Which Post Processor?

[kubotaman]

I have updated to the latest Aspire patch but can't find the post processor for my ShopBot when saving toolpaths. I tried saving as: Inch/Arch with tool changer and speed control. I use to save using Alpha, inch with speed control but it doesn't appear in the list of post processors in the new Aspire. I have an Alpha, spindle with speed control. Is this the correct post processor? When I go to cut a file it sends the cutter to cut 3/4" above the material! I have never had this problem before. If that isn't the problem what can make my Bot want to cut above the material? I have redone setting the Z axis to material more than once but it doesn't seem to be the problem. Any suggestions?

[thewoodcrafter]

If Aspire does the same thing that my V-Carve Pro did, all your original Posts were moved.

Look in the Program Files/Aspire/PostP sub-directory for another sub-directory named ShopBot_orig. All your PostP should be in there.
Move the file you want up into the PostP directory.

[butch]

Daryl
Open the file and make certain that when the bit begins to cut, the numbers should be a negitive number. (M3,5.0000,3.0000,-0.125)
If the number is (M3,5.000,3.000,0.6250) then the file is set to cut at the table.

But I always copy the Post Processor I want to use into the 'Program Files/Aspire2/Post P/ShopBot_org' I have modified a couple of Post Processors, so I always copy the modified PostP when upgrading VCarve and now Aspire. (As Roger said)

[kubotaman]

Butch and Roger, thanks for the response. I read Aspires site and see what may be my problem with the post processor. As far as cutting too high may be what you say, it was set to cut from the table. I will check that possibility out. Thanks again

[knight_toolworks]

they kind of flubbed on them. the inches arcs with spindle speed control the new one reads as scott w when in aspire. I opened it up and saw the goof also it says this file was created by someone else (G) a little editing fixed it up.

[kubotaman]

Butch, you were correct. The file was written off the table. I didn't see the mistake but did fix it. Steve what do you mean the new post processor reads "Scott W". Is that the post processor's name by mistake? How did you open it to find out??

[adrianm]

The Post Processors are just text files. You can use Notepad or any other editor to open them.

[knight_toolworks]

the physical file name is right but when you look at it under aspire it has the guys name. yes you use a text edit app. you can your name to it so it adds it to the toolpath and such.

[srwtlc]

Sounds like you guys may have somehow got hold of a modified .pp that I may have sent to Vectric years ago for some reason that I can't remember now. ;-)

Be careful of some of those new ShopBot posts as the one I tried (for testing purposes) makes the z start moving down to z zero as it jogs to the start point. Could cause some problems if you have some clamps in the path that you need to clear. It doesn't matter if you use the new Z1 and Z2 system in Aspire/VCP because its not enabled in the post.

Scott W

[navigator7]

What do you guys mean when you talk about "Post Processors"?
I've heard this term often but have no idea what you are talking about.

Are these notes about cutting the file written by the creator of the file?

[knight_toolworks]

when you save a toolpath you have to choose the pp for it. this lets you make toolpaths for different machines. if your just using the software that came with the shopbot I thi9nk it only includes the needed pp.

[navigator7]

OIC...Thanks.

Correct me if I am wrong, Steve, If you import a stl file made in another CAD program, a Shopbot user with Aspire can convert that stl to a machinable file within the limitations of the machine...correct?

Except for text???
Which in most cases does a better job in V-Carve....right???

[knight_toolworks]

I am terrible at explaining. the post processor takes the toolpaths you make into a form your machine can read. so it only hass to do with the cut not the drawing.

[adrianm]

Aspire is a superset of VCarve so if you're machining text it can do everything VCarve/Partworks can.

This page shows what the products can do. VCarve is PartWorks and Cut3D is PartWorks 3D.

http://www.vectric.com/WebSite/Vectric/software_comparision.htm

The Post Processors are the translators that take the toolpath information and output into whatever the target machine requires, be it G-Code, SBP, pure text or whatever.

[mikeacg]

I got the same thing Steve did with the 'Scott W' file name. How can I get rid of it? (Not you, Scott, just the name!!!!)
I liked my old PP as it told me the speed to set the spindle to at the start of the file. That new 'return to 0,0' routine was making me crazy. It cost time and made me think the toolpath was messed up. I'm back to my old PP. Thanks for telling me how to get it back, Roger!

Mike

[srwtlc]

Mike, if you want, you could send me the offending file and I can take a look at it and see if I can get rid of me. ;-)

[mikeacg]

Scott,

I don't know which file it is. The files all have the correct names but one of them shows up in the pulldown as you. How can I tell which one it is?

Mike

[beacon14]

some info on postprocessors and how to modify them (http://blog.shopbottools.com/index.php/2008/01/customizing-vcarve-pro-and-partworks/)

You'll have to open the suspected file in a text editor (you can do this from within ShopBot by typing [F]ile [E]dit. Look for the matching text in a line that looks like:

POST_NAME = “Scott W.” or whatever you are seeing, and change the text to what you want to see in the drop-down menu.

In most text editors there is a "find" function that can scan the file quickly for you.

[srwtlc]

Mike,

Go to the Postp folder (something like C:\Program Files\Aspire V2.0\PostP) and open the one you think it might be in a text editor (SB editor will work) and look for the line "POST_NAME = "xxxx(*.sbp)" and change it to what you want it to show up as in the Aspire/VCP list. Be sure that when you save the file, that it retains the .pp extension.

You can also change the file name to something that makes more sense for your use.

Scott

Edited....What David said. He beat me to the "Submit" button. ;-)

[mikeacg]

David and Scott,

That did the trick. I just called it Buddy and it is so easy to find and use now. Thanks a lot!

Mike