Basics of Post-Processors
AGENDA
1. Introduction to SolidCAM Post-Processors
1.1. Why CAM need Post-Processors
1.2. Path from Tool-Path to GCode output
1.3. SolidCAM Post-Processor files (.gpp and .vmid)
1.4. How to setup SolidCAM Settings (organizing Post-Processor database)
1.5. A first look over .GPP file
1.5.1. Introduction to SolidCAM procedures as actions/elements of tool-path
1.5.2. How to define Trace statement in .gpp (Level 0; 1 ;5)
1.5.3. Data flow “from top to bottom”
2. GPPL Syntax
2.1. Variables
2.1.1. Variable types
2.1.2. Global and local variable declaration
2.1.2.1. Default values based on declared variable type
2.1.2.2. System and user defined variables
2.1.3. Standardization for naming the variables
2.2. Procedure definition
2.2.1. Execution brackets “{}”
2.2.2. Using commas “,” and line comments “;”
2.2.3. Output comments by using single and double quotation marks
2.2.4. Understanding modal variables and using parentheses “[]”
2.2.5. Using new block and new line “nb, nl”
2.3. Variable display formatting
2.3.1. Ways of declaring the display format
2.4. GPPL Statements
2.4.1. Assignment statements
2.4.2. Conditional IF statements
2.4.3. Conditional WHILE statement
2.4.4. Stop execution statements
2.4.4.1. Abort statement
2.4.4.2. Exit statement
2.4.4.3. Break statement
2.4.5. Procedure calls
2.4.6. Input/Print function
2.4.7. Logical operators
2.4.8. Integer/Numeric operators
2.4.9. String operators
2.5 Array variables
2.6. Variables that are passed in GPP
2.5.1. gcode and mcode
2.5.2. date and time
2.5.3. prev_command, current_command and next_command
2.7. GPPL functions
2.6.1. String functions
2.6.2. Numeric functions
2.8. File commands
2.7.1. Open/Copy/Delete files
2.7.2. Example of Open/Copy/Delete files
3. VMID parameters
3.1. Introduction to VMID
3.2. Compensation definition
3.3. Arc definition
3.4. Adding Drilling cycles
3.5. Adding Machine options
3.6. Adding Milling options
3.7. Handling procedures
4. Example of defining 3-axis Fanuc post-processor from scratch
The Leaders in Integrated CAM