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<title>The GPM (Graphics Postprocessor Module</title>

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<h1>The GPM (Graphics Postprocessor Module)</h1>

<h5>Postprocessing with GPM</h5>

<p CLASS=Paragraph>NX provides the GPM, that <span style="font-style: italic;">can</span> 
 properly format tool paths for specific types of machine/controller combinations. 
 However, the GPM requires a third element:</p>

<ul>
	
	<li class=kadov-p-CListBullet><p CLASS=ListBullet>an <span style="font-weight: bold;">MDF</span> 
 - This is a <span style="font-style: italic;">machine data file</span> 
 that you create interactively using NX' Machine Data File Generator. In 
 the MDF, you describe the characteristics of a machine and the required 
 format for its accompanying controller. You can create an MDF (with the 
 extension .MDFA) for each different type of machine/controller at your 
 facility. Each MDF contains data the GPM needs for postprocessing tool 
 paths.</p></li>
</ul>

<p CLASS=Paragraph>The GPM and an MDF are dependent upon each other. The 
 GPM must read the MDF to set its switches. The MDF does not work with 
 any other postprocessor. Neither can function without the other.</p>

<p CLASS=Paragraph>Therefore, in order to postprocess with GPM, you must 
 first create an MDF (remember, this is a file) containing instructions 
 for the GPM. You have no control over the GPM other than the parameters 
 you set when you create an MDF (other than several <span style="font-style: italic;">run 
 time</span> options discussed later). When you postprocess, control is 
 passed to the GPM.</p>

<p CLASS=Paragraph>Then the GPM:</p>

<ol>
	
	<li class=kadov-p-CListNum><p CLASS=ListNum>Reads a specified CLS file.</p></li>
	
	<li class=kadov-p-CListNum><p CLASS=ListNum>Reads a specified MDF.</p></li>
	
	<li class=kadov-p-CListNum><p CLASS=ListNum>Formats the CLS file according 
 to the MDF instructions.</p></li>
	
	<li class=kadov-p-CListNum><p CLASS=ListNum>Outputs a postprocessed 
 tool path.</p></li>
</ol>

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<p CLASS=Figure><span style="font-weight: bold;">Figure 1-3</span> The 
 CL File is Postprocessed According to MDF Instructions</p>

<p CLASS=Paragraph>The following section describes in detail the processing 
 steps required to postprocess a tool path. An illustration summarizes 
 these steps.</p>

<h1>GPM Postprocesssing Steps</h1>

<p CLASS=Paragraph>This section describes the several requirements for 
 postprocessing using the GPM. To simplify the description of the process, 
 the requirements are presented as sequential steps in the following order:</p>

<ul>
	
	<li class=kadov-p-CListBullet><p CLASS=ListBullet>Create an MDF</p></li>
	
	<li class=kadov-p-CListBullet><p CLASS=ListBullet>Create a CLS File</p></li>
	
	<li class=kadov-p-CListBullet><p CLASS=ListBullet>Create a Postprocessed 
 File.</p></li>
</ul>

<h5>Create an MDF</h5>

<p CLASS=Paragraph>Prior to postprocessing tool path data, you must create 
 an MDF (with the extension .MDFA) for the type of machine/controller you 
 plan to use to cut the part. Typically, the MDF is created shortly after 
 installing a new machine at your facility. The MDF contains instructions 
 about:</p>

<ul>
	
	<li class=kadov-p-CListBullet><p CLASS=ListBullet>The type of machine 
 (e.g., Mill, Lathe, Punch, EDM, or Production Center) and its valid planes 
 of operation.</p></li>
	
	<li class=kadov-p-CListBullet><p CLASS=ListBullet>The coordinate output 
 format (e.g., axis names, sign or zero suppression, etc.).</p></li>
	
	<li class=kadov-p-CListBullet><p CLASS=ListBullet>G code and M code 
 assignment (e.g., G01 for linear movement, G00 for RAPID, and M08 for 
 COOLNT/ON).</p></li>
	
	<li class=kadov-p-CListBullet><p CLASS=ListBullet>Which commands and 
 associated parameters you can insert in a tool path (e.g., AIR/ON, CUTCOM/RIGHT).</p></li>
	
	<li class=kadov-p-CListBullet><p CLASS=ListBullet>DPrinter and punched 
 output format (e.g., the number of lines per page and the format for an 
 end of block code).</p></li>
	
	<li class=kadov-p-CListBullet><p CLASS=ListBullet>The file header data 
 - the controller name and MDF creation date.</p></li>
	
	<li class=kadov-p-CListBullet><p CLASS=ListBullet>Output of Commentary 
 Data, Error Messages, etc.</p></li>
</ul>

<h5>Create a Postprocessed Tool Path</h5>

<p CLASS=Paragraph>As described previously, the GPM is a program that reads 
 the CLS File and the MDF. It converts the CLS File to a CL File according 
 to the instructions in the MDF. The output is machine-readable commands 
 that are compatible with the particular machine/controller combination 
 that you will use to cut the part.</p>

<p CLASS=Paragraph>You can postprocess with the GPM by invoking it:</p>

<ol>
	
	<li class=kadov-p-CListNum><p CLASS=ListNum>Within NX - Refer to the 
 Tool Path Manager section of the Manufacturing manual for a detailed description 
 of the available postprocessing options.</p></li>
	
	<li class=kadov-p-CListNum><p CLASS=ListNum>From the operating system 
 - Refer to page for a detailed description of the available postprocessing 
 options.</p></li>
</ol>

<p CLASS=Paragraph>Both methods require the name of the postprocessor (GPM), 
 the CLS File name, and the MDF name.</p>

<p CLASS=Paragraph>You must also indicate the type of data output you desire. 
 Your choices are a:</p>

<ul>
	
	<li class=kadov-p-CListBullet><p CLASS=ListBullet><span style="font-weight: bold;">Paper 
 Tape</span> - You cannot edit the tape, but you can immediately load it 
 in the machine control unit.</p></li>
	
	<li class=kadov-p-CListBullet><p CLASS=ListBullet><span style="font-weight: bold;">Non-editable 
 File</span> - Again, you cannot edit this file but you can immediately 
 load it in the machine control unit. (This functions <span style="font-style: italic;">similarly</span> 
 to DNC machining.)</p></li>
	
	<li class=kadov-p-CListBullet><p CLASS=ListBullet><span style="font-weight: bold;">Editable 
 File</span> - This is an ASCII format paper tape file having a .PTP extension 
 that you can edit and output either as another file or, by using NX' XLATOR, 
 as a paper tape.</p></li>
</ul>

<h5>Load</h5>

<p CLASS=Paragraph>Finally, you can load the tool path information in file 
 or tape format and machine the part.</p>

<p CLASS=Paragraph>Refer to Figure 1-4 for an illustrative summary of these 
 steps in postprocessing.</p>

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<p CLASS=Paragraph
	style="margin-left: 40px;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Figure 
 1-4</span> The above illustrates the stages of GPM Postprocessing a tool 
 path in order to operate a particular machine.</p>

<p style="margin-bottom: 0;"><span style="font-style: italic;">&nbsp;</span> 
 </p>

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