CNC Post-Processor

The Onsrud Panel Pro is an American made CNC. With a cutting area of 4' x 8'. One big issue with it was that we didn't have a way to cut anything that wasn't exported on a specific computer, with a specific software. There was no fail safe, and there was no room to grow.

A cool feature of the Onsrud is the multi-drill setup. On the left there are multiple drills, each with different purposes. That way it doesn't have to exchange tools to drill a 5mm hole compared to 8mm hole because it has all the drills already. It also has the ability to gang-drill which means it can drill up to 5 holes at a time. This was a whole other problem when setting out to make a post-processor for the CNC.

Along with the multi-drill setup. It has the ability to exchange out tools on its own. Setting up safe Z-heights and the correct procedures to switch a tool was a nerve racking procedure.

Here is an inside look at both post-processors made. One for the multi-drill operations and the other for all other situations.

I have countless photos of error messages. But they don't paint the full picture of looking through the g-code to where it failed. Comparing it to old working g-code, and determining what part it failed on and how we can change it.

After creating working files that will correctly cut out pieces without error, they were buried deep where no one could delete them on accident.

This is footage of the CNC finally working on a real piece. This is of course after dry testing every possible situation. It was very motivating as many hours went into modifying the post-processor, and comparing new and old g-code to see any differences.