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Variables and Constants
All variables which indicate length are initially expressed in millimeters. By multiplying the values by a factor which can be specified in the DFPost stage, the output can be converted to a different unit of measure. (Section 2, Question 5 of the DFPost Sections.)
There are four types of variables used in the Post Processor Program File:
Toolpath variables
Tools/Cycles User-defined variables
User-defined Interaction variables
User-defined variables (also Arrays).
All four types of variables may be either modal or non-modal.
The values of toolpath variables are set from a toolpath when corresponding blocks from the toolpath and the Post Processor Program File are processed. Toolpath variable names are set by the Cimatron NC application and contain an underscore.
Toolpath Variables is a list which shows in which block each toolpath variable gets its value and which format type controls its format.
Up to 50 interaction variables may be defined. They are particularly useful when it is necessary to change the initial value for a variable each time an output program is created with the Post Processor Program File function.
The default values of interaction variables are set when they are defined at the beginning of the Post Processor Program File. These default values are displayed in a menu when the Post Processor Program File function is accessed and may be changed using the interaction procedures common to all Cimatron functions. The next time Post Processor Program File is accessed, the last value entered for a variable will be the new default.
Interaction variables may also be assigned new values and/or changed like user-defined variables, at any time in the Post Processor Program File.
The following are examples of statements which assign and change the value of the user-defined variable SEQUENCE.
Example 1:
SEQUENCE = SEQSTART ;
Example 2:
SEQUENCE = SEQUENCE + SEQINCR ;
Tool/Cycles user-defined variables can be used in the program file by using the variable name as appears in the DFPost (.def) file with the $ prefix. The .def file is in folder \Cimatron\Data\IT\var\post\.
Note: Make sure variable names in this file consist of the same syntax as User defined variables (only digit and characters).
Example:
OUTPUT \J "catalog number:" $catalog
The names of both interaction variables and user-defined variables are set by the user and may not contain an underscore. A variable name cannot be a reserved DFEXF word (i.e. OUTPUT, TOOLS, TAN). Only alphabetic or alphabetic plus numeric characters may be used. The first fifteen character positions of each name are significant and must be unique. The first position must be alphabetic.
Variable Type |
Toolpath Variable |
Interaction Variable |
User-defined Variable |
Tool/Cycles User defined Variables |
Created by |
System |
Declaration Statement |
Declaration Statement |
SYSTEM |
Named by |
System (Contains Underscore) |
User (No Underscore) |
User (No Underscore) |
SYSTEM (according to the user.def file) |
Syntax example |
X_HOME |
DELTA3 |
XOLD |
$CATNUM4 |
Format set by |
System (may be overridden in a FORMAT statement) |
User (in INTERACTION Statement) |
User (in FORMAT Statement) |
User (in FORMAT Statement must match the user.def file) |
Value set by |
System in Program Blocks |
User in the INTERACTION stage of the POST Program Blocks |
User in Program Blocks |
System in Tool Change: Blocks |
Modify value |
YES (Not Recommended) |
YES |
YES |
NO |
In addition, ALL_VAR may be used in KEEP or SET_ON (formerly RESET) executable statement when all variable values will be kept or their modal status reset to "on". This name includes all four types of variables.
Constants may also be included in the Post Processor Program File. These may be literal constants (enclosed in quotation marks), ASCII control characters and/or the special constant, TAB_ (TAB + underscore).
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