Can Inventor HSM Replace our Current Software?

[jmfowler1996]

I don't have a lot of knowledge in this area, but we have an Esprit Lightning S and currently use Esprit's own software for creating machine-readable files. Since Inventor HSM is included in our design & manufacturing collection, I was hoping that we could use that instead, and so not need to pay for a subscription to the other software.

I contacted the machine manufacturer, who said they weren't sure if it was even possible to use Inventor HSM to create readable files and said I'm probably wasting my time trying. I just want to check with you guys who have more experience here than me - If I get a post processor which works for our machine, would that allow me to create machine-readable files from Inventor without the need for the other software? Or have I misunderstood what Inventor HSM can do?

Thanks for any help.

[johnswetz1982]

I could not tell from the pictures, but what kind of controller is it? Is it just a Fanuc clone? What would a start or end of program code look like?

[jmfowler1996]

I just took a trip to the machine and first off I need to appologise as I got the model wrong - it's a Lightning H. It's a really old machine from 1995 (a year older than me!). It's a Burny 5 controller. I have attached a couple of sample programs. they are in the format '.cnc', which doesn't seem very common - perhapse it was an old format no longer used in newer machines?

[johnswetz1982]

Im more of a Fusion 360 user, But Inventor/HSM/Fusion use the same back end. Unless someone else wants to chime in Fusion 360 would probably be your cheaper alternative since they do basically the same thing. That being said, the code you attached is not ISO gcode so Im not sure how or what post processor would even be close to what your after. I see that your 7 and 8 would be torch on/torch off but it seem like your machine runs on so proprietary code but I dont know that much about plasma machines. Hopefully someone else will chime in.

[Boopathi_Sivakumar]

@jmfowler1996 

Is it a plasma machine or laser one.

What kind of models did you use? will it be dxf file ?, As you said you are using PDMC collection did you use nesting in there or what?

The sample program looks very odd it won't have any G or M in the codes.

How does the machine takes whether it is liner or circular movements.

we can create a post processor file but it needs lot of information to look at if the final code you want to something like you have attached before is then we have to understand the code what it does for the each line and then we need to modify our post processor.

I would recommend to contact the nearest post processor developers to look for a solution

Post processing providers

Cheers,
Boopathi

[ArjanDijk]

I have some experience with writing a post for a cutting machine for HSM. Its genrally possible, something a lot of work.

I think if I read your code I already have a post for your machine. Mine is written for a ESAB waterjet machine, but the code looks equal. If you have a programming manual I can build the post according to your requirements.

Main thing is that the cutting cycles of Inventor should suffice for you. Feature like "finishing overlap" are not supported (yet) in cutting

[jmfowler1996]

Thanks very much for your responses.

If you think you have a post processor which would work or just needs minor tweaks, that's great. The only thing is, I don't have a programming manual. If this is something which should come with the machine, it is likely lost due to the age of the machine and the fact we got it second hand. Is there somewhere I can find one, or do you think it's worth asking the machine manufacturer for one? I have a hunch they wouldn't be any help. If there is any way I can get info which might help, please let me know - maybe it would help if I attached a program along with the DXF it was created from?

To answer some questions, here's some info about the programs:

-The models are created in inventor

-The parts are nested using either the inventor nesting utility or just an assembly of parts (for simple nests)

-The nests are converted to DXFs

-Currently, we put the DXFs on a memory stick, bring it to a computer wired up to the profile burner, and then use the ESPRIT software to create readable programs from the DXFs.

-The programs are opened from the profile burner's user interface.

-The machine is a plasma cutter.

Thanks.

[ArjanDijk]

you can reach me at arjan [at] cam-consult.com

[Boopathi_Sivakumar]

Thats Great, then you guys cope up and make things work.

Cheers,

Boopathi