controller behavior must still be checked on the actual machine.