Post Requests

Requests can be for either an enhancement to an existing post or development of an entirely new post.  You can read about both of these here.  Post processor work is performed only for customers who have an active maintenance contract with Delcam USA.

Post Change Requests

If you are having issues with an existing post processor, and you have an active maintenance contract with Delcam USA, then we are happy to assist you.  Please collect the following information and send it to support@featurecam.com.  We will respond with an estimate of when we can deliver the post.  We need to have all of the following:

1. The .CNC file that you are using.  Send it to us even if you think we already have it.  The .CNC file is the file that you specify in the Post Process dialog box (Options>Post Process).  Send us the .CNC file as an email attachment.
2. Tell us the machine make & model and the controller make & model.  Tell us a lot about the machine, such as any major capabilities and options it has, etc.  We place all of this information in post so that we can easily search for it later.
3. A very simple .FM (or .MF or .TSF) file that illustrates the issues & problems that you are having with the post.
4. The bad NC code.  Send us the NC code that FeatureCAM produces when using the part file in combination with the .CNC file.  This is the NC code that isn't working properly on the machine. (The NC code is the text file of G&M code instructions that you would normally send to the CNC machine.)
5. The NC code that you would like to see instead.  Make a copy of the original NC code and edit it using Notepad in the essential places.
6. A written description, in English, of the issues and problems you are having with the post.  Please have someone proofread this as we receive many requests that are incomplete or unintelligible and require many subsequent emails for clarification.

You must send the .CNC file even if it is a default .CNC file that ships with FeatureCAM.

Regarding the .FM file: don't send one of the parts that you are working on.  Make a new .FM file that consists, say, of a single hole, or maybe a single slot feature with the "simple" checkbox checked.  We're looking for something very simple that shows just enough to illustrate the issue that you are having.

Regarding the machine tool and controller brands: please take the time to determine the exact brands and model numbers of your machine & controller in order to assist us in providing you with a good and timely result.  For example, the Mazak Integrex family of machines consists of 2 different product lines consisting of 10 different models using at least two different controls.  It isn't sufficient to simply tell us that you have an "Integrex".

If there are lots of problems with the post, then it may be less confusing if we deal with just a couple at a time.

New Post Requests

If you need a post to be created for a new machine, and you have an active maintenance contract with Delcam USA, then we are happy to assist you.  Please collect the following information and send it to support@featurecam.com.  We will respond with an estimate of when we can deliver the post.   We need to have all of the following:

1. Tell us the machine make & model and the controller make & model.  Tell us a lot about the machine, such as any major capabilities and options it has, etc.  We place all of this information in post so that we can easily search for it later.
2. A list of G&M codes from the manual.  This should be a couple of pages copied out of the programmer's manual for the machine.
3. Since the majority of the post processor is created by example, we need to see sample NC code that runs properly on your machine.  We need to see simple drilling, canned cycles, milling, cutter compensation, etc.  If you have it, also send a CAD drawing that shows what the NC code makes.
4. If the machine is unusual, but is similar to a better known machine, please let us know what you know about it.  We almost always create a new post by starting with something that is similar.

The post that we create will need to be tested by your personnel on the actual machine.  This is because each machine and controller typically have many different configuration options that determine the type of NC code that is accepted.  Please understand that if you cannot agree to test the post and report the results then our ability to deliver a working post will be greatly impaired.