Post-time vs. Runtime

It is important to note the exact differences between what happens during post-processing time (post-time) and what happens on the NC machine, at runtime. The following table highlights these differences.

Block

Post-Time

Runtime

BEGINNING OF SUB:

Called once at the beginning of subroutine definition, used to output the subroutine "header" G-code.

Not relevant

Subroutine body blocks

Called and processed once, during subroutine definition only.

The subroutine body G-code is executed each time the subroutine is called.

END OF SUB:

Called once, at the end of subroutine definition, used for optional "cleanup" work.

Not relevant

SUBROUTINE CALL:

Called multiple times, used to output the G-code that calls the subroutine on the machine. The subroutine body blocks are not executed here!

The output G-code is executed multiple times, and calls the subroutine on the machine.

SUBROUTINE RETURN:

Called immediately after each SUBROUTINE CALL block.

In case any G-code was output in this block, it is executed after the subroutine return.

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