Solidcam to EMC2 post processor

This is a video which is a key to work on the postprocessor it also explain the preprocessor function.

so preprocessor define the hardware of your machine

the gpp.file is the post processor.
you have a very important instruction which is trace that must be put in init procedure

@init_post ; @ mark the start of a procedure (; is the delimiter for comment so not executed
trace "all" : 5 ; trace "name of the procedure or all for all the procedure"
endp ; mark the end of the procedure

trace "all" 5 will give you all the variable with their value and the procedure used
if you have a small level of coding it should be enough for you to modify your file
unfortunately there is only one lesson available
hope you will look this video with the same interest than me

some months ago for a while a try to find information how to change the post processor of solidcam, the nearest thing to this video was this pdf:

pt.scribd.com/doc/198250222/SolidCAM-Gpptool-User-Guide#scribd

I think that is for a old version of solidcam, but the concepts are present.

In that time made a small changes on post processor for lathe that someone posted in the forum, but is wasn't perfect, had some errors when use compensation, but, correcting manually the code, I had make a few parts with help of solidcam. for the volume of parts that I make I didn´t feel the need of correct all the issues...


I will install this last post processor and test it.

João

Pippin88 - Do you have the vmid file as well for your Solidcam post. I'm working on my linuxcnc lathe and Solidcam is driving me nuts.

In LinuxCNC the lathe is setup so Y+ is pointing at the floor. X+ is towards the operator (and the tool because we're mostly using converted manual lathes). The problem is Solidcam seems to have no way to represent this in the vmid machine setup file. It always assumes Y+ is at the ceiling and your tool is on the backside of the lathe. So your simulation is wrong. If you're turning a .50 piece of metal to .45 It will go to X+ .50 which is actually on the opposite side you're expecting it.

I've worked around this by checking the box in each turning operation called "Negative X Output". This makes the simulation show up properly but the actual gcode is then reversed. So in the post I set xpos_f = 5.4(*-1) to multiply everything by -1 and flip it again. Now the simulation matches the gcode (except the simulation shows negative instead of positive in the Simulation Data screen).

I've played with the VMID file and setup different Vectors on the axes but I'm just not getting it. I'm wondering if you (or anyone else) has solved this problem.

It might also be the reason your arcs are not working. The coordinate system might be flipped. The linuxcnc lathe path describes the plane (XZ, G18) you should be in as well as arcs being reversed. Your post didn't set the G18 and instead relied on the Solidcam output to select it. Mine (maybe due to the vmid not being correct) always picks G17.

Linux CNC Lathe Arc Documentation

I am not sure but maybe you do not have the good axis order like xyz in state of zyx this can be change in the machine id editor (may be i say a big stupidities sorry in advance)

I haven't used the lathe in a little while, but from memory I just work in solidcam reversed - that is the tool paths are selected and simulated as if it were a back tool lathe, with upside down tools.

I got the post working ok for the job I needed, but I can't really remember how... I coded diameter mode in the post I think, and made some changes around that.

I haven't used the lathe in a little while, but from memory I just work in solidcam reversed - that is the tool paths are selected and simulated as if it were a back tool lathe, with upside down tools.

Yeah, I'm thinking that's the best option at this point. If I work in this mode then rotate the display so it looks like it should (Tool on the operator side) it feels normal and then I don't have to remember to check the Negative X Output setting.

Thanks for the vmid, I'll play with it a little more before I give up. Your website has also been very helpful for linuxcnc and lathes, thanks.