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Machine Simulation Pro
Simulate your CNC machine, detect collisions, and verify toolpath motion before sending code to the shop floor.
Verify Before You Machine with cnc machine simulation software
BobCAD-CAM Machine Simulation Pro lets programmers and operators simulate every aspect of the machining process before sending code to the shop floor.
Use state-of-the-art toolpath verification technology to simulate your virtual machine setup. Graphically check for collisions and over-travels of your toolpath, tool and holder, fixture, workpiece, and machine components. Gain peace of mind as you step through programs and watch simulations of your virtual setup. Get critical feedback to fine-tune your setup and toolpath for error-free programming — before a single chip is cut.
Key Capabilities of Machine Simulation Pro
Machine Simulation Pro gives CNC programmers a complete set of tools to simulate, verify, and analyze machining operations before running code on the machine.
Machine Kinematics Simulation
Simulate the full kinematic motion of your CNC machine — including rotary axes, linear motion, and all machine components. BobCAD-CAM builds a virtual machine that mirrors your physical setup, so you see exactly how the machine will move during every operation.
Collision Detection
Automatically detect collisions and interference between the tool, holder, fixture, stock, and machine components before running the program. When a collision is detected, a detailed report identifies where it occurred so you can make corrections before the job reaches the machine.
Tool & Holder Checking
Verify that the tool and holder combination clears all workholding, stock, and machine components throughout the entire toolpath. Catch clearance problems that would otherwise cause a crash during a real prove-out, saving the tool, holder, and workpiece.
Fixture & Stock Verification
Simulate the stock material and fixture components alongside the machine and toolpath. Verify that the fixture does not interfere with machine motion and that the stock is machined correctly according to your programming intent before you commit to running the job.
Analysis Toolpath & Rendering Modes
Visualize toolpaths using 11 different rendering modes including: Tool Number, Operation Number, Linear Axis Reversal, Orientation Change, Collisions and Proximity, Feed Rate, Height Change, and more. Change how the toolpath is displayed to focus on exactly what you need to verify.
Axis Control & Jog Simulation
Jog the virtual machine axes to any position to verify machine limits and visualize component movement. Drag the slider bar or input a defined value to move any axis or machine component — ideal for checking machine configuration and travel limits before programming starts.
Simulation Statistics & Reporting
Access detailed statistics for every simulation run: machining time, spindle speed, tool tip position, tool center position, machining angles, and more. The collision and interference report logs every event, showing where it occurred so you can locate and correct the issue quickly.
Capture Graphics & Video
Record simulation results as images or video to communicate toolpath plans and machine setup details with internal staff or external customers. Document your virtual prove-out for review before the job goes to the shop floor.
Why CNC Machine Simulation Matters
Running an unverified program on a real CNC machine is one of the highest-risk events in a shop. Machine Simulation Pro eliminates that risk by letting you catch every problem in software first.
Avoid Costly Machine Crashes
A single collision on the shop floor can damage spindles, tooling, fixtures, and the workpiece in an instant. Machine Simulation Pro identifies collisions between every moving element in the virtual environment before any real-world damage can occur.
Reduce Setup Delays
Setup problems discovered at the machine stop production and require reprogramming at the worst possible time. Verifying the setup in simulation before the job reaches the floor means fewer surprises, shorter setup time, and more predictable job starts.
Validate Toolpath Motion
Verify that every movement in the toolpath — rapids, leads, transitions, and cutting passes — behaves correctly for your machine configuration. Confirm that all motion is within the machine’s travel limits and that the post-processed code produces the intended result.
Improve Operator Confidence
When operators can see a simulation of exactly what the machine will do before pressing cycle start, they approach each job with greater confidence. This reduces hesitation during prove-outs and allows experienced operators to focus on production quality rather than worry.
Protect Expensive Tooling & Fixtures
Custom fixtures, precision tooling, and specialized holders are costly to replace. Machine Simulation Pro checks every clearance and interference before the spindle starts turning, protecting investments that often cannot be quickly replaced or remade without significant cost and delay.
Reduce Machining Risk on Expensive Parts
When you are machining expensive material or a part that has already had significant time invested in previous operations, the cost of a crash goes far beyond the machine. Machine Simulation Pro gives you the confidence to run first articles with less risk and fewer test cuts.
What Can Be Simulated
Machine Simulation Pro simulates the full machining environment — not just the toolpath. Every element of your virtual setup is active during simulation and checked for interference.
Machine Movement
All linear and rotary axis motions are simulated against the machine’s actual kinematic model — including rapid traverses, feed moves, and axis reversals that can indicate potential problems in the posted code.
Rotary Axis Motion
For 4-axis and 5-axis machines, rotary table and head movement is fully simulated. Check indexed positions, continuous rotary motion, and any changes in orientation that occur between operations during the job.
Tool & Holder
The complete tool and holder assembly is simulated in 3D. Verify that every part of the cutting tool assembly maintains clearance from the fixture, stock, and machine at all times throughout the full toolpath.
Workpiece & Stock
The solid stock model is machined in real time during simulation using 10 rendering modes for the machined surface. Check for gouges, excess material, deviations, and tool mark patterns on the finished workpiece.
Fixtures & Workholding
Import fixture geometry and simulate it as part of the machine environment. Verify that the fixture does not interfere with tool and holder motion, and that fixture placement is correct for all operations in the job.
Machine Components
The complete machine definition tree is active during simulation, including the spindle, head, table, enclosure, and auxiliary components. Interactive color-coded highlighting allows you to inspect any component during or after simulation.
Ideal For
Machine Simulation Pro is built for any shop where programming errors, machine crashes, or prove-out delays carry real cost. The more complex the work, the more valuable simulation becomes.
Job Shops
Job shops handling a wide mix of parts and customer orders need to prove out programs quickly and reliably. Machine Simulation Pro helps job shop programmers verify new programs before running them on the machine — reducing the time spent on manual prove-outs and re-runs.
Multi-Axis Machining
4-axis and 5-axis machining introduces complex machine motions and tighter clearances between machine components and the workpiece. Machine Simulation Pro is essential for verifying multi-axis programs where collisions are harder to predict from looking at the toolpath alone.
Mill-Turn Workflows
Mill-turn machines combine milling and turning operations in a single setup, creating a complex machine environment with turrets, sub-spindles, and live tooling. Machine Simulation Pro handles this complexity by simulating all axes and components simultaneously.
Complex Setups & Fixturing
When complex fixtures, angle plates, rotary tables, or custom workholding are involved, the risk of interference during machining increases significantly. Machine Simulation Pro lets you verify complex fixture arrangements before committing to running the job.
Production Environments
In production machining, running bad code is not just a prove-out problem — it can shut down a production line. Machine Simulation Pro provides the verification layer that production environments need to introduce new programs and revisions with confidence.
Expensive Parts & Materials
When the part is titanium, inconel, hardened steel, or a component with hundreds of hours of upstream machining already invested, the cost of a crash is catastrophic. Machine Simulation Pro eliminates the risk of losing expensive parts to an avoidable programming error.
See Machine Simulation Pro in Action
See how BobCAD-CAM Machine Simulation Pro simulates machine motion, detects collisions, and verifies toolpaths before the program reaches the shop floor.
CNC Machine Simulation Software in Action
Watch how Machine Simulation Pro builds a virtual machine environment, runs toolpath simulations, and identifies collisions and interference before any code is sent to the floor.
Request a Personalized Demo
Explore Related BobCAD-CAM Solutions
Machine Simulation Pro works alongside BobCAD-CAM’s full range of multi-axis modules and verification tools for a complete CNC programming workflow.
5 Axis Premium
Combine Machine Simulation Pro with full simultaneous 5-axis programming for complete toolpath generation, tool tilting, holder avoidance, and machine simulation verification in one integrated platform.
5 Axis Indexing
Use Machine Simulation Pro to verify 3+2 indexed toolpaths and machine positions for multi-sided parts — ensuring correct rotary positioning and clearance before running the program on the machine.
CNC Probing
Combine machine simulation with on-machine probing to verify fixture positions, pick up work offsets automatically, and inspect finished parts — creating a complete pre-machining and post-machining verification workflow.
Ready to Simulate Before You Cut?
Use BobCAD-CAM Machine Simulation Pro to verify your CNC programs, reduce risk, and run jobs with greater confidence. Speak with a specialist and see it working on your machine setup.