302 Postblocks

Volume 3 Chapter 2 Postblocks
2 Postblock Descriptions
A postblock is a labeled block, or series of lines, of MP language code in the post customization file
(.PST file). The post executable file (the .DLL file) interprets the code in the postblocks to create a list
of instructions that produce the NC output, perform calculations and call other postblocks. These
blocks of MP language code produce the NC output.
For more information about the use of postblocks, see Volume 1, Postblocks.
The postblock role

Postblocks support the MP language features that allow the post writer to:
Perform calculations and MP language functions
Perform conditional branching
Manipulate processing in the post executable (beyond what was done with initializing
numeric variables that are post switches)
Call routines in the post executable
Generate NC code
Postblocks by category
The MP language contains hundreds of predefined postblocks. It can be very difficult to find the
postblock you want without putting them into some type of order. Presented here are lists of categories
and sub-categories by product. The second listings are the same as the category lists but with the
postblock labels in each category. Use the links to jump from the categories to the category with
postblock labels. Select the postblock label link to jump to a detailed description of the postblock.
November 2002 Mastercam Version 9.1 MP Post Reference Guide 2-1

Chapter 2 Postblocks Volume 3
Postblock categories
Mill, Lathe and Router Wire

Pre-process Pre-process
Preparatory Preparatory
Parameter Parameter
Pre-output Pre-output postblocks

Tool change Wire canned cycle
Start of file UV taper
Null tool change
End of file
Five-axis
Linear
Arc
Drill
Thread
Five-axis drill
Header Header
Tool change Tool change
Start of file Start of file
Actual tool change Actual tool change
Null tool change Null tool change
End of file End of file
Comment Comment
Cutter compensation Cutter compensation
Dwell Dwell
Linear rapid Linear rapid
Linear feed Linear feed
Linear Z only Linear Z only
Arc Arc
Rotary
Five-axis
Five-axis drill
2-2 Mastercam Version 9.1 MP Post Reference Guide November 2002


Drill
Drill point
Thread
Miscellaneous operations UV taper
2D conversion
Technology
Path end Path end
Subprogram
Command
Lathe canned cycle Wire canned cycle

Command
Wire canned cycle point
Parameter Parameter
Obsolete Obsolete
Whatno Whatno
Synclath
Post-process Post-process
Postblock ‘end’ Postblock ‘end’
Not used in Wire (future)

Subprogram
Command
Postblocks listed by category

Pre-process
pprep pprep
pq pq
Preparatory


pwrtt pwrtt
ptooltbl ptooltbl
ptprlist
pradlist
Parameter
pwrttparam pwrttparam
Pre-output
Tool change Wire canned cycle
prd1000 pcan0
Start of file UV taper
psof00 pedm0
Null tool change
ptlchg00
End of file
peof00
Five-axis
pmx0
Linear
plin0
Arc
pcir0
Drill
pdrill0
Thread
pthread0


Five-axis drill
pdrill30
pdrill50
Header
pheader pheader
Tool change
ptlchg1002 ptlchg1002
Start of file
pmiscparam pmiscparam
pmiscint pmiscint
pmiscreal pmiscreal
psof psof
msof
lsof
Actual tool change
ptlchg ptlchg
mtlchg
ltlchg
Null tool change
ptlchg0 ptlchg0
mtlchg0
ltlchg0
End of file
peof peof
meof
leof
Comment
pscomm0 pscomm0
pcomment pcomment
pcomment0 pcomment0
pcomment_end pcomment_end
Cutter compensation
pcancelcc pcancelcc
Dwell
pdwl_spd pdwl_spd
Linear rapid
prapid prapid
mrapid
lrapid
Linear feed
plin plin
mlin
llin
Linear Z only
pzrapid pzrapid
pz pz
Arc
pcir pcir
mcir
lcir
Rotary
prot
Five-axis
pmat
ptplane
protofs
pmx


Five-axis drill
pdrill3
pdrill5
Drill
lbore1
lbore2
lchpbrk
ldrill
lmisc1
lmisc2
lpeck
ltap
mbore2
mchpbrk
mdrill
mmisc1
mmisc2
mpeck
mtap
pbore1
pbore2
pcanceldc
pchpbrk
pdrill
pdrlcst
pmisc1
pmisc2
ppeck
ptap
pblockdrl
Drill point
lbore1_2
lbore2_2
lchpbrk_2
ldrill_2
lmisc1_2
lmisc2_2
lpeck_2
ltap_2
mbore1_2
mbore2_2
mchpbrk_2
mdrill_2
mmisc1_2
mmisc2_2
mpeck_2


mtap_2
pbore1_2
pbore2_2
pchpbrk_2
pdrill_2
pdrlcst_2
pmisc1_2
pmisc2_2
ppeck_2
ptap_2
Thread (Lathe)
pg32
pg32e
pg76
pg92
pthdext
pthdface
pthdint
pthrg32_1
pthrg32_2
pthrg32_3
pthrg32_4
pthrg76_1
pthrg92_1
pthrg92_2
pthrg92_3
pthrg92_4
Miscellaneous Operations (Lathe)
pchuck
pstck_bar_fd
pstck_flip
pstck_trans
psteadyrest
ptailstock
UV taper
pedm
2D conversion
pdir_tapr
pdir_tp_end
Technology


pconchg
Path end
ptoolend ptoolend
mtoolend
ltoolend
Subprogram
psub_end_m
psub_st_s
psub_end_s
psub_call_s
Command
psub_st_m
psub_call_m
psub_call_mm
Lathe canned cycle
prcc_call_st
prcc_call_end
pfcc_call
Command
prcc_setup
Wire canned cycle
pcan1 – pcan8
pcancst
pcancelcyc
Wire canned cycle point
pcan1_2 - pcan8_2
pcancst_2
Parameter
pparameter pparameter

Post-process
ppost ppost
Postblock end
pcir_end pcir_end
pdrl_end pcan_end
plin_end plin_end
pmx_end pedm_end
psof_end psof_end
pthd_end (Lathe) plow_uv_end
ptlchg_end ptlchg_end
ptlchg0_end ptlchg0_end
Obsolete
leof0 peof0
lsof0 psof0
meof0 psubcall
msof0
peof0
prot0
psof0
Whatno (Do NOT use these!)
pcir1 pcir1
pcir2 pcir2
plin1 pcir3
plin2 pedm1
pmx1 pedm2
pmx2 pedm3
pz1 plin1
plin2
plin3
pz1
Synclath
psynclath
Not used in Wire (future)

Subprogram


psub_end_m
psub_st_s
psub_end_s
psub_call_s
Command
psub_st_m
psub_call_m
psub_call_mm
Predefined postblock descriptions

This section describes predefined postblocks that support the Mill, Lathe, Wire and Router products.
The following symbols appear with the postblock label to identify which products use each postblock:
M Mill
L Lathe
W Wire
R Router
The postblock descriptions include a section that details the variables that are assigned or calculated just
prior to the postblock call. Some variables are calculated that are common to several postblock labels.
A link is provided in this section to those commonly calculated variables

M/L/R pbore1, lbore1, mbore1

Postblock Type Standard postblock
NCI Gcode 81
Category Drill
Description Define canned drill cycle (feed in, dwell, feed out)
Dependencies drillcyc = 4, usecanbore1 = 1
posttype = 1 and mbore1, call postblock mbore1
posttype = 2 and lbore1, call postblock lbore1
Otherwise, call postblock pbore1
Assigned or Variables common to drill canned cycle Gcode 81
Calculated
Variables
Recommended Variables common to drill canned cycle Gcode 81
Variables
Code Example pbore1 #Canned Bore #1 Cycle
n, *drillref, *sgdrill, x, y, *depth, *refht, dwell, fr_pos, e
Notes Initialize or assign usecanbore1 = 1 before this call to activate the canned
drill cycle call. Otherwise the cycle is written long code using linear
movements. See Volume 1, Working with Drill Cycles for more
information.

M/L/R pbore2, lbore2, mbore2

NCI Gcode 81
Category Drill
Description Define canned drill cycle (feed in, dwell, stop spindle, rapid out)
posttype = 1 and mbore2, call postblock mbore2
posttype = 2 and lbore2, call postblock lbore2
Otherwise, call postblock pbore2
Calculated
Variables
Variables
Code Example pbore2 #Canned Bore #2 Cycle
movements. See whatline in Volume 3, Numeric Variables for more
information.

M/R pbore1_2, lbore1_2, mbore1_2

NCI Gcode 100
Category Drill Point
Description Drill additional points with the drill cycle established with define drill
cycle (NCI Gcode 81).
posttype = 1 and mbore1_2, call postblock mbore1_2
posttype = 2 and lbore1_2, call postblock lbore1_2
Otherwise, call postblock pbore1_2
Calculated
Variables
Variables
Code Example pbore1_2 #Canned Bore #1 Cycle
n, x, y, depth, refht, dwell, fr_pos, e
information.

M/R pbore2_2, lbore2_2, mbore2_2

NCI Gcode 100
Category Drill Point
posttype = 1 and mbore2_2, call postblock mbore2_2
posttype = 2 and lbore2_2, call postblock lbore2_2
Otherwise, call postblock pbore2_2
Calculated
Variables
Variables
Code Example pbore2_2 #Canned Bore #2 Cycle
information.

W pcan0
Postblock Type Pre-output postblock
NCI Gcode 81, 100
Category Pre-output, wire canned cycle
Description Common pre-output postblock call before call to specific wire canned
cycle (pcan1 – pcan8, pcan1_2 – pcan8_2 and pcancst, pcancst_2)
Dependencies None
Assigned or NCI Gcode 81 - Variables common to wire canned cycle Gcode 81
Calculated NCI Gcode 100 - Variables common to wire canned cycle Gcode 100
Variables
Recommended None
Variables
Code Example Post dependent
Notes Not used for NC output; used to manipulate data read.

W pcan_end
NCI Gcode 81, 100
Category Wire canned cycle
Description This postblock is called after all calls to the active canned cycle
postblock are completed.
Dependencies
Assigned or NCI Gcode 81 - Variables common to drill canned cycle Gcode 81

Calculated NCI Gcode 100 - Variables common to wire canned cycle Gcode 100
Variables
Recommended None
Variables
Code Example
Notes Called on NCI Gcode 81 or 100 termination.

W pcan1 through pcan8

NCI Gcode 81
Description Define wire canned cycle
Dependencies cancyc = 0, call postblock pcan1
cancyc = 1, call postblock pcan2
Assigned or Variables common to wire canned cycle Gcode 81
Calculated
Variables
Recommended Variables common to wire canned cycle Gcode 81
Variables
Notes Wire canned cycles have no specific definition. No option is provided
for long cycle output. See Volume 1, Working with Drill Cycles for
more information.

W pcan1_2 through pcan8_2

Postblock Type Standard postblocks
NCI Gcode 100
Category Wire canned cycle point
Description Drill additional points with the wire canned cycle established with define
wire can cycle (NCI Gcode 81).
Dependencies cancyc = 0, call postblock pcan1_2
cancyc = 1, call postblock pcan2_2
Calculated
Variables
Variables
for long cycle output. See Volume 1, Working with Drill Cycles for
more information.

M/L/W/R pcancelcc
NCI Gcode 1004
Category Cutter compensation
Description Cancel cutter compensation postblock
Dependencies None
Assigned or Blank line
Calculated
Variables
Recommended None
Variables
Notes The 1004 Gcode is in the NCI file after the NCI line containing the 140
cc cancel cutter compensation at contour end. Use of this postblock to
cancel cutter compensation is not recommended to.

W pcancelcyc
NCI Gcode 80
Description Cancel wire canned cycle
Dependencies None
Assigned or Blank line
Calculated
Variables
Recommended None
Variables
Notes

M/L/R pcanceldc
NCI Gcode 80
Category Drill
Description Cancel canned drill cycle
Dependencies The appropriate usecan… variable = 1 for the specified cycle drillcyc or a
custom canned cycle is selected (drillcyc is from 8 to 19).
Assigned or Blank line in NCI
Calculated
Variables
Recommended None
Variables
Code Example pcanceldc #Cancel Canned Cycle
n, "G80", e
Notes Initialize or assign the appropriate usecan… variable to 1 for the drill
cycle in use to enable a call to this postblock. Custom canned cycles
always call this postblock. See Volume 1, Working with Drill Cycles for
more information.

W pcancst
NCI Gcode 81
Description Define wire canned cycle
Dependencies cancyc = 8-19

Calculated
Variables
Variables
for long cycle output. Cancyc 8-19 call only this postblock. The post
writer must branch based on cancyc.

W pcancst_2
NCI Gcode 100
Category Wire canned cycle point
Description Drill additional points with the wire canned cycle established with define
wire can cycle (NCI Gcode 81).
Dependencies ‘cancyc’ = 8-19
Calculated
Variables
Variables
for long cycle output. Cancyc 8-19 call only this postblock. The post
writer must branch based on cancyc.

M/L/R pchpbrk, lchpbrk, mchpbrk

NCI Gcode 81
Category Drill
Description Define canned drill cycle (feed in, dwell, rapid to retract, rapid to
clearance…...)
Dependencies drillcyc = 2, usecanchpbrk = 1
posttype = 1 and mchpbrk, call postblock mchpbrk
posttype = 2 and lchpbrk, call postblock lchpbrk
Otherwise, call postblock pchpbrk
Calculated
Variables
Variables
Code Example pchpbrk #Canned Chip Break Cycle
n, *drillref, *sgdrill, x, y, *depth, *peck1, *refht, dwell,

fr_pos, e
Notes Initialize or assign usecanchip = 1 before this call to activate the canned
information.

M/R pchpbrk_2, lchpbrk_2, mchpbrk_2

NCI Gcode 100
Category Drill point
Dependencies drillcyc = , usecanchpbrk_2 = 1
posttype = 1 and mchpbrk_2, call postblock mchpbrk_2
posttype = 2 and lchpbrk_2, call postblock lchpbrk_2
Otherwise, call postblock pchpbrk_2
Calculated
Variables
Variables
Code Example pchpbrk_2 #Canned Chip Break Cycle
Notes Initialize or assign usecanchip = 1 before this call to activate the canned
information.

L pchuck
NCI Gcode 903
Category Lathe Misc. Ops function
Description Lathe Chuck
Dependencies None
Assigned or clmp_spindle, clmp_op, stck_chuk_st_z, stck_chuk_st_x, stck_chuk_end_z,
Calculated stck_chuk_end_x
Variables
miscops_mi1, miscops_mi2, miscops_mi3, miscops_mi4, miscops_mi5,
miscops_mi6, miscops_mi7, miscops_mi8, miscops_mi9, miscops_mi10
miscops_mr1, miscops_mr2, miscops_mr3, miscops_mr4, miscops_mr5,
miscops_mr6, miscops_mr7, miscops_mr8, miscops_mr9, miscops_mr10
Recommended
Variables
Notes

M/L/R pcir, lcir, mcir

NCI Gcode 2, 3
Category Arc
Description Postblock call to output the circular move, where:
NCI Gcode 2: Arc move clockwise
NCI Gcode 3: Arc move counterclockwise
Dependencies posttype = 1, call postblock pcir
posttype = 1 and no pcir, call postblock mcir
posttype = 2 and no pcir, call postblock lcir
Assigned or Variables common to mill/lathe circular motion
Calculated
Variables
Recommended Variables common to mill/lathe circular motion
Variables
Code Example pcir #Circular interpolation, I, J, K
n, sgplane, sgcode, x, y, z, i, j, k, fr_pos, e
pcir #Circular interpolation, arc radius
n, sgplane, sgcode, x, y, z, arcrad, fr_pos, e
Notes The postblocks mcir and lcir are used with the mill/turn post customization
files. Router calls the postblock that mill would use. See “Postblock Call
Dependencies” in Volume 1, Postblocks, for more information.

W pcir
NCI Gcode 2, 3, 22, 23, 32, 33
Category Arc
Description Postblock call to output the circular move, where:
NCI Gcode 2: Arc move clockwise

NCI Gcode 3: Arc move counterclockwise
NCI Gcode 22: Arc move clockwise, lower contour
NCI Gcode 23: Arc move counterclockwise, lower contour
NCI Gcode 32: Arc move clockwise, upper contour
NCI Gcode 33: Arc move counterclockwise, upper contour
Dependencies None
Assigned or Variables common to wire circular motion, lower
Calculated
If ‘uvflag’ >= 2, variables common to wire circular motion, upper
Variables
Recommended Variables common to wire circular motion, lower
Variables
If ‘uvflag’ >= 2, variables common to wire circular motion, upper

Notes 4-axis direct wire paths are dependent on the numeric variable uvflag in
determining the output processing.
See Volume 2, 4-Axis Wire Output Processing for more information.

M/L/R pcir_end
NCI Gcode 2, 3
Category Arc
Description This postblock is called after all calls to pcir are completed.
Dependencies None
Assigned or
Calculated
Variables
Recommended
Variables
The pcir (mcir or lcir) circular output postblocks may be called multiple
times to process an arc move depending on any motion break up in effect.
(breakarcs : 1 # break arc at quadrants)
pcir_end is called after the arc motion is processed.
See the related plin_end postblock.

W pcir_end
NCI Gcode 2, 3, 32, 33
Category Arc
Description This postblock is called after all calls to pcir are completed.
Dependencies None
Assigned or
Calculated
Variables
Recommended
Variables
Notes Called on NCI Gcode 2, 3, 32, 33 termination.
The pcir circular output postblocks may be called multiple times to
process an arc move depending on any motion break up in effect.
(breakarcs : 1 # break arc at quadrants)
pcir_end is called after the arc motion is processed.
See the related plin_end postblock

M/L/R pcir0
NCI Gcode 2, 3
Category Pre-output, arc
Description This postblock allows manipulation of circular motion NCI data prior to
the normal postblock calls for circular moves.
Dependencies None
Assigned or gcode, plane, cc, xnci, ynci, znci, xcnci, ycnci, zcnci, xc, yc, zc, fr, xs, ys,
Calculated ipr_actv, fr_pos
Variables Variables common to mill/lathe next variable routine
Variables common to comments
Variables common to canned text
Recommended None
Variables
Code Example pcir0 #Circular movement, mill motion test
linarc = zero
if rotary_type = one, linarc = one #Axis substitution
Notes Circular motion break up routines are enabled or disabled conditionally

in this postblock. See Volume 2, Break Up of Motion for more
information.

M/L/W pcir1, pcir2

NCI Gcode 2, 3
Category Obsolete, Whatno
Description The whatno procedure produces calls to postblocks based on the
occurrence after a tool change and the value of the numeric variable
whatline.
Dependencies whatno = 0 and whatline = 1, 2, 3
Assigned or None
Calculated
Variables
Recommended None
Variables
Code Example See “Postblock Call Dependencies” in Volume 1, Postblocks, for more
information. The postblock pcir3 is only in the Wire post executable.
Do not set whatno to 0 (no).

W pcir3
NCI Gcode 2, 3
whatline.
Assigned or None
Calculated
Variables
Recommended None
Variables
Code Example See “Postblock Call Dependencies” in Volume 1, Postblocks, for more
information. The postblock pcir3 is only in the Wire post executable.

M/L/W/R pcomment
Postblock Type Standard postblock, Command postblock
NCI Gcode 1005, 1006, 1007, 1008
Category Comment
Description Postblock call for NC output of NCI file comments. If the command
variable comment is in the post customization file, comments before the
tool change in the NCI file are buffered for output at the command word.
Dependencies comment is found in the post customization file.
Assigned or Variables common to comments

Calculated
Variables
Recommended n, scomm
Variables
Code Example pcomment #Comment must call pcomment2 if booleans
pcomment2
pcomment2 #Comment from manual entry

scomm = ucase (scomm)
if gcode = 1007, "(", scomm, ")"
else, "(", scomm, ")", e
Notes If the command variable comment is not in the post customization file,
comments are output with an immediate call to the postblock pcomment.
See Volume 1, How Comments from the NCI Work for more
information.

M/L/W/R pcomment0
NCI Gcode 1005, 1006, 1007, 1008
Category Comment
Description This postblock is called every time a comment is read in from the NCI
file. This allows the post to examine the comment gcode
(1005,1006,1007,1008) and the actual comment string, which is passed in
the pre-defined string variable scomm0. You can also examine the value
in the variable comm._cnt.
Dependencies

Calculated
Variables
Recommended gcode, scomm0, comm._cnt
Variables
Code Example pcomment0 #Called at each buffered comment read (comm._cnt is the buffer index)
comm._size = comm._cnt # Storing the current comment count in a user variable
Notes See Volume 1, How Comments from the NCI Work for more
information!

M/L/W/R pcomment_end
NCI Gcode 1005, 1006, 1007, 1008
Category Comment
Description This postblock is called after the comment output loop (calls to the
pcomment postblock). The comm_cnt variable is reset to zero on this call.
Dependencies

Calculated
Variables
Recommended gcode, scomm0, comm._cnt
Variables
Code Example pcomment_end # End of buffered comment output, (comm._cnt is zero)
if comm._call = 2, com_size = 0
Notes See Volume 1, How Comments from the NCI Work for more
information!

W pconchg
NCI Gcode 1010
Category Technology
Description Postblock call for technology change on wirepath.
Dependencies None
Assigned or overburn, ccode, offset, tldia, reg1, reg2, reg3, reg4, reg5, reg6, reg7, reg8,
Calculated reg9, reg10, tlrad, dofs, lofs
Variables
Recommended None
Variables
Code Example pconchg #Control setting change
n, ccode, offset, e
Notes

W pdir_tapr
NCI Gcode 0, 1, 2 or 3
Category 2D conversion
Description Postblock call in wire 2D to 4-axis conversion to allow switching the
numeric variable linarc to select direct or taper processing.
Dependencies use_2d_uv = 1, plot_2d_uv = negative setting
Assigned or None
Calculated
Variables
Recommended None
Variables
Notes See Volume 2, Wire 2-Axis to 4-Axis Conversion for more information.

W pdir_tp_end
NCI Gcode 0, 1, 2 or 3
Category 2D conversion
Description Postblock call in wire 2D to 4-axis conversion to allow switching the
numeric variable linarc off after conversion processing.
Dependencies use_2d_uv = 1, plot_2d_uv = negative setting
Assigned or None
Calculated
Variables
Recommended None
Variables
Notes See Volume 2, Wire 2-Axis to 4-Axis Conversion for more information.

M/L/R pdrill, ldrill, mdrill

NCI Gcode 81
Category Drill
Description Define canned drill cycle (feed in, dwell, rapid out)
Dependencies drillcyc = 0, usecandrill = 1
posttype = 1 and mdrill, call postblock mdrill
posttype = 2 and ldrill, call postblock ldrill
Otherwise, call postblock pdrill
Calculated
Variables
Variables
Code Example pdrill #Canned Simple Drill Cycle
Notes Initialize or assign usecandrill = 1 before this call to activate the canned
information.

M/L/R pdrl_end
NCI Gcode 81, 100
Category Drill
Description This postblock is called after all calls to the active canned cycle
postblock are completed.
Dependencies
Assigned or
Calculated
Variables
Variables Variables common to drill canned cycle Gcode 100
Code Example

M/L/R pdrill0
NCI Gcode 81, 100
Category Pre-output, drill
Description This postblock allows manipulation of drill cycle NCI data prior to the
normal postblock calls for drilling output (canned or long code).
Dependencies None
Assigned or All – gnci, gcode, xnci, ynci, depth, znci, u, v, w, refht, initht, zdrl (mill), xdrl
Calculated (lathe), dwell, rev_drl5, frplunge, xs, ys,
Variables NCI Gcode 81 - drillcyc, x ( lathe), z (lathe), tosz, peck1, peck2, peckclr, retr,
shftdrl, mi1drl, mi2drl, rev_drl5, fr_pos, ipr_actv
NCI Gcode 100 - m1 – m9
Variables common to mill/lathe contour flags
Recommended None
Variables
Notes See Volume 1, Working with Drill Cycles for more information.

M/L/R pdrill_2, ldrill_2, mdrill_2

NCI Gcode 100
Dependencies drillcyc = 0, usecandrill = 1
posttype = 1 and mdrill_2, call postblock mdrill_2
posttype = 2 and ldrill_2, call postblock ldrill_2
Otherwise, call postblock pdrill_2
Calculated
Variables
Variables
Code Example pdrill_2 #Canned Simple Drill Cycle
Notes Initialize or assign usecandrill = 1 before this call to activate the canned
information.

M pdrill3
NCI Gcode 81, 100
Category 5-axis drill
Description This postblock is intended to support tool plane drilling with 5 axis
machines. Output postlines are written in this postblock.
Dependencies rpd_typ_v7 is set to 1, rotaxtyp is less than 6, the appropriate usecan…
variable is set to 0, drill5 is 0, and the postblock is declared in the post.
Calculated NCI Gcode 100 - Variables common to drill canned cycle Gcode 100
Variables
Recommended None
Variables
Notes It is not recommended to use this postblock in your post customization
file. The post should be upgraded to function with rpd_typ_v7 is set to 0.
See Volume 1, Working with Drill Cycles for more information.

M pdrill5
NCI Gcode 81, 100
Category 5-axis drill
Description This postblock is intended to support 5-axis drilling. Output postlines are
written in this postblock.
variable is set to 0, drill5 is 1 ,and the postblock is declared in the post.
Variables
Recommended None
Variables

M pdrill30
NCI Gcode 81, 100
Category Pre-output, 5-axis drill
Description This postblock is intended to support tool plane drilling with 5-axis
machines. Calculations for output are written in this postblock. The
postblock pdrill3 is called immediately after this call.
variable is set to 0, drill5 is 0, and the postblock pdrill3 is declared in the
post.
Variables
Recommended None
Variables

M pdrill50
NCI Gcode 81, 100
Category Pre-output, 5-axis drill
Description This postblock is intended to support 5-axis drilling. Calculations for
output are written in this postblock. The postblock pdrill5 is called
immediately after this call if it was declared in the post; otherwise the
linear routine is called.
variable is set to 0, and drill5 is 1.
Variables
Recommended None
Variables

M/L/R pdrlcst
NCI Gcode 81
Category Drill
Description Define custom canned drill cycle
Dependencies drillcyc = 8 to 19

Calculated
Variables
Variables
Notes This postblock is called on all custom canned drill cycles.

M/L/R pdrlcst_2
NCI Gcode 100
Description Drill additional points with the custom canned drill cycles
(NCI Gcode 81).
Dependencies drillcyc = 8 to 19

Calculated
Variables
Variables
Notes This postblock is called on all custom canned drill cycles additional
positions. See Volume 1, Working with Drill Cycles for more
information.

M/L/R pdwl_spd
NCI Gcode 4
Category Dwell
Description Output dwell, spindle speed and direction changes.
Dependencies None
Assigned or gcode, dwell, ss, spdir, css_actv
Calculated NOT READ IN PREPARATORY – n, gnci
Variables
Recommended n, gcode, dwell, spdir, css_actv
Variables
Notes

W pdwl_spd
NCI Gcode 4
Category Dwell
Description Output dwell.
Dependencies None
Assigned or gcode, dwell
Calculated NOT READ IN PREPARATORY – n, gnci
Variables
Recommended n, gcode, dwell
Variables
Notes

W pedm
NCI Gcode 11
Category UV taper
Description Postblock called for 4-axis taper wirepaths.
Dependencies None
Assigned or Variables common to wire taper Gcode 11
Calculated
Variables
Recommended Variables common to wire taper Gcode 11
Variables
Notes See Volume 2, 4-Axis Wire Output Processing for more information.

W pedm_end
NCI Gcode 11
Category UV taper
Description This postblock is called after the call to pedm is completed.
Dependencies None
Assigned or
Calculated
Variables
Recommended
Variables
Notes Called on NCI Gcode 11 termination (4-axis taper mode path).
See the related pedm postblock

W pedm0
NCI Gcode 11
Category Pre-output, UV taper
Description Allows manipulation of NCI Gcode 11 (taper wirepath) data prior to wr
and wq calculations.
Dependencies qrtyp = 1
Assigned or Variables common to wire taper Gcode 11

Calculated
Variables
Recommended None
Variables
Notes See Volume 2, 4-Axis Wire Output Processing for more information.

W pedm1, pedm2, pedm3

NCI Gcode None
Description No calls made to this postblock.
Dependencies None
Assigned or None
Calculated
Variables
Recommended None
Variables
Code Example None
Notes This postblock is predefined but no internal call is ever made to it.
Do not use these postblocks!

M/L/R peof, leof, meof, peof0, leof0, meof0

NCI Gcode 1003
Category End of file
Description Postblock call for the end-of-file. Used to generate the rapid return to
home position and the end of tape or file codes.
Dependencies posttype = 1 and t is not zero, call postblock peof
posttype = 1 and t is not zero and no peof, call postblock meof
posttype = 2 and t is not zero and no peof, call postblock leof
posttype = 1 and t is zero, call postblock peof0
posttype = 1 and t is zero and no peof, call postblock meof0
posttype = 2 and t is zero and no peof, call postblock leof0
Assigned or xh, yh, zh

Calculated
Variables
Recommended None
Variables
Code Example peof #End of file for non-zero tool
comment #Comments from Operation
n, "M30", e
"%", e
Notes The postblocks meof, meof0, leof and leof0 are used with the mill/turn post
customization files.

W peof, peof0
NCI Gcode 1003
Category End of file
Description Postblock call for the end of file. Used to generate the rapid return to
home position and the end-of-tape or end-of-file codes.
Dependencies posttype = 1 and pass is not zero, call postblock peof
posttype = 1 and pass is zero, call postblock peof0
Assigned or xr, yr, zr

Calculated
Variables
Recommended None
Variables
Code Example peof #End of file for non-zero tool
ptoolend
comment
pbld, n, "M30"
if nchsub > one,
[
" ", e
" ", e
mergesub
clearsub
]
"%", e
Notes

M/L/R peof00
NCI Gcode 1003
Category Pre-output, end of file
Description Allow manipulation of data before calls to end-of-file postblocks.
Dependencies None
Assigned or xh, yh, zh
Calculated
Variables
Recommended None
Variables
Notes

L pfcc_call
NCI Gcode 1018
Category Lathe canned cycle
Description Lathe canned turning cycle postblock call to output NC code for finish
path recall.
Dependencies rcc_flg = 7
Assigned or Variables common to subprogram start

Calculated
Variables
Recommended Variables common to subprogram start
Variables
Notes See Volume 3, How Lathe Canned Cycles Work for more information.

L pg32
NCI Gcode 201
Category Thread
Description Traditional longhand threading postblock call.
Dependencies Selection is for longhand, alternating or box thread; thdtype is set to 0, 2
or 3.
Assigned or Variables common to lathe thread cycle
Calculated
Variables
Recommended n, x, z, fr_pos
Variables
Notes This call only has the position calculated for the first move to cut level
available. See Volume 3, Lathe Threading Cycles for more information.

L pg32e
NCI Gcode 201
Category Thread
Description Longhand threading postblock at end of cycle.
Dependencies Selection is for longhand, alternating or box thread; thdtype is set to 0, 2
or 3.
Calculated
Variables
Recommended None
Variables
Notes This call has the position calculated for the last cut rapid position at the
start of the thread. See Volume 3, Lathe Threading Cycles for more
information.

L pthd_end
NCI Gcode 201
Category Threading
Description This postblock is called after the calls to the threading postblocks are
completed.
Dependencies None
Assigned or
Calculated
Variables
Recommended
Variables
Notes Called on Gcode 201 termination.
See related lathe threading postblocks.
See Volume 2, Lathe Threading Cycles for more information.

L pg76
NCI Gcode 200 and 201
Category Thread
Description Lathe canned thread cycle postblock call.
Dependencies Selection is for canned thread; thdtype is set to 1.
Calculated
Variables
Recommended n, thdx2, thdz2, thdlead, thdfirst, thdlast, nspring, thdfinish, thdpulloff, thdangle
Variables
Code Example pg76old #G76 threading style
pbld, n, “G76”, *thdx2, *thdz2, *thddepth,
*thdfirst, *thdangle, *thdlead, e
Notes Positions are not calculated for x or z for this call.


L pg92
NCI Gcode 200 and 201
Category Thread
Description Selection is for box thread; ‘thdtype’ is set to 2.
Dependencies None
Assigned or None
Calculated
Variables
Recommended None
Variables
Code Example None
Notes This postblock is predefined but no internal call is ever made to it. Do
not use this postblock. Use the pthrg92_1 - pthrg92_4, pg32 and pg32e
postblocks. See Volume 3, Lathe Threading Cycles for more
information.

M/L/R pheader
NCI Gcode 1001
Category Header
Description Write the beginning of the NC program. Normally, the beginning of the
tape or file header is coded in this postblock.
Dependencies None
Assigned or Variables read at mill/lathe tool change
Calculated Variables common to mill/lathe tool change
Variables
Recommended Variables read at mill/lathe tool change
Variables Variables common to mill/lathe tool change
Code Example pheader # File header

" ", e
"%", e
*progno, e
Notes The numeric variable next_tool is not available here.

W pheader
NCI Gcode 1001
Category Header
Description Write the beginning of the NC program. Normally, the beginning of the
tape or file header is coded in this postblock.
Dependencies None
Assigned or Variables read at wire tool change
Calculated Variables common to wire tool change
Variables
Recommended Variables read at wire tool change
Variables Variables common to wire tool change
Code Example pheader # File header

" ", e
"%", e
*progno, e
Notes The tool information from bldnxtool is not available here.

M/L/R plin, llin, mlin

NCI Gcode 1
Category Linear feed
Description Linear move at feed rate.
Dependencies posttype = 1, call postblock plin
posttype = 1 and no plin, call postblock mlin
posttype = 2 and no plin, call postblock llin
Assigned or Variables common to mill/lathe linear motion

Calculated
Variables
Recommended Variables common to mill/lathe linear motion
Variables
Notes The postblocks mlin and llin are used with the mill/turn post customization
files. See the postblock pz and “Postblock Call Dependencies”in
Volume 1, Postblocks for more information.

W plin
NCI Gcode 1, 21, 31
Description Linear move at feed rate.
Dependencies None
Assigned or Variables common to wire linear motion, lower
Calculated
If ‘uvflag’ >= 2, variables common to wire linear motion, upper
Variables
Recommended Variables common to wire linear motion, lower
Variables
If ‘uvflag’ >= 2, variables common to wire linear motion, upper

Notes 4-axis direct wirepaths are dependent on the numeric variable uvflag in

M/L/R plin_end
NCI Gcode 1
Description This postblock is called after all calls to plin are completed.
Dependencies None
Assigned or
Calculated
Variables
Recommended
Variables
Notes The plin (mlin or llin) linear output postblocks may be called multiple times
to process a move depending on any motion break up in effect. plin_end is
called after the linear motion is processed.
See the related pcir_end postblock

W plin_end
NCI Gcode 1 (also 21, 31 if 4-axis wirepath)
Description This postblock is called after all calls to plin are completed.
Dependencies None
Assigned or
Calculated
Variables
Recommended
Variables
Notes The plin linear output postblocks may be called multiple times to process a
move depending on any motionbreakup in effect. plin_end is called after
the linear motion is processed.
See the related pcir_end postblock for Wire.

M/L/R plin0
NCI Gcode 0, 1, 11
Category Pre-output, linear
Description This postblock allows manipulation of linear motion NCI data prior to
the normal postblock calls for linear moves.
Dependencies If rotaxtyp is less than 6, called before the normal output for the NCI
Gcode 0 and 1.
If rotaxtyp is greater than 6, called for NCI Gcode 0, 1 and 11.
Assigned or ALL - gnci, gcode, xnci, ynci, znci, xs, ys, fr, ipr_actv, fr_pos
Calculated Variables common to mill/lathe next variable routine
Variables Variables common to comments
NCI Gcode 0, 1 - cc
NCI Gcode 11 - u, v, w, p_svec, q_svec, r_svec, rev5, cutpos, cuttyp, vert_tool,
lower_x, lower_y, lower_z, upper_x, upper_y, upper_z, mill5
Recommended None
Variables
plin0 #Linear movement, mill motion test
Code Example
brklinestype = zero
if rotary_type = two, #Polar
[
brklinestype = rotary_axis + three
]
Notes Linear motion break up routines are enabled or disabled conditionally in

this postblock. See Volume 2, Break Up of Motion for more
information.

M/L/R plin1, plin2

NCI Gcode 1
whatline.
Assigned or None
Calculated
Variables
Recommended None
Variables
Notes See “Postblock Call Dependencies”in Volume 1, Postblocks for more
information. The postblock plin3 is only in the Wire post executable.

W plin3
NCI Gcode 1
whatline.
Assigned or None
Calculated
Variables
Recommended None
Variables
Notes See “Postblock Call Dependencies”in Volume 1, Postblocks for more
information. The postblock plin3 is only in the Wire post executable.

W plow_uv_end
NCI Gcode 20, 21, 22, 23
Category UV direct
Description This postblock is called after the call to plin or pcir is completed.
Dependencies None
Assigned or
Calculated
Variables
Recommended
Variables
Notes Called on NCI Gcode 20,21, 22, 23 termination (4-axis Direct mode
path).
See the related postblocks plin and pcir.

M pmat
NCI Gcode 1000, 1001, 1002
Category 5-axis
Description This postblock can be used to access the mapping matrix to modify it
from the post customization file.
Dependencies rotaxtyp = 2 and 4 use the mapping matrix.

Variables
Recommended matm1, matm2, matm3, matm4, matm5, matm6, matm7, matm8, matm9,
Variables matm10
Notes See Volume 2, Rotary Processing for more information.

M/L/R pmisc1, lmisc1, mmisc1

NCI Gcode 81
Category Drill
Description Define canned drill cycle (feed in, dwell, stop spindle, rapid out)
Dependencies drillcyc = 6, usecanmisc1 = 1
posttype = 1 and mmisc1, call postblock mmisc1
posttype = 2 and lmisc1, call postblock lmisc1
Otherwise, call postblock pmisc1
Calculated
Variables
Variables
Code Example pmisc1 #Canned Misc #1 Cycle
n, *drillref, *sgdrill, x, y, *depth, *refht, dwell, fr_pos
Notes Initialize or assign usecanmisc1 = 1 before this call to activate the canned
information.

M/L/R pmisc2, lmisc2, mmisc2

NCI Gcode 81
Category Drill
Description Define canned drill cycle (feed in, dwell, rapid out)
posttype = 1 and mmisc2, call postblock mmisc2
posttype = 2 and lmisc2, call postblock lmisc2
Otherwise, call postblock pmisc2
Calculated
Variables
Variables
Code Example pmisc2 #Canned Misc #2 Cycle
information.

M/L/R pmisc1_2, lmisc1_2, mmisc1_2

NCI Gcode 100
posttype = 1 and mmisc1_2, call postblock mmisc1_2
posttype = 2 and lmisc1_2, call postblock lmisc1_2
Otherwise, call postblock pmisc1_2
Calculated
Variables
Variables
Code Example pmisc1_2 #Canned misc #1 Cycle
information.

M/L/R pmisc2_2, lmisc2_2, mmisc2_2

NCI Gcode 100
posttype = 1 and mmisc2_2, call postblock mmisc2_2
posttype = 2 and lmisc2_2, call postblock lmisc2_2
Otherwise, call postblock pmisc2_2
Calculated
Variables
Variables
Code Example pmisc2_2 #Canned Misc #2 Cycle
information.

M/L/R pmiscint
NCI Gcode 1012
Category Start of file
Description Access miscellaneous integers.
Dependencies None
Assigned or mi1, mi2, mi3, mi4 ,mi5, mi6, mi7, mi8, mi9, mi10, mergenumber, merge_end
Calculated
Variables
Recommended mi1, mi2, mi3, mi4 ,mi5, mi6, mi7, mi8, mi9, mi10
Variables
Notes

W pmiscint
NCI Gcode 1012
Description Access miscellaneous integers.
Dependencies None
Assigned or mi1, mi2, mi3, mi4 ,mi5, mi6, mi7, mi8, mi9, mi10
Calculated
Variables
Recommended mi1, mi2, mi3, mi4 ,mi5, mi6, mi7, mi8, mi9, mi10
Variables
Notes

M/L/R pmiscparam
NCI Gcode 1013
Description Access miscellaneous parameters.
Dependencies None
Assigned or cc, tldia, tcr, cctotip, tlplnno, tox, toy, toz, opcode, toolname, tlrad, trflat,
Calculated strtool, strtoolpath, strtoolext, ccomp, cc_pos
Variables
Recommended None
Variables
Notes

W pmiscparam
NCI Gcode 1013
Description Access miscellaneous parameters.
Dependencies None
Assigned or cc, tldia, tcr, overburn, wire, power, wox, woy, woz, opcode, toolname, tlrad, zx,
Calculated zy, strtool, strtoolpath, strtoolext
Variables
Recommended None
Variables
Notes

M/L/W/R pmiscreal
NCI Gcode 1011
Description Access miscellaneous reals.
Dependencies None
Assigned or mr1, mr2, mr3, mr4, mr5, mr6, mr7, mr8, mr9, mr10
Calculated
Variables
Recommended mr1, mr2, mr3, mr4, mr5, mr6, mr7, mr8, mr9, mr10
Variables
Notes

M/R pmx
NCI Gcode 11
Category 5-axis
Description The postblock is for 5-axis NC output specific to the NCI Gcode 11.
Dependencies rotaxtyp less than or equal to 6. drill5 equal to 0.
Assigned or Variables common to 5 axis Gcode 11

Calculated
Variables
Recommended Variables common to 5 axis Gcode 11
Variables

M/L/R pmx_end
NCI Gcode 11
Category 5-axis motion
Description This postblock is called after the call to pmx is completed.
Dependencies None
Assigned or
Calculated
Variables
Recommended
Variables
Notes Called on NCI Gcode 11 termination.

M/R pmx0
NCI Gcode 11, 81, 100, 1000, 1001, 1002, specified postblock calls
Category Pre-output, 5-axis
Description The purpose of this postblock is to allow calculations and customization
in the post customization file of 5 axis and tool plane NCI data.
Dependencies If rotaxtyp is less than 6, called before the normal output for the NCI
Gcode 11, 81, 100, 1000, 1001, 1002
If rotaxtyp is greater than 6, called just before the call to the predefined
postblocks in the Predefined Postblocks - Database Order (Mill/Lathe)
from prapid to pg32e.
Assigned or Variables available at this call are dependent on the rotaxtyp selection.
Calculated
Variables
Recommended Variables available at this call are dependent on the rotaxtyp selection.
Variables

M/R pmx1
NCI Gcode 11
Description Generated lead in/lead out for a 5-axis toolpath.
Dependencies rotaxtyp <= 6, drill5 = 0.

Calculated
Variables
Variables
Notes It is not recommended to generate motion in the post that is supported in
Mastercam. See Volume 2, Rotary Processing and “Postblock Call

M/R pmx2
NCI Gcode 11
Description Generated lead in/lead out for a 5-axis toolpath.
Dependencies rotaxtyp <= 6, drill5 = 0.

Calculated
Variables
Variables
Notes It is not recommended to generate motion in the post that is supported in
Mastercam. See Volume 2, Rotary Processing and “Postblock Call

M/L/W/R pparameter
NCI Gcode 1020 (Operation file), 10000s, 20000s
Category Parameter
Description The purpose of this postblock is to allow the operation and tool
parameters to be captured during the normal processing of the NCI file.
Dependencies System numbered questions q1501 or q1502 must be set to write 10000s
parameters. The tool name is captured if strtool_v7 is 1.
Assigned or prmcode, sparameter
Calculated strtool, strtoolpath, strtoolext (NCI Gcode 20001)
Variables
Recommended prmcode, sparameter
Variables
Notes See Parameter Information in Volume 2 and in Volume 3 for more
information.

M/L/R ppeck, lpeck, mpeck

NCI Gcode 81
Category Drill
Description Define canned drill cycle (feed in, dwell, rapid reference, rapid clearance,
feed in…..)
Dependencies drillcyc = 1, usecanpeck = 1
posttype = 1 and mpeck, call postblock mpeck
posttype = 2 and lpeck, call postblock lpeck
Otherwise, call postblock ppeck
Calculated
Variables
Variables
Code Example ppeck #Canned Peck Cycle
Notes Initialize or assign usecanpeck = 1 before this call to activate the canned
information.

M/L/R ppeck_2, lpeck_2, mpeck_2

NCI Gcode 100
Dependencies drillcyc = 1, usecanpeck = 1
posttype = 1 and mpeck_2, call postblock mpeck_2
posttype = 2 and lpeck_2, call postblock lpeck_2
Otherwise, call postblock ppeck_2
Calculated
Variables
Variables
Code Example ppeck_2 #Canned Peck Cycle
Notes Initialize or assign usecanpeck = 1 before this call to activate the canned
information.

M/L/W/R ppost
Postblock Type Post-process postblock
NCI Gcode 1003
Category Post process
Description This postblock is used to process the NC output files after the normal
posting process is complete. Files can be renamed, opened, and modified
by the post writer.
Dependencies None
Assigned or None
Calculated
Variables
Recommended None
Variables
Notes No input/output files are open when ppost is called. Do not attempt file
routines in this postblock, including NC output, without using one of the
file functions to open the file first.

M/L/W/R pprep
Postblock Type Pre-process postblock
NCI Gcode Before NCI file read
Category Pre-process
Description This postblock is used to manipulate any post variables after the post
customization file has been parsed and the variable initializations are
complete.
Dependencies None
Assigned or sub_level
Calculated Global variables calculated at post initialization
Variables
Recommended Post dependent
Variables
Notes No input/output files are open when pprep is called. Do not attempt file
routines in this postblock, including NC output. Send messages through
the user prompt functions.
The NCI file is open at this call and cannot be renamed.

M/L/W/R pq
Postblock Type Pre-process postblock
NCI Gcode Before NCI file read
Category Pre-process
Description This postblock is used to manipulate any post variables after the post
customization file has been parsed and the variable initializations are
complete.
Dependencies None
Assigned or sub_level
Calculated Global variables calculated at post initialization
Variables
Variables
Notes The NC file is open at this call and cannot be renamed.

W pradlist
Postblock Type Preparatory postblock
NCI Gcode 1001
Category Preparatory
Description Call to output wire radius list.
Dependencies listrad is set to 1 and bldnxtool is set to 1.
Assigned or n, tlrad, offset, lofs

Calculated
Variables
Recommended n, tlrad, offset, lofs
Variables
Notes This is directly after postblock call to pheader and ptprlist. Only 1000
entries are allowed. See Volume 1, How Preparatory Postblocks Work
for more information.

M/L/R prapid, lrapid, mrapid

NCI Gcode 0
Category Linear rapid
Description Linear move at rapid rate.
Dependencies posttype = 1, call postblock prapid
posttype = 1 and no prapid, call postblock mrapid
posttype = 2 and no prapid, call postblock lrapid

Calculated
Variables
Variables
Notes The postblocks mrapid and lrapid are used with the mill/turn post
customization files. See the postblock pzrapid and “Postblock Call

W prapid
NCI Gcode 0
Category Linear rapid
Description Linear move at rapid rate.
Dependencies None
Calculated
If uvflag >= 2, variables common to wire linear motion, upper
Variables
Variables

Notes

L prcc_call_end
NCI Gcode 1019
Description Lathe canned turning cycle postblock call to output NC code for end of
finish path.
Dependencies tool_op = 208 (Groove), rcc_flg = 3 (not called on NCI Gcode 1019)
Canned roughing, rcc_flg = 5
Assigned or Variables common to subprogram end
Calculated
Variables
Recommended None
Variables

W prcc_call_end
NCI Gcode None
Category Not used in Wire, Lathe canned cycle.
Description None
Dependencies None
Assigned or None
Calculated
Variables
Recommended None
Variables
Code Example None
Notes Not used in Wire.

L prcc_call_st
NCI Gcode 1018
Description Lathe canned turning cycle postblock call to output NC code for start of
finish path.
Dependencies tool_op = 208 (Groove), rcc_flg = 3 (not called on NCI Gcode 1018)
Canned roughing, rcc_flg = 4
Calculated
Variables
Recommended None
Variables

W prcc_call_st
NCI Gcode None
Category Not used in Wire, Lathe canned cycle.
Description None
Dependencies None
Assigned or None
Calculated
Variables
Recommended None
Variables
Code Example None

L prcc_setup
Postblock Type Command postblock
NCI Gcode None
Category Lathe canned cycle, command
Description Lathe canned turning cycle postblock call to capture roughing tool
information. This postblock is called at the command variable
c_rcc_setup.
Dependencies rcc_flg = 1, c_rcc_setup on postline.
Assigned or Variables read at tool change

Variables
Recommended None
Variables

W prcc_setup
NCI Gcode None
Category Not used in Wire, Lathe canned cycle, command.
Description None
Dependencies None
Assigned or None
Calculated
Variables
Recommended None
Variables

M/L prd1000
NCI Gcode 1000, 1001, 1002
Category Pre-output, tool change
Description Intended to allow user to access matm1 through matm9 and vtlofsx, vtlofsy,
vtlofsz.
Dependencies rotaxtyp less than 6

Variables
Recommended matm1, matm2, matm3, matm4, matm5, matm6, matm7, matm8, matm9,
Variables matm10

W prd1000
NCI Gcode None
Category Not used in Wire
Description None
Dependencies None
Assigned or None
Calculated
Variables
Recommended None
Variables
Code Example None

M/L/R prot
NCI Gcode 1000, 1002
Category Rotary, Obsolete
Description Postblock call intended for output of tool plane rotation.
Dependencies None
Variables
Recommended None
Variables
Notes It is not recommended to use this postblock in the post customization file
for rotary output. Not all mapping routines are complete where this call
occurs. Generally it is better to output the rotary positioning in the tool
change postblocks.

M/L/R prot0
NCI Gcode 1001
Category Obsolete
Description Postblock call intended for output of tool plane rotation.
Dependencies None
Variables
Recommended None
Variables
Notes It is not recommended to use this postblock in the post customization file
for rotary output. Not all mapping routines are complete where this call
occurs. Generally it is better to output the rotary positioning in the tool
change postblocks.

M/R protofs
NCI Gcode 1013
Category 5-axis
Description Access miscellaneous parameters with 5-axis posts.
Dependencies rotaxtyp greater than 1.
Assigned or cc, tldia, tcr, cctotip, tlplnno, tox, toy, toz, opcode, toolname, tlrad, trflat,
Calculated strtool, strtoolpath, strtoolext, ccomp, cc_pos
Variables
Recommended cc, tldia, tcr, cctotip, tlplnno, tox, toy, toz, opcode, toolname, tlrad, trflat,
Variables strtool, strtoolpath, strtoolext, ccomp, cc_pos

file for rotary output or manipulation. Not all mapping routines are
complete where this call occurs. Generally it is better to output the rotary
positioning in the tool change postblocks.

M/L/W/R pscomm0
NCI Gcode 1005, 1006, 1007, 1008
Category Comment
Description Postblock call for NC output of NCI file comments without buffering.
Dependencies None
Calculated
Variables
Recommended n, scomm0
Variables
Code Example pscomm0 #Comment from manual entry
scomm0
Notes NCI Gcode 1007 (comments on output line) are output immediately.

M/L/R psof, lsof, msof, psof0, lsof0, msof0

NCI Gcode 1001
Description Postblock call for the start-of-file tool change. Used to perform the first
tool change and rapid position.
Dependencies posttype = 1 and t is not zero, call postblock psof
posttype = 1 and t is not zero and no psof, call postblock msof
posttype = 2 and t is not zero and no psof, call postblock lsof
posttype = 1 and t is zero, call postblock psof0
posttype = 1 and t is zero and no psof, call postblock msof0
posttype = 2 and t is zero and no psof, call postblock lsof0

Variables
Recommended Variables read at tool change

Notes If tlchng_aft strategy is enabled, the first move in the toolpath has also
been read from the NCI file. The postblocks msof, msof0, lsof and lsof0
are used with the mill/turn post customization files.

W psof, psof0
NCI Gcode 1001
Description Postblock call for the start-of-file rapid position.
Dependencies posttype = 1 and pass is not zero, call postblock psof
posttype = 1 and pass is zero, call postblock psof0

Variables

been read from the NCI file.

M/L psof00
NCI Gcode 1001
Category Pre-output, start of file
Description Allow manipulation of data before calls to start-of-file postblocks.
Dependencies None
Variables
Recommended None
Variables
Notes This postblock is called just prior to the call to pheader postblock.

M/L/R/W psof_end
NCI Gcode 1001
Description This postblock is called after the call to psof is completed.
Dependencies None
Assigned or
Calculated
Variables
Recommended
Variables
Notes Called on Gcode 1001 termination or tlchng_aft completion.
See tlchng_aft in Volume 3, Numeric Variables for more information.
See ptlchg1002 postblock for related information.

L pstck_bar_fd
NCI Gcode 902
Description Lathe Stock Advance (Bar-Feed/Pull)
Dependencies None
Assigned or stck_spindle, stck_op, stck_clear, stck_grip, stck_init_z, stck_final_z,
Calculated stck_chuk_st_z, stck_chuk_st_x, stck_chuk_end_z, stck_chuk_end_x
Variables
Recommended
Variables
Notes

L pstck_flip
NCI Gcode 901
Description Lathe Stock Flip
Dependencies None
Assigned or stck_spindle, stck_init_z, stck_final_z, stck_chuk_st_z, stck_chuk_st_x,
Calculated stck_chuk_end_z, stck_chuk_end_x
Variables
Recommended
Variables
Notes

L pstck_trans
NCI Gcode 900
Description Lathe Stock Transfer
Dependencies None
Assigned or stck_spindle, stck_init_z, stck_final_z, stck_chuk_st_z, stck_chuk_st_x,
Calculated stck_chuk_end_z, stck_chuk_end_x, stck_chuk_st_dz, stck_chuk_st_dx,
Variables stck_chuk_end_dz, stck_chuk_end_dx
Recommended
Variables
Notes

L psteadyrest
NCI Gcode 905
Description Lathe SteadyRest
Dependencies None
Assigned or stck_init_z, stck_final_z
Calculated
Variables miscops_mi1, miscops_mi2, miscops_mi3, miscops_mi4, miscops_mi5,
Recommended
Variables
Notes

M/L/R psub_call_m
NCI Gcode 1018
Category Subprogram, command
Description Subprogram postblock call for transform subprograms with single tool.
Intended for NC output to call the subprogram. This postblock is called
at the command variable c_msng.
Dependencies sub_level = 1 or 2, c_msng on postline.

Calculated
Variables
Variables
Notes See Volume 2, How Subprograms Work for more information.

W psub_call_m
NCI Gcode 1018
Description Supports automatic subprograms.
Dependencies None
Assigned or None
Calculated
Variables
Recommended None
Variables
Code Example None
Notes Not implemented in Mastercam Wire. See Volume 2, How Subprograms
Work for more information..

M/L/R psub_call_mm
NCI Gcode 1018
Description Subprogram postblock call for transform subprograms with multiple
tools. Intended for NC output to call the subprogram. This postblock is
called at the command variable c_mmlt.
Dependencies sub_level = 1 or 2, c_mmlt on postline.

Calculated
Variables
Variables

W psub_call_mm
NCI Gcode 1018
Dependencies None
Assigned or None
Calculated
Variables
Recommended None
Variables
Code Example None
Notes Not implemented in Mastercam WireSee Volume 2, How Subprograms
Work for more information.

M/L/R psub_call_s
NCI Gcode 1018
Category Subprogram
Description Subprogram postblock call for non-transform subprograms. Intended for
NC output to call the subprogram.
Dependencies sub_level = 1 or 2

Calculated
Variables
Variables

W psub_call_s
NCI Gcode 1018
Category Subprogram
Dependencies None
Assigned or None
Calculated
Variables
Recommended None
Variables
Code Example None
Notes Not implemented in Mastercam V8 Wire.

M/L/R psub_end_m
NCI Gcode 1019
Category Subprogram
Description Subprogram postblock call for transform subprograms. Intended for NC
output to end the subprogram.

Calculated
Variables
Recommended Variables common to subprogram end
Variables

W psub_end_m
NCI Gcode 1019
Category Subprogram
Dependencies None
Assigned or None
Calculated
Variables
Recommended None
Variables
Code Example None

M/L/R psub_end_s
NCI Gcode 1019
Category Subprogram
NC output to end the subprogram.

Calculated
Variables
Recommended Variables common to subprogram end
Variables

W psub_end_s
NCI Gcode 1019
Category Not used V8 Wire, subprogram
Dependencies None
Assigned or None
Calculated
Variables
Recommended None
Variables
Code Example None

M/L/R psub_st_m
NCI Gcode 1018
Description Subprogram postblock call for transform subprograms. Intended for NC
output to start the subprogram.

Calculated
Variables
Variables

W psub_st_m
NCI Gcode 1018
Dependencies None
Assigned or None
Calculated
Variables
Recommended None
Variables
Code Example None

M/L/R psub_st_s
NCI Gcode 1018
Category Subprogram
NC output to start the subprogram.

Calculated
Variables
Variables

W psub_st_s
NCI Gcode 1018
Category Subprogram
Dependencies None
Assigned or None
Calculated
Variables
Recommended None
Variables
Code Example None

W psubcall
NCI Gcode 1015
Category Obsolete
Description Subprogram postblock call in Wire.
Dependencies subprg > 0
Assigned or subtyp, subno, td_ct_flg, tabcut, wtrim, skimpass, cutx, cuty, trimplane1,
Calculated trimplane2, reg1, reg2, reg3, reg4, reg5, reg6, reg7, reg8, reg9, reg10
Variables
Recommended None
Variables
Notes This postblock is not normally used with a subprogram because it
performs the postblock call prior to reading tool change information.
See Volume 2, How Subprograms Work for more information.

M/L psynclath
NCI Gcode 1005, 1006, 1008
Category Obsolete, synclath
Description Used by the Synclath C-Hook (Mastercam Version 6) for processing
toolpaths modified to support sync codes and multiple turret lathes.
Dependencies scomm is number preceded by the ~ (tilde).
Assigned or syncbfor, syncaxis, syncmode, synclath

Calculated
Variables
Recommended None
Variables
Notes Obsolete

L ptailstock
NCI Gcode 904
Description Lathe Tailstock
Dependencies None
Assigned or tlstck_on, stck_init_z, stck_final_z
Calculated
Variables miscops_mi1, miscops_mi2, miscops_mi3, miscops_mi4, miscops_mi5,
Recommended
Variables
Notes

M/L/R ptap, ltap, mtap

NCI Gcode 81
Category Drill
Description Define canned drill cycle (feed in, dwell, spindle reverse, feed out)
Dependencies drillcyc = 3, usecantap = 1
posttype = 1 and mtap, call postblock mtap
posttype = 2 and ltap, call postblock ltap
Otherwise, call postblock ptap
Calculated
Variables
Variables
Code Example ptap #Canned Tap Cycle
Notes Initialize or assign usecantap = 1 before this call to activate the canned
information.

R pblockdrl
NCI Gcode 83
Category Drill (Block drilling)
Description See note below
Dependencies

Calculated
Variables
Variables
Code Example
Notes Used to capture the drill positions from NCI gcode 83 data.
These positions are passed in the variables bdrl_x,2, bdrl_y2, and bdrl_z2,
and this postblock is called on each line. Block drill executes the drill
cycle after the last position has been read. (Drilling calls the usual Mill
drill routine.)

M/L/R ptap_2, ltap_2, mtap_2

NCI Gcode 100
Dependencies drillcyc = 3, usecantap = 1
posttype = 1 and mtap_2, call postblock mtap_2
posttype = 2 and ltap_2, call postblock ltap_2
Otherwise, call postblock ptap_2
Calculated
Variables
Variables
Code Example ptap #Canned Tap Cycle
Notes Initialize or assign usecantap = 1 before this call to activate the canned
information.

L pthdext
NCI Gcode 201
Category Thread
Description Allows overwriting values used in external thread calculations before the
threading routine calls.
Dependencies External thread
Assigned or gnci, nspring, thdfinish, thdpulloff, nstarts, thdxclr, thdangle, thdequcut, thdncuts,
Calculated thdx1, thdx2, thdz1, thdz2, thdlead, thdfirst, thdlast, thdzclr, thda1, thda2,
Variables thdtype, thdx3, thdface, ipr_actv, fr_pos
Variables common to mill/lathe next variable routine
Recommended thddepth, thdflat, ncuts

Variables
Code Example pthdext #Calculation override for external thread
thddepth = thdlead * .61343 #Calc. thread depth
thdflat = thdlead * .1667 #Calc. thread flat
Notes See Volume 2, Lathe Threading Cycles for more information.

L pthdface
NCI Gcode 201
Category Thread
Description Allows overwriting values used in face thread calculations before the
Dependencies Face thread, thdface = 1

Variables
Code Example pthdface #Calculation override for face thread

L pthdint
NCI Gcode 201
Category Thread
Description Allows overwriting values used in internal thread calculations before the
Dependencies Internal thread

Variables
Code Example pthdint #Calculation override for internal thread

L pthread0
NCI Gcode 201
Category Pre-output, thread
Description Allows access to thread variables after the NCI line is read and before the
lathe thread routines are called.
Dependencies None
Assigned or nspring, thdfinish, thdpulloff, nstarts, thdxclr, thdangle, thdequcut, thdncuts,
Recommended None
Variables
Notes These variables are read from the both NCI Gcode 200 and 201 lines.

L pthrg32_1 through pthrg32_4

NCI Gcode 201
Category Thread
Description Each postblock is called in turn for each thread pass:
pthrg32_1: Rapid start position at thread start and above thread cut.
pthrg32_2: Position at cut level before the thread pass.
pthrg32_3: Thread move to the end of the thread cut.
pthrg32_4: Retract position from the end of the thread cut.
Dependencies Selection is for longhand or alternating, thdtype is set to 0 or 3.
Calculated
Variables
Variables

L pthrg76_1
NCI Gcode 201
Category Thread
Description Calculate the position of the lathe canned thread cycle start.
Dependencies Selection is for canned thread, thdtype is set to 1. The postblock must be
present for the x and z positions to be calculated.
Calculated
Variables
Variables
Notes This call only has the position calculated for the rapid start position at the
thread start and above the thread available.

L pthrg92_1 through pthrg92_4

Postblock Type Standard postblocks
NCI Gcode 201
Category Thread
Description Each postblock is called in turn for each thread pass:
pthrg92_1: Rapid start position at thread start and above thread cut.
pthrg92_2: Position at cut level before the thread pass.
pthrg92_3: Thread move to the end of the thread cut.
pthrg92_4: Retract position from the end of the thread cut.
Dependencies Selection is for box thread, thdtype is set to 2.
Calculated
Variables
Variables
Notes Box threads are commonly written to output only the x position at each
cut depth. See Volume 2, Lathe Threading Cycles for more information.

M/L/R ptlchg, mtlchg, ltlchg

NCI Gcode 1002
Category Actual tool change
Description Postblock call for an actual tool change. Used to perform the tool change
and rapid position.
Dependencies posttype = 1, call postblock ptlchg
posttype = 1 and no ptlchg, call postblock mtlchg
posttype = 2 and no ptlchg, call postblock ltlchg

Variables

been read from the NCI file. The postblocks mtlchg and ltlchg are used
with the mill/turn post customization files.

W ptlchg
NCI Gcode 1002
Category Actual tool change
Description Wire pass change. Position from pass to pass or contour to contour.
Dependencies None
Variables

been read from the NCI file. Wire post customization files handle tool
changes and null tool changes the same.

M/L/R/W ptlchg_end
NCI Gcode 1002
Category Null tool change
Description This postblock is called after the call to ptlchg is completed.
Dependencies None
Assigned or
Calculated
Variables
Recommended
Variables
See related ptlchg postblock for Mill/Lathe/Router.
See related ptlchg postblock for Wire.

M/L/R ptlchg0, mtlchg0, ltlchg0

NCI Gcode 1000
Description Postblock call for a null tool change. Null tool changes occur when
moving from one chain to another. The tool number does not change but
tool planes, work offsets, subprograms or spindle speeds may be
different.
Dependencies posttype = 1, call postblock ptlchg0
posttype = 1 and no ptlchg0, call postblock mtlchg0
posttype = 2 and no ptlchg0, call postblock ltlchg0
Variables

Notes If tlchng_aft strategy is set to 2, the first move in the toolpath has also been
read from the NCI file. The postblocks mtlchg0 and ltlchg0 are used with
the mill/turn post customization files.

W ptlchg0
NCI Gcode 1000
Description Wire pass change. Position from pass to pass or contour to contour.
Dependencies None
Variables

Notes If tlchng_aft strategy is set to 2, the first move in the toolpath has also been
read from the NCI file. Wire post customization files handle tool
changes and null tool changes the same.

M/L/R/W ptlchg0_end
NCI Gcode 1000
Description This postblock is called after the call to ptlchg0 is completed.
Dependencies None
Assigned or
Calculated
Variables
Recommended
Variables
See related ptlchg0 postblock for Mill/Lathe/Router.
See related ptlchg0 postblock for Wire.

M/L/R ptlchg00
NCI Gcode 1000, 1002
Category Pre-output, tool change, null tool change
Description Allow manipulation of data before calls to tool change postblocks.
Dependencies None
Variables
Recommended None
Variables
Notes This postblock is called just prior to the call to ptlchg1002, ltlchg0, mtlchg0,
ptlchg0, ltlchg, mtlchg, ptlchg postblocks.

M/L/R ptlchg1002
NCI Gcode 1000, 1001, 1002
Category Tool change
Description Postblock called with the tlchng_aft strategy on the actual NCI Gcode tool
change. tlchng_aft strategy reads the first toolpath move after the tool
change NCI Gcode and then calls the normal tool change postblock. This
prevents skipping information on the first move after a tool change.
Dependencies tlchng_aft = 1 to calls on NCI Gcode 1001, 1002
tlchng_aft = 2 to calls on NCI Gcode 1000, 1001, 1002
Variables

Notes This postblock is used for pre-processing and not for output.

W ptlchg1002
NCI Gcode 1000, 1001, 1002
Category Tool change
Description Postblock called with the tlchng_aft strategy on the actual NCI Gcode tool
change. tlchng_aft strategy reads the first toolpath move after the tool
change NCI Gcode and then calls the normal tool change postblock. This
prevents skipping information on the first move after a tool change.
Dependencies tlchng_aft = 1 to calls on NCI Gcode 1001, 1002
tlchng_aft = 2 to calls on NCI Gcode 1000, 1001, 1002
Variables

Notes

M/L/R ptoolend, ltoolend, mtoolend

NCI Gcode 1011
Category Path end
Description The 1011 NCI Gcode is the first NCI line that starts the tool change series
of NCI lines. This call is performed before any values are passed from
the Miscellaneous Reals to output NC code to end the prior tool.
posttype = 1 and mtoolend, call postblock mtoolend
posttype = 2 and ltoolend, call postblock ltoolend
Otherwise, call postblock ptoolend
Dependencies Not called on the first 1011 in the NCI file.
Assigned or None
Calculated
Variables
Recommended None
Variables
Notes

W ptoolend
NCI Gcode 1011
Category Path end
Description The 1011 NCI Gcode is the first NCI line that starts the tool change series
of NCI lines. This call is performed before any values are passed from
the Miscellaneous Reals to output NC code to end the prior tool.
Dependencies Not called on the first 1011 in the NCI file.
Assigned or None
Calculated
Variables
Recommended None
Variables
Notes

M/L/R ptooltbl
NCI Gcode 0, 1, 2, 3, 11, 81, 200
Description Calls to this postblock occur after the tool change NCI Gcodes (1000,
1001 or 1002) and on the calling NCI Gcodes during a preparatory read
of the NCI file.
Dependencies tooltable = 1
tooltable = 3
The postblock ptooltbl must be declared in the post and pwrtt is not
declared .
A tool change Gcode of 1000, 1001 or 1002 was prior to the trigger NCI
Gcode except NCI Gcode 11 and 81 where tool change Gcode of 1001 or
1002 is the trigger.
Calculated
Variables
Recommended None
Variables
Code Example None
Notes ptooltbl is an antiquated procedure. Use the procedure pwrtt for more
complete and accurate processing. The postblock is not called if the tool
number repeats. See Volume 1, How Preparatory Postblocks Work for
more information.

W ptooltbl
NCI Gcode 0, 1, 2, 3, 20, 21, 22, 23, 30, 31, 32, 33, 11, 81
Description Calls to this postblock occur after the tool change NCI Gcodes (1001 or
1002) and on trigger NCI Gcode during a preparatory read of the NCI
file.
tooltable = 3
The postblock ptooltbl must be declared in the post and pwrtt is not
declared .
A tool change Gcode of 1000, 1001 or 1002 was prior to the trigger NCI
Gcode except NCI Gcode 11 and 81 where tool change Gcode of 1001 or
1002 is the trigger.
Calculated
Variables
Recommended None
Variables
Code Example None
Notes ptooltbl is an antiquated procedure. Use the procedure pwrtt for more
complete and accurate processing.
See Volume 1, How Preparatory Postblocks Work for more information.

M/L/R ptplane
NCI Gcode 0, 1, 11, linearized motion
Category 5-axis
Description This postblock was intended to provide for tool plane offset.
Dependencies rotaxtyp is equal to 4

Calculated
Variables
Recommended None
Variables
Notes It is not recommended to use this postblock in the post customization
file. This routine was implemented in too limited of a scope.

W ptprlist
NCI Gcode 1001
Description Call to output wire taper list.
Dependencies listtpr is set to 1 and bldnxtool is set to 1.
Assigned or n, wt, tofs

Calculated
Variables
Recommended n, wt, tofs
Variables
Notes This is directly after postblock call to pheader. Only 1000 entries are
allowed. See Volume 1, How Preparatory Postblocks Work for more
information.

M/L/R pwrtt
NCI Gcode 1000, 1001, 1002 (optionally 1003)
Description Calls to this postblock occur on the tool change NCI Gcodes during a
preparatory read of the NCI file. All NCI lines from the previous tool are
read prior to the postblock call.
tooltable = 3
The postblock pwrtt must be declared in the post.
Assigned or ttplane, wt_max, x_max, y_max, z_max, x_min, y_min, z_min, rcc_flg, lower_x,
Calculated lower_y, lower_z, upper_x, upper_y, upper_z, next_dc, nextop, nextccomp,
Variables nextcflg, mill5
Variables read at tool change

Variables
Notes Setting tooltable = 3 enables a call to pwrtt at the end of the NCI file to
capture the path information from the last tool.
Tool numbers (t) that repeat are signed negative after the first occurrence.

W pwrtt
NCI Gcode 1000, 1001, 1002 (optionally 1003)
Description Calls to this postblock occur on the tool change NCI Gcodes during a
preparatory read of the NCI file. All NCI lines from the previous tool are
read prior to the postblock call.
tooltable = 3
The postblock pwrtt must be declared in the post customization file.
Assigned or ttplane, wt_max, x_max, y_max, z_max, x_min, y_min, z_min, nextop,
Calculated nextccomp, nextcflg
Variables Variables read at wire tool change

Variables
Notes Setting tooltable = 3 enables a call to pwrtt at the end of the NCI file to
capture the path information from the last tool.

M/L/W/R pwrttparam
NCI Gcode 1005, 1006, 1007, 1008, 1020 (Operation file), 10000s, 20000s
Category Preparatory, Parameter
Description Calls to this postblock occur during the preparatory read of the NCI file.
The purpose of this postblock is to allow the parameter and comments to
be captured during the pre-read routine.
tooltable = 3
The postblock pwrtt and pwrttparam must be declared in the post
customization file. The tool name is captured if strtool_v7 is 1.
Assigned or prmcode, sparameter
Calculated strtool, strtoolpath, strtoolext (NCI Gcode 20001)
Variables
Recommended prmcode, sparameter
Variables
Notes Any NCI lines and variables read prior to the postblock call are
accessible. See Volume 2, Parameter Information, and Volume 1, How
Preparatory Postblocks Work for more information.

M/L/R pz
NCI Gcode 1
Category Linear Z only
Description Linear feed Z only
Dependencies None
Calculated
Variables
Variables
Notes See “Postblock Call Dependencies” in Volume 1, Postblocks, for more
information.

W pz
NCI Gcode 1
Description Linear feed Z only
Dependencies None
Calculated
Variables
Variables

information.

M/L/W/R pz1
NCI Gcode 1
whatline.
Dependencies whatno = 0 and whatline = 1
Assigned or None
Calculated
Variables
Recommended None
Variables
Notes Do not set whatno to 0 (no) in a PST.
See “Postblock Call Dependencies” in Volume 1, Postblocks, for more
information.

M/L/R pzrapid
NCI Gcode 0
Description Linear rapid Z only
Dependencies None
Calculated
Variables
Variables
information.

W pzrapid
NCI Gcode 0, 20, 30
Description Linear rapid Z only
Dependencies None
Calculated
Variables
Variables

Notes 4-axis direct wirepaths are dependent on the numeric variable uvflag in

Variables Read in Common
M/L/W/R Global variables calculated at post initialization

Assigned or time, day, mon, month, year
Calculated pi, deg2rad, rad2deg, yes, no, mtol, vtol, xtol, vert_tol, pst_mode,
Variables param_read
sextnci, sextpst, sextnc, sextsub, sextaux, sextext, snamenci,
snamepst, snamenc, snamesub, snameaux, snameext, spathnci,
spathpst, spathnc, spathsub, spathaux, spathext
Notes These variables are available within any postblock called.

M/L/W/R Variables read at post start of file

Assigned or vers_no, m_vers_no, mc_day, mc_mon, mc_year, mc_hour, mc_min,
Calculated mc_sec
Variables
Notes These variables are read from the NCI Gcode 1050 line and
remain available with all postblocks.

M/L/R Variables read at Mill/Lathe/Router tool change

NCI Gcode 1050
Assigned or vers_no, m_vers_no, mc_day, mc_mon, mc_year, mc_hour,
Calculated mc_min, mc_sec, smcname, smcpath, smcext
Variables
Notes Only at the head of the NCI file.
NCI Gcode 1011
Calculated
Variables
Notes
NCI Gcode 1012

Assigned or mi1, mi2, mi3, mi4 ,mi5, mi6, mi7, mi8, mi9, mi10, mergenumber,
Calculated merge_end
Variables
Notes
NCI Gcode 1013

Assigned or cc, tldia, tcr, cctotip, tlplnno, tox, toy, toz, opcode, toolname, tlrad,
Calculated trflat, strtool, strtoolpath, strtoolext, ccomp, cc_pos
Variables
Notes cctotip is only read in Mill paths, cc_pos is set if cc_1013 is set.
NCI Gcode 1014
Assigned or m1, m2, m3, m4, m5, m6, m7, m8, m9
Calculated NOT READ IN PREPARATORY/ROTAXTYP >=6 – vtoolx, vtooly,
Variables vtoolz
Notes
NCI Gcode 1016

Assigned or op_id, tool_typ, tool_op, cplnno, corgx, corgy, corgz, cc_computer,
Calculated workofs, met_tool, n_flutes, spindle_no, n_tap_thds, lstation,
Variables lturret, ltool_id
Notes
continued next page

Variables read at Mill/Lathe/Router tool change (continued)

NCI Gcode 1017
Assigned or cm1, cm2, cm3, cm4, cm5, cm6, cm7, cm8, cm9
Calculated
Variables
Notes
NCI Gcode 1018

Assigned or sub_ref_id, sub_op_id, sub_grp_id, sub_trns_id, sub_sec_no,
Calculated sub_totl_no, sub_chn_no, sub_inc, sub_trnstyp, sub_trnmthd,
Variables sub_m1, sub_m2, sub_m3, sub_m4, sub_m5, sub_m6, sub_m7,
sub_m8, sub_m9, sub_trnsx, sub_trnsy, sub_trnsz, sub_nxt_t,
sub_nxt_h, sub_nxt_tid, sub_mny_t, wdum2, wdum3
NOT READ IN PREPARATORY - rcc_flg, sub_prg_no, subout,
sub_level, absinc
NCI Gcode 1020
Assigned or stck_ht, stck_wdth, stck_thck, stck_x, stck_y, stck_z, stck_crnr,
Calculated rotary_vecx, rotary_vecy, rotary_vecz, maxss, stck_matl
Variables
Notes
NCI Gcode 1025

Assigned or cant_no, cant_pos1, cant_pos10, cant_pos2, cant_pos3,
Calculated cant_pos4, cant_pos5, cant_pos6, cant_pos7, cant_pos8,
Variables cant_pos9, cant_val1, cant_val10, cant_val2,
cant_val3, cant_val4, cant_val5, cant_val6, cant_val7, cant_val8,
cant_val9, cantext
Notes These NCI Gcodes are considered a block of data when a tool
change occurs.

W Variables read at Wire tool change

NCI Gcode 1050
Assigned or vers_no, m_vers_no, mc_day, mc_mon, mc_year, mc_hour,
Calculated mc_min, mc_sec, smcname, smcpath, smcext
Variables
Notes Only at the head of the NCI file.
NCI Gcode 1011
Calculated
Variables
Notes
NCI Gcode 1012

Assigned or mi1, mi2, mi3, mi4 ,mi5, mi6, mi7, mi8, mi9, mi10
Calculated
Variables
Notes
NCI Gcode 1013

Assigned or cc, tldia, tcr, overburn, wire, power, wox, woy, woz, opcode, toolname,
Calculated tlrad, zx, zy, strtool, strtoolpath, strtoolext
Variables
Notes cc_pos is set if cc_1013 is set.
NCI Gcode 1014
Assigned or m1, m2, m3, m4, m5, m6, m7, m8, m9
Calculated ROTAXTYP >= 6 -vtoolx, vtooly, vtoolz
Variables
Notes
NCI Gcode 1015

Assigned or subtyp, subno, td_ct_flg, tabcut, wtrim, skimpass, cutx, cuty,
Calculated trimplane1, trimplane2, reg1, reg2, reg3, reg4, reg5, reg6, reg7,
Variables reg8, reg9, reg10
continued next page

Variables read at Wire tool change (continued)

NCI Gcode 1016
Assigned or op_id, nocore_fin, tool_op, cplnno, corgx, corgy, corgz,
Calculated cc_computer, workofs, met_tool, pdo_type, spindle_no, rpd_hght
Variables
Notes
NCI Gcode 1020

Assigned or stck_ht, stck_wdth, stck_thck, stck_x, stck_y, stck_z, stck_crnr,
Calculated tank, stck_matl
Variables
Notes
NCI Gcode 1025

Assigned or cant_no, cant_pos1, cant_pos10, cant_pos2, cant_pos3,
Calculated cant_pos4, cant_pos5, cant_pos6, cant_pos7, cant_pos8,
Variables cant_pos9, cant_val1, cant_val10, cant_val2,
cant_val3, cant_val4, cant_val5, cant_val6, cant_val7, cant_val8,
cant_val9, cantext
Notes These NCI Gcodes are considered a block of data when a tool
change occurs.

M/L/R Variables common to Mill/Lathe/Router tool change

Assigned or progno, t, tloffno, tlngno, plane, ss, fr, coolant, xr, yr, zr, xh, yh, zh,
Calculated rotaxis, rotdia, vtoolx, vtooly, vtoolz, vtlofsx, vtlofsy, vtlofsz
Variables NOT READ IN PREPARATORY/ROTAXTYP < 6 - x4, y4, z4, tox4,
toy4, toz4, matm1, matm2, matm3, matm4, matm5, matm6, matm7,
matm8, matm9, matm10, a, c
NOT READ IN PREPARATORY - seqno, seqinc
Variables common to mill/lathe next tool routine
Notes These are the variables read at the NCI Gcode 1000, 1001 and
1002 line.
rotary_type, rotaxis_dir, rotaxis, rotary_axis, tlngno, plane are zeroed
in Lathe.
orient is zeroed in Mill. seqno, seqinc are only read for NCI
Gcode 1002 (start of file).
See Volume 2, Rotary Processing for more information.

W Variables common to Wire tool change

Assigned or progno, pass, ccode, offset, plane, inittaper, fr, water, threadx,
Calculated thready, threadz, startx, starty, threadz, xyheight, uvheight,
Variables up_st_vecx, up_st_vecy, up_st_vecz, up_st_mode, xr, yr, zr, xh,
yh, zh, t, dofs, lofs
NOT READ IN PREPARATORY - seqno, seqinc
Variables common to wire next tool routine
Variables common to wire next variable routine
Notes These are the variables read at the NCI Gcode 1000, 1001 and
1002 line. seqno, seqinc are only read for NCI Gcode 1002.

M/L/R Variables common to Mill/Lathe/Router linear motion

Assigned or gcode, cc, xnci, ynci, znci, fr, xs, ys, ipr_actv, fr_pos
Calculated Variables common to mill/lathe contour flags
Variables NOT READ IN PREPARATORY – n, gnci, ccomp, cc_pos, x, y, z, x4,
y4, z4, cutpos, cutpos2, motst, dirchg, move_ang, move_ang3, nci_line
Notes If rotaxtyp < 6 and rotdia > 0, xs, ys

W Variables common to Wire linear motion, lower

Assigned or gcode, g20code, cc, xnci, ynci, znci, fr, wt, wc, wc_rad, wt_immd
Calculated Variables common to wire contour flags
Variables NOT READ IN PREPARATORY – n, gnci, ccomp, cc_pos, x, y, z,
last_g60_wt, wq, wr, cutpos, cutpos2, motst, move_ang, nci_line
Notes If qrtyp = 2, wr, wq

W Variables common to Wire linear motion, upper

Assigned or gcode, g30code, wcc, wx, wy, wz, wfr, wtpr, wcor, wcor_rad, wt_immd
Variables NOT READ IN PREPARATORY – n, gnci, wr, cutpos, cutpos2, motst,
move_ang, nci_line
Notes See Volume 2, Wire 2-Axis to 4-Axis Conversion for more
information.

M/L/R Variables common to Mill/Lathe/Router circular motion

Assigned or gcode, plane, cc, xnci, ynci, znci, xcnci, ycnci, zcnci, xc, yc, zc, fr, xs,
Calculated ys, ipr_actv, fr_pos
Variables Variables common to mill/lathe contour flags
NOT READ IN PREPARATORY – n, gnci, ccomp, cc_pos, x, y, z, I, j,
k, arcrad, sweep, so, eo, sa, ea, dmax, cutpos, cutpos2, motst,
move_ang, move_ang3, nci_line

W Variables common to Wire circular motion, lower

Assigned or gcode, g20code, plane, cc, xnci, ynci, znci, xcnci, ycnci, xc, yc, fr, wt,
Calculated wc, wc_rad, warc_ctyp, warc_rad, wt_immd
Variables Variables common to wire contour flags
NOT READ IN PREPARATORY – n, gnci, ccomp, cc_pos, x, y, z,
last_g60_wt, wq, wr, cutpos, cutpos2, motst, move_ang, nci_line

W Variables common to Wire circular motion, upper

Assigned or gcode, g30code, wplane, wcc, wx, wy, wz, wxc, wyc, wfr, wtpr, wcor,
Calculated wcor_rad, warc_cortyp, warc_radius
NOT READ IN PREPARATORY – n, gnci, wr, wq, cutpos, cutpos2,
motst, move_ang, nci_line

M/L/R Variables common to 5-axis Gcode 11

Assigned or gcode, xnci, ynci, znci, u, v, w, fr, fr_pos, p_svec, q_svec, r_svec,
Calculated rev5, cutpos, cuttyp, vert_tool, lower_x, lower_y, lower_z, upper_x,
Variables upper_y, upper_z, xs, ys, mill5
NOT READ IN PREPARATORY – n, gnci, x, y, z, vtoolx, vtooly,
vtoolz, cutpos2, dirchg, motst, move_ang, move_ang3, nci_line

W Variables common to Wire taper Gcode 11

Assigned or gcode, cc, xnci, ynci, znci, u, v, w, fr
Variables NOT READ IN PREPARATORY – n, gnci, ccomp, cc_pos, x, y, z, wq,
wr, cutpos, cutpos2, motst, move_ang, nci_line

M/L/R Variables common to drill canned cycle Gcode 81

Assigned or gcode, drillcyc, xnci, ynci, depth, znci, x ( lathe), z (lathe), u, v, w, refht,
Calculated initht, zdrl (mill), xdrl (lathe), tosz, dwell, peck1, peck2, peckclr, retr,
Variables shftdrl, mi1drl, mi2drl, rev_drl5, frplunge, fr_pos, ipr_actv, xs, ys
vtoolz, zdrill, cutpos, cutpos2, dirchg, motst, move_ang, move_ang3,
drill5, nci_line, bug9
Notes If rotaxtyp < 6 and rotdia > 0, xs, ys.

Many of the values read from the NCI file with the drilling
operations are manipulated by the post executable before they
are made available to the post writer. Do not expect to relate the
values in the NCI file to those presented during posting. The
numeric variables calculated is dependent on the cycle
generated as canned or long code.

W Variables common to Wire canned cycle Gcode 81

Assigned or gcode, cancyc, x, y, z, canned1, canned2, canned3, canned4,
Calculated canned5, canned6, canned7, rev_drl5,
NOT READ IN PREPARATORY – n, gnci
Notes

M/L/R Variables common to drill canned cycle Gcode 100

Assigned or gcode, xnci, ynci, depth, znci, u, v, w, refht, initht, zdrl (mill), xdrl
Calculated (lathe), dwell, rev_drl5, frplunge, xs, ys, m1 – m9
Variables Variables common to mill/lathe contour flags
vtoolz, zdrill, cutpos, cutpos2, dirchg, motst, move_ang, move_ang3,
drill5, nci_line, bug9
Notes If rotaxtyp < 6 and rotdia > 0, xs, ys.

Many of the values read from the NCI file with the drilling
operations are manipulated by the post executable before they
are made available to the post writer. Do not expect to relate the
values in the NCI file to those presented during posting. The
numeric variables calculated is dependent on the cycle
generated as canned or long code.

W Variables common to Wire canned cycle Gcode 100

Assigned or gcode, x, y, z, rev_drl5
Variables NOT READ IN PREPARATORY – n, gnci
Notes

M/L/W/R Variables common to drill/Wire canned cycle

Assigned or drl_prm1, drl_prm2, drl_prm3, drl_prm4, drl_prm5, drl_prm6, drl_prm7,
Calculated drl_prm8, drl_prm9, drl_prm10
Variables
Notes These variables are read from the NCI Gcode 82 line.

L Variables common to Lathe thread cycle

Assigned or nspring, thdfinish, thdpulloff, nstarts, thdxclr, thdangle, thdequcut,
Calculated thdncuts, thdx1, thdx2, thdz1, thdz2, thdlead, thdfirst, thdlast, thdzclr,
Variables thda1, thda2, thdtype, thdx3, thdface, ipr_actv, fr_pos
NOT READ IN PREPARATORY – n, gnci, x, z, thdtaper, thddepth,
thdlng, thdflat, thdpass
Notes These variables are read from the both NCI Gcode 200 and 201
lines.

M/L/R Variables common to Mill/Lathe break up routines

Assigned or brk_cantext, brk_commvar, brk_cc, brk_ccomp, brk_cc_pos,
Calculated brk_nextop, brk_nextccomp, brk_nextcflg, brk_cend, brk_cstop,
Variables brk_cgstop, brk_rpd_typ
Notes The break up routines must be enabled to provide valid data.
See Volume 2, Break Up of Motion for more information.

W Variables common to Wire break up routines

Assigned or brk_cantext, brk_commvar, brk_cc, brk_ccomp, brk_cc_pos,
Calculated brk_nextop, brk_nextccomp, brk_nextcflg, brk_cend, brk_cstop,
Variables brk_cgstop, brk_thrd_cut
Notes The break up routines must be enabled to provide valid data.
See Volume 2, Break Up of Motion for more information.

M/L/R Variables common to Mill/Lathe next variable routine

Assigned or nextop, nextccomp, nextdc, nextx, nexty, nextz, nextu, nextv, nextw,
Calculated nextxc, nextyc, nextplane, nextcflg
Variables
Notes The look ahead routine must be enabled to provide valid data.
See Volume 1, Getting the Next Move for more information.

W Variables common to Wire next variable routine

Assigned or nextop, nextccomp, nextdc, nextx, nexty, nextxc, nextyc, nextwt,
Calculated nextwt_immd, nextwc, nextcflg
Variables
Notes The look ahead routine must be enabled to provide valid data.
See Volume 1, Getting the Next Move for more information.

M/L/R Variables common to Mill/Lathe/Router contour flags

Assigned or cur_cflg, cstart, cend, rpd_typ, cstop, cgstop, coolant
Calculated
Variables
Notes cur_cflg is the value passed from the NCI file.

W Variables common to Wire contour flags

Assigned or cur_cflg, cstart, cend, cstop, cgstop, thrd_cut, water, power, tank
Calculated
Variables
Notes cur_cflg is the value passed from the NCI file.

M/L/W/R Variables common to canned text

Assigned or cantext, cant_pos1, cant_pos2, cant_pos3, cant_pos4, cant_pos5,
Calculated cant_pos6, cant_pos7, cant_pos8, cant_pos9, cant_pos10, cant_val1,
Variables cant_val2, cant_val3, cant_val4, cant_val5, cant_val6, cant_val7,
cant_val8, cant_val9, cant_val10, cant_no
Notes These variables are read from the NCI Gcode 1025 line. They
are only available if the line was present before the NCI Gcode
that performed the postblock call.

M/L/W/R Variables common to comments

Assigned or
Calculated NOT READ IN PREPARATORY – scomm, scomm0, commlng,
Variables commvar, comm._cnt, comm._call
Notes Use sparameter with pwrttparam in preparatory routine.

commlng is only available if the comment is not buffered and NCI
Gcode is 1005, 1006 or 1008.
See Volume 1, How Comments from the NCI Work for more
information.

M/L/W/R Variables common to drill parameters

Assigned or drl_prm1, drl_prm2, drl_prm3, drl_prm4, drl_prm5, drl_prm6, drl_prm7,
Calculated drl_prm8, drl_prm9, drl_prm10
Variables
Notes

M/L/R Variables common to subprogram start

Assigned or sub_ref_id, sub_op_id, sub_grp_id, sub_trns_id, sub_sec_no,
Calculated sub_totl_no, sub_chn_no, sub_inc
Variables ONLY FOR TRANSFORM SUBS - sub_trnstyp, sub_trnmthd,
sub_m1, sub_m2, sub_m3, sub_m4, sub_m5, sub_m6, sub_m7,
sub_m8, sub_m9, sub_trnsx, sub_trnsy, sub_trnsz, sub_nxt_t,
sub_nxt_h, sub_nxt_tid, sub_mny_t, wdum2, wdum3
NOT READ IN PREPARATORY - rcc_flg, sub_prg_no, subout,
sub_level, absinc

M/L/R Variables common to subprogram end

Assigned or esub_ref_id, esub_op_id, esub_grp_id, esub_trns_id,
Calculated esub_sec_no, esub_totl_no, esub_chn_no
Variables

M/L/R Variables common to Mill/Lathe/Router next tool routine

Assigned or ntools, first_tool
Calculated READ AT TOOL CHANGE – next_tool, ttblend
Variables
Notes NCI Gcode 1001 and 1002 and bldnxtool must be set to 1.

W Variables common to Wire next tool routine

Assigned or ntools, first_tool
Calculated READ AT TOOL CHANGE – next_tool
Variables
Notes bldnxtool must be set to 1. This also enables the wire radius and
taper lists to be written.

Predefined Postblocks - Database Order (Mill/Lathe/Router)

pheader pdrill0 pbore1 lbore1_2
pq pdrill30 pbore2 lbore2_2
pwrtt pdrill50 pmisc1 lmisc1_2
pwrttparam pthread0 pmisc2 lmisc2_2
ptooltbl pdwl_spd pdrlcst pcancelcc
psynclath pmx mdrill pcanceldc
pparameter pmx1 mpeck pg32e
pscomm0 pmx2 mchpbrk ptoolend
pcomment prapid mtap mtoolend
pmiscparam pzrapid mbore1 ltoolend
pmiscint plin mbore2 pprep
pmiscreal plin1 mmisc1 ppost
pmat plin2 mmisc2 psub_st_m
ptplane pz ldrill psub_end_m
protofs pz1 lpeck psub_end_m_r
prot pcir lchpbrk psub_st_s
prot0 pcir1 ltap psub_end_s
pthdext pcir2 lbore1 psub_call_m
pthdint mrapid lbore2 psub_call_mm
pthdface mlin lmisc1 psub_call_s
psof00 mcir lmisc2 prcc_setup
ptlchg00 lrapid pdrill_2 prcc_call_st
peof00 llin ppeck_2 prcc_call_end
psof lcir pchpbrk_2 pfcc_call
psof0 pg32 ptap_2 pstck_trans
ptlchg pg76 pbore1_2 pstck_flip
ptlchg0 pg92 pbore2_2 pstck_bar_fd
ptlchg1002 pthrg32_1 pmisc1_2 pchuck
peof pthrg32_2 pmisc2_2 ptailstock
peof0 pthrg32_3 pdrlcst_2 psteadyrest
msof pthrg32_4 mdrill_2 psub_call_tt
msof0 pthrg92_1 mpeck_2 psub_st_tt
mtlchg pthrg92_2 mchpbrk_2 psub_end_tt
mtlchg0 pthrg92_3 mtap_2 plin_end
meof pthrg92_4 mbore1_2 pcir_end
meof0 pthrg76_1 mbore2_2 pmx_end
lsof pdrill3 mmisc1_2 pdrl_end
lsof0 pdrill5 mmisc2_2 pthd_end
ltlchg pdrill ldrill_2 psof_end
ltlchg0 ppeck lpeck_2 ptlchg0_end
leof pchpbrk lchpbrk_2 ptlchg_end
leof0 ptap ltap_2 prd1000
pmx0
plin0
pcir0

Predefined Postblocks - Database Order (Wire)

pheader pcan1 pcir_end
pq pcan2 pedm_end
pwrtt pcan3 pcan_end
pwrttparam pcan4 plow_uv_end
ptooltbl pcan5 psof_end
ptprlist pcan6 ptlchg0_end
pradlist pcan7 ptlchg_end
pparameter pcan8 prd1000
pscomm0 pcancst
pcomment pcan1_2
pmiscparam pcan2_2
pmiscint pcan3_2
pmiscreal pcan4_2
psubcall pcan5_2
psof pcan6_2
psof0 pcan7_2
ptlchg pcan8_2
ptlchg0 pcancst_2
ptlchg1002 pcancelcc
peof pcancelcyc
peof0 ptoolend
pcan0 pprep
pedm0 ppost
pconchg psub_st_m
pdwl_spd psub_end_m
pedm psub_end_m_r
pedm1 psub_st_s
pedm2 psub_end_s
pedm3 psub_call_m
prapid psub_call_mm
pzrapid psub_call_s
plin pdir_tapr
plin1 pdir_tp_end
plin2 prcc_setup
plin3 prcc_call_st
pz prcc_call_end
pz1 pfcc_call
pcir psub_call_tt
pcir1 psub_st_tt
pcir2 psub_end_tt
pcir3 plin_end

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Volume 3 Chapter 2 Postblocks

The postblock role

November 2002 Mastercam Version 9.1 MP Post Reference Guide 2-1

Mill, Lathe and Router Wire

Pre-output Pre-output postblocks

Tool change Tool change

Start of file Start of file

Actual tool change Actual tool change

Null tool change Null tool change

End of file End of file

Cutter compensation Cutter compensation

Linear rapid Linear rapid

Linear feed Linear feed

Linear Z only Linear Z only

2-2 Mastercam Version 9.1 MP Post Reference Guide November 2002

Mill, Lathe and Router Wire

Miscellaneous operations UV taper

Path end Path end

Lathe canned cycle Wire canned cycle

Postblock ‘end’ Postblock ‘end’

Not used in Wire (future)

Postblocks listed by category

Mill, Lathe and Router Wire

November 2002 Mastercam Version 9.1 MP Post Reference Guide 2-3

Mill, Lathe and Router Wire

Start of file UV taper

Null tool change

2-4 Mastercam Version 9.1 MP Post Reference Guide November 2002

Mill, Lathe and Router Wire

Actual tool change

Null tool change

Mill, Lathe and Router Wire

2-6 Mastercam Version 9.1 MP Post Reference Guide November 2002

Mill, Lathe and Router Wire

November 2002 Mastercam Version 9.1 MP Post Reference Guide 2-7

Mill, Lathe and Router Wire

Miscellaneous Operations (Lathe)

2-8 Mastercam Version 9.1 MP Post Reference Guide November 2002

Mill, Lathe and Router Wire

Lathe canned cycle

Wire canned cycle

Wire canned cycle point

November 2002 Mastercam Version 9.1 MP Post Reference Guide 2-9

Mill, Lathe and Router Wire

Whatno (Do NOT use these!)

Not used in Wire (future)

2-10 Mastercam Version 9.1 MP Post Reference Guide November 2002

Mill, Lathe and Router Wire

Predefined postblock descriptions

November 2002 Mastercam Version 9.1 MP Post Reference Guide 2-11

M/L/R pbore1, lbore1, mbore1

2-12 Mastercam Version 9.1 MP Post Reference Guide November 2002

M/L/R pbore2, lbore2, mbore2

n, *drillref, *sgdrill, x, y, *depth, *refht, dwell, fr_pos, e

November 2002 Mastercam Version 9.1 MP Post Reference Guide 2-13

M/R pbore1_2, lbore1_2, mbore1_2

n, x, y, depth, refht, dwell, fr_pos, e

2-14 Mastercam Version 9.1 MP Post Reference Guide November 2002

M/R pbore2_2, lbore2_2, mbore2_2

n, drillref, sgdrill, x, y, depth, refht, dwell, fr_pos, e

n, drillref, sgdrill, x, y, depth, peck1, *refht, dwell,

n, drillref, sgdrill, x, y, depth, refht, dwell, fr_pos, e