Fanuc 18M Post Processor

[Marker]

We have purchase a Hitachi Seiki VMC with a Fanuc 18M Controller. Does anyone know where I can get a good post processor.

Thanks.

[Guest CNC Apps Guy 1]

MPMaster is quite a nice post to start from. Should work right out of the gate.

[Christian Raebild]

Mpfan and Mpmaster are good choices for a 3 axis post, but if your Hitachi Seiki is one of the 4 axis horisontal machines, then they will not work, at least not for simultaneous 4 axis work. But you might contact us, we have delivered post processors for 4 axis Hitachi Seiki machines. You should e-mail [email protected], specifying the model and axis setup.

[Allan Brown]

Both Mpfan and Mpmaster (which is entirely based on Mpfan) will support 4-Axis positioning (toolplane indexing), any of the rotary substitution toolpaths, and 4-Axis moves created by any of the multiaxis toolpaths. For a horizontal machine, a small amount of modification will be necessary (e.g. vmc : 0, rot_on_x : 2, etc). In Mpmaster, it's a matter of removing comments before the 'typical horizontal' section.

Having said that the rotary axis calls on the Hitachi Seiki may be different than those produced my Mpfan or Mpmaster, although this has not been my experience. I should mention though that Christian obviously knows his stuff and has 'zinged' me a few times in the past - so I'm prepared to stand corrected!

[ 10-03-2001: Message edited by: Dave Thomson ]

[Guest CNC Apps Guy 1]

ROFL!!!!!!!!

quote:

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.....zinged.....

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[Marker]

This is a 3-Axis machine. After James had replied I checked with Mastercam and asked for there suggestion. Greg of Mastercam recommended the MPFan and was not aware of the MPMaster post. I informed him about Mr. Mayette's recommendation and he suggested I pursue the MPMaster post because "if anyone would know, James Mayette would." Thanks for the help everyone. I am going to start with the MPMaster and make post modifications as necessary.

Troy P. Marker

Lincoln Tool and Design

Lincoln, NE

[Marker]

James, Sorry for spelling your last name incorrectly.

[Christian Raebild]

For a 3 axis post, Mpfan is a good choice for a starting point. The drilling cycles and the toolchange postblocks may need some modifications, but that should be all.

If you do not need the subprogram support from version 8, you might be best off by choosing the Mpfan post from version 6, and updating it by using the Uptxt8.dll C-Hook. The Mpfan post from version 6 is far less complex, so it will be easier to edit, but the drilling cycles may need some more work (that is not likely on a Fanuc control, though).