Creating a Basic

postprocessor

with NX Post Builder

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 - Contents -

1. Create New Postprocessor (Using NX 7.5 but don't care for version)

2. In case of the 7.5ver - Select Generate Virtual N/C controller(VNC)

3. Set Other Data Elements

1. Set Sequence Number (N1000 .... etc)

2. Insert / Remove Word Separator ( G90 G40 G49 G80 .. G90G40G49G80 )

3. Insert / Remove End of Block(EOB) ( M08; )

4. Set Word Format propery. ( T01 M06 -> T1 M6 )

5. Modify Inche or Metric Gcode Word propery (G70/G71 -> G20/G21)

(You can modify output Gcode/Mcode according to the machine you use)

6. Change Word Sequencing propery. (G43 H01 Z100. -> G43 Z100. H01)

7. Understanding 5 Main Program order.

8. Basic Example1. Remove Character '%' at Start/End Program

9. Basic Example2. Remove Sequence Number

10. Basic Example3. Remove Preselect Tool Function.

11. Basic Example4. Insert G54 Work Coordinate propery

12. Basic Example5. Modify I, J, K to R if you needed.

13. Basic Example6. Change output file extention from ptp to NC

14. Basic Example7. Using Group output

15. Basic Example8. Using listing file for check toolpath.

16. Using Display verbose Error Messages.

17. Using Review Tool (Set Activate Review Tool)

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1. Create a ne Postprocessor Using Post Builder

1. Select File Menu - New or New icon on the Toolbar.

( In this case, I'll Create 3axis Metric, Mill(MCT), Fanuc Post
-processor using Generic controller )

2. Set “Create New Post Processor” Dialog Box.

Change Post Name if you want.
(It's Default Name when you save postprocessor)
3. Post Output Unit - Select "Millimeters"
4. Machine Tool - Select Mill(MCT) (or select Lathe if you needed)
5. Select 3-Axis (Default value)
6. Controller - Select Generic (Generic controller is Fanuc style postprocessor, It's
simillar to Fanuc6M in the Library Menu)

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2. Select Generate Virtual N/C controller(VNC) - (Required for version 7.5)

Notice : In case of Nx 7.5, you must select "Generate Virtual N/C controller(VNC)"
(Don't care if you choose another version)

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3. Set Other Data Elements 3.1 Set Sequence Number (N1000 .... etc)

- N/C Data Definitions Tab - Other Data Elements Tab

Section “Sequence Number”, Set the value Start/Increment/Frequency/Maximum to
handling Sequence Number.
Default Value is Start(10), Increment(10), Frequency(1), Maximun (9999).

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3. Set Other Data Elements
3.2 Insert / Remove Word Separator ( G90 G40 G49 G80 .. G90G40G49G80 )
- In case of Word Separator set to "Space" (ex. G40 G49 G80)

- In case of Word Separator se to "None“ (ex. G40G49G80)

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3. Set Other Data Elements

3.3 Insert / Remove End of Block(EOB) ( M08; )

Set to Semicolon(;) at End of Block is Insert EOB character(;) every End of Block.

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4. Set Word Format propery. ( T01 M06 -> T1 M6 )
N/C Data Definitions Tab -> Word Tab
You can see the format applied to each WORD.

N/C Data Definitions Tab -> Format Tab

You can see the format Name, Data type and Number of Digit of Positive/Minority and
Output Decimal Point status.. etc.

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5. Modify Inche or Metric Gcode Word propery (G70/G71 -> G20/G21)
(You can modify output Gcode/Mcode according to the machine you use)
Program & Tool Path Tab -> Gcode Tab (Mcode Tab)
You can set the Gcode(Mcode) by operation.
- Default value of Inch Mode 70. / Metirc Mode 71.
- Recently, Number 20 used for Inch, Number 21 used for Metric.

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6. Change Word Sequencing propery. (G43 H01 Z100. -> G43 Z100. H01)

Program & Tool Path Tab - Word Sequencing Tab

You can specify(change) the order of the output Gcode.
- For example, If H is moved forward to X,Y,Z , It is output in order as G43 H01 Z100.

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7. Understanding 5 Main Program order.

1. Program Start Sequence

- Run only once at the start of Program.
( Use output Program Number, Main infomation, File Name, Post Name .. etc)

2. Operation Start Sequence

- Repeat execution at the Start of each Operation.
(Use output Operation's Tool information and Stock, .. etc )

3. Tool Path
- Ouputs the code when the command is issued.
Machine Control – Delay, Auxfun, Prefun etc..
Motion – Linear Move / Circular Move / Rapid Move
Canned Cycle – Common Parameters of Drill canned cycle, Cycle off etc..

4. Operation End Sequence

- Repeat execution at the End of each Operation.
( Use output as follows : Cutcom Off(G40), Clear Tool Lenth Compensation(G49)
Cycle Off(G80) and retract move just like G00 Z100. etc.)

5. Program End Sequence

- Run only once at the End of Program.
( Use output like Spindle off(M05) , End of Program(M02), Machining time .. etc )

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8. Basic Example1. Remove Character '%' at Start/End Program

- You can remove any unwanted block by Drag and Drop to the trash can.

- You may also remove by pressing the right mouse button(MB3) and select Delete.

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9. Basic Example2. Remove Sequence Number

- You can remove Sequence Number by Deleting MOM_set_seq_on Block at the

‘Program Start Sequence’

- Also you can re-insert Sequence Number by select New Block – MOM_set_seq_on
and insert it Where you want.

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10. Basic Example3. Remove Preselect Tool Function.

- Default post output Preselect Tool(T) function after Auto Tool change (Tx M06)
You can remove this function by Deleting Preselect Tool(T)

Use Preselect Tool Don’t Use Preselect Tool

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11. Basic Example4. Insert G54 Work Coordinate propery

1. Insert G54 work Coordinate at rapid-traverse Block

N/C Data Definitions Tab -> Block Tab - Select rapid-traverse
- Select G Group - G MCS Fixture Offset (54 ~ 59) of Add Word.
- Drag and Drop "Add Word" Button to the Block.
(Insert location determined by Word Sequencing of Program & Tool Path Tab)

Default value of G MCS fixture

Offset(54~59) Output 53,
To change this to G54, You must
inset value of Fixture Offset
in Geometry View at MCS_MILL's
Fixture Offset Property .
You can get G54~G59 by insert
value the Fixture Offset Number
(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6).

Or you can change default value

in User Defined Expression.
(Set $mom_fixture_offset_value + 54)

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2. Insert G54 work Coordinate at Rapid-Move
- Program & Tool Path Tab - Tool Path - Motion - Rapid Move

- Select G Group - G MCS Fixture Offset (54 ~ 59) of Add Word.

- Drag and Drop "Add Word" Button to the Block.

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12. Basic Example5. Modify I, J, K to R if you needed. ( I Recommand using I,J,K )
1. Program & Tool Path Tab - Program Tab - Tool Path - Motion - Circular Move
2. Remove I, J, K and Insert R - R-Arc Radius. (Edit R to 'Modal? - Set to No')

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13. Basic Example6. Change output file extention from ptp to NC
1. Output Setting - Other Options - Output Control Elements
2. Set to value of N/C Output File Extension from ptp to NC.

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14. Basic Example7. Using Group output

- You can set the output by each Group.

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15. Basic Example8. Using listing file for check toolpath.
- You can check tool path by output listing file.

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16. Using Display verbose Error Messages.

- You can see more detaile Error Messages.

17. Using Review Tool (Set Activate Review Tool)

- You can see the various variables of NX Post. but it take a little time.

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