What is a postprocessor?

A postprocessor is an application that is designed to process the toolpath data (CL or Cutter Location) file produced by a CAD or APT system. The toolpath data file contains the machining instructions specified by the user for the production of a part from an engineering drawing. The postprocessor converts the machining instructions from the toolpath data file into code understood by a specific NC/CNC machine tool by producing a machine control data file. The figure below shows how you get from a blueprint or a CAD system to a punch file (.PU1) using Intercim's generalized postprocessor (G-Post):

generate/post01.gif

The two yellow boxes, the option file and the FIL file, are what the Option File Generator produces. The postprocessor reads the CL File as input. In addition, it reads machine information from the option file created via the Option File Generator. If one exists, the postprocessor also reads and executes the associated FIL file. The postprocessor then puts all this data into a format the machine understands and outputs it as a punch file (.PU1). A list file (.LST) is also produced which contains a detailed description of the postprocessing job.

 

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