Introduction

In this topic we will cover each of the default post blocks in the Mill post processor. The purpose and use of each block will be explained. It is important to know that the description or name of the block may differ from post processor to post processor as the name (the text to the right of the post block number) is not used by the post processor engine, and is simply a reference to aid in understanding the purpose of the block.

 

The post blocks are organized by numeric sequence. This post blocks themselves may or may not be in numeric sequence in a post processor

Header Blocks

Block 1000. Post Version Number

This block is a special block found at the beginning of all post processors. It is out of numeric sequence because of it's purpose. This block is read by the post processing engine and determines the logic version the posting engine should use to read and interpret the post processor file.

 

Example:

1000. Version Information = Version Month Day Year? "11.0 12 12 2016"

 

On this line we have the post block number: "1000." followed by string text. The posting engine version the file should be processed with is defined by the "11.0"  When major changes are made to the post processing engine the version number will increment. However, the version number does not increment with each new version of the BobCAD-CAM software.

 

Job Type:

• Mill
• Lathe
• Mill Turn

Block 0. File Header

This is the first block called at the very beginning of a program. This block is used to output any file starting characters, along with things like program numbers and starting comments. If you need to output a tool list using the "output_tool_list" command variable, it should be done in this block.

 

Job Type:

• Mill
• Lathe
• Mill Turn