A Thousand Postprocessors for Multitasking Machine Tools
Gibbs and Associates, the developer of GibbsCAM software for programming CNC machines, has created a thousand postprocessors to support multitasking machines. The availability of postprocessors for these machines has promoted the acceptance of multitasking technology in many shops and plants.
Gibbs and Associates, developer of GibbsCAM software for programming CNC machine tools and a Cimatron company, recently announced that it developed its thousandth postprocessor for GibbsCAM in support of a large variety of multitasking machine tools. Each of the 1,000 postprocessors is developed and configured for a specific multitasking machine-control combination. The company reports that machines from nearly 60 manufacturers are represented in the library. According to the company, this achievement is significant for two reasons: 1) the use of multitasking machines is increasing rapidly because of the productivity that these technology can provide—and most of these machines require a CAM system for programming—and 2) after finding a CAM system that readily programs such machines and overcomes their complexity, the biggest challenge for users is obtaining postprocessors that generate the appropriate CNC code. Moreover, the company notes that a good postprocessor helps optimizes the efficiency of the machine, takes advantage of all available control options and accommodates the shop’s process preferences. In combination with its CAM software, the library of multitasking postprocessors enables Gibbs to provide a more complete and immediate solution for customers who need the productivity offered by multitasking machines, the company says.
Gibbs has a special postprocessor department that develops, implements and maintains postprocessors. The group maintains a current library of more than 10,000 postprocessors to accommodate many types of lathes, mills and multitasking machines, in combination with their associated controls.
