Is This Thing On? (Block numbers)

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NuthinFancy
Posts: 14
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2022 12:58 am
Model of CNC Machine: Avid Pro 48x48

Is This Thing On? (Block numbers)

Post by NuthinFancy »

I'm trying to add block numbers to my toolpath files generated by VCarve Pro (11.503), but can't get it to work.

I've edited the .pp file for my Avid CNC (inch) (*.txt) as described in the Vectric documentation (which still contains an error in the Block Numbering section: it should read "LINE_NUMBER_START=0" but it reads "LINE_NUMBER=0"), but no block numbers are present in the generated toolpath output file.

I added the following:
LINE_NUMBER_START = 10
LINE_NUMBER_INCREMENT = 10
and
VAR LINE_NUMBER = [N|A|N|1.0]
I also added [N] to most every Command output section I could find - like this:
VAR LINE_NUMBER = [N|A|N|1.0]
Saved my changes, opened VCarve, which threw no errors like it does when it finds something it doesn't like.
Opened my project file and recalculated the toolpaths then saved the toolpath file.
No joy:
(VECTRIC POST REVISION)
(CF5A38FE52364C8CCD7F2AB294DB806B)
( Hold Down Knobs - Soft Maple - TEST )
( File created: Friday January 06 2023 - 06:22 PM)
( for Avid CNC Machines, post processor v3.0 )
( Material Size: X= 22.000, Y= 9.750, Z= 0.938)
( Z Origin for Material = Material Surface)
( XY Origin for Material = Bottom Left Corner)
( Min Program Extents: X= 0.000, Y= 0.000, Z= -0.938)
( Max Program Extents: X= 22.000, Y= 9.750, Z= 0.000)
( Home Position: X =X0.0000 Y =Y0.0000 Z =Z0.8000)
( Safe Z = Z0.2000)
()
(Toolpaths used in this file:)
(EM250SUC - TeeNut Pocket)
(EM250SUC - Thru Hole - Profile)
(EM250SUC - Knob Profile)
(Tools used in this file: )
(1 = {1/4"} SRF4-250UP - Up-Cut Spiral Bit)
G00 G94 G20 G17 G90 G40 G49 G80
G91.1
T1M6
M07
G00 G43Z0.8000H1
S16000M03
(Toolpath: EM250SUC - TeeNut Pocket Tool: {1/4"} SRF4-250UP - Up-Cut Spiral Bit)
X0.0000Y0.0000F170.0
G00X2.2998Y3.5830Z0.2000
G1Z0.0000F100.0
G1X2.2977Y3.5829Z-0.0001
G1X2.2955Y3.5824Z-0.0003
G1X2.2934Y3.5817Z-0.0004
G1X2.2913Y3.5806Z-0.0006
...
Can someone please explain what I'm missing?

Cheers,
nf
"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy."
Red Green

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Adrian
Vectric Archimage
Posts: 14543
Joined: Thu Nov 23, 2006 2:19 pm
Model of CNC Machine: ShopBot PRS Alpha 96x48
Location: Surrey, UK

Re: Is This Thing On? (Block numbers)

Post by Adrian »

Are you running the post processor you think you are? Check in the dropdown when saving toolpaths that it's the edited version you're using and not the one in the database. There should be a pencil icon to the left of it.

It's always a good idea to change the POST_NAME in an edited post processor to distinguish it's display name from the database version.

I've just made the same changes you have (I assume the second VAR definition is a typo and you mean to say [N]) to the same post processor and it works perfectly with the line numbers added so all I can assume is that you're not running the one you think you are as I say.

NuthinFancy
Posts: 14
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2022 12:58 am
Model of CNC Machine: Avid Pro 48x48

Re: Is This Thing On? (Block numbers)

Post by NuthinFancy »

I appreciate the quick reply.
You were right; I was still using the original version of the pp.
I took your advice and renamed the pp file which made it easy to spot the problem.
It's working now - thank you. :D

I was hoping to find a way to get the block number sequence to begin with actual G-code section, but the
documentation states the "line number will always be output", so I don't see a way to do this.
I removed the [N] from the header section, but the post still counts those lines, thus the first block number
that appears is something like N280. OCD can be fun, but it can also be a time sink. :|

Cheers,
nf
"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy."
Red Green

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