Linked posts
NX mill-turn post processing commonly uses linked posts: a main post with separate lathe and mill sub-posts. A head user defined event tells the post which head or mode each operation uses, and the output switches accordingly.
| Head / mode | Post behaviour |
|---|---|
| Lathe (turret or B-head in turning mode) | Diameter X, G18, G96/G95, spindle M03/M04 |
| Mill (C-axis / Y-axis) | C-axis engage, live tool spindle, polar or cylindrical interpolation |
| B-axis milling head | Tilted plane or TCP output |
| Sub-spindle | Sub-spindle codes, transfer, mirrored coordinates |
Multi-channel and synchronisation
Machines with two or more turrets run separate programs per channel. NX's synchronisation tools let the programmer align operations between channels, and the post outputs wait codes at the sync points.
(CHANNEL 1) (CHANNEL 2)
N100 G00 X50. Z2. N100 G00 X60. Z-40.
M100 (WAIT 1) M100 (WAIT 1)
G01 Z-30. F0.2 G01 X30. F0.1
M101 (WAIT 2) M101 (WAIT 2)Wait code format differs by controller (for example numbered M-codes on some FANUC-based controls, or WAITM on SINUMERIK).
Part transfer
- Synchronise spindles, move sub-spindle, clamp, cut off.
- Retract with the part and continue back-working.
- Machine-specific codes for torque skip or pickup confirmation.
Simulate the full machine
NX ISV with a multi-channel CSE model can simulate both turrets, spindles and transfers from the posted code. For mill-turn, this is the best way to catch channel collisions before cutting.
In mill-turn, the post processor is the conductor coordinating every spindle and turret.
NX mill-turn posts
See our CNC post processor development service and mill-turn synchronisation.