Using GENER

The Icam Post post-processor tape generator “GENER” provides the capability to post-process a center line data file (called CLDATA or CL for short), which has been created by a CAM system. GENER does not require that the MACHIN/name,n statement specifying the post-processor name be present in the CL file. Instead, the desired post-processor can be selected at the start of GENER processing via a command line option or Launch Panel selection.

When coupled with Icam’s Virtual Machine product, GENER can also simulate the motions of the CNC machine’s axes, while testing for over-travel conditions and collisions between the various machine, tool, part and fixture components. When coupled with Icam’s Material Removal Simulation product, GENER can simulate the cutting actions of the tool on the stock and also include the in-process stock when testing for collisions.

GENER has a “full interface” mode that provides the following:

  • A Diagnostic window that lists all diagnostic messages (see “Diagnostics”).

  • Tracing windows that show the flow of processing of GENER by listing events as they occur (see “Tracing”).

  • Simulation windows to view the machine model and material removal simulation, as well as to view or change tool and workpiece compensation amounts (see “Simulation”).

  • Debugging windows that aid the Icam Post developer to better understand the relationship between CL data, macro processing and resultant NC program data. It does this by tracing the processing of various types of data and also by providing the capabilities of a fully functional debugger (see “Debugging”).

  • Menu bar functions, keyboard shortcuts and associated toolbar buttons to access the many features of GENER (see “Menus”).

When GENER is run in full interface mode, post-processing starts in a paused state. The Run»Play or Run»Fast menu selections or toolbar buttons can be pressed to start post-processing. Once the program is started, it will run to completion, unless interrupted by a Run»Pause menu selection, or a debugging breakpoint, or by clicking with the left-mouse in a tracing window, or by a user dialog requesting additional information. Choose one of the Run menu selections to again continue processing after a pause. Select File»Exit when you are finished.

The simulation can be viewed from one or more Virtual Machine windows, which are activated by a Simulation»Virtual Machine menu selection. You use a combination of keyboard and mouse functions to pan, zoom and rotate about the simulation windows (see “Simulation»Virtual Machine”). A companion Controller window, activated by a Simulation»Controller menu selection, provides functions to move machine axes, define fixture and tool compensation amounts, as well as replay the simulation forwards and backwards through time (see “Simulation»Controller”). A Manager window, activated by a Simulation»Manager menu selection, provides a tree control that permits viewing and modification of tooling, parts, fixtures and setups (see “Simulation»Manager”).

Diagnostics

Diagnostic messages can be reviewed in the Diagnostics Window, activated by a View»Diagnostic menu selection. Diagnostics are recorded whether the window is activated or not. A Synchronize function is available for the Diagnostic window, using the right-mouse context sensitive pop-up menu. Synchronizing on a diagnostic will cause the simulation, trace and source windows to identify the corresponding point they were at when the diagnostic was output.

Diagnostic messages are also output to the Console trace window but only when activated by a View»Console menu selection. Diagnostic messages are also written to the listing verification file and as well to the log file if one was requested in the launch panel “Options” settings. Once the program has completed, you can view a summary of diagnostics in the verification listing using the File»View Listing File menu function.

A count of diagnostics will appear in the Status bar at the bottom of the GENER full interface window. Status bar visibility can be toggled using the View»Status Bar menu selection.

Tracing

There are four trace windows that trace (i.e., list) various types of input and output records. GENER provides Run»Step and Run»Pause commands to pause processing whenever something is written to one of these windows. The trace windows are:

View»Input traces CL file as it is read
View»Output traces NC program data (MCD) as it is written
View»Console traces diagnostics, operator messages and other console I/O
View»Macro traces macro commands as they are processed

You can single-step the post-processor by clicking with the left-mouse button in any trace window. This produces the same effect as setting the focus on the trace window and selecting the Run»Step menu function. Processing will continue until the next line is output to the selected trace window.

For dual-channel merging lathes, the trace windows will have buttons on the title-bar labeled “0:Main” and “1:Side”, that cause traced output to be shown only for the selected channels. A right-mouse pop-up menu “Split View” selection toggles between side-by-side vs. sequential tracing of information.

A Synchronize function is available for the trace windows, using the right-mouse pop-up menu. Synchronizing on a line of output in one trace window will cause the other trace windows as well as the source and simulation windows to identify the corresponding point they were at when the selected line was output. The up and down arrows can be used to change the line of output being synchronized.

Tracing windows will continue to record information when minimized, which may speed up processing since the screen does not have to be updated as frequently. Tracing information will not be recorded to any trace window that has been closed, which may significantly speed up processing.

The maximum number of lines remembered in each of the trace windows can be set from the Tools»Preferences»Trace menu function. When “Save for review” is enabled, these limits are ignored on the Input, Output and Console windows, so that the complete program can be reviewed.

More information on the View menu selection options can be found in “View Menu”.

Simulation

There are three windows that are used to view and control the Virtual Machine model and/or material removal process. These windows will only be available if machine simulation and/or material removal simulation were selected when GENER was started (see “VM Tab”).

The simulation windows are:

Simulation»Virtual Machine views the model, fixtures and parts
Simulation»Controller views/modifies compensation and other controller features
Simulation»Manager views/modifies tooling, parts, fixtures and setups

The Virtual Machine window is where you view the actions of the machine when running with a Virtual Machine model. Up to four independent viewing windows are supported. If material removal simulation is active, then the in-process stock will be displayed within the machine model environment and collision detection will include the in-process stock as one of the components to be checked against the tool and any other collision enabled objects that can move with respect to the stock.

This same Virtual Machine window is used when running Material Removal Simulation without a Virtual Machine model. In this case, only the tooling, stock, part and fixture components are drawn (i.e., the machine is not shown). Collision detection checks tool vs. part, tool vs. in-process stock and tool vs. fixtures. All motions are viewed from the perspective of the part (e.g., a table rotation will appear as the tool arcing through space).

All of the physical components of the simulation will be automatically setup on entry when running with a Manufacturing Extractor (see “Starting GENER from an Extractor”). These include parts (design parts and their in-process stock), fixtures, as well as tools and their holders. The manufacturing extractors also have the ability to set tool compensation amounts to their nominal values and to automatically define appropriate offsets for workpiece compensation. Some extractors can determine multiple setup requirements as defined by supporting CAM systems. All of these settings can be reviewed or modified from the Simulation menu as follows:

Simulation»Parts/Fixtures defines parts (design/stock) and holding fixtures
Simulation»Tools/Holders/Heads defines cutting tools and holders; selects active head
Simulation»Controller defines tool and fixture compensation amounts
Simulation»Manager defines setups; views/modifies all of the above

The parts and fixtures define the various components that are attached to the Stock Axis of the model. The tools and their holders define the various components that are attached to the Tool Axis of the model. Fixture (workpiece) compensation is generally required to ensure the correct relationship between parts/fixtures and machine model. Tool compensation is also generally required to ensure the correct relationship between tools and parts. Additional setups (beyond the initial) can be defined to account for NC machine operator changes to the manufacturing environment during processing (e.g., relocation of clamps).

More information on the Simulation menu selection options can be found in “Simulation Menu”.

Debugging

There are three debugging windows that can be used to perform more advanced Visual debugging and testing of a post-processor. The debugging windows are:

Debug»Source lists CL and macro source.
Debug»Variables enables viewing and setting of macro variables.
Debug»Stack shows the current CL record and all active macros.
Debug»Kinematics shows the current kinematics status information

At the start of the program, the Source window shows the CL data file to be processed. This window is updated whenever processing is paused to show the current CL record or macro line being processed.

The Variables window shows the macro variables that are currently in use by the program. Variables can be viewed and modified if necessary from this window.

The Stack window shows the nesting of CL, subprograms and macros.

The Kinematics window shows the current status of all components of the Kinematics chain used by GENER to transform input cldata coordinates to final machine coordinates.

GENER provides Debug»Step Over, Debug»Step Into and Debug»Step Out menu commands and keyboard shortcuts to single step through CL and macros. Debug»Run to Cursor steps to the selected CL record or macro line. Finally, Debug»Jump to Cursor sets the selected CL record as the next one to process.

GENER provides a Debug»Breakpoint Manager menu function as well as Debug»Set/Clear Breakpoint, Debug»Enable/Disable Breakpoint and Debug»Remove All Breakpoints menu functions and keyboard shortcuts to set or clear stopping points in macros and CL. Finally, GENER provides a Debug»Macro Manager menu function to individually enable or disable macros for testing purposes.

GENER also provides Run»Play, Run»Pause and Run»Step menu commands and keyboard shortcuts to start, pause and step processing. A Run»Fast menu command starts processing, bringing up a progress bar instead of the full interface, for faster execution.

More information on the Run and Debug menu selection options can be found in “Run Menu” and “Debug Menu”.