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Making 2 Part Programs into 1. One Graphic, One report

DCHRM
I have a top half part program, and a bottom half. Is there a way I can merge the two? I want to run the top half, program A, then input a comment to the operator for them to flip the part, touch off, then measure the bottom half. All using one graphic, one report, one model. I don't want the features measured on the bottom half, program B, to be in space. I want the features to be pulled from the same model used in program A. Then dimension all 500 items in one report.

Can an equate alignment work? I thought those were used if the part moves laterally in any direction. But in this case, I need to flip the part to measure the bottom half.

Any advice?
  • I'm trying to use Equate as described above, spinning the part 180 degrees (fixture plate, repeatable locations) in X/Y.
    ...Nice flat bottom part.

    I finish the 1st half, spin the part, and re-probe the same ABC features. (2 planes constructed from V-pts and a circle)
    Then I build the new alignment and hit Equate.... And nothing happens... that I can see.

    I am expecting to see the change in the graphics window. Can one of you Equate gurus tell me what I'm doing wrong.

    And a side question... Is a switch into manual mode necessary?

    Could you post the code, as yes you should see the features shift in the graphic window to where they were before the flipping of the part.

  • in reply to bigtallanddopey
    No, no internet on the CMM compooter...
  • Here is what I do:

    1) My part program has 2 models, 1 upright and the other flipped. I hide the flipped one until I use it.
    2) Manual align, DCC align and measure as usual. Hide first model and un hide second flipped model.
    3) Switch to manual mode, recall the startup alignment, probe new flipped alignment features, Flipped manual alignment and then DCC Alignment.
    3a) Triheadron must be in the same exact place as your first DCC alignment, I had to offset mine in Z for example.
    4) Insert>Alignment>Equate, Equate 2nd DCC alignment to the 1st DCC alignment, click OK and you're done.
    5) Now you can measure the second half of the part and dimension features from the first half to the second half.


    How do you hide the flipped CAD?
  • I flip parts everyday with great success, But I do have to measure the thru hole from both side and my socket face from both sides for rotation to get it together as one. MY level does not matter as when I flip it the it uses which ever side I'm measuring as the level.
  • in reply to AuRules
    I have no idea what you just said.


  • I'll respectfully disagree. Flipping the part is a great example of equate. You have to do it right though.

    I get what you're saying about elevating the part and going underneath with star/hook probes. Would always prefer this myself.but sometimes it just isnt possible. Depends on the part.So either write 2 programs or use equate in these situations. I make the decision based on program size. If it's getting on the large side with long run time I create a 2nd program.

    Please tell me step by step how you use Equate.

    After at least 6 hours of effort, I have been unable to get it to equate to anything.
  • in reply to Pariah
    go to the assembly button on the toolbar and click which model you want to turn on/off
  • in reply to Pariah
    1. Open a program.
    2. Create your manual and dcc alignment.
    3. Measure/dimension the features
    4. Select manual mode
    5. Recall the startup alignment. The startup alignment is the very first line of code at the top of the program.
    6. Flip/move the part.
    7. Create secondary manual and dcc alignments.
    8. Select Equate alignment
    8a. In the equate new alignment drop down box. select your SECONDARY DCC alignment.
    8b. in the with original alignment drop down box, select your FIRST DCC alignment
    9. Critical. Your trihiedron must by in the exact same spot in the second dcc alignment as it was in the first dcc alignment.
    9a. For ex. when I flipped my part, the leveling plane on my secondary alignment was exactly 0.714" lower than my original leveling plane. So when I completed the secondary alignment, I offset my Z origin by 0.714.

    The equate alignment is needed if you want to dimension features that are unaccessible by the CMM unless the part is oriented in another direction. In my situation, I have a feature on the bottom of the part that I have to relate to the centerline of the part. So I measure the centerline, flip the part over, equate the alignments and dimension the angle of my feature to the centerline of the part.
  • Thank you. I got it another way. Will fill in later.
    I very much appreciate your help.
  • It can be done. You need to have manual Align in both programms. Just recall the startup Align and switch DCC to MAN, just before pasting the second program and it should work.

    AS long as you are not trying to access to the features from the First program (top), its not an issue, and no need for a Equate align.
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