Automation of Postprocessors to Increase Productivity

To obtain maximum productivity from an N/C machine, selection of the most economic feeds and speeds which will ensure the required surface finish of the product is mandatory. To relieve the programmer of this task, an automated postprocessor was developed. The postprocessor vocabulary structure and implementation presented illustrates a method by which the programmer can specify the desired type of material, cutter, surface finish and the economic parameters required to generate the optimum cutting conditions. Since the postprocessor calculates tool wear, programming options allow the generation of automatic tool changes to insert new tools where conditions warrant. A summary of tools, cutting parameters and costs is printed out when postprocessing is completed, including the percentage of tool life still available on each tool which permits tool replacement schedules and total tool requirements to be predetermined.