Post Builder setup for 3-axis mills
- Machine type: 3-axis mill; travel limits; home position.
- Output units, decimal format and sequence numbers.
- Program start and end sequences.
- Tool change sequence with pre-select and length offset.
- Linear, circular and rapid move templates.
- Cycle definitions for drilling, tapping and boring.
Example block templates
| Event | Output |
|---|---|
| Tool change | T05 M06 then T06 (pre-select) |
| Initial move | G00 G90 G54 X.. Y.. S8000 M03 |
| Length offset | G43 Z50. H05 M08 |
| Linear move | G01 X.. Y.. Z.. F.. |
| Circular move | G02 X.. Y.. I.. J.. or R.. |
| Drill cycle | G81 / G83 X.. Y.. Z.. R.. Q.. F.. |
High-speed machining output
NX finishing paths can contain thousands of short moves. The post enables controller look-ahead and smoothing (for example FANUC G05.1 Q1, Siemens CYCLE832, Heidenhain cycle 32) and controls output tolerance so the controller processes blocks fast enough.
(Siemens example)
CYCLE832(0.01,_FINISH,1)
G01 X12.345 Y-3.210 Z-1.500 F3000
...
CYCLE832(0,_OFF,1)Useful UDEs for 3-axis
- Coolant type selection (flood, mist, air, through-spindle).
- Optional stop, dwell and operator messages.
- Probing cycles for setup and in-process measurement.
- Custom M-codes for clamps or pallet operations.
Good 3-axis NX posts are the foundation: 4-axis and 5-axis posts build on the same structure.
NX 3-axis posts
See our CNC post processor development service and the NX post system overview.