I have a question about programing. On our CMM we have an aluminum hold down plate. and we have the quick change probes. We only have 1 CMM and I split my time between the 2 multi axis lasers and the machine shop. I am always switching programs back and forth between programs to keep each machine running. When I switch the programs my probe is already calibrated but every time I switch I have to manually align the parts because I move my zero. Is there a way to set up two programs and just switch programs without having to re manual align each time. The reason I am asking is on both machines they are runs of 100 or more pcs and we have to inspect at least half of each job and its time consuming to keep re aligning. Thanks for the help.
I have a question about programming. On our CMM we have an aluminum hold down plate, and we have the quick change probes.
We only have 1 CMM and I split my time between the 2 multi axis lasers and the machine shop.
I am always switching programs back and forth between programs to keep each machine running.
When I switch the programs my probe is already calibrated but every time I switch I have to manually align the parts because I move my zero.
Is there a way to set up two programs and just switch programs without having to re manual align each time.
The reason I am asking is on both machines they are runs of 100 or more pcs and we have to inspect at least half of each job and its time consuming to keep re aligning. Thanks for the help.
What you need is a dedicated fixtures for each job, then a way to mount the fixtures to the granite CMM plate the same way each time.
Many people build a large square L bracket out of flat steel, bolt it to the threaded holes in the granite, and always slide the fixtures into the corner of the L.
Some purchase fancy stuff such as spring-loaded ball detent systems so the CMM operator can click a fixture in place securely and quickly.
Once each fixture is built (and has a big ID tag on it!), then you only have to run the manual alignment on each fixture once.
Whether you simply un-mark the manual alignment in the program and save it that way, or employ separate fixture alignment programs and external alignment files is your choice.
When you go ask for $$$ to buy more plates, present it as the ROI - return on investment - to save the time of manual alignments.
I have a question about programming. On our CMM we have an aluminum hold down plate, and we have the quick change probes.
We only have 1 CMM and I split my time between the 2 multi axis lasers and the machine shop.
I am always switching programs back and forth between programs to keep each machine running.
When I switch the programs my probe is already calibrated but every time I switch I have to manually align the parts because I move my zero.
Is there a way to set up two programs and just switch programs without having to re manual align each time.
The reason I am asking is on both machines they are runs of 100 or more pcs and we have to inspect at least half of each job and its time consuming to keep re aligning. Thanks for the help.
What you need is a dedicated fixtures for each job, then a way to mount the fixtures to the granite CMM plate the same way each time.
Many people build a large square L bracket out of flat steel, bolt it to the threaded holes in the granite, and always slide the fixtures into the corner of the L.
Some purchase fancy stuff such as spring-loaded ball detent systems so the CMM operator can click a fixture in place securely and quickly.
Once each fixture is built (and has a big ID tag on it!), then you only have to run the manual alignment on each fixture once.
Whether you simply un-mark the manual alignment in the program and save it that way, or employ separate fixture alignment programs and external alignment files is your choice.
When you go ask for $$$ to buy more plates, present it as the ROI - return on investment - to save the time of manual alignments.
