Fusion 360 Post Processor Tutorial: Custom Tool Change Location | FF127

Modifying a Post Processor in Fusion 360 so that our CNC machine moves to a specific X Y and Z location before each tool change!

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[seeigecannon]

I do a lot of work in N++. Something you should do to help you a lot is to use syntax highlighting. In N++ click on Language on the top bar>J>JaveScript. This will automatically color all of the comments and things like numbers/variable types.

If you like the way it looks then you can go to Settings>Style Configurator. On the left most list, click on JaveScript, and to the lower right of that box there is a place called User Ext. Type the letters "cps" in there and the syntax highlighting will be applied every time you open a post processor file.

Let me know if you have any questions. Also, I have a video request: Could you make a video about how to go from the post processor to actually making chips? When I was first playing with the Tormach years ago I spent an hour trying to figure out how to write the tool offsets to HSMXpress because I didn't know about the offset tab. I am sure I am not the only person who had to go through that. Thanks for the good videos. Also, it was good to hear you on the Amp Hour podcast.

[prodesign]

This one was fantastic! I had trouble with a drill bit in the changer running into a part during a tool change and this will be great. Thanks for this tip. I Took Pascal, FORTRAN, COBOL, RPG2 and C back in the 80's and got sick of debugging in favor of machining and mech design! Glad you can walk us thru this stuff as this is a great tip!

[socrates]

Kudos to you John for the info. I have my 4th axis mounted on left side of table so I have been going in and modifying my program to move the table out of the way each tool change. This will help so much, while I was at it I moved the coolant off command to signal before z retract to keep coolant from spraying everything. Thanks again keep the tips coming!!

[stefanhertweck]

Hello John, in my eyes the possibility of editing the post processor is a very strong feature of Fusion 360. I also use it quite a lot to tune the g-code generation for my mill - a German made one. This mill comes with a German CAD/CAM software package that is clunky at best. Thus, Fusion comes to the rescue. Not just because of its very superior toolpath generation :) My next machine will be a different one, for sure.

[kd_design]

You are the man John! I was looking for this a while ago for my LinuxCNC machine! Thank you very much!

[ChristoCandiotes]

Great info! Have to edit my post by hand everytime, now I can fix it NYCCNC style!

[EZ_shop]

Thanks for sharing your experiment John. Much appreciated. Ciao, Marco.

[samboles]

Beautiful just what I needed
Thanks Johnny CNC

[mrracer]

Thank you John, this helped me out a lot! Kind Regards!

[philipchristian]

Great video. A random question I had was how to setup the milling machine where the Spindle is rotated such that it is facing the -y direction rather than the -z direction? Is that possible? Thanks!

[RhodesIndustries]

Trying this with no luck, the files look significantly different. where to put the the if statement?
could you revisit this or maybe fusion now has something built in to do this but I only see options for g28 & g30. Z isn't enough to clean the umbrella on some parts.
working with a pcnc440. I want to change the stock vise out for a fixture plate or the SMW low profile vise but my hands are tied. the part ends up about 6" off the bed, the drills and the 3" doc end-mill will definitely hit during the umbrella cycle.
thanks for the great tips!

[sml]

Do you need to call back a G54 or G55 what have you to get back to your part offset after the G53? Or is the G53 only temporary?

[dws_damiansworkshop]

Very good to know for future projects. Thank You! :)

[bcbloc]

Is that java script programming? I think I had Basic programming back in school, if only it had been g-code instead!

[wernerberry]

I like it! So cool, thanks for sharing Buddy!

[addobson]

Almost perfect...any luck creating a new property, and filling that into the custom tool change location. ie..XTCL as a property, and that value appears as G53 X("XCTL") ? Seems more flexible in the long run as opposed to fixed locations in the post processor

[skeeterweazel]

C'mon, man. We wanna see it work!

[kevinmcghee]

Awesome, any chance you could do a tutorial on how to make it so that when the program is completed it returns Z tool location

[car]

This might be a stupid question. Can you make changes in the post processor to change everywhere in the generated file the tool changes T# M6 with something else (let's say G122 T#). My CNC controller does nothing on T# M6 but I have an umbrella magazine which works with G122 T#. Thanks.

[MusicMaster]

Not sure if you read these comments, but my properties in the post processor program settings don't include "Custom Tool Location" or "G30." Is there something hidden that I'm not seeing? Maybe some properties are hidden and I need to change some settings to make them appear? I'm a little lost here to be honest and I would like to figure out how to follow along with your tutorials, but I'm having troubles doing so when I can't even get past step one.