I Need a Post Processor for Solidworks/Camworks

[Deon]

Hello everyone, I have searched everywhere to find a Post Processor that don't need to be modified to work with Solidworks. The closest I've gotten is a free Haas Post processor from a dealer website. I'm a student and the school uses Solidworks so I get to use the student version which has all the bells and whistles of the premium edition for a year at $75.00. I need it for some classes at times so I can work on assignments from home. I could actually try the CAM if I had a Post Processor that worked with Centroid controls. I have a CNC bench mill and a CNC Sherline lathe with Acorn to play with. I can get a Mastercam Post Processor from Centroid, but Mastercam don't give a nice deal for students like Solidworks or Autodesk.

So, does any one have a Solidworks/Camworks Post Processor to share. Or, would anyone like to do a google meet or Zoom to assist me in showing me how to modify a Post Processor?

Thank You

[ZZBOB]

HI DEON....
DO a search on KLMOSES he had the same problem.....
Fanuc_OM...POST...

http://www.cncsnw.com/PostProcessorsMill.htm
ZZBOB....

[Deon]

ZZBob

Yep I've seen and printed the CNCsnw website. But, Where do I find the Fanuc_OM processor or any processor to download and install.

Deon

[ZZBOB]

HI THERE..
Lathe- post-pic.-nc.text...
You can down load for free FUSION360 with cam////
And load SW/files into Fusion and use there CAM/MILL/LATHE AND THERE POST.....
ZZBOB....

[Deon]

I know many options like that are possible. But, I would like to be able stay inside the same Cad program and would be able to edit the drawing while in the CAM if needed, without doing more steps then would be necessary if I had a Post Processor that works with Solidworks/Camworks and Centroid.

[JoeG]

I use the FANUC 11M post processor, it comes nativity with SolidWorks CAM (A least with SolidWorks 2019). The post processor can't be edited but for the most part it works fine with my Centroid Acorn mill.

As far as I know the FUSION 360 FOR PERSONAL USE license does not include translators for externally created solid models.

Joe

[Muzzer]

As far as I know the FUSION 360 FOR PERSONAL USE license does not include translators for externally created solid models.

That's not my understanding or experience. I've imported my previous Solidworks assemblies and parts into Fusion directly. It will accept most common 3D CAD formats without having to export them as STP or IGS format. This includes Autocad formats plus Catia, NX, ProE, Solidworks, Solid Edge, Parasolid, Rhino and Sketchup.

Historically, importing assemblies from other applications results in loss of mates / joints / constraints etc, so that you lose the connections between parts. However, I think I heard that Fusion can now do something useful on that front through one of the paid "extensions" although I have no experience of it. Perhaps somebody could confirm that. As a lesser mortal, I simply go though the imported assembly and apply the relevant joints using the "as built joint" feature.

[JoeG]

From the Fusion 360 website.....

Joe

[Muzzer]

Hmm, that's a bit of a bummer. As you point out, they have removed the import and export option. I must have missed that, although I have almost no need to go back into my old SW work these days. It's a good thing I imported my main Solidworks work into Fusion before they changed the policy. Concerns over a likely inability to access any continuing SW work was one key reason for getting out of it before my license expired, as the purchase and support for SW is stratospheric and the student version my kids got turned out to be almost too buggy to use.

The "AnyCAD" feature is what I was referring to and AFAIK it retains some of the assembly relations ("referencing"). That's an interesting function and represents a step forward, although I assume other vendors offer similar functionality in this competitive market.

I've just checked that I can import Solidworks files into Onshape and export them as IGES and STEP formet. So if I am ever in desperation, that's one way to get SW (and most other formats) files into and out of Fusion. Rather than guess, I've just done a trial import / export and am pleased to find it works. The basic version of Onshape allows this, as long as you don't mind your work becoming (fleetingly) publicly visible while it is on their server.

The Fusion team are making more of their new features available as "extensions". Which is another way of saying you have to pay to use them. The subscription takes the form of credits that expire each month and the cost is ruinous to hobbiests. Having said that, what we (currently!) have available is quite remarkable and has been a game changer. It would be churlish to com plain about what we have in front of us!