Glossary
- A-axis
The axis of rotation about the X-axis.
- AM
An acronym for “additive manufacturing”. ICAM supports additive material deposition on AM or hybrid AM machines.
- AppData
An acronym for “application data”. This is a root directory (or folder) in which application specific data are stored. The application data is generally separated from installation data, so that user customizations are not affected when the application software is upgraded or uninstalled.
- APT
(Automatically Programmed Tools) A computer language used to program NC machines. CAM systems almost universally generate a simplified variation of APT as a CLDATA file describing the NC program requirements.
- aptsource
An APT-like file generated by a CAM system. Icam Post reads aptsource files and internally converts them to binary CLDATA.
- B-axis
The axis of rotation about the Y-axis.
- basic posts
Basic posts are special files that reside in the basic subdirectory, which are used to provide default responses for questions to reflect a particular controller or machine.
- basic subdirectory
The basic subdirectory contains basic post-processors that supply machine and controller default configuration data.
- block
A line of code in the MCD file.
- C2P
C2P is an acronym for Cartesian to Polar, which is a form of XYZ Cartesian interpolation on the face of a lathe part that is converted by the post-processor or CNC to ZXC polar machine coordinates.
- C-axis
The axis of rotation about the Z axis.
- Cartesian coordinates
The coordinates of a point measured along the X, Y and Z axes.
- canned cycles
A single command used to perform repetitive functions.
- CL coordinates
The coordinate system used in the CLDATA file.
- CLDATA, CL data, CL file
A cutter location, a centerline, or a cutter line file contains a program describing the tool path to machine a workpiece. Also known as aptsource. This program is then post-processed.
- CL record
A post-processor command or motion data in a CL file.
- console
One of the single windows within the GENER multi-panel window where messages are displayed to the user.
- controller
The controller is a part of the CNC machine responsible for executing the NC code into machine motions.
- coordinate system
The machine’s work space may be defined by a rectangular coordinate system. The X,Y,Z axes allow for motion points to be defined.
- database
By default, the database file is called campost.dbf and resides in icam_appdata/work
- dump file
Database dump files are replicas of the information stored in the post-processor database. The dump file (.DMP) is a binary file containing one or more post-processors.
- environment variables
Environment variables (also called system variables) are key platform variables that control software behavior. For example, icam_dbf defines the location of the post-processor database.
- extending axis
This is the quill: a linear axes located between a rotary head axis and the tool.
- G code
This letter address specifies preparatory functions of the machine. MCD is sometimes called G-Code. See also M code.
- GENER
The gener command line executes the GENER module.
- generate function
The generate function generates the final data needed for the GENER post-processor.
- generated post
Is a post-processor that has been generated with no inconsistencies.
- head
A head refers to a removable head attachment that holds tools at some angle, or that extends the reach or spindle RPM of tools.
- high speed machining
HSM implies faster than normal cutting, often requiring specialized controllers, machines, tooling and cutting fluids. GENER can support HSM controllers and emulate HSM capabilities on non-HSM equipped machines.
- home position
The home position or reference point, zero return or grid zero is used to provide a good starting point for each axis.
- HSM
HSM is an acronym for High Speed Machining.
- ISO
The International Standards Organization is a worldwide federation of national standards.
- LCS
LCS is an acronym for Local Coordinate System. Controls with an LCS feature can define an alternate frame of reference for workpiece coordinates.
- linear axis
An axis producing motion of the tool with a constant tool axis orientation.
- M code
This letter address specifies miscellaneous functions of the machine. See also G code
- machine coordinates
The coordinate system defined on the CNC machine.
- macro
This is a way to customize the post-processor using an APT-like language.
- macro debugger
The macro debugger is a tool included with GENER to aid in the development of post-processor macros.
- macro system variables
Macro system variables are variables that can be accessed or set during a macro. These variables contain information on past, current and future processing.
- major word
Traditionally major words are 2000 class records but other class records do exist. The major word is the first parameter (word) in the post-processor command. Example: SPINDL/ 350,RPM,CLW where the SPINDL word is the major word. See also minor word.
- MCD
- minor word
Using the major word example, the minor word would consist of any word following the major word. Thus RPM and CLW would classify as minor words. See also major word.
- modal
A condition that remains in effect until it is changed.
- NA
Short for not applicable.
- NC code
G, M and other codes necessary for CNC machine operation.
- NC file
A file containing an entire NC code program.
- non-generated post
A post-processor file that has been saved but not generated.
- nutating axis
A rotary head or table axis, normally mounted at an angle of 45 degrees, connected to a second rotary head or table axis. A nutating axis, or nutator, can orient the tool to any position within a hemisphere.
- offset
An adjustment made to the tool path to compensate for tool dimensions.
- origin
The origin is the location from which the coordinates are taken. In CNC, the origin may be called program zero, work zero, part zero or part origin.
- point
A position in space defined in Cartesian coordinates as (x,y,z).
- Polar coordinates
The coordinates of a point in a plane, measured as its Cartesian distance from the origin and an angle from the X axis to a line joining the point to the origin. Polar interpolation normally uses the machine X axis to define the distance and the machine C axis to define the angle.
- post-process
A CL file is post-processed to take into account the particular features of the machine tool/control unit combination on which the program will actually be executed and a part machined.
- post-processor command
A post-processor command is a single major word or a major word in combination with minor words and numerical parameters. Example: SPINDL/350,RPM,CLW. The post-processor command gives specific motion or preparatory functions in APT.
- PSE
PSE is an acronym for post-process / simulate / emulate. This term describes the unique ICAM functionality that combines Icam Post post-processing, Virtual Machine simulation, and Control Emulator MCD based verification, all within a single session.
- QUEST
The quest command line executes the QUEST module.
- questionnaire function
The questionnaire function is the module that asks for all the information about your machine and control necessary to operate it.
- quill
This is the extending axes: a linear axes located between a rotary head axis and the tool.
- register
A register is letter address representing functions of the controller.
- register format
The register’s format is defined by a string that includes the register name and various formatting options. For example: ‘X4.4’ where ‘X’ is the register name and the numeric format is 4 decimal positions before and after the punched decimal point.
- resolution
A register’s resolution is the minimum numeric step of the actual register value to increase or decrease.
- RMD
RMD stands for Rapid Macro Development, a Icam Post concept allowing user to create complex macro without programming knowledge by picking standard objects from a list.
- rotary axis
An axis producing motion of the tool with a changing tool axis. Typically an A, B or C-axis.
- rotary turn around
RTA provides for automatic retraction and repositioning during LINTOL to avoid travel limitations.
- RTA
RTA is a Icam Post acronym for Rotary Turn-Around.
- RTCP
Rotating Tool Center Point (RTCP) is a feature of advanced CNC controls, which compute rotary axis pivot offsets and linearization requirements in the CNC control, instead of in the post-processor. With RTCP, XYZ coordinate data and feed rate calculations are output at the tool tip and not the control point of the machine as is the traditional case. The most significant benefits of RTCP are the ability to perform tool length and diameter compensation with the head tilted at some angle to the machine XYZ axes. Other benefits include shorter and simpler programs since they do not include linearization steps and simpler feed rate calculations since the rotary component of the motion is not included in the feed calculation.
- SDL
SDL is an acronym for Syntax Definition Line. An SDL is the first non-comment line of a user-defined macro. It identifies the post-processor command and optionally the parameters and qualifiers that must be present in order for the macro to execute.
- start-up/shut-down macro
This is a post-processor macro that activates either before or after certain post-processor commands. For example: a tool change start-up macro will activate before each tool change operation specified in the CL file.
- system variables
System variables (also called environment variables) are key platform variables that control software behavior. For example, icam_dbf defines the location of the post-processor database.
- tape file
A file with the extension (.tap). This file is output after post-processing and it contains the MCD for a machine. Few machines today use 8 track paper tape, but the term “tape” is still commonly used to describe MCD.
- tool path
The tool path is the given direction of the cutting tool.
- user-defined macro
A user-defined macro is a post-processor macro that will activate on a post-processor command defined by a SDL.
- vector
In CNC, a vector is used as a qualifier of direction. For example: a tool may have a vector of (i,j,k) where i,j,k represents the direction of the tool.
- words manager
The words manager panel can be accessed through the tools drop down menu in the questionnaire. It provides the user the ability to modify the standard ISO major and minor words list.
- work subdirectory
The icam_appdata\work subdirectory normally contains the post-processor database file(s).