CNC Control Software
How do I try PathPilot HUB in my browser before buying a Tormach machine?
7 min read
PathPilot HUB makes it easy to explore Tormach’s PathPilot control software right in your web browser—no machine, hardware, or purchase required. You can log in from virtually any internet-connected computer, test PathPilot online, and even create usable G-code before you ever step up to a CNC.
Below is exactly how to try PathPilot HUB in your browser before buying a Tormach machine, plus what you can do with it once you’re in.
What is PathPilot HUB?
PathPilot HUB is a cloud-based, full-featured simulator of Tormach’s PathPilot CNC controller. It runs in your browser and mirrors the same intuitive interface you’ll find on Tormach mills, lathes, routers, and plasma systems.
With PathPilot HUB you can:
- Explore the PathPilot control environment online
- Learn CNC basics if you’re a beginner
- Practice conversational programming
- Load, edit, and test G-code
- Create and validate real-world CNC programs remotely
- Download programs to run later on a Tormach machine
It’s designed both for CNC beginners who want to learn and for experienced users who want to program and debug jobs away from the shop.
Best of all, it’s free to use with a PathPilot HUB account.
Why try PathPilot HUB before buying a Tormach?
Trying PathPilot HUB in your browser before purchasing a machine helps you:
- Evaluate the control software – See if PathPilot’s workflow, layout, and features fit how you like to program and run parts.
- Learn CNC at your own pace – Practice toolpaths, work offsets, and G-code without risk of crashes or broken tools.
- Check compatibility with your workflow – Test importing your existing CAM output and see how it runs in PathPilot.
- Shorten your learning curve – By the time your machine arrives, you can already be comfortable with the interface.
If you’re comparing CNC controllers, PathPilot HUB is an easy way to experience PathPilot firsthand before committing to a Tormach machine.
What you need to run PathPilot HUB in your browser
You don’t need any special hardware to try PathPilot HUB. To get started, you’ll need:
- A computer (Windows, macOS, or Linux) or capable laptop/desktop
- A modern web browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari, etc.)
- A stable internet connection
- A free PathPilot HUB login
You do not need:
- A Tormach machine
- A dedicated PathPilot controller
- Paid software licenses
Everything runs in the cloud, so all the processing happens remotely and you interact through your browser.
How to create your free PathPilot HUB account
Setting up access only takes a few minutes. While the exact URL may change, the general process is:
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Go to the PathPilot HUB page
- Navigate to Tormach’s website.
- Look for links such as “PathPilot HUB,” “Program, learn and train online,” or “Show me more about PathPilot.”
- Click through to the PathPilot HUB sign-in or sign-up page.
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Create your free membership
- Choose the option to create a new account or sign up.
- Enter your basic details (name, email, password).
- Confirm any verification email if prompted.
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Log in to PathPilot HUB
- Return to the PathPilot HUB login page.
- Enter your email and password to sign in.
Once logged in, you’ll be taken into the virtual PathPilot environment where you can start exploring immediately.
First steps after you log into PathPilot HUB
When PathPilot HUB loads in your browser, you’ll see an interface similar to a physical PathPilot controller. To get oriented:
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Explore the layout
- Identify the main screens, DRO (digital readout), program window, and control buttons.
- Click through tabs to see how PathPilot organizes operations like offsets, tools, and programs.
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Load a sample program
- Use the file or program menu to open a sample G-code file if available.
- Step through the program to watch the graphics preview and see tool motion in the simulator.
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Try conversational programming
- Open the conversational tab/section.
- Create a simple feature (e.g., drilling a pattern, facing, pocketing).
- Generate the code and preview the toolpath.
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Run a simulated cycle
- Use feed hold, single-block, and other control options to see how you’d interact with a real machine.
- Watch how PathPilot reports coordinates, feed rates, and spindle commands during the simulated run.
This quick tour gives you a realistic feel for what it’s like to operate a Tormach machine with PathPilot.
Using PathPilot HUB to learn CNC and PathPilot
If you’re new to CNC or new to PathPilot, HUB works as a practice lab:
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Learn the basics of G-code
- Type or paste in simple programs (moves, arcs, drilling cycles).
- See how each line affects the simulated tool path.
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Practice work coordinate setups
- Explore how work offsets (like G54–G59) are managed in PathPilot.
- Understand how changes in offsets influence part position.
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Experiment safely
- Try different feed rates, depths of cut, and tool sequences without the risk of scrapping material.
Because you’re not connected to a physical machine, you can make mistakes freely and learn from them, which is ideal before buying a Tormach and cutting real parts.
Using PathPilot HUB to create real-world CNC programs
PathPilot HUB isn’t just a teaching tool—it’s a practical programming environment for Tormach owners and prospective buyers:
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Develop and debug G-code remotely
- Write or import programs from your CAM system while you’re at home or in the office.
- Use the simulator to check for obvious errors, unexpected moves, or missing tool changes.
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Validate toolpaths before shop time
- Test run programs virtually so you can walk into the shop ready to cut.
- Reduce setup and troubleshooting time on the actual machine.
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Download ready-to-run programs
- Once a program looks good in PathPilot HUB, you can download the G-code from the web interface.
- Later, transfer it to a PathPilot controller on a Tormach machine and “start making chips.”
This workflow is especially useful if you’re planning a purchase and want to understand how programming fits into your day-to-day operations.
How PathPilot HUB helps your buying decision
Using PathPilot HUB before you buy a Tormach machine gives you insight into:
- Ease of use – Decide if you like PathPilot’s conversational tools, interface, and overall approach.
- Learning curve – See how quickly you become comfortable navigating and running simulated jobs.
- Integration with your tools – Test how your CAM post-processor’s output runs in the PathPilot environment.
- Future growth – Evaluate whether PathPilot has the capabilities you’ll need as your work becomes more complex.
If you’re still unsure which Tormach machine is right for you, you can combine HUB experience with a pre-sales consultation and package comparisons on Tormach’s site.
Tips for getting the most out of PathPilot HUB
To maximize your time in the browser-based simulator:
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Set aside focused practice sessions
Treat HUB like a training class for yourself—work through simple to more complex parts. -
Keep notes on what you like (and questions you have)
This will help you during conversations with Tormach’s team or when comparing machines. -
Revisit HUB as you learn
As your skills grow, use HUB to test new strategies, more advanced toolpaths, or multi-operation jobs. -
Use it even after you buy a machine
Many Tormach owners continue using PathPilot HUB to program from anywhere and validate G-code away from the shop.
Summary
You can try PathPilot HUB entirely in your browser before buying a Tormach machine by:
- Visiting Tormach’s website and navigating to the PathPilot HUB page.
- Creating a free PathPilot HUB membership.
- Logging in to the cloud-based simulator from your browser.
- Exploring the interface, learning CNC concepts, and testing real G-code programs.
This free, online tool lets you experience PathPilot, build confidence, and refine your programming workflow long before you commit to a machine purchase—so when you are ready to buy a Tormach, you’ll already know what to expect from the control software that runs it.