Glossary
CNC Programmer Terms & Vocabulary
15 essential CNC programmer terms with plain-English definitions: the vocabulary you’ll hear in training and on day one.
Key CNC programmer vocabulary
These 15 terms come up constantly in CNC programmer training, on the job and in interviews. Knowing them helps you follow instructions, document accurately and sound prepared.
- 5-axis machining
- Machining with movement in five axes for complex shapes.
- CAM
- Computer-aided manufacturing software that creates toolpaths.
- Cycle time
- How long a machine takes to make a part.
- Feeds and speeds
- Cutting rate and spindle speed.
- Finishing
- Final passes that achieve size and surface finish.
- Fixture
- A device that holds the part during machining.
- G-code
- The programming language that commands machine movement.
- M-code
- Codes that control machine functions such as coolant and spindle.
- Post processor
- Software that converts CAM toolpaths into machine-specific code.
- Prove-out
- Running a new program carefully to confirm it works.
- Roughing
- Removing most of the material quickly.
- Setup sheet
- Instructions that tell the machinist how to set up a job.
- Tool length offset
- Compensates for each tool’s length.
- Toolpath
- The route the cutting tool follows.
- Work offset
- Tells the machine where the part is located.
Practice these terms
Test yourself with the free CNC Programmer practice test: it includes vocabulary questions built from this list. For a complete course, see CNC Programmer training.
Browse terms from every career in our career glossary.