Eight signs you need a custom post
- Programmers edit G-code by hand before most jobs.
- You bought a new machine or retrofitted a controller.
- You are moving into 4-axis, 5-axis or mill-turn work.
- The machine alarms on certain cycles, arcs or rotary moves.
- Rotary axes unwind or move inefficiently.
- Machine features are unused: TCP, tilted planes, high-speed modes, probing.
- Customers require a specific format for NC programs or documentation.
- Only one person knows how to "fix" programs for a particular machine.
Estimating the cost of doing nothing
| Item | Example value |
|---|---|
| Programs per week | 60 |
| Editing and checking per program | 12 minutes |
| Hours lost per year (48 weeks) | 576 hours |
| Scrap or crash incidents from edit errors | 2–3 per year |
For most shops, the time saved in the first few months exceeds the cost of a custom post. One avoided spindle crash can pay for several posts.
Common project triggers
- Commissioning a new 5-axis or mill-turn machine.
- Changing CAM systems (for example to Fusion, NX or Mastercam).
- Standardising posts across several machines or plants.
- Preparing for lights-out or unattended machining, where reliability is critical.
Quick self-check
[ ] Do operators change code at the machine?
[ ] Do different programmers produce different formats?
[ ] Are rotary moves ever surprising?
[ ] Are there cycles you avoid because "the post can't do it"?
[ ] Would a new programmer know all the manual fixes?
Two or more ticks = a custom post will pay back quickly.If people are compensating for the post processor, the post processor needs fixing.
Talk to a post processor specialist
See our CNC post processor development service or read custom vs generic posts.