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Licensing Post-Processors with GPP2
GPP2 uses the standard Cimatron licensing mechanism to protect the use of GPP2 and the use of specific post-processors.
Protection is done at post-time. GPP2 tries to grab one or more licensed modules at the beginning of the execution, and releases them at the end of the execution. If the required module cannot be found, execution stops with an error.
In order to run any post-processor, GPP2 requires the GPP2_3X licensed module. This license is required for any run. For a continuous 4/5X toolpath (number of axes > 3), an additional license is required "GPP2_5X".
Finally, it is possible to protect a specific PP developed by a Cimatron Provider or Reseller, with the command GPP_PROTECT. The command is optional and can be used in the EX2 program declaration part. It allows the EX2 programmer to specify the name of the module that protects the post-processor.
When GPP2 runs the post-processor and encounters the GPP_PROTECT command, it tries to grab the specified module. If that module is not available, the execution stops with an error.
Multiple protection modules may be specified by using multiple GPP_PROTECT statements in the EX2 program. GPP2 only needs one of these modules in order to run. It will search them according to the order of the statements, and will stop searching once one of the modules is found. If no module is available, the execution stops with an error.
This capability can be used for defining a special technical support protection module that is listed in all the Provider or Reseller post processors in addition to the specific PP protection module. That way, technical support personnel can easily use any PP developed by the Provider or Reseller.
Cimatron provides a mechanism for a Provider or Reseller to define their own PP-protection modules and create licenses for them. Contact your Cimatron Provider or Reseller for further details.
It is also possible to protect a specific PP for a specific customer using the command GPP_PROTECT_BY_CUSTOMER <Customer ID String>. The post will be locked by the Customer ID, which is available in the OLS/ELS system. One post can be locked by multiple customers IDs – one of them should be equal to the current customer ID for the post to run. This is useful to lock the post for both the customer and the Provider or Reseller to support the post.
Another protection available is to add an expiration date for a specific PP using the command GPP_PROTECT_BY_DATE <DD> <MM> <YYYY> (or GPP_PROTECT_BY_DATE_US <MM> <DD> <YYYY>). It is possible to add multiple expiration dates – the earliest one counts.
Cimatron provides a mechanism for Provider or Reseller to define their own PP-protection modules and create licenses for them. Contact your Cimatron Provider or Reseller for further details.
Using the standard Cimatron licensing mechanism has several advantages:
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It is possible to use either permanent or temporary licenses, and use hardware protection devices (plugs) or Ethernet addresses.
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An evaluation license can be extended if required without the need to modify or re-compile the post-processor.
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There is no need to indicate a specific plug number inside the EX2 program (the same way it is not necessary for licensing any other module, such as MILL-3X).
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