Post To A File Automatic

[Tony35]

ok so here is what im trying to do

 

i do a lot of family style parts for our lathe and i want to be able to just post and go and have the NC file named and dropped in the correct folder when i post. i want it to capture the part number im working on and also have it add a P (for okumas) to the beginning of the part number. is this possible in the post?

 

right now i have to post it then do a save as P########

 

using X4

thanks for any ideas

[peon]

Tony, you may want to search for some info on the VBScript utility. I wanted the same thing you requested some time ago and was directed to a VBScript template that I downloaded from the ftp server. It needed a lot of work to get what I needed and I eventually abandoned it since I'm not trained using the utility and certainly don't have the time to learn it.

[Tony35]

i was hoping i could just add some logic to the post for this. i dont have any VB exp and like you dont have the time

[Roger Martin from CNC Software]

You should be able to rename the NC output - after...

 

From the old Post Reference CD Docs (117 - File Manipulation)

 

Renaming the NC file after posting

When a job is posted from Mastercam, the NC file name is passed as an argument to the post executable and cannot be changed until after posting is complete. You can change the NC output filename after posting completes by using the formula functions in the MP language. It is assumed that either the user or the post has assigned the new file name to the sting variable snewfame.

snewname            # User defined string to hold the new file name
sncfilename         # User defined string to hold the NC program file name

ppost              # This predefined postblock is called after all files are closed at the end of posting
       sncfileame = spathnc + snamenc + sextnc    # path + name + extension
       result = remove(snewname)                  # in case this filename already exists
       result = rename(sncfilename, snewname)     # rename the NC file just created to the name specified in ‘snewname’

The above code snippet first builds the complete NC filename, with the path, file name, and filename extension. Next, the file specified in the string variable snewname is removed from the disk. (This is a precaution. If the file already exists on the disk, you cannot rename another to have that name.) Finally, the NC file is renamed with the new file name.

[RandleXX]

Isn't that what the "NC file name" is for? For example: When I give a a toolpath group an nc file name of O1234 it will automatically save as O1234.NC

If you post does not do this now, it is a very simple modification.

[peon]

Randle, you are correct using your method to achieve the correct filename, but I think he wants to duplicate his folder structure when posting and possibly to a different hard drive or server.

[Tony35]

Rodger

thanks for posting the code snippet. i will play with it and see if i can get it to work.

[Tony35]

Rodger

do you have any idea of where i should call ppost block? i dont know where or when the files are closed

[Paul Decelles]

ppost is a predefined postblock and must be followed by a $. It can be placed anywhere in your .pst file (although it likely makes sense to place it immediately following peof$)

spathnc, snamenc and sextnc are also predefined (variables) that must be followed by a $...

 

If you wish to have the renamed file open in the editor you will also want to add an additional line to the bottom of the ppost$ postblock:

 

snewname            # User defined string to hold the new file name
sncfilename 		# User defined string to hold the NC program file name

ppost$              # This predefined postblock is called after all files are closed at the end of posting
       sncfileame = spathnc$ + snamenc$ + sextnc$ # path + name + extension
       result = remove(snewname)                  # in case this filename already exists
       result = rename(sncfilename, snewname) 	# rename the NC file just created to the name specified in ‘snewname’
       result = setncstr(2, sncfilename)          # Add to edit list so file will open in editor
                                          		#   2 indicates add, 3 indicates remove from list

 

Obviously the above code is not going to work as is... You need to define snewname appropriately.

[Paul Decelles]

i dont know where or when the files are closed

 

The original .nc file created in the posting process is automatically closed at the end of the peof$ postblock

[Tony35]

thanks for the reply Paul

 

i wasnt sure if i could just drop the ppost anywhere or not.

"$" didnt know about that

and yes i want cimco to open it

thanks

i will keep digging here and see what wall i hit next