VERICUT Users' Forum

BillH

VERICUT Specialist

From: Irvine, CA

Registered: 2004-10-08

Posts: 146

Website

Post-processor in VERICUT

Anyone out there interested in a post-processor generator built-into VERICUT? It would be user-configurable, backed-up by a programming language to allow sophisticated implementations.

Please reply privately.

This is an on-going discussion at CGTech and I'd like to hear from anyone interested in sharing their opinions. Here are some things to talk about.

1. What kind of functionality do you need? 5-axis? Mill-turn? Local coordinate systems (ala 840D TRAORI), virtual axes, vector programming, sub-program calls, complex cycles, etc?
2. What kind of input paths? ASCII or Binary CL (what format from what s/w)? Direct interface via CAD/CAM API?
3. Would you replace what you have, or only use it for new machines?
4. What do you currently have? What do you like/not like about it?
5. Do you configure your own posts? Or do you buy them from a service bureau?
6. Would your company buy a configurable post-processor? What's a reasonable commercial price? Or would you only use it if it was included with VERICUT?

Tim Johnson

Member

From: Saint Joseph MI

Registered: 2006-06-02

Posts: 22

Re: Post-processor in VERICUT

I haven't heard the words "post-processer" used in Vericut before. A search didn't help much either. Could you give us a definition and elaborate as to how it would relate to Vericut?

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Tim Johnson
CNC Programmer
LECO Corp.
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VERICUT 7.0.3 (64)

BillH

VERICUT Specialist

From: Irvine, CA

Registered: 2004-10-08

Posts: 146

Website

Re: Post-processor in VERICUT

Sure.

We are thinking of developing a post processor. It would be similar to other post-processor tools around today (read some kind of neutral cutter path, produce machine specific NC program). Some of our customers have expressed some interest in this. I'm trying to gage how much interest (i.e. is it worth it to CGTech to invest the development time and energy).

I wouldn't expect a search to find anything since nothing exists.

We've done some internal work and work on special projects, that required a kind of post-processor. But it is far from a commerical product. We have quite a bit of work to do yet.

The current vision (subject to change at any moment) is something that sits inside VERICUT, can be invoked as either part of the simulation (i.e. simulating from APT CL and outputting ISO G-Code), or stand-alone (without simulation) or as a command line action in a batch script.

Is that enough info to keep your interest?

Thanks for the reply,
Bill

DaveF

Senior Member

From: Valencia, CA

Registered: 2005-08-20

Posts: 304

Re: Post-processor in VERICUT

1. What kind of functionality do you need? 5-axis? Mill-turn? Local coordinate systems (ala 840D TRAORI), virtual axes, vector programming, sub-program calls, complex cycles, etc?

4-axis
5-axis
6-axis  ( a rotary head (a/c style), with a rotary table. the head and table, rotate about the Z axis
put a 90 deg head at any attitude, on any 5-axis machine
Rotary turn around ( a/c limits)

2. What kind of input paths? ASCII or Binary CL (what format from what s/w)? Direct interface via CAD/CAM API?

NCL Binary CL
CATIA V4
CATIA V5
UG-NX
MASTERCAM

3. Would you replace what you have, or only use it for new machines?
consistency is key.

It would have to replace all
old programs pointing to the old post are a problem
you grandfather it, but….
4. What do you currently have? What do you like/not like about it?

Please see private message

5. Do you configure your own posts? Or do you buy them from a service bureau?

I think the same criteria for post is for Vericut machine building.
If someone has 1-3 machines, I would use a service.

I have 60 machines, so I need to be able to build my own machines, and post.
But I still purchased my 1st two machines from CGTech, a 950 10 inch pivot , and a Big blue 5.25 Gantry. because I wanted the learn how to build them the right way, and I needed the 1st two machine to function 100% out of the box.

6. Would your company buy a configurable post-processor? What's a reasonable commercial price? Or would you only use it if it was included with VERICUT?

please see PM

One more thing,  when you done with the post product, can you guys please buy Catia, and support it, and make it work?

:twisted:

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Dave Frank
Aerospace Dynamics International, PCC
Valencia Ca
"Where else can you have this much fun,.......and get paid???."

Smythe

Member

From: Clinton,Ohio

Registered: 2005-12-15

Posts: 42

Website

Re: Post-processor in VERICUT

1. What kind of functionality do you need? 5-axis? Mill-turn? Local coordinate systems (ala 840D TRAORI), virtual axes, vector programming, sub-program calls, complex cycles, etc?

We would need 3 axis with two rotary tables and head attachment functionality. I.E. Right angle heads, turning heads, profile heads, nutating heads, etc. Also, subroutines and Siemens cycles.

2. What kind of input paths? ASCII or Binary CL (what format from what s/w)? Direct interface via CAD/CAM API?

We would input from native APT CL files and Pro/E .NCL files. We would need the ability to post directly from Pro/NC and also a stand-alone to post CL files.

3. Would you replace what you have, or only use it for new machines?

We might port our existing posts over if there was a effective utility to accomplish that task. Obviously you do not wish to support posts in more than one software platform.

4. What do you currently have? What do you like/not like about it?

We currently use GPost. It is extremely powerful, though the learning curve is a little steep for some.

5. Do you configure your own posts? Or do you buy them from a service bureau?

We write our own posts. It is not cost effective for us to utlize a service due to the fact that few of our machine tools are off the shelf.

6. Would your company buy a configurable post-processor? What's a reasonable commercial price? Or would you only use it if it was included with VERICUT?

We might purchase it if it was easily configurable with competitive pricing. I believe that any maintenance cost should be included with the Vericut annual fee.

The only issue I have with the posts deriving from CGTech is that it would be a natural progression to have the control files based on the post. This would be a nice improvement with reference to configuring control files but now Vericut is checking it's own output. Definitely something to keep in mind..