newstbie

[whatjusthappend]

Hello all
I'm completely new to the CNC community and I'm doing a little research on how software/hardware is used to control a CNC machine like a horizontal boring mill. Can anyone help me out? I'm specifically looking for info on:
1.Post-Porcessors. Are they just software programs or hardware devices too? What do I need to edit the post processor code? How much training is need to edit? What should I be looking to spend on software?

2.What type of hardware is used to control the motors that move the machine. Is it PLC? I would assume the motors are some type of servo. Maybe A-B or Siemens?

I normally deal with PLC and Robotics programming and controls for forging machines so I can imagine this is probably whole different world but I would appreciate any help/info anyone would care to give.
Thanks

[fabconv]

hello
to control cnc machine :mach3 (most widely use)
post processors are piece of software inside the cam software to generate gcode for the specific cnc machine you have
for the motors: stepping motors for little machine and servo for big one

[whatjusthappend]

Thanks fabconv for the reply.

So, if post processors are software inside the CAM software can the programming for a post processor be edited (ie change the order in which the gcode is generated)?
When the post processor generates the gcode can the code itself then then be edited? Say, swap lines of code or comment out a line so that it doesn't execute?

Do you know what type of hardware or electronics are needed to use the gcode generated by the Cam software to control a machine?

[fabconv]

you can edit the post pro to refine the gcode for your machine

the generated gcode is just a text file, so you can edit with notepad

hardware: lot of, see or ask in electronics section

[whatjusthappend]

Great. Thanks for your help

[ger21]

Originally Posted by whatjusthappend Thanks fabconv for the reply. So, if post processors are software inside the CAM software can the programming for a post processor be edited (ie change the order in which the gcode is generated)?

The postprocessor doesn't usually have control over cutting order. It mainly dictates the format or syntax of the g-code to correspond to specific machine controls.

Originally Posted by whatjusthappend When the post processor generates the gcode can the code itself then then be edited? Say, swap lines of code or comment out a line so that it doesn't execute?

You can edit g-code in any text editor, like Notepad.

Originally Posted by whatjusthappend Do you know what type of hardware or electronics are needed to use the gcode generated by the Cam software to control a machine?

Machine control software reads the gcode, and the software sends signals to the machine. The hardware/electronics required depend on the control software and the hardware on the machine that you're interfacing with.

[whatjusthappend]

Thanks Gerry for the reply,
Maybe you can help with a more specific question.

A machine shop uses SurfCam to generate gcode for a horizontal boring mill. In every program generated the code causes the mill to rapid to a position 1" away from the part with the spindle turning. The operator has to edit the code every time so that the mill will rapid to the position without the spindle turning (for safety, checking tool length, etc.). So the question is, what would have to be changed so that the operator doesn't have to edit the code. Is this something that has to be changed in the Post Processor(which is what I've been told)? Or do you think it's in the way SurfCam is setup to generate the code?

I know this is a pretty specific question but any response would be appreciated.
Thanks

[ger21]

Never seen SurfCAM, so don't really know. I'd guess that it could be either, but I'd look in SurfCAM first.