What is post-processing?
What does post-processing do?
Post-processing reads the toolpaths you have generated in your CAD/CAM software, and saves them into job files which SmartBench can understand.
Before post-processing, you should check that your toolpath parameters are within the bounds of what SmartBench can do (click here to check these now).
|
|
Your CAD/CAM software will ask which post-processor to use when saving the file. For your SmartBench, always choose: Grbl (metric). Or even better our own Yeti Tool post-processor if using Vectric or Fusion |
|
|
Post-processing converts the toolpaths into G-code, which is readable by SmartBench. Click here to learn more about this. |
When does post-processing happen?
Let us look at the whole CNC cycle, so that we can see how post-processing fits in to the end of the CAD/CAM workflow:
-
Pen and paper: all the best ideas are sketched out on a piece of paper first 🙂
-
CAD environment: the part design is drawn up in the computer.
-
CAM environment: the machining operations are then defined, which then allows the software to automatically generate the toolpaths.
-
Post-processor: these toolpaths are converted into a job file, using SmartBench’s specifications, which we can then send to SmartBench.
|
|
Depending on your software, your CAM files may be converted into multiple job files by your post-processor. This might happen if your job requires a tool change to manufacture the part. |
|
|
CAD stands for Computer-Aided Design. CAM stands for Computer-Aided Manufacture. CNC stands for Computerised Numerical Control. |
Toolpath parameters for SmartBench
Before post-processing your toolpaths for SmartBench, you need to make sure the parameters are with the specified range.
|
|
Programming feed rate or spindle speed too high or low might not work with your machine, or may cause it to run in a way you do not expect. |
|
|
Loading a job size bigger than the machine bed will halt the machining operation. |
|
Number of axes |
3-axis |
|
Spindle orientation |
Vertical |
|
Max sheet cut size (mm) |
2500 x 1250 |
|
Max depth of material (mm) |
152 |
|
Spindle speed range (rpm) |
5,000 - 25,000 rpm |
|
Max feed rate range in X,Y axis (mm/min) |
6000 |
|
Max feed rate range in Z axis (mm/min) |
2000 |
|
Post-processor type |
Grbl (metric) |
Different post-processors are needed for different CNC machines
Different CNC machines use different real-time processors to coordinate movement, and each of these will expect G-code instructions to be in a particular format.
This is why you need to select the right post-processor for your CNC machine when you save the toolpaths to a job file.
Using a job file that has been made for a different machine may cause your job to be carried out in a way you don’t expect, and could potentially damage your workpiece.
|
|
Your CAD/CAM software will ask which post-processor to use when saving the file. For your SmartBench, always choose: Grbl (metric) or Yeti SmartBench (*.gcode) |