While the term 'NC file' generally refers to a Numerical Control file containing G-code, there are several variations of the NC extension that might be encountered in work. Some of the common ones include:
- .nc: This is the standard NC file extension, which is used for storing G-code instructions for CNC machines.
- .tap: TAP files, sometimes called "RS-274 files," are another variation of NC files that contain G-code. These are commonly used in the machining of printed circuit boards (PCBs).
- .gcode: GCODE files are another type of NC file format containing G-code instructions. These are often used for 3D printing applications.
- .cnc: CNC files are yet another variation of NC files containing G-code. The primary difference lies in the file extension, but the content and functionality remain the same.
These different NC file extensions serve similar purposes, with the primary difference being the naming convention used by various CNC machines, software applications, or industries. Regardless of the specific extension, the methods described earlier for opening and viewing NC files should work across these variations.