Post processors for SheetCam.

[breezy]

I'm currently using Fusion 360 to create our gcode, but it is quiet a process to import DXF file and generate gcode. I would like to try SheetCam for generating gcode from DXF files.

So I have downloaded a trial version, but when selecting the post processor there isn't one for MASSO and on the MASSO SheetCam documentation page there not a choice for a router.

16.3.SheetCAM

• Tangential Knife POST Processor
  
• Waterjet POST Processor
  
• Plasma POST Processor without THC
  
• Plasma POST Processor with THC
  

So my question is what post processor do you select in SheetCam for generating gcode when using the MASSO on a CNC router?

Regards,

Arie.

 

[cncburn]

I m using the Masso plasma post with good results. Not too sure about the mill version.

 

[Ross]

Can't help either with that Arie,

All I know is the plasma will want to do a touch off and then do the cycle, cause I tried a air run using the plasma tip as the bit.

Plus when it is time to change the bit to the next one it doesn't stop for the change over.

No way to control the height properly!

I believe someone on the forum is using one of the mill postscripts from SheetCam but have no idea which one.

Looks like you can make a postscript for all of us to use!

Other option is "Masso Help Me"

When I finish the new gantry I have to mill a torch breakaway for the plasma.

Good luck from Ross.

 

[masso-support]

OK guys here it is.

Before anyone rushes ahead and uses this please pretend it is written by someone who has not used Sheetcam and know nothing about it.

If it helps, I have not used Sheetcam and I know nothing about it.

That said, looking at the GCode it seems to be right, shows up correctly on the screen and runs when I simulate it on Masso. I am just playing with the trial version so am limited to 180 lines. It will need someone with the full version to create some code and see if it works and then report back.

I have added the M05 before an M06 tool change to meet match Masso requirements.

This is version 1.1, let me know how it goes.

Cheers

Peter

 

[peter35]

Peter, thanks for that, l will try and give it a try this week, l used sheetcam with mach 3 on my mill for a couple of years, worked real well. Did not have any luck with the masso, but it has been a while since l used the post processor.

 

[breezy]

Quote from MASSO Support on June 9, 2019, 6:05 am

OK guys here it is.

Before anyone rushes ahead and uses this please pretend it is written by someone who has not used Sheetcam and know nothing about it.

If it helps, I have not used Sheetcam and I know nothing about it.

That said, looking at the GCode it seems to be right, shows up correctly on the screen and runs when I simulate it on Masso. I am just playing with the trial version so am limited to 180 lines. It will need someone with the full version to create some code and see if it works and then report back.

I have added the M05 before an M06 tool change to meet match Masso requirements.

This is version 1.1, let me know how it goes.

Cheers

Peter

@masso-support

Peter,

I got the shed to purchase a full version licence and created a gcode file and tried it.

It didn't go good. Loops and lines all over the place. Using the same settings created gcode using Mach3 post and resultant display on MASSO was as expected.

Now a short version of the Mach3 code had been created on the trial version and used to cut on the MASSO but was abandoned because of slippage problems on the x axis.

The new version created on the full licence included tabs which were missing in the previous setup.

I did a comparison between the two gcode files and can see the cause of the mess, there are missing G03 on some lines after a G01 has been issued, so instead of doing an arc MASSO produced a line. Checked the scposts and there is no difference between the two for the OnArc function. So I can't see what caused the dropped G03.

I'm thinking of taking the Mach3 scpost and removing the sections that are not used by a MASSO router mill and trying that.

Anycase attached are the files if anyone wishes to look at and see if they can work out what is going wrong. The nc file is the good one from Mach3 and the tap is from the Masso-mill.

Regards,

Arie.

 

[breezy]

Have created a Masso-Router scpost based on Mach3 scpost. Will test it on Monday when attend the shed again.

Regards,

Arie.

 

[masso-support]

Thanks Arie.

I tested the post processor I created and found it wasn't right as you mentioned. I had a look and think I have now fixed it. It seems to give the correct toolpath now when I load the file.

Usually the creation of large circles like you see in the first screen dump happens when you use absolute arcs on a controller that uses incremental arcs such as Masso. Like you I went through the arcs section and couldn't see what the cause of the issue was and finally copied and pasted a working section from the original post processor I started with and it fixed the problem. Maybe I accidently had added a space or a full stop by mistake and couldn't see it.

I'll put my 2nd attempt below version 1.2 and it will give you another one to try if yours has issues. I'm sure we will get it sorted without too much of a problem. I have formatted the output to make it easier to read.

Cheers

Peter