An explanation of the different styles of post processor; they differ in the way they output the rotary moves and offsets from the first coordinate system.
Advanced Mill
1. B – The “B” style processors use work fixture offsets to describe any coordinate system rotations or origin
offsets. There will be no “A” or “B” axis rotations in the output code. The origin offsets and rotation
information are outputting the operation comment. This processor style is useful for multiple setups of the same
part, machines without automatic rotation capability, and tombstone work.
Example: Fanuc 6M [FW] B001.16.pst
2. C – The “C” Style processors use work fixture offsets to describe coordinate system origin offsets. The origin
offsets are output in the operation comment. The coordinate system rotations are output as “A” and “B” moves
in the output code. This processor style is useful if you have a 4th and / or 5th axis rotary table.
Example: Fanuc 6M [PW] C001.16.pst
3. D – The “D” Style processors use one work fixture offset for the entire part. Coordinate system origin offsets
are handled by “G92” style origin offsets. This means that the origin offset information is output in the text
program. The coordinate system rotations are output as “A” and “B” moves in the output code. This processor
style is useful if you have a 4th and / or 5th axis rotary table and do not have enough work fixture offsets to
handle a “B” or “C” style processor, or do not like having to input data into the work fixture offsets.
Example: Fanuc 6M [NW] D001.16.pst
4. Any Advanced Mill post can be modified into a Longhand post.
Examples: Fanuc 6M [FW] NBU99.16.pst
Fanuc 6M [PW] NCU99.16.pst
Fanuc 6M [NW] NDU99.16.pst
Most customers use the “B” or “C” style processors. Both processors will fall back to “D” style output if they
exceed the maximum work fixture offsets available for a particular CNC. All Advanced Mill Posts have the same
capabilities as a 3-axis post. A 3-axis post is no longer needed if an Advanced Mill post is available.