These relationships enable the software developer to create and test posts on new machine tools. The typical CAM software developer is likely to have relationships with many machine tool vendors.
When a new machine tool is being developed, leading CAM software developers work closely with the machine builder and controller suppliers to develop an initial “generic” post that satisfies a majority of output requirements for the new machine tool. The first customers for new posts are the machine tool builders. Open post processors have an architecture that allows anyone-vendors, resellers and customers-to make modifications to customize the post processor’s behavior. Closed post processors allow no one but authorized parties (that is, the post vendor) to customize the post. Closed Post ProcessorsĬAM vendors offer post processors that are either open or closed. Some posts can be programmed to deliver functionality beyond what is currently available in your CAD system. The post can also generate additional outputs such as alarms or signals to equipment performing secondary operations. Examples of machine shop-specific customization might include your standards for safety blocks or required comments. For example, your control will expect information such as work offsets, tool offsets and canned cycles to be formatted and presented in a specific way. What Should Machinists Know About In-Machine Probing?Ī good post is also capable of “flavoring” this information in ways that best suit your shop’s workflow, data handling procedures, and most importantly, the requirements of your machine tool and control.
To do this, you create the tool paths in your CAM system, and then you “post it.” That means you send the instructions for making your part to the post processor, an intermediary piece of software that translates the tool motions calculated by your CAM software into NC code that can be executed by your particular machine. Say you are going to manufacture a part on a mill, lathe or multi-axis machining center. Understanding those things can help your shop become more capable and productive. Although it’s not as graphically interesting as CAD or CAM, there is a lot more to the post than meets the eye. It is called the “post processor” or “post” for short. It is the bridge between computer-generated tool paths and the CNC equipment.
In their shadow, however, is an equally important piece of software. CAD and CAM systems are visually exciting. Good CAM systems import all sorts of CAD models and use them as virtual environments where tool paths for hundreds of CNC machine types can be generated.
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