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CNC machine integration with PolyBoard

CNC machine integration with PolyBoard

If you’ve got a CNC machine, or you’re planning to buy one, your choice of design software will be based not just on the quality of the software but also on it’s ability to work with your machine. In fact, that’s the first question we normally get asked.

PolyBoard is compatible with all CNC software, we offer a 100% money back guarantee with that*

design in polyboard — Design in Polyboard, use a post processor to output your project

cam software — Load into your CAM software and generate the machine code

generate code to run your cnc — To run your CNC

PolyBoard will work with any CNC machine

Once set up, all the manufacturing details of your design, including drilling placements for your hardware, can be sent automatically to your CNC. The result is 100% accurate machined parts to make assembly incredibly fast, easy and error free.

“I’m very satisfied with PolyBoard, it integrates perfectly with my CNC machine. Manufacturing has become simpler and much faster using [PolyBoard’s] manufacturing methods and sub-methods. This immediately allowed me to output work for my clients much faster.”
Bertrand Gass, owner of the Gass Workshop
(PolyBoard Pro PP + OptiNest + Biesse CNC)

Video overview of your CNC integration options

Please note, if you don’t see a specific post processor for your own machine, you can create a new post processor and input the parameters specific to your machine. We offer a post processor set up service if you need help integrating our software with your machine.

The exact configuration of each post processor is also continually being updated, so the parameters in the latest version of the software may not match exactly.

There are two main types of configuration depending on machine

1. Built in post processor available

For some of the major CNC brands we have created a specific post processor that outputs files for the machine’s CAM software in its native file format, for example MPR files for woodWOP/Homag, CIX or CID files for bSolid/Biesse, TCN files for TpaCAD/Felder, XXL files for Xilog/SCM, or HOP files for NC-HOPS/Holz-her and others.

polyboard post processors — All our post processors are highly flexible so you can customise the output to your way of working

This is ready to load into the CAM software for immediate output of the machine code. There is no extra processing to be done in the CAM software, all parameters and tool paths are already included.

The configuration of each of these post processors is highly customisable within PolyBoard to match your specific production method. The integration is seamless and very fast.

Homag / Weeke – woodWOP
Biesse – BiesseWorks / bSolid
SCM / Morbidelli – Xilog Plus / Maestro
Felder / Vitap / Busellato / Brema – TpaCAD
Holz-her and associated – NC-HOPS
Format4 – F4®Integrate

2. Integration through intermediate CAM software

There are 100s if not 1000s of CNC manufacturers worldwide. If your machine is not one of those for which we have a specific post processor, PolyBoard outputs layered DXF files of each part that you load into a CAM software. These files will provide the geometry which can be processed in a CAM program to create the GCode to run your machine. Again, the DXF output can be fine tuned to the exact requirements of the CAM program you are running.

The whole process is highly automated and takes only a minute or two to process through the CAM software and output the complete machine code to run your CNC. In fact, many integrations using our DXF post processor are now comparable in speed and performance with a brand specific post processor.

If you already have a machine, in all likelihood you will already have CAM software. If you’re planning to buy a machine and it isn’t supplied with this software, we can advise you on a good option.

More information on this CAM set up (for machines run on GCode, file extensions will vary)

We also have extra details here on Alphacam and Vectric VCarve Pro/Aspire

Here’s a list of some of the well known routers and CAM software solutions set up this way and working with PolyBoard right now…

Masterwood	Alphacam	ShotBot	Busellato/Casedei
VCarve Pro	Laguna	Autodesk	Powell CNC
Enroute	CamBam	Thermwood	Multicam
Artcam	Giben	LazyCam/Mach	Direct import from China
ProgeCAD	GannoMAT	TYPE EDIT	Aspire

As well as 3-axis CNCs, PolyBoard is also able to output the data to run 4 and 5-axis machines

Biesseworks showing cut angles — BiesseWorks 4/5-axis bevel angle management

woodwop showing cut angles — woodWOP 4/5-axis bevel angle management

Cannot find your exact set up?

Don’t worry, this is just a small selection of all the brands and suppliers. As long as your CAM software accepts DXF files (they all do!) PolyBoard will work with your machine.

If you don’t have a machine yet, you will need CAM software to run it. Please ask if you would like a recommendation.

Would you like more reassurance before going ahead?

Download our part by part test files and load them into your CAM software.

Test manufacturing files

Please note, to complete the set up, PolyBoard’s output parameters will need to be configured to match your machine, in particular the numbers or reference of the tools set up on your CNC. So with this test you won’t be able to cut and machine in full, but you will be able to check the files load successfully to your CNC / CAM interface.

We also offer online screen sharing sessions to confirm compatibility. This is a good opportunity to discuss the integration and set up for your specific production process, along with everything from tools to optimisation to hardware options.

PolyBoard pricing and sales information

*PolyBoard outputs drawings of each part in an industry standard output (DXF) accepted by all CNC software. The CNC software is responsible for interpretation of these drawings and running the CNC machine.