Fusion Live Tooling Post Processor
Driven tools turn a lathe into a machining centre, but only if the post controls them correctly. We build Fusion posts for axial and radial live tools with the right rotary spindle codes, speed limits, directions, angle heads and cycles.
Driven tools, correctly driven
Live tools are powered by a separate drive in the turret. Machine builders use their own M-codes to start, stop and reverse them, and each machine has a maximum live tool speed that is much lower than the main spindle. Axial tools cut on the face, radial tools cut on the diameter, and angle heads add other orientations. If the post confuses the main spindle with the live tool or outputs a speed the tool cannot reach, the machine alarms or the tool is damaged.
ENGIMANDI builds Fusion live tooling posts that identify axial, radial and angled tools from the Fusion tool setup, output the builder's rotary spindle codes and direction, clamp speeds to the live tool limit, stop the main spindle and switch to C-axis mode where needed, and use the correct face and radial drilling and tapping cycles. The result is live-tool code your lathe accepts first time.
Read live tooling post processors.
What you get
- Axial & radial tool detection
- Rotary spindle M-codes
- Live tool speed limits
- Direction handling
- Angle head support
- Face & radial cycles
- Rigid tapping with live tools
- Main spindle mode handling
Live tooling post features
Everything the driven tool needs.
Axial Tools
Face drilling, tapping and milling with Z-direction tools.
Radial Tools
Cross holes and diameter milling with X-direction tools.
Spindle Codes
Builder-specific start, stop and reverse codes for rotary tools.
Speed Limits
Live tool RPM clamped to the drive and holder limits.
Angle Heads
Fixed-angle driven heads handled in the post and machine setup.
Tapping
Rigid tapping with live tools using synchronised cycles.
Live tooling post stack
Codes and controls.
Typical projects
- Radial cross-holes in turned parts
- Face tapping on a flange with live tools
- Haas lathe with live tooling and C axis
- Angle head for inclined holes
- Live tool speed limit fixing an alarm
- BMT turret with axial and radial holders
How we build live tooling posts
Turret
Stations, holders and drive limits.
Codes
Builder M-codes and cycles.
Build
Post developed and tested.
Prove
Live tool operations on the lathe.
Support
Additions and fixes.
Live tooling questions
Why does our lathe start the main spindle instead of the live tool?
The post is outputting main spindle codes for a milling operation. We map live tool operations to the correct rotary tool codes.
How does the post know a tool is axial or radial?
From the tool's orientation and turret setup in Fusion, which we map in the post.
Can the post limit live tool speed?
Yes. Speeds above the drive limit are clamped, with a warning.
Do live tools need a C axis?
Not always. Some operations only need spindle orientation, while others need C-axis positioning or interpolation.
Do you support Y-axis live tooling?
Yes. See Y-axis lathe posts.