Selective Simulation Targets the Slowest Part of CAM Verification
Hexagon’s latest NCSIMUL release tackles one of the biggest bottlenecks in CAM simulation software: verifying long, complex NC programs end to end before a programmer can inspect a specific operation. Traditionally, full sequential simulation is required to understand the part state at a given stage, which can add significant time to preproduction workflows. NCSIMUL already combines G-code verification, CNC simulation and optimization in a digital twin environment, allowing manufacturers to review programs and minimize risky on-machine prove-out. The new selective simulation capability builds on this by decoupling early-stage inspection from full verification. Instead of waiting for a complete toolpath run, programmers can now jump directly to critical stages and see how a part evolves. This aligns with the broader shift toward digital manufacturing, where software tools compress feedback loops and enable faster iteration without sacrificing safety or quality.
GPU-Accelerated Rest Stock Previews Speed Up Long-Cycle Jobs
At the core of Hexagon’s new approach is a patent-pending feature called Rest Stock Preview, which uses GPU-accelerated machining simulation to generate intermediate stock models during the NC decoding phase. As the G-code is interpreted, NCSIMUL leverages graphics processing hardware to build a fast representation of material removal at chosen points in the program. In a customer trial on a long-cycle mold for athletic footwear, a 47-hour machine cycle previously demanded 48 minutes of sequential simulation before the programmer could inspect the target operation. With selective simulation and Rest Stock Previews, the same inspection point was reached in less than two minutes. These previews provide an early, visual overview of part progression so users can spot visible issues, such as excessive stock or missed features, long before running a full simulation. The heavy-duty, collision-aware verification remains reserved for final signoff prior to releasing code to the machine.
What Faster Previews Mean for Manufacturing Cycle Time
For complex machining environments—where a single NC program can span multiple operations and many hours of spindle time—verification delays can quietly extend overall manufacturing cycle time. Every incremental edit to a toolpath typically triggers another full simulation run, stretching development schedules and tying up programmers. By allowing users to preview only the phases that matter, selective simulation helps collapse these loops. Programmers can iterate toolpaths, review intermediate stock states and refine strategies for roughing and finishing without constantly re-running the entire job. This reduces the time spent in preproduction review while still protecting against errors when final full-code simulation is performed. The result is a more agile workflow: fewer bottlenecks in CAM programming, faster validation of long-cycle stages and more time for optimization rather than waiting. Especially in high-value machining, this can translate into higher machine utilization and more predictable delivery timelines.
A Step Toward Simulation-Driven, Digital-First Manufacturing
Hexagon positions the new NCSIMUL release as an expansion of its role in preproduction workflow review, reflecting a broader industry movement toward simulation-driven design and manufacturing. In this model, production decisions are increasingly validated inside a digital twin before metal is cut, enabling teams to experiment with strategies virtually while minimizing on-machine risk. Combining G-code verification, CNC simulation and optimization in one environment allows manufacturers to treat NC programs as living digital assets rather than static files. GPU-accelerated Rest Stock Previews amplify this by making intermediate states instantly accessible, encouraging more frequent inspection and fine-tuning. As machining and programming workflows continue to accelerate, such tools will be essential to sustain speed without compromising safety or quality. The latest NCSIMUL version, available from May 19, 2026, underlines how CAM simulation software is evolving from a final gatekeeper into an integral, continuous part of the manufacturing workflow.