About QUEST and CERUN

Control Emulator consists of two parts: QUEST and CERUN.

  • QUEST is an interactive program used to build control emulator files that are stored within a database. Each file contains information entered about a specific numerically controlled (NC) machine and control.

  • CERUN is an interactive program that uses this database to determine how to process the MCD for a specific CNC machine. CERUN takes as input MCD that is typically generated by a NC post-processor (such as Icam’s Icam Post GENER product), but that could also be created by hand or in other ways. CERUN outputs a verification listing file identifying syntax problems in the MCD, but its main benefit is in simulating the CNC manufacturing process. CERUN uses the following components to do that.

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CERUN is generally run in combination with one or more of the following, to enable visualization of the emulated MCD program on the CNC machine:

  • Virtual Machine (VM) is an Icam licensed product that simulates the motions of a CNC machine. VM models are created with QUEST and are used by CERUN (and Icam Post GENER) to test the NC program for correctness as described in the “core objectives” paragraph above.

  • Material Removal Simulation (MRS) is an Icam licensed option that is used to simulate the material removal process between the cutting tools and the raw material stock. MRS simulation can test for collisions between stock and tools as well as stock and any other collision enabled component of the model.

  • DELMIA is a Dassault Systèmes product that simulates the motions of a CNC machine from within the CATIA or 3DEXPERIENCE CAM system. CERUN can interface directly with DELMIA to test the NC program for correctness and to perform material removal simulation.