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Can't post-process with an A-axis

andypugh
Enthusiast

Can't post-process with an A-axis

andypugh
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

I have been running a modified LinuxCNC PP for a while, with the A-axis enabled. 

I can't recall if I have ever used it, though. 

 

I am trying to machine a hex on the end of a part using A-axis rotations. I have defined a tool orientation for each operation, and it all works fine in the simulation. 

 

When I try to Post, however, I get no G-code, and the log is not helpful:

 

Information: Configuration: LinuxCNC_Milling
Information: Vendor: LinuxCNC
Information: Posting intermediate data to '/Users/andypugh/Fusion 360 CAM/nc/D14Cam.ngc'
Error: Failed to post process. See below for details.
...
Start time: Sat May  8 23:37:51 2021
Post processor engine: 4.5754.0
Configuration path: /Users/andypugh/Autodesk/Fusion 360 CAM/Posts/LinuxCNC_Milling.cps
Include paths: /Users/andypugh/Autodesk/Fusion 360 CAM/Posts
Configuration modification date: Sat May  8 23:37:37 2021
Output path: /Users/andypugh/Fusion 360 CAM/nc/D14Cam.ngc
Checksum of intermediate NC data: 6f7199aff633d0c5b16b5b723e07b872
Checksum of configuration: 6c965568a8c8293ac276eb779ab7ebcd
Vendor url: http://www.linuxcnc.org
Legal: Copyright (C) 2012-2021 by Autodesk, Inc.
Generated by: Fusion 360 CAM 2.0.10148
...
Error: Failed to invoke function 'onSection'.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Error: Failed to invoke 'onSection' in the post configuration.
Error: Failed to execute configuration.
Stop time: Sat May  8 23:37:51 2021
Post processing failed.

 

I think that I have tracked the problem down to this line in the post, by adding some "warning" commands before and after. 

 

function getWorkPlaneMachineABC(workPlane) {
  var W = workPlane; // map to global frame
  warning("Before");
  var abc = machineConfiguration.getABC(W);
  warning("After");
  if (closestABC) {

 

Gives this output:

 

Generated by: Fusion 360 CAM 2.0.10148
...
Warning: Before
Error: Failed to invoke function 'onSection'.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Error: Failed to invoke 'onSection' in the post configuration.
Error: Failed to execute configuration.
Stop time: Sat May  8 23:48:20 2021
Post processing failed.

 

So it seems that the PP is giving up during the "machineConfiguration.GetABC(W)". But that does not appear to be code in the .cps file. 

 

I have tried starting from scratch with the latest LinuxCNC generic post, and the EMC2 one too (after following the general instructions to add an A-axis)

 

It looks like the issue might be with my machine configuration. But I am not clear if that means the config in the post or the kinematics tree in the GUI. 

 

I am working on a Mac, so most of the PP screenshots that I have found are no help, my PP dialog box looks utterly different, and I see no option to define the A-axis axis there. 

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andypugh
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

Guessing that if anyone feels that they can help then they will need the F3D:

 

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Anonymous
Not applicable
Accepted solution

In your setup, X axis was pointing in wrong direction and had "Nothing" as reference to model. Also you have to use only numbers in "Program name/number" field. It posts fine after correcting those two issues.

 

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andypugh
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

Thanks, I don't know how you localised that as the problem, but it does look like the X-axis was the culprit. I am pretty sure that I had defined the X axis, but it looks like I "lost" it at some point. 
It would have been nice if the log could have given a bit more of a clue to go on. It might have saved me a few hours of head-scratching and post-processor editing and mangling, and saved you however long it took you to spot the issue. 
Again, thanks. 

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Anonymous
Not applicable

@andypugh wrote:

Thanks, I don't know how you localised that as the problem, but it does look like the X-axis was the culprit. I am pretty sure that I had defined the X axis, but it looks like I "lost" it at some point. 
It would have been nice if the log could have given a bit more of a clue to go on. It might have saved me a few hours of head-scratching and post-processor editing and mangling, and saved you however long it took you to spot the issue. 
Again, thanks. 


 

In your setup, each axis of triad needs to point to positive side of same axis in machine. When you select how to define orientation of axis, you also have to select face, edge, sketch line or plane to complete the process. 

 

 

2021-05-09 07_58_45-Autodesk Fusion 360.png

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