Announcements
Attention for Customers without Multi-Factor Authentication or Single Sign-On - OTP Verification rolls out April 2025. Read all about it here.

Post processor development function reference

lekonna
Enthusiast

Post processor development function reference

lekonna
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

Hi,

 

So i'm looking into implementing a post processor for a device (Brother tc-215) that doesn't actually really support G-code. However it is possible to edit the programs in the computer, so in theory i think it would be possible to modify the post processors within certain limits to also suite this machine.

 

My question is:

Is there a function reference to the post processors somewhere available?

 

What functions do i have in my use, what variables do i have provided by the system? 

 

What are the member functions for currentSection ect, is this information somewhere available? 

 

When i look at the ready made posts, and find things like this:


function onCyclePoint(x, y, z) {
var probeWorkOffsetCode;
if (isProbeOperation()) {
var workOffset = probeOutputWorkOffset ? probeOutputWorkOffset : currentWorkOffset;
if (workOffset > 99) {
error(localize("Work offset is out of range."));
return;
} else if (workOffset > 6) {
probeWorkOffsetCode = probe100Format.format(workOffset - 6 + 100);
} else {
probeWorkOffsetCode = workOffset + "."; // G54->G59
}
}

if (isFirstCyclePoint()<--not defined in this file) {
repositionToCycleClearance(cycle<--huh?, x, y, z);

// return to initial Z which is clearance plane and set absolute mode

var F = cycle.feedrate;
if (properties.useG95) {
F /= spindleSpeed;
}
var P = (cycle.dwell == 0) ? 0 : clamp(1, cycle.dwell * 1000, 99999999); // in milliseconds

switch (cycleType) {

        ^^^^^^^^^---first reference to this variable in the whole file

 

 

It makes me feel like there is most likely a lot that i'm missing. I've found a PDF document that described some of this, but that was out of date and the examples provided did not work. 

 

So, is there a reference on what all is usable for the post developer ? I mean with the examples provided one could in theory modify the current ones with trial and error to suit, but seems like a really backwards way of approaching this problem.

 

best regards,

Janne

 

0 Likes
Reply
Accepted solutions (1)
1,947 Views
4 Replies
Replies (4)

Trigg3r
Advocate
Advocate

If you choose dump.cps as the post-processor in the post dialogue, that will pump out all the functions and variables available to you IIRC.

 

Which I've just tried and it crashed Fusion :face_with_open_mouth:

 

 

 

 

I've attached the dump.dmp file that it generates.

 

 

0 Likes

Trigg3r
Advocate
Advocate

I forgot to add that there is a specific forum for Post Processor help located here ->

 

http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/hsm-post-processor-forum/bd-p/218

 

 

HTH :slightly_smiling_face:

1 Like

Steinwerks
Mentor
Mentor
Accepted solution

Specifically pay close attention to these threads:

 

http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/hsm-post-processor-forum/getting-started-modify-posts/td-p/6371381

 

http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/hsm-post-processor-forum/help-my-post-processor-needs-to-be-edited-now...

 

The Post.chm in @Laurens-3DTechDraw's post is the key here for looking up variables (outside of the dump.cps post which will give you real-world and current CAM output).

 

If you're in the CAM already and just need to check things like tool variables you can also hold Shift and hover over a field to see what variable that outputs:

 

Shift Hover.jpg

Neal Stein

New to Fusion 360 CAM? Click here for an introduction to 2D Milling, here for 2D Turning.

Find me on:
Instagram and YouTube
0 Likes

lekonna
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

Thanks the post.chm indeed seems to have a function reference, very helpful!

 

Also the trick with shift to see the variables is real handy.

 

 

 

 

0 Likes