MC Post Definitions

[svx-ff]

I have searched the site for about 2 hours now and came up empty. Is there any source for the MC post code that explains what the symbols are and what they do?

I am an experienced cnc machinist that has switched to programing and I am running MasterCam X. I have a working post but I want to improve certain areas.

Examples I need help with,

1) how do I have the post add two number together, one is a variable and the other is fixed.

suotz = sthick + .750 #Adds table to part thickness

2) what are the different Format Statement numbers?

Thanks.

Steve

[6105Moss]

Steve,
Go to computer where mastercam is installed, programs, mastercam x, documentation, post paramater reference. Might be something there to help you. If this is not available, email me and I'll send you this pdf file.

Tom

[svx-ff]

Thanks Tom

I found that 400+ page document. This will be a big help. Now I have something to do today.



I am new to MasterCam and am still feeling my way around.

Steve

[Mike Mattera]

svx-ff,

Why do you need to add numbers in the post?
What does the output acutally do for you?

Mike Mattera

[Robert Timby]

Steve,

Try going to Emastercam.com, there is a forum for post questions and also other forums that are to help people with mastercam

Rob

[Mike Mattera]

Robert Timby,

We do help people here also. If you read this post, this guy is getting the help he's looking for.

Welcome to the forum.

Mike Mattera

[svx-ff]

Originally Posted by Mike Mattera svx-ff, Why do you need to add numbers in the post? What does the output acutally do for you? Mike Mattera

Hey Matt, Thanks for responding.

Little background:
I am using a CMS Router to cut wood products. Out tables are vacuum tables with a hard Italian wood base followed by a "soft" MDF layer that is cut into.

I would like to add numbers in my post to help eliminate a step. All of our tools are touched off of the hard table. During the post I am asked "
ENTER UOT Z DISTANCE" This is the distance from the hard table to the top of the material. The soft table, for my programing state, is always .750.

I also enter in the material thickness using the "q" command in the post. I would like to add the material thickness to the .750 (constant) to equal my "ZUOT".

It is no big deal but it would be nice to have. I hope this helps answer you question.

Steve

[Mike Mattera]

So is this added to all the Z values?

Or are we just passing a value to a variable that gets used in the control?

You could enter this value in Mastercam.
You could have it prompt for the value when you post.

Mike Mattera

[svx-ff]

The ZUOT is the same as a G54 Z. It sets the work coordinate Z.

I have the material height a prompt and the ZUOT a prompt too. I would like to only enter the material height and have the post add the material height to a constant value. The sum of this would be the ZUOT.

example:
ZUOT = "material Height" + .750

Can this be done?

Steve

[ObrienDave]

Yes it can be done.
It would be a PITA to add a +.750 value to every instance of a Z value output.
I have never tried to do what you want, but, if you attach a copy of your post file I would be happy to give it a try.
I think it would be easier to move your model so the BOTTOM is Z+.750
That way you would not need the prompts, unless, of course, your stock thickness varies substantially.

P.S. PITA = Pain In The A**

[svx-ff]

ObrienDave

I only need to add the .750 to one line of code not all the Z's. The ZUOT is a work coordinate at the beginning of the program to tell the controller were the top of my part is. My material does vary but not to bad. I would like the post to prompt me for material thickness and then add the .750 to it. The sum would be the ZUOT value.
Basically I need to add a prompt value to a fixed value.

Steve

[ObrienDave]

OK Steve,

I think I understand what you need.
I will need a copy of your .pst file to attempt the changes.
Attach a ZIP file to a message and post it here.

I'm sure other people will have different ways to do the same thing.
It's good to see different styles of fixes so you can get a feel for making your own.