.NC vs. .NCI

[jeff]

Is there any significant difference between the .nc and .nci files?

I have programmed hundreds,maybe even thousands of jobs with MC and always use .nc

Do some controls use .nci?

I know that Okuma uses .min files and Fanuc can have any extension.

Or is there another use for the .nci that I am not aware of?

[Carl Vallance]

When you create toolpaths in Mastercam, an intermediate cutter path file, the NCI file, is created to represent toolpaths in a generic or intermediate format. The post processor reads and interprets the NCI file to create the NC output. By using custom post processors, you can output the data in a single NCI file to multiple NC files that can run different machine/control combinations.

[EZ3PUTT]

Open up mastercam and hit Alt-H for the help screen, then search for NCI and select "About NCI files". This will explain just what an NCI file is and it's function relating to Mastercam.

[jeff]

Thanks Carl.