Post Process to Shopsabre 4896

[Anonymous]

Has anyone successfully post processed to a Shopsabre 4896? There is one at work, and I am hoping to use it for my own purposes. My coworkers have been using VCarve Pro 8.0 to generate cam files (.tap). The program seems a bit elementary and I much prefer Fusion for it's clean toolpaths. 

I've searched the forums to see what post process format others have been using, but I have not found an option that works for the machine we have. The Shop Sabre Router Controller will take .tap, .nc and .h .

[skidsolo]

Here is a Shopsabre post made for an existing customer.

The accompanying advice and or non-standard post processor is provided as-is and without warranty of any kind, and usage is at the user’s own risk.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, skidsolo

Where exactly do I need to drop this file?

[Anonymous]

@skidsolo

Okay, I figured out how to post using that file you provided and it seems to work with the shopsabre.

I have one issue though. My spindle is not controlled by the computer but is set by a box on the wall. It only spins up once the job is initiated. With a VCarve post, the spindle is given 15 seconds or so to spin up before proceeding. With the Fusion post, the tool immediately starts moving to its first entry point. I am afraid that the spindle will not have enough time to reach the intended speed if there is not a slight pause at the very beginning. Is there a way to add a short pause at the beginning of the job?

[skidsolo]

Can you upload the carve NC file so I can see if I can find the pause command, then I will add the same for the Fusion post

[Anonymous]

@skidsolo

This website won't allow me to attach a .TAP file (from VCarve), but the file can be found here:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/qebnzyo2e72dhxa/160504%20Profile%2025.tap?dl=0

When running a VCarve toolpath, the spindle is first allowed to spin up to speed before anything moves. After 10-15 seconds, it goes to XY working origin and then proceeds with the job.

With Fusion's toolpath, it immediately moves to the first entry point while the spindle only starts to spin up.

Thanks for your help.

[skidsolo · Accepted solution]

I see the problem the vcarve post processor had a G4 X4 at avery tool change, I added that to this post attached.

[Anonymous]

I finally tested out your file. It works, but tool change does not seem to initiate a pause for manual tool change. I'll just manually split up the job by tool.

[Anonymous]

@skidsolo

@matthew.nichols

I've been using your post processor for the shopsabre and have come across some problems.

At the end of each operation, the tool does the following at the last XY position:

1. raises to a decent height above the material
2. drops to what looks like Z0
3. raises again to a decent height above the material
4. then goes to the XY origin.

When it drops to Z0, its not a problem if my stock point is at the top of my material, but if my bed is Z0, then it ruins my part. And in situations where there is a more than one operation in the post (without tool change), the tool will do a straight line from Z0 to the next operation. This is not a problem if the stock point is at the top of the material, but if its at the bed, the tool drags through the part. I've been able to avoid this problem by posting each operation separately, but I have not found a workaround for the Z0 problem.

I've included a sample file for simple contour cuts.

Thanks for your help.

[skidsolo]

The retract to Z 1 did not take into account you could be programming in metric. I have altered this to automatically convert the retract position to MM if you are using them. the default is now 1.5 inches (38.1 MM).