Customising Processor.pdf

SimplyCam

Customising Post Processor (PST) Files

Version: 1.0

Date: 24-Apr-2008

By: HarryE

Table of Contents

Customising SimplyCam Post Processor (PST) Files

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Table of Contents

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Introduction

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Location of PST Files

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Sample PST File for TurboCNC

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Structure of Post Processor (PST) Files

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Sections

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Keywords

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Keyword Flags

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Keyword Values or Parameters

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Keyword Scope and Meanings

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Section Descriptions

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Sample Customised Version of TurboCNC v4.x file with Comments

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Sample Code for a Part with a Simple Tool Path

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Additional Sections, Keywords and Variables

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Additional Sections

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List of Variables

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Samples

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Peck Drill Cycle

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Same Drawing using a Bolt Hole with Contour Setting

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Introduction

SimplyCam is a fully integrated 2D CAD/CAM system that can directly open, create,

edit and save drawing files in industry standard DXF format. It is a very flexible

application and can also be customised in a number of ways making it a very flexible

and low cost start-up for those needing to perform rapid proto-type development using

CNC milling systems.

This text describes aspects of Post Processor files as used with SimplyCam to

generate the actual G-code needed by CNC controls. It was written for use with

SimplyCam v1.51 and is intended to assist users who would like to provide more

customisations for various reasons. Specific focus is in and around the TurboCNC

system because this is what I use.

Although many of the customisations described here add to the size of the generated

G-Code it makes for a wonderful learning and post-editing environment in that it

allows the user to identify specific areas of the code for further customisation and/or

hand editing. Used in conjunction with the tool path simulation, edits become an

absolute breeze to perform.

For example, I like to have line numbers with stepped increments so I can perform

manual edits to already developed tool paths. This is easy to do with stepped

increments in line numbers. Also, when using SimplyCam to generate a simple part

outline, having customised code generation makes it relatively simple to convert the

code into a sub-routine based tool path. This allows for the setup of variables and

other code inclusions to provide more complex programs.

Location of PST Files

The default location of the Post Processor files is found in the following directory:

C:\Program Files\SimplyCam\pst\

The Post Processor files have a default filename extension of “.pst”

Note there are some 30+ files included with the standard distribution covering many

of the more popular CNC controls. Of course more can be added to allow for

additional controls or those that are not included.

Like any computer application it cannot be stressed how important file backups are to

make for easy recovery. Having said that, before you make any changes, MAKE A

BACKUP COPY of any files you intend to modify to make it easy to undo any

accidental or erroneous additions. SimplyCam is quite happy to allow you selection

of any post processor file added to this directory as long as they end with the “.pst”

extension. Note that SimplyCam reads the files in this directory at the time you select

the “Create NC Program” button so adding files can be done pretty much on-the-fly!

Sample PST File for TurboCNC

The example below shows the default PST file for TurboCNC 4 in millimetre format.

Note the defaults chosen for the sections “[Default]” and “[Block Numbering]”

because much of this text centres around these areas and these would be the most

common area of interest. More details about this follows but for now notice the

values for “File_extension” and “OutputSeq” in these sections respectively.

[Post Comment]

1=Post TurboCnc 4 mm

2=Modal XYZ and Feed

3=Arc defined with R (-R if>180 degree)

4=Tool change (T..M6 and M0)

5=Cycle G81, G83, G84

6=Comment (....)

7=Extension: *.CNC

8=Space between instruction

9=No block number

10=

[Default]

File_extension=NC

DelZero=1

Spaces=1

XYZModal=1

GModal=0

FModal=1

StartComment=(

EndComment=)

[Block Numbering]

OutputSeq=0

Pref=N

SeqStart=1

SeqInc=1

SeqMax=999999

[X Axis]

Pref=X

Format=1.3

[Y Axis]

Pref=Y

Format=1.3

[Z Axis]

Pref=Z

Format=1.3

[Feed]

Pref=F

Format=1.1

Rapid=

[Tool]

Pref=T

Format=1.0

Tofflen=

[Gcode]

Rapid=G00

Linear=G01

Circular_CW=G02

Circular_CCW=G03

[CComp]

None=G40

Left=G41

Right=G42

[Cycle]

Format=1.3

DepthPrefix=Z

Ref_heightPrefix=R

Peck_incrementPrefix=Q

PitchPrefix=F

[Cycle_1]

Name=Drill

Exploded=0

Cycle_def=[n]G81[x][y][depth][ref_height][feedplunge]

Cycle_move=[n][x][y]

Cycle_cancel=[n]G80

[Cycle_2]

Name=PeckDrill

Exploded=0

Cycle_def=[n]G83[x][y][depth][peck_increment][ref_height][feedplunge]

Cycle_move=[n][x][y]

Cycle_cancel=[n]G80

[Cycle_3]

Name=Tap

Exploded=0

Cycle_def=[n]G84[x][y][depth][pitch][ref_height]

Cycle_move=[n][x][y]

Cycle_cancel=[n]G80

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