@Anonymous created a great Mach3 Laser post processor for Cutting mode that outputs the code I need to turn a laser on and off with M11p1 and M10p1 calls. I'm interested in modifying the Mach3 Mill post processor to insert the same M11p1 Sxxx ahead of all of the cutting movements (movement_cutting) and adding M10p1 ahead of all other movement_xxx commands (M11p1 activates port 1 on the Ethernet Smoothstepper, Sxxx calls out the spindle speed at some number between 0 and 255 which dictates laser power - 0=0%, 255=100% laser power dependent on what I've set up for the tool) George's post works extremely well for Cutting operations (Waterjet/Plasma/Laser) so it seems that adding the M codes to a milling post would allow me to use 2D Contour to do vector cutting and 3D Parallel would engrave a surface by "rastering" over a pocket just like an end mill. I just need the laser to be off (M10p1) during all the linking moves, lead-in/out, ramping, plunge, etc. The laser should be off (M10p1) any time an ordinary end mill wouldn't be cutting, and on (M11p1) any time it's doing work EXCEPT during Z-axis moves. Ideally, I would have a post that still allows multiple passes/depths, but the laser is off while it's getting to the new depth.
I've posted a sample of the Mach3 Laser code that works well in Cutting.
