Do both the PocketNC and Solo use the same control software or are there different versions for each?
What sort of differences between the two can one expect when developing a post for the Solo, using the PNC post as a basis for revision?
Yes, they both use the same control software. The biggest difference between the two is the the Solo is a BC rotary configuration whereas the Pocket NC is an AB configuration.
John - thanks for the quick response. Could modifying a PNC post to work with a Solo be potentially as simple as adjusting for the different travels, spindle speed, axis feed rates, and swapping an A move in the PNC post to a B move in the Solo post and a B move to a a C move? I realize that even if so, some extensive testing would be required.
No, I wouldn’t expect simply switching A moves to B moves and B moves to C moves to work. The A axis is a rotation about the X axis, the B axis is a rotation about the Y axis and the C axis is a rotation about the Z axis. Simply swapping them wouldn’t result in the desired movements.
Here is some information about 5-axis kinematics if you’d like to look more into it.
What CAM software are you interested in developing a post processor for?
I was afraid of that. I’m a beginner at not only 5-axis work but post generation as well so it will probably be a steep learning curve.
I’ve been using SprutCAM for CAM on a Tormach 3-axis mill and a Tormach lathe for many years and upgrade as each new release becomes available. SprutCAM includes a post-generator and 5-axis support for the license that I bought, but the post generator is not working for (yet) in the current release and my re-seller is attempting to get that resolved. The post-generator does seem to work in earlier releases, but I don’t think that my version of those releases supports 5-axis and maybe not TCPC either so I haven’t delved into post creation too seriously yet. Still waiting for my Solo as well, but it should be shipping pretty soon, I think.
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