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.
This is the only way that I do it except I think Wes made a type when he stated you do have to be in the exact same spot. It should have read you don't have to be in the exact same spot. I'm sure that is what he meant.
Thanks Jim,
Yes that was a tpyo or an autowrong 'correction', not sure which. I corrected that and just added the caveat that you also have to ensure there is adequate room around the part too.
I would have totally agreed with the readpoint. Only problem is that 1 CMM, and he has to share it. Making a new program, then yes Readpoint. But to get by with a program already written, get yourself a glue gun.
It is pretty quick and easy to modify old programs to replace manual alignments with readpoints once you have done it a few times. The trick is after you have isolated all 6 degrees of freedom, measure the exact same features as the manual alignment you are replacing then edit the alignment and replace the manually measured features with the new DCC measured features, tell it "NO" don't change anything when the prompt pops up and you should be good to go.
This is the only way that I do it except I think Wes made a type when he stated you do have to be in the exact same spot. It should have read you don't have to be in the exact same spot. I'm sure that is what he meant.
Thanks Jim,
Yes that was a tpyo or an autowrong 'correction', not sure which. I corrected that and just added the caveat that you also have to ensure there is adequate room around the part too.
I would have totally agreed with the readpoint. Only problem is that 1 CMM, and he has to share it. Making a new program, then yes Readpoint. But to get by with a program already written, get yourself a glue gun.
It is pretty quick and easy to modify old programs to replace manual alignments with readpoints once you have done it a few times. The trick is after you have isolated all 6 degrees of freedom, measure the exact same features as the manual alignment you are replacing then edit the alignment and replace the manually measured features with the new DCC measured features, tell it "NO" don't change anything when the prompt pops up and you should be good to go.
