Loading and Managing a Post Processor

A post processor is made up of 3 or 4 files. The Machine Definition is the machine's kinematics, axis combinations, and machines limits. The Control Definition will change some of the output from the post processor like staged tool routines, N number output, arc output, tolerances for toolpath creation, and more. The last part is the PST, and in cases of custom or complex posts, an encrypted PSB file. There are some switches in the top of the PST file, but any edits done to the PST file not done by a QTE applications engineer will not be supported.

Mastercam's post processors have a built in directory and read file names, so renaming a post processor needs to be done with the post processor renaming utility. If the post isn't loaded correctly, it will be necessary to redefine the directory to find the correct files. The following steps are the ideal default locations for loading the post processor.

Go to the File Explorer and go to the C Drive, Users, Public, Public Documents, and to the Shared Mcam2018.

Load the Machine ".mcam-mmd" and Control "mcam-control" definitions int the CNC_MACHINES

Load the PST, and if applicable PSB, into the machine folder type, in this case Mill, and into the Post folder.

Once loaded, go to the Machine Tab and as you select the Machine Group to load, select Manage List. After the Machine Definition Menu Management comes up, select any post you wish to add, Add them to the Machine Definition Menu Items.

To set a specific post to be the Default, go through File and to Configuration  find the Default Machines topic and use the drop down to set the default post processor.

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