In CNC machining, precision doesn’t just come from the machine—it also comes from the instructions that drive it. These instructions are created inside your CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing) software by something called a post-processor, a critical but often overlooked part of the digital manufacturing workflow.
Whether you’re machining aerospace components, medical devices, or custom parts, understanding how post-processors work—and how supporting DATRON’s SimPL programming language makes them even more powerful—can help you unlock faster setups, safer machining, automation, and more efficient workflows.
What is a CNC Post Processor?
When you design a part in your CAM software, toolpath selection and programming are just the start. To machine your part in the real world, your machine needs precise step-by-step instructions. This is where the post-processor comes in.
Think of it as a translator between your CAM software and CNC machine. The post-processor takes toolpaths from CAM and post-processes them into a machine-readable format. Without this step, the CNC wouldn’t know how fast to move, what spindle speeds to use, or what direction to move.
G-Code: The Universal CNC Language
The most common output from post-processors is G-code, the industry’s standard language for CNC machining.
A typical G-code program consists of simple line-by-line commands that tell the machine:
- Where to move (X, Y, Z coordinates)
- How fast to move (feed rate)
- How fast to spin the tool (spindle speed)
- When to start or stop actions like coolant, tool changes, or probing cycles
For example:
G01 X25.0 Y40.0 F500
M03 S12000
This snippet tells the machine to move to coordinates X=25, Y=40 at a feed rate of 500 mm/min, and to run the spindle at 12,000 RPM.
G-code is universal—but it’s also rigid and lacks the features of modern programming languages. Most controls also lack the convenience of a modern IDE (Integrated Development Environment)—features such as syntax checking, auto code completion, and debugging leave users on their own to figure out why their code isn’t working.
Conversational Programming & Languages
To simplify this complexity, some CNC systems now offer conversational programming. Instead of editing line-by-line code, operators can work with more intuitive commands and menu-driven interfaces.
With conversational programming and languages, machinists can:
- Select machining operations from simple menus
- Enter dimensions, depths, and features directly
- Avoid manually writing or deciphering raw G-code
- Make quick edits directly on the shop floor
- Easily read and edit code
- Build new programs step by step with easy-to-understand menus
This reduces the barrier for operators who may not be G-code experts, while still delivering accurate instructions to the machine.
Enter DATRON’s SimPL Conversational Language
DATRON has taken conversational programming to the next level with SimPL—it’s a native conversational programming language designed for the DATRON next CNC control and the future of manufacturing.
It includes features accessible only in modern computer programming languages, allowing for endless possibilities in integrating automation and customization into your manufacturing workflow.
Where traditional G-code can be limiting, SimPL is designed to be:
- Readable – Easy-to-follow commands with plain-language structure
- Visual – Built-in stock simulation allows operators to see the machining sequence before cutting.
- Integrated—Commands directly connect with DATRON’s accessories and features, such as vacuum tables, dust collection, ionizing spray bars, and many others.
- Fully Featured – With options such as Socket API, Rest API, and QR Code recognition, the possibilities are endless.
This creates a powerful balance between the reliability of structured code and the accessibility of conversational commands. It truly empowers operators and engineers to harness the future of manufacturing with a few simple lines of code.
Key Benefits of simPL vs. G-Code for Machinists
1. Stock Simulation for Safer Setups
SimPL includes 3D stock simulation directly within the DATRON next control. This means you can preview toolpaths, see material removal in real time, and catch potential crashes before they happen—all without relying solely on CAM verification.
2. Tool Check
Tool verification is simplified in SimPL. Operators can quickly verify that the tooling in their machines matches what is programmed in their toolpath code. They can check tool geometry and status and assign replacement tools, reducing the risk of using the wrong tool or incorrect parameters.
3. Built-In Control of Accessories
Unlike generic G-Code, SimPL integrates commands for DATRON’s advanced workholding and chip management systems in clear, plain language. With simple instructions, you can:
- Turn the vacuum pump and table on or off during machining cycles
- Turn on individual vacuum ports before, during, or after cycles
- Control suction heads to optimize chip evacuation
- Automate auxiliary systems alongside machining operations
- Write and read text files and CSV natively in the control
- Directly communicate with robots and automation devices
4. Faster Training and Easier Edits
New operators often find G-code intimidating. SimPL’s conversational structure and clear program call-outs lower the learning curve, making it easier for teams to get up to speed quickly. Edits and adjustments can be made directly on the machine without navigating long lines of raw code.
DATRON Supports Your Post-Processor Needs
Every shop has its own preferred CAD/CAM workflow, which sometimes means you’ll need a tailored post-processor to connect your software to your DATRON system. DATRON makes this simple:
- We work directly with your CAM provider or reseller to help support them in developing or sourcing a post-processor that matches your workflow.
- Want to stick with G-Code? We can support that with our integrated G-Code Wrapper, which translates M and G codes into SimPL commands in the background.
- Our engineering team can assist in supporting your CAM reseller so that you get the best performance and integration with DATRON features.
- This ensures that whether you’re running industry-standard G-code or taking advantage of SimPL, you always have a post-processor optimized for your setup.
This level of support helps you achieve smoother integration between design and manufacturing.
Why Post Processors Matter to Your Workflow
At first glance, a post-processor is a behind-the-scenes detail. But it’s the bridge between digital design and physical production.
- A poorly written post-processor can cause errors, wasted material, and machine crashes.
- A powerful post-processor—that supports SimPL—streamlines setups, improves operator confidence, and enables more innovative use of machine features. Maximize the output of your machine and the efficiency of your production by harnessing features such as integrating probing routines, logging of production output to a CSV file, or simple dialog boxes instructing your operations on best practices. This all results in faster time to market, reduced downtime, and greater overall efficiency.
Take Control with DATRON SimPL
Whether you’re comfortable with G-code or looking for something more future-proof, understanding post-processors and your control’s programming language is key to success. DATRON’s SimPL programming language makes this easier than ever by combining accessibility, intelligence, and integration into the powerful DATRON next control. DATRON gives you a complete ecosystem to simplify and strengthen your machining workflow.
