Need help with post processor

[Mikehell]

I have a Gerber Sabre CNC. It does have the firmware version that will accept GCode. I have a post processor that was there when I started. The current post processor produces G-Code that's much larger than it should be. Example, I did a design that was a simple rectangle, single pass. File size is 15k, Almost 200 lines. Output to a normal GCode file is 2k. .

It looks like the post processor is breaking the thing into very small segments..

This machine is said to be able to accept "limited" GCode commands, but I can't find which commands these are anywhere.

I have attached the current post processor file

[Adrian]

Could you post both of the g-code output files for comparison?

It shouldn't be the case with a simple rectangle but check that there aren't a large number of nodes. There should only be 4.

[Mikehell]

Attached is the result of the post processor

[Mark]

Hello Mike,

The output is correct for the post processor that you are using.
This post processor was modified for use with PhotoVCarve.
Although you are machining a single rectangle, you are machining outside of that rectangle,
so the tool is rolling around the corners, the majority of moves in the file
are lots of small straight line move approximating the arcs around the corners.
Having said this, the control should have no problems cutting this file.

What problem are you seeing?

[Mikehell]

Hello Mike,

The output is correct for the post processor that you are using.
This post processor was modified for use with PhotoVCarve.
Although you are machining a single rectangle, you are machining outside of that rectangle,
so the tool is rolling around the corners, the majority of moves in the file
are lots of small straight line move approximating the arcs around the corners.
Having said this, the control should have no problems cutting this file.

What problem are you seeing?

That particular file works fine. My issue, really, is file size. For some reason the machine chokes on any file bigger than 256k or so. Put a 10-20 shapes on a board and you will easily hit that limit. Plus, transfering larger files at a whooping 9600 baud is painful. The way I figure it, a square should take 4 lines, not 125 lines. I can output the same file with other post processors and get a nice 2k file.

Looking at the post processor code, I see a comment that arcs were removed to be compatible with photo-vcarve. I honestly don't care if it's compatible with that program. I'd rather have arcs and nice compact files.

I guess I maybe should be happy that this old beast works at all.

[Mark]

Hello Mike,

Drop us an email to support.

We can look into this further for you.

Cheers,

Mark.