• Understanding cutter compensation can be very simple if one has a basic understanding

of manual machining. There are two common types of cutting conditions associated with
milling machines. They are CLIMB and CONVENTIONAL cutting.
• Two common rules for these types of cuts are:
• If the programmed cutter path needs to mill CLIMB cutting, and it's a standard right
handed tool, it will then be programmed with G41 cutter LEFT of the programmed path.
•
• If the programmed cutter path needs to mill with CONVENTIONAL cutting, and it's a
standard right handed tool, it will then be programmed with G42 cutter RIGHT of the
programmed path.
•
Listed below are the Three G-Code used only for the Cutter compensation,
• G41 Cutter Compensation Left
• G42 Cutter Compensation Right
• G40 Cancel Cutter Comp G41 and G42
The Active Cutter compensation should
satisfy the following points:

1) A G41 or G42 code must be contained with a G01 X, Y, or X and Y

move is specified in the same block.
2) The distance of the linear move must be greater than the tool radius.
3) The tool radius value, "R", entered into the tool offsets table must not
be 00.
4) A G02 or G03 circular interpolation command cannot be specified in the
start-up block.
Very Important Note: In Practical the Cutter compensation
should start before the Linear Movement with G01 and
should end before the Linear Movement G01
Reasons for using cutter radius offset
• Unknown exact size of cutter radius
• Adjusting for the cutter wear
• Adjusting for the cutter deflection
• Roughing and finishing operations
• Maintaining machining tolerances
Possible lead-in motions to apply cutter radius
A) cutter moves to X0 and cutter radius is turned on
during that motion.
• Then the tool continuous towards the first point (Y=1.125)
• G01 G41 X0 D01F15.0
• Y 1.125
B) G01 G41 Y0 D01 F15
• X0
• Y 1.125
This a correct path but a long one (three steps are needed
to get to point 1)
C) G01 G41 X0 Y0 D01 F15.0
• Y1.125
• In all three choices, the cutter offset started with the first motion and away from the actual part contour
• Because option (c) ends at the actual part contour, it is NOT a good option
• Option (b) requires more steps and therefore it is NOT a good option as well
• Option (a) is the best option
 ADVANTAGES OF CUTTER COMPENSATION:
1. The mathematical computations for determining a tool path are greatly simplified.
2. Because the geometry and not the tool center are programmed, the same program can
be used for a variety of different cutter diameters.
3. When using cutter compensation you are then able to control and adjust for part
dimensions using your cutter diameter/radius offsets register.
4. The same program path can be used for the roughing passes as well as finishing cuts
by using different cutter offset numbers.

DIS ADVANTAGES WITH CUTTER COMPENSATION

1. A cutter compensation command (G41, G42 or G40) must be on the same block with
an X and/or Y linear command when moving onto or off of the part using cutter comp.
2. You cannot turn on or off cutter compensation with a Z axis move.
3. You can use cutter comp. in the G18 (X, Z) or G19 (Y, Z) planes using G141.
4. You cannot turn ON or OFF cutter compensation in a G02 or G03 circular move, it
must be in a linear G00 or G01 straight line move.