Questions machinists ask
Swarf is a thinking partner for CNC machinists and shops: it reviews drawings and programs, remembers what your shop dials in, and generates G-code for your machines. Here are straight answers to what machinists ask before they start.
How is Swarf different from ChatGPT for machining work?
A general-purpose chatbot answers from what's typical. Swarf answers from your shop.
- It keeps records of your machines, tooling, materials and workholding, and reads them when a job needs them.
- It follows the rules your shop sets, in every conversation about that job.
- It reads the drawings, programs and manuals you upload, and keeps them with the machine or job they belong to.
- It generates G-code from a 3D model of your part and simulates the cut, so you see the toolpath before it reaches the machine.
Which machines does Swarf write G-code for?
Today, Swarf generates G-code for 2-axis Haas lathes on the Next Generation Control, from a STEP model of your part. It plans the facing, roughing, finishing, grooving, drilling and threading, writes the program, and simulates it.
More lathes and mills are coming, and this page will change when they ship.
On any other machine, Swarf can still review your program, talk through the setup, and help you plan the job. It just doesn't write programs for that control yet.
What do I need to bring?
Whatever you'd show a colleague:
- A drawing - a PDF or a photo of the print.
- A program - the G-code file you want a second look at.
- A STEP model of the part - what Swarf generates G-code from.
Tell Swarf which machine you're running it on. It keeps that for next time.
What does it cost, and what's free?
Swarf is free to start. A new account comes with credits, and you don't need a credit card. When they run out, subscribe to Pro or buy a credit pack.
See pricing for what each one includes.