CMM Programming Good Practices

Here are some of the things I had done starting out.

I always review my print and create a plan for each dimension that I need to measure and the general flow of the program. I used to makes notes on the print for my plan but over time I stopped doing that. Then I ensure my setup will allow me to reach as many of the dims as possible if not all of them.

I calibrate all of my probes before I run my program unless I have a whole lot. In that case I rely on my not calibrated in the last 30 days notification.

If I had a physical part I would run each feature as I created it to ensure it did exactly as intended. Prevents any surprises when running the whole program.

When running a program I wasn't familiar with or just created I would put a break point on each Tip articulation to ensure the probe wouldn't slam into the part or table.

When setting my part up manually 90% of the time I use an iterative alignment due to simplicity and it removes any need to transform the CAD. I then follow up with a level rotate origin DCC alignment.

Make sure you fully understand what measurements are being requested and if you don't... ask. Never assume.

Once the program is complete and you have data take time to review it and make sense of it. Understand why each value was reported (mainly profiles/positions/parallelism etc.) This step is a huge in becoming an effective programmer.

Here are some of the things I had done starting out.

I always review my print and create a plan for each dimension that I need to measure and the general flow of the program. I used to makes notes on the print for my plan but over time I stopped doing that. Then I ensure my setup will allow me to reach as many of the dims as possible if not all of them.

I calibrate all of my probes before I run my program unless I have a whole lot. In that case I rely on my not calibrated in the last 30 days notification.

If I had a physical part I would run each feature as I created it to ensure it did exactly as intended. Prevents any surprises when running the whole program.

When running a program I wasn't familiar with or just created I would put a break point on each Tip articulation to ensure the probe wouldn't slam into the part or table.

When setting my part up manually 90% of the time I use an iterative alignment due to simplicity and it removes any need to transform the CAD. I then follow up with a level rotate origin DCC alignment.

Make sure you fully understand what measurements are being requested and if you don't... ask. Never assume.

Once the program is complete and you have data take time to review it and make sense of it. Understand why each value was reported (mainly profiles/positions/parallelism etc.) This step is a huge in becoming an effective programmer.