CIMCO Edit

CIMCO Edit is a widely used software tool for editing, managing, and verifying CNC machining programs. Developed by CIMCO A/S, it provides machinists and CNC programmers with a dedicated environment for working with G-code and NC programs used in manufacturing.

In most machine shops, CNC programs need to be reviewed, edited, and optimized before being sent to machines. CIMCO Edit gives engineers a purpose-built workspace for modifying machining instructions, analyzing toolpaths, and catching programming errors before running a program on a live CNC machine.

The software includes editing features specifically designed for CNC programming, alongside backplot simulation tools that visualize toolpaths directly from the G-code. This allows programmers to verify machining operations and detect potential issues early in the process, without tying up machine time.

CIMCO Edit also connects directly to CNC machines through DNC communication, allowing manufacturers to manage program transfers and machine communication from a single, centralized system.

Because of these capabilities, CIMCO Edit is widely used across machine shops, CNC production environments, and manufacturing facilities where G-code programming is a daily part of the workflow.

Key Features

• NC-Assistant interactive G and M code editor with live code-to-value linking for fast manual editing
• Side-by-side file compare with line-level change detection that ignores trivial formatting differences
• 3D mill and 2D lathe backplotter with step, continuous, forward, and reverse plotting modes
• Solid simulation with toolholder collision check and gouge detection
• DNC communication for sending and receiving NC programs to CNC machines via RS-232 and network
• Machine Simulation add-on providing a full 3D CNC machine model with collision detection and material removal
• Math functions covering rotate, mirror, translate, tool compensation, and coordinate transformation
• Mazatrol Viewer add-on for reading conversational Mazak programs without accessing the machine control
• CIMCO CNC-Calc add-on for 2D geometry drawing and toolpath generation within the editor
• Floating license system allowing multiple users to share licenses across networked machines

Best For

CNC programmers, manufacturing engineers, and production shops that need a professional, full-featured NC editing environment for daily programming work. Particularly suited to teams focused on writing, modifying, comparing, and transferring programs to machines, where a browser-based viewer falls short but a full CAM environment would be disproportionate to the task.

Who It's Not For

Engineers who need to generate toolpaths from scratch from CAD geometry. CIMCO Edit edits and verifies existing G-code but is not a CAM system. Teams whose NC programming workflow starts from a CAD model belong in Fusion CAM, Mastercam, or PowerMill rather than a dedicated editor.

Platform

Windows desktop only. No Mac, Linux, or browser-based version.

A floating license system allows multiple users to share licenses across a networked environment. Any number of installations can be deployed, but concurrent use is limited to the number of licenses held.

Pricing

Commercial CNC programming software available under both perpetual and subscription licensing models.

CIMCO Edit Professional is available via subscription for around $999 per year or as a perpetual license for roughly $575, with annual maintenance costs at 12% of the license fee.

Machine Simulation is available as an add-on and can be purchased at any time. Subscription options include 1-month and 12-month payment intervals for budget flexibility.

Student licensing is available at over 50% discount for academic use. Contact CIMCO or a certified reseller for current pricing by configuration and region. A 30-day free trial covering the full feature set is available without commitment.

Pros

• NC-Assistant makes manual G-code editing significantly faster than working in raw text editors
• File compare with format-aware diffing finds real code changes without false positives from renumbering or reformatting
• DNC communication is built into the Professional edition, removing the need for separate communication software
• 42 software releases in 2024 reflect one of the most active development cadences in the CNC software category
• Floating license system gives shops flexible seat sharing across multiple workstations
• 30-day free trial with full features allows a thorough evaluation without any commitment

Cons

• Windows only with no cross-platform access
• Not a CAM system and cannot generate toolpaths from CAD geometry
• Machine Simulation requires an add-on purchase and is not included in the base editor license
• Interface design reflects traditional desktop software conventions and is less modern than newer browser-based tools
• Floating license model requires internet connectivity for license activation and validation

Rating

⭐ 4.3 / 5

Editorial Take

CIMCO Edit is considered one of the most practical tools for CNC program editing and management. For machinists and CNC programmers working daily with G-code, it provides an efficient and well-equipped environment for verifying and optimizing machining programs before production.

Alternatives

NC Viewer, G-Wizard Editor, Predator Editor, Fanuc Manual Guide, Vericut, CAMotics

Used In

• CNC job shops and contract manufacturing

• Aerospace and defense NC programming

• Mold and die program management

• Vocational and technical education

• Multi-machine production environments

• Manual G-code programming and editing

• DNC network communication

Founded

1991