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This section provides an overview for post processors as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 7 post processor manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked post processor companies as of December, 2024: 1.Swoosh Technologies, 2.NexGenSolutions, 3.Okuma Corporation.
Table of Contents
A Post Processor converts the cutting path generated by CAM into an NC program suitable for the configuration of the controller and machine tool.
In Latin, Post means "after" and Processor means "something that processes." A Post Processor is a post-processor of the main processor.
Typically, company-specific NC machines and CAM systems have corresponding conversion libraries. A typical Post Processor is required for each control or NC machine tool. However, some post processors can register controller- or NC machine tool-specific specifications in parameter form and switch to the NC data corresponding to each machine with a simple operation.
3D-CAD data is becoming increasingly popular in the manufacturing field to facilitate product data linkage across departments and advance verification in the upstream process. However, in parts machining, multitasking machines are becoming more common in order to respond to diversifying production forms such as process integration and part shapes, and easy conversion to NC programs using 3D-CAM is required. A Post Processor is required to perform this conversion accurately.
Post Processor performs post-processing using dedicated post-processing applications suitable for various CAM systems, reverse processing the target NC data, and converting it to NC data for other machines by utilizing past NC data assets.
Post Processor supports input of any of the various APT sources, as well as CL data, and can be configured for each machine by setting the specifications of the NC machine tool and control unit.
Machining information such as machining time, machining start coordinates, machining end coordinates, and NC conversion results can be output. In general, the contents of Post Processors are not disclosed.
Major machine tools for which Post Processors are used include 3-axis to 5-axis machining, NC lathes, punch-cut machines, wire-cut machines, laser-cut machines, and multi-tasking lathes.
Examples of controller manufacturers include Yamazaki Mazak, Ohm, Okuma, Fanuc, etc. Specific examples of CAM systems include AUTON, CATIA V4/V5, DELCAM, CIMATRON, Pro-E, I-DEAS, MasterCAM, SURFCAM Unigraphics, VX, WorkNC, etc.
Although a typical Post Processor can be used with the standard system installed at the time of shipment, there are cases where the standard system may not be sufficient for a given machining task. Customization of the Post Processor is necessary to accommodate the desired processing.
However, customizing the Post Processor requires advanced knowledge of the language and control panel, and is highly difficult. Care should be taken when customizing.
General CAM software consists of two types of processors: a Main Processor, which calculates tool path data on a model coordinate system such as CAD, and a Post Processor, which converts CL data into an appropriate NC program.
The main CAM Post Processor converts CL data calculated on the model coordinate system to the machine coordinate system, considering the structure of the machine tool to be used and the specifications of the NC device. It then adds command codes such as feed rate, spindle speed, and macros, and can output appropriate NC data.
Commercially available CAM software clearly distinguishes between Main Processor and Post Processor. Post Processors had to be prepared for each combination of machine tool and CAM software owned by the user. Nowadays, there are general-purpose Post Processors that can be used for any combination of machine tool and CAM software, once the parameters are set.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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NexGenSolutions, established in 2007 and based in Port Washington, WI, USA, is a manufacturer and supplier of advanced manufacturing CAM solutions. The company's product offerings include product design and manufacturing, design and sales automation, generative design, simulation and analysis, and visualization tools. These products are used in the design, automation, and manufacturing processes, primarily serving the industrial machinery manufacturing sector, including areas like tool, mold, die, and CNC machining. The company also offers services such as software provision, training, support, and post-processor customization.
Swoosh Technologies, founded in 2005, is an American supplier based in St. Louis, Missouri, providing product development software and integration solutions. As a Siemens Digital Industries Software Platinum Partner, the company offers Siemens product lifecycle management (PLM) software products. These products include Siemens NX CAD software for 3D drawings and models, Simcenter 3D for integrated computer-aided engineering (CAE), and Siemens NX CAM software for computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) in mill-turn machine programming. The company also provides Siemens Teamcenter software for real-time data and processes in product data management. These solutions find applications in various industries, such as aerospace, automotive, and medical engineering.
Okuma Corporation is a Japanese machine tool manufacturer that was founded in 1898 as the Okuma Noodle Machine Company before rebranding in 1918. Based in Oguchi, Aichi Prefecture, the company produces a wide selection of machines including CNC lathes, multi-axis machining centers, grinders, and multitasking machines. It also offers software and automation solutions that can be customized to improve the performance and functionality of its products. Okuma Corp. maintains a global support network via 28 subsidiaries located throughout Asia, the Americas, Europe, and the Pacific regions.
DMG MORI is based in Japan since 1948 as a manufacturer of machine tools and precision machining systems. Their product portfolio includes CNC lathes, milling machines, advanced multi-axis machining centers, and additive manufacturing systems. The company caters to diverse industries such as automotive, aerospace, energy, medical, and general engineering. In the automotive industry, their machines are utilized for precision component manufacturing. Aerospace companies produce critical parts for aircraft. The energy sector utilizes its equipment for the production of components used in power generation and other systems. Additionally, medical technology companies rely on machinery for manufacturing of medical devices and implants.
Symetri (formerly known as CAD-Quality/CAD-Q), founded in 1989 and currently a subsidiary of Addnode Group AB, is a manufacturer headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, providing technology solutions and services for design and engineering, construction, and manufacturing businesses. As an Autodesk Platinum Partner, Autodesk Authorized Training Centre (ATC), and Autodesk Global Service Provider, the company provides Autodesk products for digital building information modeling (BIM), information technology (IT), and product design and lifecycle. Its product lineup includes hardware and software, computer-aided design (CAD), and workstations. The company serves various industries, including automotive, food and beverages, and pulp and paper.
Penta Machine Co. (formerly known as Pocket NC Company), founded in 2011, is an American manufacturer based in Belgrade, Montana, producing five-axis computer numerical control (CNC) milling machines. These desktop-sized machines feature kinetic control software with tool center point control (TCPC) and website-based simulators. They are used for rapid prototyping and design iterations in various industries, ensuring high accuracy and consistency in specialized part manufacturing. Some of the industries include aerospace, consumer markets, and medical sectors. These machines also find applications in educational institutions that incorporate milling into their curriculum, such as research laboratories, universities, and vocational schools.
Solid Solutions Management Ltd., founded in 1998 and currently a subsidiary of TriMech Group, is a British supplier based in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, providing engineering software solutions. The company provides three SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD software packages—Standard, Professional, and Premium. Notably, it holds an 80% share in sales in the United Kingdom and Ireland for these offerings. It also develops simulation software with virtual testing capabilities, SOLIDWORKS Visualize, allowing for performance evaluation, quality improvement, and product innovation. The company further offers SOLIDWORKS product data management (PDM) and SOLIDWORKS Manage, featuring project management tools for handling engineering design documents.
Ranking as of December 2024
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Swoosh Technologies |
26.2%
|
| 2 | DMG MORI CO., LTD. |
16.6%
|
| 3 | NexGenSolutions |
15.9%
|
| 4 | Okuma Corporation |
15.9%
|
| 5 | Symetri |
10.3%
|
| 6 | Penta Machine Co., LLC |
9.7%
|
| 7 | SOLID SOLUTIONS MANAGEMENT LTD |
5.5%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the post processor page as of December 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
| Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
|
United States of America
|
2 | 33.3% |
|
Japan
|
2 | 33.3% |
|
United Kingdom
|
2 | 33.3% |
10 products found
10 products
Jitsugyo Machineware Co., Ltd.
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Standard Response
IMSpost is a general-purpose post processor that supports APT/CL data from major CAM systems and converts data from multiple CAMs into accurate NC ...
Photon Co., Ltd.
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Last viewed: 8 hours ago
Very Fast Response
GRADE is a pre-post processor exclusively developed by our company for the PHOTO-Series. There are two types of pre-post processors compatible with...
Photon Co., Ltd.
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Very Fast Response
Femap is a general-purpose finite element method pre/post processor developed to be the core of CAE technology innovation. There are two types of p...
IDAJ Co., Ltd.
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Standard Response
Ansys Ensight® is a general -purpose post processor developed by Ansys, Inc. that supports a wide range of science and technology analysis results....
5 models listed
IDAJ Co., Ltd.
450+ people viewing
Last viewed: 10 hours ago
Standard Response
ENNOVACFD is a pre -post processor for ICONCFD and OpenFoam® with automatic meshers. You can do a series of work from processing and modification o...
