Can a hexagon CMM run Modus software. It’s from Renishaw. Can a hexagon CMM run both and just switch over? Is that something that is commonly done with pcdmis and other CMM software?
How is this .CAL file created and what does it contain? If you have the script, just go for it?
The Renishaw Equator is not actually a calibrated CMM. It is better described as a 3D comparator. The way it works is a master part (doesn't need to be perfect) is measured on a traditional CMM. The measured XYZ values of every point is then put into a ASCII text file with a .CAL extension. There is a special format for each point which includes feature names and such. That same master part is then measured on the Equator with an identical measuring routine. The .CAL file is used to "calibrate" the machine for that part. That measuring routine can then be used to measure other parts on the Equator.
If the CMM that measures the master is using PC-DMIS and the Equator uses Modus, it is difficult to make measuring routines for both machines that measure all the exact same nominal points with all the same feature names. It essentially limits you to the features that are available to both softwares.
The Equator may sound like a really convoluted system, but it has the advantage of being very small, light, easy to move around the shop, doesn't need annual calibrations, has a ridiculous move speed and acceleration, and can accurately measure parts in both very cold and very warm environments because you routinely calibrate the machine on the master part. That corrects for thermal expansion changes on both the part and the machine itself.
The major downside is that it runs Modus, a fickle CMM software that really makes me appreciate PC-DMIS. And, the Equator controller itself uses a stripped down version of Windows that is running virtually on Linux. The system is fully locked down so you can't use admin rights to customize anything, add software, or make it secure enough to safely connect directly to a network. The simplest little tasks can take hours of problem solving and workarounds.
How is this .CAL file created and what does it contain? If you have the script, just go for it?
The Renishaw Equator is not actually a calibrated CMM. It is better described as a 3D comparator. The way it works is a master part (doesn't need to be perfect) is measured on a traditional CMM. The measured XYZ values of every point is then put into a ASCII text file with a .CAL extension. There is a special format for each point which includes feature names and such. That same master part is then measured on the Equator with an identical measuring routine. The .CAL file is used to "calibrate" the machine for that part. That measuring routine can then be used to measure other parts on the Equator.
If the CMM that measures the master is using PC-DMIS and the Equator uses Modus, it is difficult to make measuring routines for both machines that measure all the exact same nominal points with all the same feature names. It essentially limits you to the features that are available to both softwares.
The Equator may sound like a really convoluted system, but it has the advantage of being very small, light, easy to move around the shop, doesn't need annual calibrations, has a ridiculous move speed and acceleration, and can accurately measure parts in both very cold and very warm environments because you routinely calibrate the machine on the master part. That corrects for thermal expansion changes on both the part and the machine itself.
The major downside is that it runs Modus, a fickle CMM software that really makes me appreciate PC-DMIS. And, the Equator controller itself uses a stripped down version of Windows that is running virtually on Linux. The system is fully locked down so you can't use admin rights to customize anything, add software, or make it secure enough to safely connect directly to a network. The simplest little tasks can take hours of problem solving and workarounds.
