Need Help!- Switch for Posting of G-Codes?

[IBigBoy]

Is there some kind of "switch" that needs to be thrown so I can generate and see the posted G-Codes? I generate all of the toolpaths and the part come out of the "machining operation" as I desire. However, there are no G-codes posted. When I select "Post" from the menus, nothing happens.

It must be something strange with my softwars as if someone sends me a file, I can see the G-code associated for that file but I generate the file, there is no G-Code.

I don't much hair left to pull out!

Bill

[The Engine Guy]

Originally Posted by IBigBoy Is there some kind of "switch" that needs to be thrown so I can generate and see the posted G-Codes? I generate all of the toolpaths and the part come out of the "machining operation" as I desire. However, there are no G-codes posted. When I select "Post" from the menus, nothing happens. It must be something strange with my softwars as if someone sends me a file, I can see the G-code associated for that file but I generate the file, there is no G-Code. I don't much hair left to pull out! Bill

Bill

Have you tried using "Post and save as" instead of "Post".

If that works OK then the problem is probably the "NC File Path" setting.

To check it go to:-

CAM Part > Right click "Milling Tools" > Left click "Current Settings" > Left click "Machine" in the left column > Where it says "NC File Path" next to the "Select" button you should have a path like this:-
C:\Program Files\BobCAD-CAM\BobCAD-CAM V22\NC\Mill

Check that the drive letter is correct for your machine (C:\)
Check that the version of BobCAD is correct, where it shows \BobCAD-CAM V22\

Regards
Rob



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[moldmker]

Stupid question:

Is your Post Manager window turned on?

If not, put your cursor in a blank area of the menu bar, right click and click the Layer-UCS-Post Manager selection. May need to drag the field open to see code.

Also, did you try to get code from another post processor? When you load someone else's file it loads their post along with it. Maybe that's why it generates code.

moldmker

[IBigBoy]

Neither "Post" nor "Post and Save" will produce the G-Codes.

Yes the Manger is turned on and set for Posting.

Bill

[mmc005]

Bill,
I guess I'm not understanding what your looking for, exactly. You say there is no G-code, yet you can machine the part, and it comes out correct. Are you not seeing any code produced? No X or Y moves? Or is it that you just can't see the code that is being generated? Or, are you not seeing any "G"s in the code that is produced?
You said it machines the correct part, how did you get your program to the machine if you can't save it or post it?

Dave

[IBigBoy]

Originally Posted by mmc005 Bill, I guess I'm not understanding what your looking for, exactly. You say there is no G-code, yet you can machine the part, and it comes out correct. Are you not seeing any code produced? No X or Y moves? Or is it that you just can't see the code that is being generated? Or, are you not seeing any "G"s in the code that is produced? You said it machines the correct part, how did you get your program to the machine if you can't save it or post it? Dave

Dave,

When I said the parts were correct, I was using the "Verify" pick and did the virtural machining and the part I was producing came out of the "Verify" process correctly. All of the operation I chose, were done. I have not taken the program to the shop because there is nothing to take!

I'm not seeing any G-codes being posted in the posting manager box. When I click on compute tool paths, the arrow turns to hour glass, showing the computations are being done. However, if I click on "Post", the arrow does nothing, indicating no calculations are being done.

When I run the "Verify", the tool moves and "machines" the part so the calculations for operations have been but thay are not being posted. I tried the "post and save" and file was generated but I have idea of what to use to open the file to see if the codes are there. It has the file extension of .NC and I don't have a clue on how or what to use to open and view its contents.

Bill

[mmc005]

Ahh, ok. Sorry, I was just a little confused there for a minute.
Have you tried selecting another post processor, like Moldmaker suggested? Can you post your file to see if we have the same problem with your part? I have found that sometimes, 1) the program selects a default post that may not be in your current post processor file or 2) something in your geometry may not be correct.
I would first try to select a new post processor, even it's not the one for your machine, and see if it will produce a program file and place it in the post window.

All program files are just text files with a .NC extention. You can use wordpad to open them or you can use the Predator Editor to open them. Try that and see if it saved your file correctly.

Dave

[The Engine Guy]

Originally Posted by IBigBoy Dave, When I said the parts were correct, I was using the "Verify" pick and did the virtural machining and the part I was producing came out of the "Verify" process correctly. All of the operation I chose, were done. I have not taken the program to the shop because there is nothing to take! I'm not seeing any G-codes being posted in the posting manager box. When I click on compute tool paths, the arrow turns to hour glass, showing the computations are being done. However, if I click on "Post", the arrow does nothing, indicating no calculations are being done. When I run the "Verify", the tool moves and "machines" the part so the calculations for operations have been but thay are not being posted. I tried the "post and save" and file was generated but I have idea of what to use to open the file to see if the codes are there. It has the file extension of .NC and I don't have a clue on how or what to use to open and view its contents. Bill

Hi Bill

See the pics and BobCAD file below, this is what your screen should show, I am thinking the same as the others that there is something you don`t have set correctly somewhere, so wherever there are settings to check for example Post Processor then do a new selection as mentioned before BobCAD will often default to a Post that doesn`t exist, also make sure the Post you want to use is 1) in the Post Processor Folder and 2) that it is properly selected!

Regards
Rob



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[IBigBoy]

I don't have a clue on how to post the screens like you did but if you could see my screens, they are exactly the same execpt there is no G-Code listed in the lower left corner. Yes I have picked a post processor as shown in the second screen.

No G-code generated.

Bill

[BurrMan]

Originally Posted by IBigBoy I don't have a clue on how to post the screens like you did but if you could see my screens, they are exactly the same execpt there is no G-Code listed in the lower left corner. Yes I have picked a post processor as shown in the second screen. No G-code generated. Bill

What Post processor are you using?

[mmc005]

Bill,
Is this the only drawing that you have had a problem with? Is this your first drawing in Bobcad? If it's not the first drawing you have done, have the others produced code for you? If this is the first drawing that you have done with bobcad, then I would suggest to try a new drawing, then just draw one line and then choose your mill 2-D operation, then re/generate your tool path and see if it will produce code.
Keep it as simple as you can when you draw your new file, just make a single line.
Let us know if this generates and shows g-code, if it does, then there is a problem with your drawing and not with your setup.

Dave

[The Engine Guy]

Originally Posted by IBigBoy I don't have a clue on how to post the screens like you did but if you could see my screens, they are exactly the same execpt there is no G-Code listed in the lower left corner. Yes I have picked a post processor as shown in the second screen. No G-code generated. Bill

Hi Bill

Hmmmm, curious, the second screen as shown before is for selecting the "NC File Path", not the Post processor. There are 2 other areas that affect the Post Processor selection as shown in the 2 pics below.

If you have V22 then your screens should be exactly like these, if you have V23 then where mine show V22 yours should show V23.

Can you attach your BobCAD file to your next Post?? It would help a great deal if you could, if you`re not sure how to do it then this may help:-
I am Using Win XP Pro SP3
Save the drawing out as normal to a folder on your hard drive, create a new one called "Test Files" for now, don`t just save it to the BobCAD Default folder.
Then go to the folder via "My Computer" > C:\Test Files > "name of your drawing", then right click on the file and in the list that appears highlight "Send to" and then click "Compressed (zipped) Folder in the list that appears, this should create a "Zip" file of the BobCAD file in the same folder.
The you can use the "Manage Attachments" button below the box in here that you type your reply in!!

If you have V23 then unless you do the drawing without the "Dongle" in then I won`t be able to open it as I only have the Demo version. However there are plenty of guys on here with V23 that should be able to check your file for you if you can get it up here!!

Hope that all helps a little, my apologies in advance if I seem to be giving "dummy" level instructions but I have no idea of your level of expertise!

Regards
Rob



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