Artcam Post Processor Configur

ArtCAM
Post Processor
Configuration Guide
By Delcam
Issue: released Version: 4.0 08/05/00

Information contained in this manual is subject to change
without notice and does not represent a commitment by
Delcam plc . The software described in this manual is
furnished under licence agreement and may be used or
copied only in accordance with the terms of such licence.
No part of this manual may be reproduced or transmitted
in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,
including photocopying and recording, for any purpose
without the express permission of Delcam plc.
Program  1994-2000 Delcam plc
 1994-2000 Delcam plc.
Important Notice
Delcam plc has no control over the use made of the
software described in this manual and cannot accept
responsibility for any loss or damage howsoever caused
as a result of using the software. Users are advised that
all the results from the software should be checked by a
competent person, in accordance with good quality
control procedures.
All product names mentioned herein are trademarks of

their respective owners.
Contents
Introduction 1
What is a post processor ?................................................. 1
Why a configurable post processor ?................................ 3
Configuring A New Post Processor 7

Modifying an existing post processor............................... 7
Creating a new post processor from scratch ..................... 8
Configuration File Structure 9

Overview ........................................................................... 9
Post processor variables.................................................. 11
Variables ............................................................... 12
Variable formatting............................................... 13
Inserting control codes.................................................... 19
Global Statements ........................................................... 19
Description............................................................ 19
File Extension ....................................................... 19
Units ...................................................................... 20
Line Numbering .................................................... 20
Rapid feed rate ...................................................... 22
End of line............................................................. 22
Default variable format......................................... 23
Start of file....................................................................... 24
Tool moves...................................................................... 25
ArtCAM tool move types ..................................... 25
Feed rate tool moves ............................................. 27
Rapid rate tool moves ........................................... 28
Change in feed rate ............................................... 29
Toolchanges .................................................................... 30
End of file........................................................................ 31
Editing A Configuration File 33
Location of files .............................................................. 33
Modifying the post processor output .............................. 34
Post Processor Statements 35

Alphabetical list of statements ........................................ 35
DESCRIPTION..................................................... 35
END....................................................................... 36
END_OF_LINE .................................................... 36
FEED_RATE_CHANGE...................................... 36
FEED_RATE_MOVE .......................................... 38
FILE_EXTENSION.............................................. 39
FIRST_FEED_RATE_MOVE ............................. 40
FIRST_RAPID_RATE_MOVE ........................... 40
FORMAT .............................................................. 40
LINE_NUM_INCREMENT................................. 41
LINE_NUM_MAXIMUM.................................... 41
LINE_NUM_START............................................ 41
ROTARY_AXIS ................................................... 43
RAPID_RATE_MOVE ........................................ 44
RETRACT_MOVE............................................... 46
RETRACT_MOVE............................................... 46
START .................................................................. 46
TOOLCHANGE ................................................... 47
UNITS ................................................................... 47
Example Configuration Files 49

Introduction ..................................................................... 49
Heidenhain....................................................................... 50
Fanuc ............................................................................... 52
Roland.............................................................................. 55
Rotary – Generic G- Code............................................... 58
Introduction
What is a post processor ?
A post processor is a program which converts tool moves

in some standard neutral format into the format required
by a specific machine tool controller.
Examples of output for two different machine tool

controls are shown below. Both files were generated
from the same toolpath within ArtCAM.
Heidenhain Output
0 BEGIN PGM 1248 MM
1 TOOL DEF 1 L+0,000 R+0,000
2 TOOL CALL 1 Z S3000,000
3 L Z+10,000 F9999 M03
4 L X+0,000 Y+0,000 Z+10,000 F9999 M03
5 L X+0,001 Y+9,999 Z+10,000 F M
6 L Z+0,000 F360 M
7 L X+0,101 F720 M
8 L X+3,000 F M
.
.
Introduction • 1
Fanuc Output
%
:1248
N10G91G28X0Y0Z0
N20G40G17G80G49
N30T1M6
N40G90G54
N50G43Z10.000H1
N60G0X0.000Y0.000S3000M3
N70X0.001Y9.999
N80G1X0.001Y9.999Z0.000F360.0
N90G1X0.101Y9.999Z0.000F720.0
N100X3.000
.
.
These post processed files are sent to the machine tool to

control the path of the cutting tool.
2 • Introduction
Why a configurable post processor ?
Because of the wide range of controls on the market, it is

not possible for Delcam to write a specific post processor
for every control. However the vast majority of controls
have fairly simple formatting requirements, and therefore
Delcam supply a configurable post processor which can
be used by customers or agents to create a post processor
to support their control. This configurable post processor
uses an ASCII configuration file to specify the output
format required.
This approach has a number of advantages.
q New machines tools can be supported quickly by

writing a new configuration file or modifying an
existing one.
q Existing configuration files can be modified if they do
not conform to a users existing working practice (e.g.
using inches for output instead of mm).
q Users can create their own post processors without
having to wait for Delcam or their agents to add
support for a particular machine tool control.
Delcam supply a number of configuration files for the

most popular machine controls. These configuration files
provide a good basis for creating a new post processor
and experimenting with the effect of modifying various
fields (please make a safe copy of any configuration file
before modifying it).
An example of a configuration file is shown on the
following page.
Introduction • 3
; Heidenhain configuration file - Metric version
;
; History
;
; Who When What
; === ======== =========================
; BEM 01/04/94 Written
; bem 21/03/00 Added DESCRIPTION and
; FILE_EXTENSION fields
;
DESCRIPTION = "Heidenhain (*.tap)"
;
FILE_EXTENSION = "tap"
;
UNITS = MM
; Carriage return - line feed at end of each line
END_OF_LINE = "[13][10]"
; Block numbering
LINE_NUM_START = 0
LINE_NUM_INCREMENT = 1
LINE_NUM_MAXIMUM = 999999
; Set up default formatting for variables
; Spindle Speed
FORMAT = [S|@|S|1,3]
; Feed Rate
FORMAT = [F|#||1.0]
; Tool moves in x,y and z
FORMAT = [X|#| X|+1,3]
FORMAT = [Y|#| Y|+1,3]
FORMAT = [Z|#| Z|+1,3]
; Home tool positions
FORMAT = [XH|@|X|+1,3]
FORMAT = [YH|@|Y|+1,3]
FORMAT = [ZH|@|Z|+1,3]
; Set up program header
START = "[N] BEGIN PGM 1248 MM"
START = "[N] TOOL DEF 1 L+0,000 R+0,000"
START = "[N] TOOL CALL 1 Z [S]"
START = "[N] L [ZH] F9999 M03"
START = "[N] L [XH] [YH] [ZH] F9999 M03"
; Program moves
RAPID_FEED_RATE = 9999
4 • Introduction
FEED_RATE_MOVE = "[N] L[X][Y][Z] F[F] M"
; End of file
END = "[N] STOP M02"
END = "[N] END PGM 1248 MM"
The preceding configuration file may appear daunting!

However this is quite a complicated example and we will
go through each section of the file independently later in
this manual.
Introduction • 5
Configuring A New Post
Processor
Modifying an existing post processor

The easiest way to create a new post processor is by
modifying an existing one which has a similar format.
There are two main types of control which are supported
by the configurable post processor. These are...
1. Controls which accept positions as floating point

numbers. e.g. X 12.345 Y 7.120 Z 0.563.
2. Controls which use integer positions in multiples of

some predefined step size. e.g. X 12345 Y 7120
Z563 for steps of 0.001 mm.
For the first type of control (floating point values) the G

Code configuration file (gcode_inch.con or
gcode_mm.con) or the Heidenhain configuration file
(heiden.con) may be the best basis for a new control. If
the control uses a variant of standard ISO G codes and M
codes use gcode_inch.con or gcode_mm.con depending
on whether you require the output to be in mm or inches.
For the second type of control which use a format more
Configuring A New Post Processor • 7

like HPGL, the Roland configuration file (roland.con)
will probably be a better starting point.
Creating a new post processor from

scratch
It is perfectly possible to create a configuration file from

scratch. The files are simple ASCII files which can be
created using a text editor such as NOTEPAD supplied
with Windows.
However it is strongly recommended that new
configuration files are created using existing files as a
base to work from. This recommendation is given
because experience has shown this to be a faster and less
error prone approach to creating a new configuration file
(see the preceding section for details about modifying an
existing file).
NOTE: If a word processor such as Write or Word is

used to edit the configuration files, the files must be
saved back to disk as text files i.e. they must not contain
the formatting information normally kept in a word
processing document.
8 • Configuring A New Post Processor

Configuration File
Structure
Overview
The entries in the configuration file fall into five main
categories which are described briefly below.
Global Statements
These determine the descriptive name for the post and its
file extensions, whether the output is in mm or inches,
line numbering information, line terminators and default
formatting for numeric fields.
Start Of File
This section deals with lines which must be output at the
start of every program. This information usually has the
program name, commands for switching on the spindle,
moves from the home position etc.
Tool Moves
This section details how the actual tool moves are output
for the machine tool. The tool moves are sub-divided into
two further categories.
Configuration File Structure • 9

Positioning Moves
These moves are used for positioning the tool
while it is clear of the workpiece and are usually
made at the maximum speed of the machine tool.
Cutting Moves
These are moves made with the tool cutting
material and are made at the speeds specified
within ArtCAM when the toolpath was created.
For both types of moves a format can optionally be

specified for the first move in the category and a different
format for all subsequent moves. This is often used when
the first move switches on a modal flag in the control
(e.g. G0 to specify positioning moves) and then
subsequent moves do not need this command to be re-
output. See the fanuc.con configuration file for an
example of this behaviour.
Toolchanges
If the machine tool is equiped with an automatic
toolchanger, or the user wants to allow manual
toolchanges part way through an output file, the
TOOLCHANGE statement can be used to output the
appropriate commands.
NOTE: Toolchangers are NOT supported by MillWizard.
End Of File
This section deals with lines which must be output at the
end of every program. This section usually contains
commands for switching off the spindle, moving the tool
back to the home position etc.
10 · Configuration File Structure

Post processor variables
Values for the tool position, feed rate, line number etc.
are represented within the configuration file as variables.
These variables are used as place holders for the value to
be output, and control the formatting of each value. e.g.
The variable [X] represents the current X position for the
tool at the current point on the toolpath, and similarly [Y]
and [Z] represent the Y and Z co-ordinates.
The following statement in the configuration file
FEED_RATE_MOVE = "X[X] Y[Y] Z[Z]"
Would mean that by default for a tool position of
X = 12.3 Y = 4.56 Z = 7.89
The following would be output
X 12.3 Y 4.56 Z 7.89
If the statement was specified as
FEED_RATE_MOVE = "[Z] [Y] [X]"
The following would be output
7.89 4.56 12.3

The above example show the output with the default
variable formats. The configurable post processor allows
a considerable amount of control over the format in
which values are output.

Variables
The following variables are available for use within the
configuration file.
Name Value
[F] Current feed rate in default units/min
[FR] Rapid feed rate in default units/mm
[FP] Plunge feed rate in default units/mm
[FC] Standard feedrate in default units/mm
[N] Current line number
[XH] Tool home position X co-ord
[YH] Tool home position Y co-ord
[ZH] Tool home position Z co-ord
[RH] Tool home position rotary angle
[N] Current line number
[S] Spindle speed in r.p.m
[SZ] Safe Z position from toolpath
[T] Current tool number
[TP] Previous tool number
[X] X co-ord of tool position in default units
[Y] Y co-ord of tool position in default units
[Z] Z co-ord of tool position in default units
[R] Angle in degrees for rotary axis
[XMIN] Minimum x value of relief
[YMIN] Minimum y value of relief
[ZMIN] Minimum z value of relief
[XMAX] Maximum x value of relief
[YMAX] Maximum y value of relief
[ZMAX] Maximum z value of relief
[TOOLDESC] Tool description string
[PATHNAME] Pathname of postprocessed file
[FILENAME] Filename of postprocessed file

Variable formatting
Variables can have a default specification controlling
number of decimal places, prefix, scaling factor etc. The
default can be set once in the configuration file and all
uses of the variable will pick up the default formatting. It
is also possible to override the default formatting at any
time by more fully specifying the variables format when
it is actually used.

Variable Specification
A variable specification has the following format
[V|O|S|F|m]
Where
V= Variable name e.g. X or ZH.

S= String to print before value when output.
O= @ if value always output.
# if only output if value has changed since
last time value was output.
F= Format string. This controls the number of
decimal places, leading zeros etc. and is
documented later.
m = Scaling factor - a floating point number by which
variable is multiplied before formatting is applied.
All fields are optional apart from the variable name.

Defaults for unspecified fields are as follows
X,Y,Z,XH,YH,ZH [V|@||1.3|1.0]
S,F,N [V|@||1.0|1.0]
The table below shows the output for a number of values

with different variable formatting options.

Variable X=12.345 X=12.345 X=34.567
[X|@|X|1,3] X12,345 X12,345 X34,567
[X|#|X|1,3] X12,345 X34,567
[X|@|X|07.2] X0012.35 X0012.35 X034.57
[X|@||1.0|10.0] 123 123 346
The second example in the table - [X|#|X|1,3] . Shows the

effect of the # character for controlling output. The
second X value is not output because it was the same as
the previous value.
Format string
The format string governing the output format of

variables has the following form:
[flags] [width] [.precision]
Each field of the format specification is a single character

or a number signifying a particular format option.
flags
Optional character or characters that control justification
of output and printing of signs, blanks, and decimal
points. (See Flag Directives below.) More than one flag
can appear in a format specification.
width
Number that specifies minimum number of characters
output. (See Width Specification below.)

precision
Number that specifies maximum number of characters
printed for all or part of the output field, (See Precision
Specification below.)
Flag Directives
This field is responsible for the overall formatting of the

numeric value for the variable. Justification, printing of
leading zeros, prefixing of + and - signs for values etc.
are all controlled by this field. The following table shows
the possible values which can appear in this field.
NOTE: More than one flag directive can be specified so

+0 would be a valid directive to specify that leading
zeros and a leading + or - should be output.

Flag Meaning Default
- Left justify the Right justify.
result within the
given field width.
+ Prefix the output Sign appears
value with a sign only for negative
(+ or -) . values (-).
0 If width is No padding.
prefixed with 0,
zeros are added
until the
minimum width
is reached. If 0
and - appear, the
0 is ignored.
blank (’ ’) Prefix the output No blank
value with a appears.
blank if the
output value is
signed and
positive; the
blank is ignored
if both the blank
and + flags
appear.
# The # flag forces Decimal point
the output value appears only if
to contain a digits follow it.
decimal point in
all cases.
Table showing values for flag directives in variable

format.

Width Specification
The second field of the format specification is the width

specification. The width argument is a non negative
decimal integer controlling the minimum number of
characters printed. If the number of characters in the
output value is less than the specified width, blanks are
added to the left or the right of the values depending on
whether the - flag (for left justification) is specified until
the minimum width is reached. If width is prefixed with
0, zeros are added until the minimum width is reached
(not useful for left-justified numbers).
The width specification never causes a value to be

truncated. If the number of characters in the output value
is greater than the specified width, all characters of the
value are printed (subject to the precision specification).
Precision Specification
The third field of the format specification is the precision

specification. It specifies a non negative decimal integer,
preceded by a period (.) or comma (,), which specifies the
number of decimal places. If a comma is used values
output using this format string will use commas instead
of decimal points.
The precision value specifies the number of digits after
the decimal point. If a decimal point appears, at least one
digit appears before it. The value is rounded to the
appropriate number of digits.
Default precision is 6; if precision is 0, or if the period (.)
appears without a number following it, no decimal point
is printed.
Unlike the width specification, the precision
specification can cause rounding of a value.

Inserting control codes
In addition to the previously described variables, any
ASCII character value can be inserted in a line by
enclosing its decimal value in [] brackets e.g.
[13][10] would specify a carriage return, line feed

sequence
Global Statements
These are statements which have an effect throughout the

configuration file. The statements which fall into this
category are...
Description
This specifies the descriptive name which is displayed in
the drop down list used to select the post processor
within the application. All the standard description
strings incorporate the default extension in brackets at
the end. In addition if there are both mm and inch
versions of the same post processor the type should be
indicated in the description.
DESCRIPTION = "G-Code (inch) (*.tap)"
File Extension
This specifies the file extension used for files created
with this post processor.

Units
This statement specifies the units which the post
processor is working with. All tool positions and feed
rate variables will be in the specified units irrespective of
the units used to create the relief and toolpath within
ArtCAM. This field is optional and will default to mm.
UNITS = optional
possible values:
MM - all positions in mm, feed rates in mm/min
INCH - all positions in inches, feed rates in inches/min
default value: MM
Example
UNITS = INCH
Line Numbering
A number of statements are available to control the
sequencing of line numbers within the output program.
All these statements are optional as many controls do not
require line numbers at all. Line numbers are actually
output using the [N] variable and the actual formatting
for the line number value output is specified by setting
the format for the [N] variable.
LINE_NUM_START = optional
Specifies the starting value for line numbers (accessed
through N variable).
default
LINE_NUM_START = 10

LINE_NUM_INCREMENT = optional
Specifies the increment used for the line numbers
default
LINE_NUM_MAXIMUM = optional
Specifies the maximum value allowed for line numbers.
When the line number value exceeds this value, line
numbering will start again at NUM_START.
default

Rapid feed rate
This statement allows the feed rate for positioning moves
to be specified for machines which do not use special
codes (like G0) for positioning moves. The Heidenhain
control identifies rapid moves as moves at a feed rate of
9999. For controls like FANUC which identify moves at
rapid by codes like G0, this statement is not required.
RAPID_FEED_RATE = optional
End of line
Most controls will expect a standard sequence of
characters at the end of each line sent. rather than
including these characters in every line specification in
the configuration file, they can be specified using this
statement and the post processor will append them to
every line output. This statement is optional, but if it is
not specified the user must add the required end of line
characters to each line definition in the file which
requires them.
END_OF_LINE = optional
Example
END_OF_LINE = "[13][10]"
This will add a carriage return, line feed combination to

the end of each output line. This is the standard line
termination for DOS text files.

Default variable format
As many lines in the configuration file may use variables

like [N], [F], [X], [Y], [Z] etc. It is possible to specify a
default format for these variables at the start of the
configuration file. This means that full formatting
information does not need to be entered every time the
variable is used.
It is still possible to override the default formatting
whenever a variable is used if the user wishes.
FORMAT = [V|O|S|F|m] optional
Examples
FORMAT = [F|#||1.0]
Anywhere [F] is used in the file the feed rate value
will only be output if it has changed (# field) and
will not have any decimal point or decimal places
displayed (1.0 field).e.g. for feed = 123.456
123
FORMAT = [X|@|X|+1,3]
Anywhere [X] is used in the file it will always be
output (@ field), will be preceded by "X" and + or
- to indicate its sign (+ field). The value itself will
have 3 decimal places and instead of a decimal
point a comma will be used. e.g. for X = 12.123
X12,123
FORMAT = [X|#| X |1.2]

Anywhere [X] is used in the file it will only appear
if it has a different value to the last X value output,
and will be output preceded by " X " with two
decimal places. e.g. for X = 12.123
X 12.12

Start of file
These statements are used to specify the lines sent at the

start of the file. As many lines as required can be
specified using any of the defined variables except X, Y
and Z (these will have an undefined value at the start of
the file as the first tool move has not yet been made). The
variables XH, YH and ZH can be used to initiate
movement from the home tool position. This statement is
optional.
START = optional
Example for FANUC control

; All programs start with % followed by program
; number on next line
START = "%"
START = ":1248"
; set current tool position as home position
START = "N[N]G91G28X0Y0Z0"
; cutter comp cancel, specify XY plane, canned cycle cancel,
; tool length offset cancel
START = "N[N]G40G17G80G49"
; select first tool and do tool select
START = "N[N]T1M6"
; set absolute positioning
START = "N[N]G90G54"
; move in Z to first (home) point - set tool length compensation
START = "N[N]G43[HZ|@|Z|1.3]"
; move in XY to first point at rapid (GO) and set spindle speed
START = "N[N]G0[XH|@|X|1.3][YH|@|Y|1.3][S|@|S|1.0]"
This may generate an output like the following, assuming

LINE_NUM_START = 10 and

LINE_NUM_INCREMENT = 2 and the tool home
position was set at 0,0,10 when the toolpath was
generated within ArtCAM.
%
:1248
N10G40G17G80G49
N12T1M6
N14G90G54
N16G43Z10.000
N18G0X0.000Y0.000S12000
Tool moves
The statements described in this section are used to
output the actual tool moves to the program file. Only
one of the statements (FEED_RATE_MOVE) is
compulsory, the others just allow more control over the
output if required.
To understand why there are five statements available in

this section a brief description of the ArtCAM toolpath
will be given.
ArtCAM tool move types
ArtCAM outputs two major types of tool moves which

are described below.
Rapid Moves - these are positioning moves made at the

Safe Z height which is set when the toolpath is generated.
These moves do not cut material and are usually made at
the fastest speed at which the machine tool can move.

Feed Rate Moves - these are moves which actually cut
the material. There are two types of moves within this
category.
Plunge Moves - these are vertical movements

down into the material at the start of each
machining pass.
Normal Moves - these are the normal cutting

moves which traverse the relief surface.
The only real difference between normal and plunge

moves are the feed rates specified within ArtCAM.
Because some machine controls treat the first tool move

of a particular type differently to subsequent moves of
the same type, the post processor allows the two different
moves to be output with separate formatting. This leads
to four possible tool move types
1. First move at feed rate

2. Subsequent moves at feed rate
3. First move at rapid
4. Subsequent moves at rapid
A statement (called FEED_RATE_MOVE) must be

provided for formatting the second type of move.
Statements for the other three are optional and will
default to the best ’match’ for a move which is defined.
This is illustrated by the diagram shown below.

Feed Rate First Feed Rapid First Rapid
Move Rate Move Move Move
FIRST_FEED_RATE_MOVE FIRST_RAPID_RATE_MOVE
RAPID_RATE_MOVE
FEED_RATE_MOVE
In the diagram a statement within a dashed box is

optional, the FEED_RATE_MOVE is compulsory and
hence is always present. The diagram indicates that for a
first rapid move, the post processor first tries to format
the output using the FIRST_RAPID_MOVE statement. If
this statement does not exist the RAPID_RATE_MOVE
statement is used. If this statement does not exist the
FEED_RATE_MOVE statement is used. The other types
of moves follow a similar route as shown on the diagram.
Feed rate tool moves
The output of feed rate moves are controlled by the

FEED_RATE_MOVE statement and the
FIRST_FEED_RATE_MOVE statement.
The FEED_RATE_MOVE statement is the only

statement which is compulsory. If it is not specified
ArtCAM will report an error when an attempt is made to
use the post processor.
For controls (such as Fanuc) which require a modal
command to be output at the start of linear cutting moves
the FIRST_FEED_RATE_MOVE should be defined.
Example output is demonstrated for two moves at

feedrate 789.12 after a rapid move
X123.45 Y234.56 Z5.67

X123.45 Y345.89 Z4.21

Example for Fanuc control
FORMAT = [X|#|X|1.3]
FORMAT = [Y|#|Y|1.3]
FORMAT = [Z|#|Z|1.3]
FORMAT = [F|@|F|1.1]
FORMAT = [N|@|N|1.0]
.
.
FIRST_FEED_RATE_MOVE = "[N]G1[X|@][Y|@][Z|@][F]"
FEED_RATE_MOVE = "[N][X][Y][Z]"
Output
N1226G1X123.450Y234.560Z5.670F789.1
N1228Y345.890Z4.210
Rapid rate tool moves
The output of rapid feed rate moves are controlled by the

RAPID_RATE_MOVE statement and the
FIRST_RAPID_RATE_MOVE statement.
For controls (such as Fanuc) which require a modal
command to be output at the start of positioning moves
the FIRST_RAPID_RATE_MOVE should be defined.
The example below shows part of the configuration file

for a Fanuc control. Note that the RAPID_RATE_MOVE
statement is actually the same as the
FEED_RATE_STATEMENT shown previously and
hence could have been omitted. The rest of the
statements and values are the same as shown previously.

Example for Fanuc control
FIRST_RAPID_RATE_MOVE = "[N]G0[X|@][Y|@][Z|@]"
RAPID_RATE_MOVE = "[N][X][Y][Z]"
Output
N1226G0X123.450Y234.560Z5.670
N1228Y345.890Z4.210
If a feed rate variable ([F]) appears in a rapid statement

the value used is that defined in the
RAPID_FEED_RATE statement which was described
previously in the global statements section. If no
RAPID_FEED_RATE is defined the last cutting feed rate
is output.
Change in feed rate
Some controls require changes in feed rate to be output

as a separate line in the program file. To support these
controls the post processor has an optional
FEED_RATE_CHANGE statement. If this statement is
defined and there is a change in the feed rate (between
rapid, plunge or normal feed rates) a line will be output
using this statement.
NOTE: the ’normal’ XYZ move will also be output using
the appropriate statement.
The example shown below assumes that the first move

being output is the first move at rapid and hence the
FEED_RATE_CHANGE statement is used and also the
RAPID_RATE_MOVE.

Example for Roland control
FORMAT = [X|@||1.0|100.0]
FORMAT = [Y|@||1.0|100.0]
FORMAT = [Z|@||1.0|100.0]
FORMAT = [F|@||1.0|0.0166]
FEED_RATE_CHANGE = "V [F]"
.
RAPID_RATE_MOVE="Z [X],[Y],[Z]"
Output
V 64
Z 12345,23456,567
Z 12345,34589,421
The rapid feed rate in this example was set to 3840

because the control has a maximum speed of 64 mm/s -
this is equivalent to 3840 mm/min. The value is
transformed into the required units using the
[F|@||1.0|0.0166] variable specification which states that
the feed rate value should be multiplied by 0.0166
(which is the same as dividing by 60) to change mm/min
into mm/s.
The Roland control also uses positions specified in
increments of 0.01mm hence all the X,Y and Z values are
multiplied by 100.0 and output without any decimal
places.
Toolchanges
The TOOLCHANGE statement is used to output one or
more lines into the file when a toolchange occurs. The
variable [T] holds the new toolnumber. By default most

of the standard configuration files do not have any
TOOLCHANGE statements and hence ArtCAM will not
allow toolpaths using multiple tools to be created for
these machines. The lines specified by the
TOOLCHANGE statements are only output for the 2nd
and subsequent tool moves. Any formating required for
the first toolchange should be included in the START
statements which are output at the start of the file.
TOOLCHANGE = optional

;
; Toolchange moves (only output for
; 2nd and later tools)
;
TOOLCHANGE = "[N]G91G28Z0"
TOOLCHANGE = "[N]G49H0"
TOOLCHANGE = "[N]T[T]M6"
TOOLCHANGE = "[N]G90G54"
End of file
These statements are used to specify the lines sent at the
send of the file. As many lines as required can be
specified using any of the defined variables. The
variables XH, YH and ZH can be used to initiate
movement back to the home tool position. This statement
is optional.
END = optional
; return to reference point in Z

END = "[N]G28G91Z0"
; cancel tool length offset
END = "[N]G49H0
; return to reference point in XY

END = "[N]G28X0Y0"
; and end program
END = "[N]M30"
This may give an output like the following assuming

N4798G28G91Z0
N4800G49H0
N4802G28X0Y0
N4804M30

Editing A Configuration
File
Location of files
The post processor configuration files will be stored in a
sub-directory called postp, below the directory in which
ArtCAM was originally installed.
Change to the specified directory and copy the
configuration file you wish to use as a starting point for
your new post processor to a new file. e.g. copy the file
fanuc.con to new_mc.con.
NOTE: Remember to change the “DESCRIPTION”
statement within the file to ensure it is displayed with a
different name to the original.
If creating a new file from scratch just create the file as a
plain text file.
To display the new post processor, ArtCAM will need to

be restarted as the list of post processors is built when the
program starts up. However, any edits you make to the
file will be effective immediately as the post processor
configuration file is reloaded each time a file is
postprocessed.
Editing A Configuration File • 33

Modifying the post processor output
By editing the configuration file with a simple text editor
such as NOTEPAD while ArtCAM is still running you
can quickly and easily see the results of your changes on
the output. Simply perform the following steps
repeatedly until the desired output is achieved. The
following assumes that the DESCRIPTION field in the
new post processor was set to “Test Post” and
FILE_EXTENSION was set to “tst”
q Modify the configuration file (e.g. new_mc.con)

using NOTEPAD
q Save the configuration file without exiting

NOTEPAD
q Switch back to ArtCAM
q Choose Test Post as the output and save the post

processed file.
q Select and output file e.g. test.tst - overwrite any

existing version
q View the output using another copy of NOTEPAD
q If the output is not correct repeat this procedure
34 • Editing A Configuration File

Post Processor
Statements
Alphabetical list of statements

This section provides an alphabetical listing of the
commands which may appear in a configuration file. For
more details of how the statements are used refer back to
the earlier sections in this guide.
DESCRIPTION
This statement specifies the string which is displayed to

the user in the drop down list used to select a post
processor.
default
The name of the configuration file
Post Processor Statements • 35

END
This statement is used to specify the lines sent at the end

of the file. As many lines as required can be specified
using any of the defined variables except X, Y and Z.
The variables XH, YH and ZH can be used to initiate
movement back to the home tool position.
default
None
END_OF_LINE
This statement is used to specify characters output at the

end of every line.
Example
END_OF_LINE = "[13][10]"
will add a carriage return, line feed combination to the
end of each output line. This is the standard line
termination for DOS text files.
default
None
FEED_RATE_CHANGE
36 • Post Processor Statements

This statement allows the user to specify a separate
command which is output if the feedrate changes. This
field is optional and the default is to not output anything
different (although by using [F|#] feedrates can be output
on the normal move line only when there is a change of
feed-rate).
default
None

FEED_RATE_MOVE
This statement controls the output of normal cutting

moves at feedrate. As these are the most common moves
in the file a number of examples will be shown. The first
move at feed rate will use the
FIRST_FEED_RATE_MOVE statement if it is defined.
These statements are also used for outputting plunge
moves as these are also linear moves (though only
moving in Z), however the feedrate will be the plunge
feedrate specified within ArtCAM. All examples include
correct formatting for variables set up using the
FORMAT statement.
Example output is demonstrated for two moves at

feedrate 789.12 after a rapid move
X123.45 Y234.56 Z5.67

X123.45 Y345.89 Z4.21
Fanuc
FORMAT = [F|@|F|1.1]
.
.
FIRST_FEED_RATE_MOVE = "[N]G1[X|@][Y|@][Z|@][F]"
N1226G1X123.450Y234.560Z5.670F789.1
N1228Y345.890Z4.210

Roland
FORMAT = [X|@||1.0|100.0]
FORMAT = [Y|@||1.0|100.0]
FORMAT = [Z|@||1.0|100.0]
FORMAT = [F|@||1.0|0.0166]
.
.
FEED_RATE_MOVE = "Z [X],[Y],[Z]"
V 13
Z 12345,23456,567
Z 12345,34589,421
Heidenhain
FORMAT = [X|#|X|+1,3]
FORMAT = [Y|#|Y|+1,3]
FORMAT = [Z|#|Z|+1,3]
FORMAT = [F|#||1,0]
.
.
FEED_RATE_MOVE = "[N] L [X][Y][Z] F[F] M"
1226 L X+123,450 Y+234,560 Z+5,670 F789 M

1228 L Y+345,890 Z+4,210 F M
default
None - but user must supply definition
FILE_EXTENSION
default
None - but user should supply definition

FIRST_FEED_RATE_MOVE
This statement is used for formating the first move made

at feed rate. If it is not defined the move is formated
using the FEED_RATE_MOVE statement.
default
None
FIRST_RAPID_RATE_MOVE
This statement is used for formating the first move made

at rapid rate. If it is not defined the move is formated
using the RAPID_RATE_MOVE statement.
default
None
FORMAT
This statement can appear a number of times specifying

the default formatting for variables. Any field set here
can still be overridden explicitly when the variable is
later used. All fields except the variable name are
optional and the default values are
FORMAT = [V|O|S|F|m]
Where
V = Letter representing variable.
O = @ if value always output.
# if only output if changed
since last value output.
S = String to print before value.
F = Format string

m = Scaling factor - a floating
point number by which variable
is multiplied before formatting
is applied.
default
X,Y,Z,XH,YH,ZH,R [V|@||1.3|1.0]
S,F,FR,FC,FP,N [V|@||1.0|1.0]
LINE_NUM_INCREMENT
Specifies the increment used for the line numbers
(accessed through [N] variable).
default
LINE_NUM_MAXIMUM
Specifies the maximum value allowed for line numbers.

When the line number value exceeds this value, line
numbering will start again at LINE_NUM_START.
default
LINE_NUM_START

Specifies the starting value for line numbers (accessed
through [N] variable).
default
LINE_ NUM_START = 10

ROTARY_AXIS
This is only used in post processors which are used to

drive a machine using a rotary axis. Either the X or Y
direction of the relief is ‘wrapped’ onto the rotary axis.
If this statement is present ArtCAM will display the

following dialog. The default value for the diameter will
assume that the complete length of the relief along the
axis being wrapped is the circumference of the cylinder.
If X is specified then where [X] would have appeared in

the file [R] should be used to output the rotary move.
possible values:
X - all moves in X are wrapped onto rotary axis
Y - all moves in Y are wrapped onto rotary axis
default
None

RAPID_RATE_MOVE
This statement controls the output of tool positioning

moves at rapid feedrate. The first move at feed rate will
use the FIRST_RAPID_RATE_MOVE statement if it is
defined. These statements are also used for outputting
retract moves as these are also rapid moves (though only
moving in Z). All examples include correct formatting
for variables set up using the FORMAT statement. If no
FIRST_RAPID_RATE_MOVE is specified
RAPID_RATE_MOVE is used. If no
RAPID_RATE_MOVE is specified the
FEED_RATE_MOVE is used (with feed rate set to
RAPID_FEED_RATE).
Example output is demonstrated for two moves at rapid

feed rate
X123.45 Y234.56 Z5.67

X123.45 Y345.89 Z4.21

Fanuc
.
.
FIRST_RAPID_RATE_MOVE = "[N]G0[X|@][Y|@][Z|@]"
RAPID_RATE_MOVE = "[N][X][Y][Z]"
N1226G0X123.450Y234.560Z5.670
N1228Y345.890Z4.210
Roland
FORMAT = [X|@||1.0|100.0]
FORMAT = [Y|@||1.0|100.0]
FORMAT = [Z|@||1.0|100.0]
FORMAT = [F|@||1.0|0.0166]
.
.
RAPID_RATE_MOVE="Z [X],[Y],[Z]"
V 64
Z 12345,23456,567
Z 12345,34589,421
Heidenhain
FORMAT = [X|#| X|+1,3]
FORMAT = [Y|#| Y|+1,3]
FORMAT = [Z|#| Z|+1,3]
FORMAT = [F|#||1,0]
.
.
RAPID_RATE_MOVE = "[N] L[X][Y][Z] F[F] M"
1226 L X+123,450 Y+234,560 Z+5,670 F999 M

1228 L Y+345,890 Z+4,210 F M

RETRACT_MOVE
This statement is used for formating the first retract move

made. If it is not defined the move is formated using the
default
None
RETRACT_MOVE
This statement is used for formating the first retract move

made. If it is not defined the move is formated using the
default
None
START
This statement is used to specify the lines sent at the start

of the file. As many lines as required can be specified
using any of the defined variables except X, Y and Z.
The variables XH, YH and ZH can be used to initiate
movement from the home tool position.
default
None

See the more detailed description and examples earlier in
this document for more details.
TOOLCHANGE
This statement is used to specify one or more lines which

are output for the 2nd and subsequent tool changes.
NOTE: The output for the first tool should be included in
the START section of the configuration file.
As many lines as required can be specified using any of
the defined variables except X, Y and Z. The variables
XH, YH and ZH can be used to initiate movement to and
from the home tool position. The variable T contains the
new tool number.
default
None
See the more detailed description and example for the

FANUC at the end of this document for more details.
UNITS
possible values:
MM - all positions in mm, feed rates in mm/min
INCH - all positions in inches, feed rates in inches/min
default
UNITS = MM
Specifies the units which the variables will be output

using. This setting is valid whatever units are used for

the actual model within ArtCAM. e.g. if the ArtCAM
model use is mm and the command
UNITS = INCH
appears in the configuration file all moves and feed-rates
will be converted to inches.

Example Configuration
Files
Introduction
This section includes a listing of three of the
configuration files supplied with ArtCAM. Examples of
the output produced by each file are also provided. These
examples should help in finding the right style of
variable formatting to use when a particular output
format is desired.
Example Configuration Files • 49

Heidenhain
;
; Heidenhain configuration file Metric version
;
; History
;
; Who When What
; === ======== ========================================
; bem 21/03/00 Added DESCRIPTION and FILE_EXTENSION fields
;
DESCRIPTION = "Heidenhain (*.tap)"
;
;
UNITS = MM
;
; Carriage return - line feed at end of each line
;
END_OF_LINE = "[13][10]"
;
; Block numbering
;
LINE_NUM_START = 0
;
; Set up default formatting for variables
;
; Spindle Speed
FORMAT = [S|@|S|1,3]
; Feed Rate
FORMAT = [F|#||1.0]
FORMAT = [X|#| X|+1,3]
FORMAT = [Y|#| Y|+1,3]
FORMAT = [Z|#| Z|+1,3]
FORMAT = [XH|@|X|+1,3]
FORMAT = [YH|@|Y|+1,3]
FORMAT = [ZH|@|Z|+1,3]
;
;
START = "[N] BEGIN PGM 1248 MM"
START = "[N] TOOL DEF 1 L+0,000 R+0,000"
START = "[N] TOOL CALL 1 Z [S]"
START = "[N] L [ZH] F9999 M03"
START = "[N] L [XH] [YH] [ZH] F9999 M03"
;
; Program moves
;
FEED_RATE_MOVE = "[N] L[X][Y][Z] F[F] M"
;
; End of file
;
END = "[N] STOP M02"
END = "[N] END PGM 1248 MM"
50 • Example Configuration Files

Example Output For Heidenhain Configuration File
0 BEGIN PGM 1248 MM
1 TOOL DEF 1 L+0,000 R+0,000
2 TOOL CALL 1 Z S3000,000
3 L Z+10,000 F9999 M03
4 L X+0,000 Y+0,000 Z+10,000 F9999 M03
5 L X+0,001 Y+9,999 Z+10,000 F M
6 L Z+0,000 F360 M
7 L X+0,101 F720 M
8 L X+3,000 F M
9 L X+3,100 Z+0,012 F M
10 L X+3,200 Z+0,182 F M
.
.
.
225 L X+3,800 Z+0,092 F M
226 L X+3,900 Z+0,142 F M
227 L X+4,600 F M
228 L X+4,700 Z+0,092 F M
229 L X+4,800 Z-0,000 F M
230 L X+9,999 Y+0,002 Z+0,000 F M
231 L Z+10,000 F9999 M
232 L X+0,000 Y+0,000 F M
233 STOP M02
234 END PGM 1248 MM

Fanuc
;
; Fanuc configuration file
;
; History
;
; Who When What
; === ======== ========================================
; BEM 18/07/97 Added toolchange output
;
DESCRIPTION = "Fanuc (*.fan)"
;
FILE_EXTENSION = "fan"
;
;
UNITS = MM
;
; Cariage return - line feed at end of each line
;
END_OF_LINE = "[13][10]"
;
; Block numbering
;
LINE_NUM_START = 0
;
; Set up default formating for variables
;
; Line numbering
; Spindle Speed
FORMAT = [S|@|S|1.0]
; Feed Rate
FORMAT = [F|#|F|1.1]
FORMAT = [XH|@|X|1.3]
FORMAT = [YH|@|Y|1.3]
FORMAT = [ZH|@|Z|1.3]
;
;
START = "%"
START = ":1248"
START = "[N]G91G28X0Y0Z0"
START = "[N]G40G17G80G49"
START = "[N]T1M6"
START = "[N]G90G54"
START = "[N]G43[ZH]H1"
START = "[N]G0[XH][YH][S]M3"
;
; Program moves
;
FIRST_RAPID_RATE_MOVE = "[N]G0[X][Y][Z]"
FIRST_FEED_RATE_MOVE = "[N]G1[X][Y][Z][F]"
;

; Toolchange moves (only output for 2nd and later tools)
;
TOOLCHANGE = "[N]G91G28Z0"
TOOLCHANGE = "[N]G49H0"
TOOLCHANGE = "[N]T[T]M6"
TOOLCHANGE = "[N]G90G54"
;
; End of file
;
END = "[N]G28G91Z0"
END = "[N]G49H0"
END = "[N]G28X0Y0"
END = "[N]M30"

Example Output For Fanuc Configuration File
%
:1248
N10G91G28X0Y0Z0
N20G40G17G80G49
N30T1M6
N40G90G54
N50G43Z10.000H1
N60G0X0.000Y0.000S3000M3
N70X0.001Y9.999
N80G1X0.001Y9.999Z0.000F360.0
N90G1X0.101Y9.999Z0.000F720.0
N100X3.000
N110X3.100Z0.012
N120X3.200Z0.182
N130X3.300Z0.249
.
.
.
N2240Y0.003
N2250X0.103
N2260X3.700
N2270X3.800Z0.092
N2280X3.900Z0.142
N2290X4.600
N2300X4.700Z0.092
N2310X4.800Z-0.000
N2320X9.999Y0.002Z0.000
N2330G0X9.999Y0.002Z10.000
N2340G0X0.000Y0.000Z10.000
N2350G28G91Z0
N2360G49H0
N2370G28X0Y0
N2380M30

Roland
;
; Roland configuration file
;
;
; History
;
; Who When What
; === ======== ========================================
; BEM 13/05/94 Modified header to remove @ command
; TM 07/02/96 Modified - added pause command
; TM 07/02/96 Modified - Additional XY feedrates
; BEM 21/03/00 Added DESCRIPTION and FILE_EXTENSION fields
;
DESCRIPTION = "Roland (*.rol)"
;
FILE_EXTENSION = "rol"
;
; Set units used in file - MM
;
UNITS = MM
;
;
END_OF_LINE = "[13][10]"
;
;
; Feed Rate
;
; Roland use mm/s for output feed rate so divide by 60
; this is ame as * (1/60)
;
FORMAT = [F|@||1.0|0.0166]
;
;
; Roland uses positions in 0.01 of a mm
;
FORMAT = [X|@||1.0|100]
FORMAT = [Y|@||1.0|100]
FORMAT = [Z|@||1.0|100]
FORMAT = [XH|@||1.0|100]
FORMAT = [YH|@||1.0|100]
FORMAT = [ZH|@||1.0|100]
;
;
; Reset all values to default except P1 and P2
;
START = "^DF"
;
; Pause before moving to start position
;
START = "!NR"
;
; Set up Z2 to safe z (home z) - raise spindle
; move to home position and start spindle
;
;START = "@0,[ZH]M[XH],[YH]! 1"
START = "! 1;Z [XH],[YH],[ZH]"

;
; Start moving at rapid rate
;
START = "V 64;F 64"
;
; Set feed rate used for rapid moves 64mm/s = 3840mm/min
;
;
; Set up data output on change of feed rate
;
FEED_RATE_CHANGE = "V [F];F [F]"
;
; Program moves
;
FEED_RATE_MOVE = "Z [X],[Y],[Z]"
;
; End of file - go home and stop spindle
;
END = "H"

Example Output For Roland Configuration File
^DF
@0,1000M0,0! 1
V 64
Z 0,1000,1000
V 6
Z 0,1000,0
V 12
Z 10,1000,0
Z 300,1000,0
Z 310,1000,1
Z 320,1000,18
Z 330,1000,25
Z 360,1000,52
Z 380,1000,64
Z 390,1000,74
Z 400,1000,79
.
.
.
Z 0,100,-0
Z 0,90,-0
Z 0,0,-0
Z 10,0,-0
Z 370,0,-0
Z 380,0,9
Z 390,0,14
Z 460,0,14
Z 470,0,9
Z 480,0,-0
Z 1000,0,0
V 64
Z 1000,0,1000
V 64
Z 0,0,1000
H

Rotary – Generic G- Code
;
; Linear Y Axis is wrapped onto A rotary axis
;
; History
;
; Who When What
; === ======== ========================================
; BEM 26/07/99 Rewrote as more generic G-Code
;
DESCRIPTION = "Rotary (Y-axis) (*.tap)"
;
;
UNITS = MM
;
; Rotary axis control – Wrap Y axis moves onto rotary axis
;
ROTARY_AXIS = Y
;
;
END_OF_LINE = "[13][10]"
;
;
; Line numbering
; Spindle Speed
FORMAT = [S|@|S|1.0]
; Feed Rate
FORMAT = [F|#|F|1.0]
; Using A rotary axis with Y axis wrapped onto it
FORMAT = [R|#|A|1.4]
FORMAT = [XH|@|X|1.4]
FORMAT = [YH|@|Y|1.4]
FORMAT = [ZH|@|Z|1.4]
FORMAT = [RH|@|A|1.3]
;
;
START = "T1M6"
START = "G0[ZH]"
START = "G0[XH][YH][S]M3"
;
; Program moves
;
FIRST_RAPID_RATE_MOVE = "G0[X][R][Z][F]"
FIRST_FEED_RATE_MOVE = "G1[X][R][Z][F]"
FEED_RATE_MOVE = "[X][R][Z]"
;

; End of file
;
END = "G0[ZH]"
END = "G0[XH][YH]"
END = "M30"
Example Output For Rotary Configuration File

T1M6
G0Z10.0000
G0X0.0000Y0.0000S10000M3
X0.0010A0.0360Z5.0000
G1Z0.0000F600
G1A0.5544F1800
A161.2211
A167.4779Z0.0317
A175.8263Z0.0388
A201.3863Z0.0416
A211.2971Z0.0294
A217.0355Z-0.0000
A359.9639
X0.0154
X1.0006
A359.4455
A233.2067
A224.8619Z0.1790
A217.0391Z0.3012
A208.6907Z0.3927
A199.3019Z0.4549
A189.3911Z0.4777
A180.0023Z0.4607
A170.6135Z0.4062
A161.7431Z0.3140
A152.8763Z0.1791
A144.5315Z0.0000
A0.0360
X1.0151
X2.0004
A0.5544
A134.0961
A144.5253Z0.2239
A154.9581Z0.3883
.
.
.
A161.2218Z0.3715
A151.8330Z0.2394
A142.9662Z0.0612
A140.3562Z0.0001
A0.0360
X9.0127
X9.9979
A0.5544
A153.9182
A160.1750Z0.0323
A170.0858Z0.0398
A207.1226Z0.0425
A218.0774Z0.0301
A224.8598Z0.0001
X9.9980A359.9639Z0.0000
G0Z5.0000F9999

G0X0.0000A0.0000Z10.0000
G0Z10.0000
G0X0.0000Y0.0000
M30

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What is a post processor and why is it configurable?

What is a post processor and why is it configurable?

What does the configuration file structure look like?

What does the configuration file structure look like?

ArtCAM

Issue: released Version: 4.0 08/05/00

Program  1994-2000 Delcam plc

 1994-2000 Delcam plc.

All product names mentioned herein are trademarks of

Configuring A New Post Processor 7

Configuration File Structure 9

Post Processor Statements 35

Example Configuration Files 49

What is a post processor ?

A post processor is a program which converts tool moves

Examples of output for two different machine tool

These post processed files are sent to the machine tool to

Because of the wide range of controls on the market, it is

This approach has a number of advantages.

q New machines tools can be supported quickly by

Delcam supply a number of configuration files for the

The preceding configuration file may appear daunting!

Modifying an existing post processor

1. Controls which accept positions as floating point

2. Controls which use integer positions in multiples of

For the first type of control (floating point values) the G

Configuring A New Post Processor • 7

Creating a new post processor from

It is perfectly possible to create a configuration file from

NOTE: If a word processor such as Write or Word is

8 • Configuring A New Post Processor

Configuration File Structure • 9

For both types of moves a format can optionally be

10 · Configuration File Structure

The following statement in the configuration file

FEED_RATE_MOVE = "X[X] Y[Y] Z[Z]"

Would mean that by default for a tool position of

X = 12.3 Y = 4.56 Z = 7.89

The following would be output

X 12.3 Y 4.56 Z 7.89

If the statement was specified as

FEED_RATE_MOVE = "[Z] [Y] [X]"

The following would be output

7.89 4.56 12.3

Configuration File Structure • 11

12 · Configuration File Structure

Configuration File Structure • 13

A variable specification has the following format

V= Variable name e.g. X or ZH.

All fields are optional apart from the variable name.

The table below shows the output for a number of values

14 · Configuration File Structure

The second example in the table - [X|#|X|1,3] . Shows the

The format string governing the output format of

[flags] [width] [.precision]

Each field of the format specification is a single character

Configuration File Structure • 15

This field is responsible for the overall formatting of the

NOTE: More than one flag directive can be specified so

16 · Configuration File Structure