Gravograph M20 postprocessor

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tallukka
Posts: 1
Joined: Sun Nov 25, 2012 6:35 pm
Model of CNC Machine: Gravograph M20 Jewel

Gravograph M20 postprocessor

Post by tallukka »

Hello

I have a Gravograph M20 mill, and i need the postprocessor for Vectric VCarve pro.

Can anyone help me?
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Mark
Vectric Staff
Posts: 1054
Joined: Sat Aug 18, 2007 2:55 pm
Model of CNC Machine: CNC Shark, ShopBot, Roland PNC3000
Location: Alcester U.K.
Contact:

Re: Gravograph M20 postprocessor

Post by Mark »

Hello and welcome to the forum.

VCarve Pro is able to drive many Gravograph machines.
However, I believe that the latest versions of the Gravograph firmware
have been re-written to prevent the machines being driven by third party software.
so, if you have one that works, think twice before you "upgrade" your Gravograph
firmware.

The Trial edition of VCarve Pro ships with a number of Gravograph post processors.
The format of code does not seem to vary much between models.
You should download the trial edition of VCarve Pro to check that you are happy that
it can drive your machine.

Hopefully you have already set up the connection to your Gravograph.
When you come to the "Save Toolpath" section of the programs, tick the option to
"Output direct to device" and click the "..." button to select your Gravograph print
device.

Please note the the "Output direct to device" option is not available within
PhotoVCarve, so unless you have a third party spooler program, you will not be
able to copy files produced by PhotoVCarve directly to the Gravograph.
But you would be able to import PhotoVCarve files into VCarve Pro and send
them to the Gravograph via this method.

If you are unsure as to whether your particular model of Gravograph can be driven by 3rd party
CAM software, you should check this with your machine tool supplier.
If this is possible but one of our existing post processors is not suitable to drive your particular model.
Please send a sample of code that drive the machine in to support and we will advise
as to whether we would be able to produce a suitable post processor.


I hope that this helps.


Mark.

johnudu
Posts: 1
Joined: Fri Aug 19, 2011 9:38 am
Model of CNC Machine: gravograph IS400, IS8000

Re: Gravograph M20 postprocessor

Post by johnudu »

pp for gravograph IS400:

+================================================
+
+ Gravograph IS400 plt - Vectric machine output configuration file
+
+================================================
+
+ History
+
+ Who When What
+ ======== ========== ===========================
+ Tony 21/11/2005 Edited to include pause on material surface
+ Tony 13/03/2006 Added Job Finish at the end of toolpath
+ Mark 29/10/2009 Set Rapid plunge off
+================================================

POST_NAME = "Gravograph IS400 mosaz (plt)"

FILE_EXTENSION = "plt"

UNITS = "MM"

PRINT_DIRECT = "YES"

RAPID_PLUNGE_TO_STARTZ = "NO"

+------------------------------------------------
+ Line terminating characters
+------------------------------------------------

LINE_ENDING = "[13][10]"

+================================================
+
+ Formating for variables
+
+================================================

VAR FEED_RATE = [F|A||1.0|0.0166]
VAR PLUNGE_RATE = [FP|A||1.0|0.0166]
VAR X_POSITION = [X|A||1.0|100]
VAR Y_POSITION = [Y|A||1.0|100]
VAR Z_POSITION = [Z|A||1.0|100]
VAR X_HOME_POSITION = [XH|A||1.0|100]
VAR Y_HOME_POSITION = [YH|A||1.0|100]
VAR Z_HOME_POSITION = [ZH|A||1.0|100]

VAR Z_LENGTH = [ZLENGTH|A||1.0|100]

+================================================
+
+ Block definitions for toolpath output
+
+================================================

+---------------------------------------------------
+ Commands output at the start of the file
+---------------------------------------------------

begin HEADER

"IN"
"PU"


+---------------------------------------------------
+ Commands output for feed rate moves
+---------------------------------------------------

begin FEED_MOVE

"Z [X] [Y] [Z]"


+---------------------------------------------------
+ Commands output at the end of the file
+---------------------------------------------------

begin FOOTER

"! 0"
"PA 0,21000"

toothdoc9
Posts: 1
Joined: Fri Mar 08, 2013 6:50 pm
Model of CNC Machine: gravograph is 400

Re: Gravograph M20 postprocessor

Post by toothdoc9 »

Hello Mark

I have a New Hermes IS 400 engraving machine. It runs on proprietary software: Gravostyle 98. The posts from this software are not in english, but are encoded, so they are not readable.
It is also possible to feed in a DXF file that is readable. Is this how your posts are supposed to be fed into the machine?
Thanks

User avatar
Mark
Vectric Staff
Posts: 1054
Joined: Sat Aug 18, 2007 2:55 pm
Model of CNC Machine: CNC Shark, ShopBot, Roland PNC3000
Location: Alcester U.K.
Contact:

Re: Gravograph M20 postprocessor

Post by Mark »

Hello toothdoc9,

If you cannot read the file that is produced from your current software in a text editor program
(such as Windows Notepad). It is possible that the model of machine that you have,
has had the firmware updated so that it now requires a proprietary (encrypted), file format.
If this is the case, you will not be able to use the machine with 3rd party software, such as ours.

Your next step would be to contact your machine tool supplier, or somebody who has specialist
knowledge of your machine to confirm this and discuss the options open to you.

I hope that this helps.

Cheers,

Mark.

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