v2xt post

[jrrhotrod]

Hey guys just posted this thread in the post forum but i figured i would try here also since it pertains to a bridgeport v2xt boss 15sx (anyone familiar with these machines)

lookin for a little info or I guess i should say alot of info as i dont know to much about cnc. I thought i was ready to go writing programs off of my companys software to try out my new machine at home but i was stummped when I figured out i didnt have a post processor for my v2xt.we have I think it is 9.1 mastercam version and procam 2000 version that our cnc guys use and they told me all i needed was a post to write a 3d program for my machine so here are a couple of ?? i got
1. does mastercam or procam come with postprocessors already in there programs
2. Is the post the same for a 2d program and a 3d program or do you need two seperate posts
3. Can a post for one machine be modified to work on other types of machines
4. I have seen a few forum articles that have had there posts designed by a company that writes post, Does anyone know the cost of having this done
5. Can anyone lead me to a good explenation of what posts do and how they work such as these forum articles or some website
6. Is there differnt posts for every different cam program or can u use the same post for numerous cam programs.
Thanks for any help here guys
hines)

[CAMFUN]

Hi man! I see that you have deep doubs about CAM systems. So I´ll dispense some info for you:

1. does mastercam or procam come with postprocessors already in there programs?
R: Yes, Mastercam come with posts for Bridgeport Machines, althought I don´t know if is compatible with you control version.

2. Is the post the same for a 2d program and a 3d program or do you need two seperate posts?
R: It´s fudge. The same post may handles with 2d or 3/4/5 axis toolpaths.Including cycles.

3. Can a post for one machine be modified to work on other types of machines?
R: Yes, you can.Mastercam uses a own powerful language to construct yours posts.This language is called MP, and almost all is possible into this environment .In my humble opinion, is a more flexible and powerful language for postprocessor development among all CAD/CAM systems in the market.I said all !!!

4. I have seen a few forum articles that have had there posts designed by a company that writes post, Does anyone know the cost of having this done?
R: Yes, some companies wrote posts under your specifications.The cost vary conform your needs.

5. Can anyone lead me to a good explenation of what posts do and how they work such as these forum articles or some website?
R: Post processsors are the basis of a efficient programming process.I endanger say that is 50% for the CAM system.If you have a execellent CAM system to programming your parts and a poorly post processor, you machine won´t reach you potential, yours parts won´t a good finish, your tools will brake, etc.Basically, the post processor converts a toolpath data, usually in a neutral data, that CNC machines don´t understand, in a code that can be interpreted by machine.A good CAD/CAm system is that have a good strategies and features, plus a good postprocessor. The post is so important as CAM system. In my opinion, Mastercam have all this features in one. Excellent toolpaths and excellent postprocessors.

6. Is there differnt posts for every different cam program or can u use the same post for numerous cam programs.
R: No, you can´t. Each CAM system have your proprietary language to develop your posts. Powermill post only works in Powermill systems, for example. What exists is a neutral Postprocessors that generate NC files as of CLData, APT, that are neutral laguages to describe NC code.But nowadays, almost all CAM systems are able to create NC code in the same environment.

Sorry my bad English. I´m braziliam. I lovely Mastercam and NC programming, and I hope that help you with this words. If you have more doubts, just put here. If you need some changes in your posts, I can help you.Don´t worry about costs.It´s free. I do because I like.

[jrrhotrod]

Hey thanks for all of the info Iam probably going to be getting my manuals for this thing sometime this week which should have the programing manual for it. hopefully this will tell me more about the programing end of things. I had the guys at work write me a 3d program with the boss10 post processor just to see what it looks like and maybe Ill try it to see what happens.Anyway thanks for the help

[doug6949]

I just found a site that has some helpful information on modifying mastercam posts. It is not complete but should get you started.

Be forewarned! Most of the posts available out there are cobbled up patches of patches that contain much useless garbage. And I have yet to see one that is well documented. You will have to experiment to make one work for you.

Doug

[doug6949]

Whoops! Got so excited I forgot to include the URL.

http://my.voyager.net/~mmattera/mastercam/index.htm

[jrrhotrod]

hey looks like a helpful site thanks
jrrhotrod

[CAMFUN]

Hey Doug, Thanks for share.

I already knows that web site, is from Mike Mattera. Basically, Mike Mattera is a guy that used to work at Shopware Inc., a Mastercam Reseller in Illinois, and nowadays he have a web site for trade Matercam training CD´S.
It´s truth, the information that exists there is old, but help much in the begin, and the definition usefull garbage is the best mean for that.

Thanks

[doug6949]

Hi Daniel;

You are correct - the website contains old information. However, I am still using V7 so the information is still useful.

I asked our reseller to provide information so we could modify our posts. He apparently did not want us to learn this. Instead, he came and modified our posts to get them working but did not show us what he did.

Because of the reseller's refusal to provide the post reference information which we were promised when we bought the software, I never upgraded.

Doug

[Qpham]

If you like to help, can you help me write a Mastercam post processor for Mazak, which it will give me 3-digit G-code, it is native mazatrol code.

[jonbanquer]

Has any third party ever written a comprehensive learn by example manual on how to modify and create posts for MasterCAM 8 or 9 ?

jon

[CAMFUN]

********************* FOR QPHAM *********************

If you like to help, can you help me write a Mastercam post processor for Mazak, which it will give me 3-digit G-code, it is native mazatrol code.

Qpham asking your question, I don´t know native Mazatrol language. If you provide me some samples of code, perhaps I could help.
Mastercam has a optional Chook developed for CAMAIX to give this feature. I´m not sure if native Mazatrol language must be wrote with special codes, like a binary file. If it´s the case, maybe I can´t help you. Just this Chook can do that.
But however, give a sample that includes drill cycles, linear interpolation (rapid and feed) circular interpolation (including helical motion if you can), tool change, etc.

********************** FOR JON ************************

Has any third party ever written a comprehensive learn by example manual on how to modify and create posts for MasterCAM 8 or 9 ?

Jon asking your question too, the answer is: yes and no. No a third party. Yes from Mastercam Developers: CNC Software. They have a manual acquired through their dealers network called MP Postprocessor Guide. It´s a full explantion about MP language, the language used to create Mastercam Posts. If you are a legal user, with a legal seat, you could ask for your dealer. I´m sure that they will help you in this direction.


Guys, sorry my english mistakes. I need a trip abroad Brazil to learn english indeed. I´m a self-educated in english, so, I have many fields to fill in.
If someone there in U.S. wanna hire me, I accept (I´m so brazen)

Hope that helps

[post_guy]

There is no step by step "Mastercam posts for Dummies" type of book in existance. The Post Processor Guide is a reference guide that is valuable to individuals that already have a basic knowledge of how Mastercam posts and MP work. It is not meant to instruct a beginner, you'll need to take a post class at CNC Software or your local reseller in that case.