GCode Postprocessor for PRS Alpha

[lcolburn]

Hi all,

Has anyone had luck running a PRS Alpha with spindle using GCode? We're trying to put together a postprocessor from MasterCam to run our bot, and I'm wondering if anyone else has done this. If so, would you mind sharing a sample GCode file? Any info would be great. Thanks!

[thewoodcrafter]

Lewis,

There are a few dozen of us running G Code on the Bot that was generated by Thermwood's ShopBot Link.
I think the code is standard G Code. So the ShopBot control software reads G Code just fine.

I don't know anything about writing post processor code, sorry.

[Gary Campbell]

Lewis...
THe SB will support many Gcode commands. There is, and I couldnt find the link, a doc somewhere that has the supported Gcode commands listed. Look on the SB website or email them for the location of the doc.
Gary

[gerryv]

This has always been a topic of interest to me. Being only someone trying to grasp rather someone in the know, my understanding is that SB is easier to understand and work with than "that other" controller software and less likely to drive you squirrely if you go with that other's latest, bleeding edge rev's. I like that. But, what I've never seen an answer to, or maybe missed, is what happens when I or anyone imports a file written for the other and the SB program runs into one of the unsupported G codes in the file? Does it stall or something else? And what does the user with no real coding skills do ?

[myxpykalix]

Gerald,
If i think i understand what you are asking, here is an example of my experience.

Up until about a year ago the control software wouldn't process B axis Gcode moves and what would happen is the control software seemed to just skip over them but continued. It does work now with no problem.
I have no real coding skill either so you're on your own there...

[widgetworks_unlimited]

It's been a while since I looked at that doc, but I believe that most of the standard G-code commands are supported. 99% of the jobs a ShopBot is used for can be done with Move, Jog, Arc, Output On/Off.

@ Gerald
SB commands are easier to read (M3 for 3-axis move, J3 for 3-axis jog, etc. vs. trying to remember the difference between G0, G1, G2, etc.)

SB cut files can also include logical tests/branching/sub routines and you can run one SB file inside another cut file. G Code doesn't have these features built directly into the cut file. In G Code, Programming of this sort is generally done by calling external macros (mini programs) which can limit some of your programming options depending on the control software.

[Sherwood HS Fab Lab]

I am a student on my teachers login and we are attempting to learn how to imput G codes into partworks however thus far we have had no luck and I was wondering if you could explain the process.

[hh_woodworking]

G codes are the machine language. Partswork is design program. It creates the codes to run the shopbot in the toolpathing post processor part of the program. I do not belive that you can import g code to the program. Import your dxf drawing and let partswork write the tool path for you.

[ssflyer]

I'm pretty sure that MasterCam has a ShopBot PP, and ShopBot has one for MasterCam 7.2c & 8.x.

[adrianm]

I am a student on my teachers login and we are attempting to learn how to imput G codes into partworks however thus far we have had no luck and I was wondering if you could explain the process.

If you want to write pure g-code then just use a text editor. There's no need to import it into anything.

As has been said Partworks is a CAM program that works a level higher than that. It create the g-code for you from the design that you create in it or import from other programs.