Detect presence of articulating probe head (and probe type also)

I'm trying to write a subroutine that I can call to have my CMMs run a quick check on a ring gage with tip 1. I want to be able to use the same subroutine on any machine, regardless of wether it has a Tesastar-m probe head, or a probe fixed to the quill. I'll add some other safe guards later to check the vector and diameter of the tip, incase it's pointing sideways or is a large disc and won't fit in the small ring gage.

To accomplish this, I think I need to test ifthere is a wrist present on the machine so I know to set the tip command to "TIP1" or "T1A0B0". I have a Basic script that can report what type of probe is in use, so I can easily tell if I'm using an LSP-X1s or X1c, and therefore, if there is an articulating probehead. However, I'd like to make the script robust enough so if I have, say an SP25 (which our sister company has), it can tell if its "quill-mounted" with a PH6M or on a probe head such as a PH10 or Tesastar-m. Anyone have any recommendations?

DJAMS over 12 years ago

Doesn't the Probe object contain an inventory of all the hardware items in the assembly?
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ewe0006 over 12 years ago

I believe it does, but I haven't been able to figure out what enumerations to use in the calls to find the right components. Unfortunately, I don't have alot of experience with scripting inside PC-DMIS, most of what I have done is from a stand-alone VB application, and is pushing data into PC-DMIS not trying to get information back out.
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DJAMS over 12 years ago

I never tried to get the info either, just remember seeing it in the object browser. If I get some time I'll tinker with it and see if I can figure it out.
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DJAMS over 12 years ago

This seems to work. I can tell from your posts that this will be more than sufficient to get you going.

    Set app = CreateObject("PCDLRN.Application")
    Set part = app.ActivePartProgram
    Set prb = part.Probes(part.CurrentProbeName)
    
    For I = 0 To prb.ConnectionCount
        prb.ActiveConnection = I
        For J = 0 To prb.ComponentCount
          Debug.Print I, J, prb.ConnectionDescription(I), prb.ComponentDescription(J)
        Next
    Next

Here is the start of the output that shows up in the VB Immediate window:

0             0            PROBEPH10MQ   1mm_FIXEDBALLwithSTEM
 0             1            PROBEPH10MQ   25.41-BT40(Shank)
 0             2            PROBEPH10MQ   25.41-BT50(Shank)
 0             3            PROBEPH10MQ   25.41-CAT40(Shank)
 0             4            PROBEPH10MQ   25.41-CAT50(Shank)
 0             5            PROBEPH10MQ   25.41-HDR(Body)
 0             6            PROBEPH10MQ   25.41-HSK100A(Shank)
 0             7            PROBEPH10MQ   25.41-HSK63A(Shank)
 0             8            PROBEPH10MQ   25.44-TMPHDR(Body)
 0             9            PROBEPH10MQ   2mm_FIXEDBALL
 0             10           PROBEPH10MQ   2mm_FIXEDBALLwithSTEM
 0             11           PROBEPH10MQ   30mm_FIXEDBALLwithSTEM
 0             12           PROBEPH10MQ   3mm_FIXEDBALL
 0             13           PROBEPH10MQ   3mm_FIXEDBALLwithSTEM
 0             14           PROBEPH10MQ   40.00-BT30(Shank)
 0             15           PROBEPH10MQ   40.00-BT40(Shank)
 0             16           PROBEPH10MQ   40.00-CAT40(Shank)
 0             17           PROBEPH10MQ   40.00-HSK40E-36-TI-V1(ThermoBlockShank))
 0             18           PROBEPH10MQ   40.00-HSK40E-L36(Shank)

So prb.ConnectionDescription(0) gives direct access to the name of first component in the probe assembly.

ewe0006 over 11 years ago

I actually made some progress yesterday afternoon, but didn't see your post until this morning. This is what I've made so far, though passing a variable back into the program was giving me some grief:

Sub Main
	CHECKBUSH
End Sub

Sub CHECKBUSH
	'Declare local variables
	Dim DmisApp As Object
	Dim DmisPart As Object
	Dim Probe As Object
	Dim tempstr as String
	Dim Var as Object


	'Set application objects
	Set DmisApp = CreateObject ("PCDLRN.Application")
	Set DmisPart = DmisApp.ActivePartProgram
	Set Probe = DmisPart.Probes(DmisPart.CurrentProbeName)
	Set Var = DmisPart.GetVariableValue ("V1")
	Var.LongValue = 0


	'Iterate through probe components looking for probehead
	For i = 0 to Probe.ConnectionCount() - 1

		tempstr = Ucase(Probe.ConnectionDescription(i))

		If InStr(1, tempstr, "TESASTAR_M") Then
			Var.LongValue = 1
			Exit For
		ElseIf InStr(1, tempstr, "TESASTAR_SM") Then
			Var.LongValue = 1
			Exit For
		ElseIf InStr(1, tempstr, "PH8") Then 
			Var.LongValue = 1
			Exit For
		ElseIf InStr(1, tempstr, "PH9") Then
			Var.LongValue = 1
			Exit For
		ElseIf InStr(1, tempstr, "PH10") Then
			Var.LongValue = 1
			Exit For
		End If

	Next

	DmisPart.SetVariableValue "V1", Var
	DmisPart.RefreshPart

	'Clear objects
	Set Var = Nothing
	Set Probe = Nothing
	Set DmisPart = Nothing
	Set DmisApp = Nothing

End Sub

ewe0006 over 11 years ago

So I ended up taking this a few steps further. My basic script is not only telling me if I have in indexing probe head, but also if I have an analog probe, and if so, it is passing back the OPTIONPROBE parameters.

Keep in mind, all of the OPTIONPROBE parameters I have listed here are default values I came across over time, and may not be correct.

Here's what my "PROBEPARAMS.BAS" file looks like:

Dim DmisApp As Object
Dim DmisPart As Object
Dim Commands as Object

Sub Main
	OpenPCDMISConnection
	GetProbeData
	ClosePCDMISConnection

End Sub

Sub OpenPCDMISConnection
	'Populate Application Objects
	Set DmisApp = CreateObject ("PCDLRN.Application")
	Set DmisPart = DmisApp.ActivePartProgram
	Set Commands = DmisPart.Commands

End Sub

Sub ClosePCDMISConnection
	'Destroy Application Objects
	Set Commands = Nothing
	Set DmisPart = Nothing
	Set DmisApp = Nothing

End Sub

Sub GetProbeData
	'Returns information regarding probe and probe head
	'Sets OptionProbe parameters for analog probes

	'Declare Local Variables
	Dim Probe As Object
	Dim ProbeHeadVar as Object
	Dim ScanningEnabled as Object
	Dim tempstr as String
	Dim temp as string

	'Populate Local Objects
	Set Probe = DmisPart.Probes(DmisPart.CurrentProbeName)
	Set ProbeHeadVar = DmisPart.GetVariableValue ("V1")
	ProbeHeadVar.LongValue = 0
	Set ScanningEnabled = DmisPart.GetVariableValue ("V9")
	ScanningEnabled.LongValue = 0

	'Iterate through probe components looking for probehead
	For i = 0 to Probe.ConnectionCount() - 1

		tempstr = Ucase(Probe.ConnectionDescription(i))

		If InStr(1, tempstr, "TESASTAR_M") Then
			ProbeHeadVar.LongValue = 1
			Exit For
		ElseIf InStr(1, tempstr, "TESASTAR_SM") Then
			ProbeHeadVar.LongValue = 1
			Exit For
		ElseIf InStr(1, tempstr, "PH8") Then 
			ProbeHeadVar.LongValue = 1
			Exit For
		ElseIf InStr(1, tempstr, "PH9") Then
			ProbeHeadVar.LongValue = 1
			Exit For
		ElseIf InStr(1, tempstr, "PH10") Then
			ProbeHeadVar.LongValue = 1
			Exit For
		End If
	Next

		
	For j = 0 to Probe.ConnectionCount() - 1
	
		tempstr = Ucase(Probe.ConnectionDescription(j))
	
		If InStr(1, tempstr, "SP25") Then
			'msgbox "Probe Type: SP25"
			SetOptProbeParams(1)
			ScanningEnabled.LongValue = 1
			Exit For
			
		ElseIf InStr(1, tempstr, "SP600") Then
			'msgbox "Probe Type: SP600"
			SetOptProbeParams(2)
			ScanningEnabled.LongValue = 1
			Exit For
		
		ElseIf InStr(1, tempstr, "SP80") and Not InStr(1, tempstr, "SP80_") Then
			'msgbox "Probe Type: SP80"
			SetOptProbeParams(3)
			ScanningEnabled.LongValue = 1
			Exit For
		
		ElseIf InStr(1, tempstr, "LSPX1S") Then
			'msgbox "Probe Type: LSP-X1s/c"
			SetOptProbeParams(4)
			ScanningEnabled.LongValue = 1
			Exit For
			
		ElseIf InStr(1, tempstr, "LSPX1C") Then
			'msgbox "Probe Type: LSP-X1s/c"
			SetOptProbeParams(4)
			ScanningEnabled.LongValue = 1
			Exit For
		
		ElseIf InStr(1, tempstr, "LSPX1M") Then
			'msgbox "Probe Type: LSP-X1m/e"
			SetOptProbeParams(5)
			ScanningEnabled.LongValue = 1
			Exit For
			
		ElseIf InStr(1, tempstr, "LSPX1E") Then
			'msgbox "Probe Type: LSP-X1m/e"
			SetOptProbeParams(5)
			ScanningEnabled.LongValue = 1
			Exit For
		
		ElseIf InStr(1, tempstr, "LSPX3") or InStr(1, tempstr, "LSPX5") Then
			'msgbox "Probe Type: LSP-X3/X5"
			SetOptProbeParams(6)
			ScanningEnabled.LongValue = 1
			Exit For
		
		Else

		End If

	Next

	'Set PC-DMIS part program variable values
	DmisPart.SetVariableValue "V1", ProbeHeadVar
	DmisPart.SetVariableValue "V9", ScanningEnabled
	DmisPart.RefreshPart

	'Clear Local Objects
	Set ProbeHeadVar = Nothing
	Set Probe = Nothing

End Sub

Sub SetOptProbeParams(ProbeType as integer)
	'Sets OptionProbe parameters for analog probes
	
	'Declare Local Application Objects
	Dim cmds as Object
	Dim cmd as Object
	
	'Declare Local Variables
	Dim MaxForce as Object, LowerForce as Object, UpperForce as Object
	Dim TriggerForce as Object, ReturnSpeed as Object, ScanOffsetForce as Object
	Dim TouchSpeed as Object
	
	'Populate Local Application Objects
	Set cmds = DmisPart.Commands
	
	'Populate Local Variables
	Set MaxForce = DmisPart.GetVariableValue ("V2")
	Set LowerForce = DmisPart.GetVariableValue ("V3")
	Set UpperForce = DmisPart.GetVariableValue ("V4")
	Set TriggerForce = DmisPart.GetVariableValue ("V5")
	Set ReturnSpeed = DmisPart.GetVariableValue ("V6")
	Set ScanOffsetForce = DmisPart.GetVariableValue ("V7")
	Set TouchSpeed = DmisPart.GetVariableValue ("V8")
	
	'Populate Local Variables
	Select Case ProbeType
		Case 1
			'Set parameters for SP25
			MaxForce.DoubleValue = 0.15
			LowerForce.DoubleValue = 0.025
			UpperForce.DoubleValue = 0.075
			TriggerForce.DoubleValue = 0.05
			ReturnSpeed.DoubleValue = 1.0
			ScanOffsetForce.DoubleValue = 0.05
			TouchSpeed.DoubleValue = 4
		Case 2
			'Set parameters for SP600
			MaxForce.DoubleValue = 0.36
			LowerForce.DoubleValue = 0.06
			UpperForce.DoubleValue = 0.18
			TriggerForce.DoubleValue = 0.12
			ReturnSpeed.DoubleValue = 1.0
			ScanOffsetForce.DoubleValue = 0.12
			TouchSpeed.DoubleValue = 5
		Case 3
			'Set parameters for SP80
			MaxForce.DoubleValue = 0.6
			LowerForce.DoubleValue = 0.04
			UpperForce.DoubleValue = 0.16
			TriggerForce.DoubleValue = 0.1
			ReturnSpeed.DoubleValue = 0.6
			ScanOffsetForce.DoubleValue = 0.2
			TouchSpeed.DoubleValue = 4
		Case 4
			'Set parameters for LSP-X1s/c
			MaxForce.DoubleValue = 0.072
			LowerForce.DoubleValue = 0.0096
			UpperForce.DoubleValue = 0.048
			TriggerForce.DoubleValue = 0.015
			ReturnSpeed.DoubleValue = 0.4
			ScanOffsetForce.DoubleValue = 0.036
			TouchSpeed.DoubleValue = 2
		Case 5
			'Set parameters for LSP-X1m/e
			MaxForce.DoubleValue = 0.036
			LowerForce.DoubleValue = 0.0048
			UpperForce.DoubleValue = 0.024
			TriggerForce.DoubleValue = 0.01
			ReturnSpeed.DoubleValue = 0.4
			ScanOffsetForce.DoubleValue = 0.018
			TouchSpeed.DoubleValue = 2
		Case 6
			'Set parameters for LSP-X3c/t & LSP-X5
			MaxForce.DoubleValue = 0.5
			LowerForce.DoubleValue = 0.04
			UpperForce.DoubleValue = 0.25
			TriggerForce.DoubleValue = 0.15
			ReturnSpeed.DoubleValue = 0.4
			ScanOffsetForce.DoubleValue = 0.2
			TouchSpeed.DoubleValue = 2

		Case 7

		Case 8
		
		Case 9
		
	End Select
	
	'Set PC-DMIS part program variable values
	DmisPart.SetVariableValue "V2", MaxForce
	DmisPart.SetVariableValue "V3", LowerForce
	DmisPart.SetVariableValue "V4", UpperForce
	DmisPart.SetVariableValue "V5", TriggerForce
	DmisPart.SetVariableValue "V6", ReturnSpeed
	DmisPart.SetVariableValue "V7", ScanOffsetForce
	DmisPart.SetVariableValue "V8", TouchSpeed

End Sub

Variables being passed back are:

V1 = Bit value for indexing probe head (0=No/1=Yes)
V2 = Max force OptionProbe setting
V3 = Lower force OptionProbe setting
V4 = Upper force OptionProbe setting
V5 = Trigger force OptionProbe setting
V6 = Return speed OptionProbe setting
V7 = Scan offset force OptionProbe setting
V8 = Touch speed setting
V9 = Scanning enabled bit value (0=No/1=Yes)

And this is a simplified version of how I'm using it:

$$ NO,
            Declare variables
            ASSIGN/V1=0
            ASSIGN/V2=0
            ASSIGN/V3=0
            ASSIGN/V4=0
            ASSIGN/V5=0
            ASSIGN/V6=0
            ASSIGN/V7=0
            ASSIGN/V8=0
            ASSIGN/V9=0
$$ NO,
            Determine probe and probehead type
CS1        =SCRIPT/FILENAME= PROBEPARAMS.BAS
            FUNCTION/Main,SHOW=YES,,
            STARTSCRIPT/
$$ NO,
            Set active tip, enabling/disabling articulating probe head
            IF/V1==1
            ASSIGN/V10="T1A0B0"
            END_IF/
            IF/V1==0
            ASSIGN/V10="TIP1"
            END_IF/
            TIP/V10, SHANKIJK=0, 0, 1, ANGLE=0
$$ NO,
            Set OPTIONPROBE parameters
            OPTIONPROBE/MAXFORCE=V2,LOWFORCE=V3,UPPERFORCE=V4,TRIGGERFORCE=V5,
              PROBEACCURACY=0.1,POSACCURACY=0.1,#RETURNDATA=7,
              RETURNSPEED=V6,SCANPNTDENSITY=2,
              SCANACCELERATION=10,SCANOFFSETFORCE=V7,
              PROBINGMODE=DFL,MANFINEPROBING=NO
            MOVESPEED/ 100
            TOUCHSPEED/ V8
            SCANSPEED/5
            PREHIT/0.05
            RETRACT/0.05

Additional handling would be needed for the touch speed incase the probe does not have scanning capability. One easy way to do it would be to check the value of variable V8 before the TOUCHSPEED command, and if it is null or zero, set it to the default value you want.

DJAMS over 11 years ago

Nicely done!
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ewe0006 over 11 years ago

Nicely done!

Thanks!
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Kevo_cmm over 11 years ago
$$ NO,
Set active tip, enabling/disabling articulating probe head
IF/V1==1
ASSIGN/V10="T1A0B0"
END_IF/
IF/V1==0
ASSIGN/V10="TIP1"
END_IF/
TIP/V10, SHANKIJK=0, 0, 1, ANGLE=0

EWE, I was trying to use this part of your code. I have 2 cmm's one with a PH10, the other a PH6. When copying a program from 1 cmm to the other, I get invalid tip errors until I correct the

TIP/ TIP1 or T1A0B0, SHANKIJK=0, 0, 1, ANGLE=0

tipname parameter as required on each machine.
I was hoping your method would keep me from the program stopping "illegal tipname" dialog.
But it dosnt. It dosnt like the variable name in there I guess. Here is my adaptation of your code

ASSIGN/WHATPROBE=GETSETTING("PH9 PRESENT") IF/WHATPROBE==1 ASSIGN/TNAME="T1A0B0" END_IF/ IF/WHATPROBE==0 ASSIGN/TNAME="TIP1" END_IF/ LOADPROBE/PROBE_83715-XXX TIP/TNAME, SHANKIJK=0, 0, 1, ANGLE=0

TNAME shows as red. But when I enter it after the TIP/ pcdmis asks me if I'm referring to the variable or not.
Any ideas?
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Kevo_cmm over 11 years ago

UPDATE; I kept playing with it, copying and pasting the variable name, and trying different stuff - finally the red went away from the TNAME variable.
Then I ran it online - and the variable is reading the correct value now.
I'll keep testing and let you know.
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