Post processor (CAM)

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A postprocessor is a computer program that converts the results of a computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) program into a format for an electronic process (here the so-called Computerized Numerical Control , CNC) for controlling machine tools. The postprocessor therefore uses a component drawing or description to create instructions for a production machine on how it should act in order to produce a corresponding component.

As a rule, a postprocessor is software or the part of it that creates a CNC program from a drawing. Because there are so many CNC machines, each code is different for each machine. A fundamental distinction is made between dialog controls (e.g. Heidenhain or Sinumerik ) and ISO code.

Drawings can be imported and edited using a computer-aided manufacturing system. The CAM system creates toolpaths that are represented as lines or arcs. These geometry elements must be translated into a format that the machine can understand. The post processor converts this geometry information into a CNC format, e.g. B. “Line 100 mm length” is converted to “G0 X0 Y0; G1 X100 Y0 ".

A post processor is a parser that converts one code (geometry) into another code (CNC code). The post processor can be programmed in any language.

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