Module 06 / CAM-Post / 3-axis in Standard, 5-axis in Professional
A CAM post processor for Fanuc and Haas that names the firmware it was proven on.
CAM-Post turns toolpaths into G-code for 14 controller and firmware combinations across Fanuc, Haas, Heidenhain and Siemens 840D. Three-axis posts ship in every Standard seat at $2,490. Five-axis posts come with Professional at $3,890, or as a $990 one-time add-on on a Standard seat.
01What it is
Posts, not a CAM suite
We are a 3D CAD software company. CAM-Post exists so a modelled part leaves the building as code a machine accepts.
The workbench generates toolpaths for the common jobs: facing, 2.5D pocketing and contouring, drilling cycles, 3-axis parallel and waterline finishing. It then runs them through a post-processor written for one controller model at one firmware level. That last part is where most posts fail. A Fanuc 0i-MF and a 31i-B5 both read G-code, but their handling of G05.1 high-speed smoothing and tool-centre-point control is not the same, and a generic Fanuc post that ignores the difference costs a part.
So every post on this page is named by controller and firmware, and each one was run on a physical machine before it shipped. Firmware outside that list is not refused, it is warned: the post writes a header comment in the output and the workbench shows the mismatch before you save. Posts are plain-text .swpost files. Your programmer can open one, change a line feed or a coolant code, and version it in Git next to the part.
We will not ship a post we have not cut with. That is why there is no Mazak or Okuma post yet. Customers on those controllers usually keep their existing CAM and use our STEP AP242 export, which loses nothing that matters for machining.
02Every shipped post
Fanuc, Haas, Heidenhain and Siemens 840D posts by firmware
POST REGISTRY / 14 ENTRIES
| Controller | Firmware / series | Machine class | 3-axis | 5-axis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fanuc 0i-MF Plus | Series 0i-F, edition 21 | Vertical mill | Standard | Not offered |
| Fanuc 31i-B | Series 31i-B, ed. 24 | Vertical mill | Standard | Not offered |
| Fanuc 31i-B5 | Series 31i-B5, ed. 24 | Trunnion 5-axis | Standard | Add-on / Pro |
| Haas NGC | 100.21.000.1100 | VF series mill | Standard | Not offered |
| Haas NGC | 100.21.000.1100 | UMC trunnion | Standard | Add-on / Pro |
| Haas Classic | Mill software 16.x | VF series mill | Standard | Not offered |
| Heidenhain TNC 620 | NC SW 81760x-08 | Vertical mill | Standard | Not offered |
| Heidenhain TNC 640 | NC SW 340595-10 | Swivel head / table | Standard | Add-on / Pro |
| Heidenhain TNC7 | NC SW 817620-17 | Vertical mill | Standard | Not offered |
| Siemens 840D sl | SINUMERIK Operate 4.95 | Vertical mill | Standard | Not offered |
| Siemens 840D sl | SINUMERIK Operate 4.95 | Head-table 5-axis | Standard | Add-on / Pro |
| Siemens ONE | SINUMERIK Operate 6.20 | Vertical mill | Standard | Not offered |
| Siemens 828D | SW 4.95 | Vertical mill | Standard | Not offered |
| Generic ISO | ISO 6983 subset | Any 3-axis | Standard | Not offered |
Four 5-axis entries, one per controller family.Post source: Program Files\Solldworkss\posts\*.swpost
03Catalogue item / add-on
CAM-Post 5-axis add-on for Standard owners
-
Fig. 2Ball-end finishing pass with tool-axis tilt held at 15° from the surface normal. CAM-Post 5-axis add-on
$990 one-time per Standard seat
Adds the four 5-axis posts to an existing Standard seat: Fanuc 31i-B5, Haas NGC on UMC trunnions, Heidenhain TNC 640 and Siemens 840D sl, plus the matching toolpath strategies (swarf, multi-axis contour, tilted 3+2 and simultaneous finishing). It does not replace the licence. Your seat key stays the same and the add-on unlocks on the next licence refresh.
It suits a shop that already owns Standard and has bought one trunnion machine. If you also need the solvers, Professional at $3,890 includes 5-axis and Simulation together, which works out cheaper than buying both add-ons on Standard ($990 plus $1,590). These are list prices; volume or floating-licence quotes go through the form.
- Toolpath strategies added
- 4
- Kinematics
- TCPM / TRAORI / G43.4
- Collision check
- Holder + spindle nose
- Maintenance
- Covered by $590/yr
A post that says Fanuc is a guess. A post that says 31i-B5 edition 24 is a promise you can check at the control.
04First part off the machine
From toolpath to proven program
- 01
Pick the machine
Choose a machine definition: controller, firmware, axis limits, rotary configuration. Ten minutes the first time, then it is a file in your library.
- 02
Program and simulate
Toolpaths are generated on the model from the Part or Assembly workbench and simulated against stock, holder and machine kinematics.
- 03
Post and read
The post writes G-code with a header block naming post version, firmware and tool list. Read it before it goes to the control. We mean that.
- 04
Dry run, then cut
Single-block with the feed override down. If the control rejects a line, send us the file and the alarm number; post fixes ship in the next patch release for maintenance customers.
05Objections
What machinists ask first
Supported from Austin by the same engineers who write the posts.
Is this a replacement for Mastercam or hyperMILL?
No. For impellers, blisks and heavy mould work, a dedicated CAM package has strategies we do not. CAM-Post suits shops that program their own parts in their own CAD and want one less file transfer. If CAM is your main product, keep your CAM and export STEP AP242 from us.
My firmware is not in the table.
The nearest post will usually work, and the output header says so. Send us your controller's parameter backup and a sample program through the contact form; if we can test it, it goes on the list.
Can I edit a post myself?
Yes. Posts are plain text with a documented block structure. Edits are yours to keep; we only ask that you rename the file so an update does not overwrite your changes.
Does it support lathes or mill-turn?
Not in 2024.3. Turning is not on this page because we have not cut with it. Milling, 3-axis and 5-axis, is the whole scope.
Trial includes all 14 posts
Post a program for your own control before you buy.
The 30-day trial unlocks 3- and 5-axis so you can dry-run on your machine. Prices for every seat and add-on sit on the pricing page. Sheet parts headed for the laser are on the sheet-metal page; drawings for the inspection room on Drawing.