While based on the same post processing engine for mills, two-axis post processors generate NC program code for laser, plasma, and waterjet machines only. These three machine types have different requirements from a mill, though they share the same basic NC program formats.
Generally, these three machine types differ from mills because there is usually no powered Z-axis, barring what might be used for maintaining a certain distance between the cutter and the material, commonly called Torch Height Control (THC). Where a mill would normally plunge the cutter into a block material to begin a cut, these three machines position the cutter in X and Y, activate it, and dwell for a moment to ensure that the cut has completely pierced through the sheet.
What follows is some general information about making these post processors.
Set up machine configuration using MillingMachineSetup.exe.
Copy a similar post processor file.
Make the required edits.
Save the post processor file.
Set BobCAM to use that machine and it will pick up the post from the machine configuration automatically.
Make a program and check the output to ensure that it is correct.
.MillPst
For advanced users, BobCAM includes a full VBScript-based scripting API for use in post processors. It is recommended for use only when absolutely necessary, when there is not already a built-in function or variable to perform an action or output a value that is needed. The post processing engine built into BobCAM is intended to handle as many functions that are possible to achieve on a CNC control. See here for examples, instructions, and references.