I'm a new CMM user, having recently taken the PC-DMIS 101 training, and I'm having difficulty synchronizing my imported CAD with the machine. I've searched through the forum for similar issues, but nothing has helped yet. I may simply be skipping a step, as I'm inexperienced. Here's my issue:
I import a CAD (STEP) file into PC-DMIS, and it shows up on the cad view. I create features for an alignment (plane, cylinder, plane in this case) using the program mode by selecting points with the mouse, and then I create the alignment feature itself. When I execute the program, I move the stylus with the joystick to manually probe those features on the part. However, when I'm finished, the graphics of the features appear at different locations on the screen and don't "jump" to the CAD like I recall from training. If I try to run any other movements in DCC after that, I get an out-of-stroke error, since the targets (e.g., other features I programmed using the CAD) are far away from the probe-measured features, and the machine doesn't like that.
I've tried simple fixes like restarting the CMM, the computer, and the software a few times. I've also tried using an iterative alignment with a plane, line, and point, as well as other alignments. I also tried re-exporting the CAD from our CAD software and then re-importing it into PC-DMIS. I've considered that I could manually move the CAD by offsetting it, but that seems like a cheat that would work once and now for future files.
Am I way off base, or am I just missing a simple step? I'd appreciate any suggestions and help. Thanks!
If I understand you correctly, it sounds like you've imported your model and the trihedron isn't facing the way you'd like it to be (which is making your program all types of messed up). If that is the case, here's what you do:
1) Work with whomever designed this CAD model/whomever can alter this CAD model for you. Have them move the location of the trihedron on the model so that way it is where you want it to be/oriented how you want it to be when you open up the CAD in pc dmis.
2) If option 1 is something you can't do......then import your CAD into PC DMIS
3) Imagine in your head how you want your part sitting on the CMM table. Get a very clear image of this.
4) You have buttons you can click to rotate your model around. Click "Graphics Window in Y-". This will show you from the Y- perspective how your trihedron is currently set to your model.
5) Think of how you want it to be sitting again...vs how it imported for you...then go into "Edit/Graphic Display Window/Transform". This window will allow you to rotate as well as move (translate) the model around your trihedron. Don't be scared, play around with this until you understand what its doing. Use this window to rotate & translate as needed then hit apply & okay.
6) Once your trihedron is oriented how you want it to be on your model, THEN begin your programming. Everything should look normal.
If I completely misunderstood you, sorry! Would still love to try & help...please post your code & we'll really start digging into this for you.
If I understand you correctly, it sounds like you've imported your model and the trihedron isn't facing the way you'd like it to be (which is making your program all types of messed up). If that is the case, here's what you do:
1) Work with whomever designed this CAD model/whomever can alter this CAD model for you. Have them move the location of the trihedron on the model so that way it is where you want it to be/oriented how you want it to be when you open up the CAD in pc dmis.
2) If option 1 is something you can't do......then import your CAD into PC DMIS
3) Imagine in your head how you want your part sitting on the CMM table. Get a very clear image of this.
4) You have buttons you can click to rotate your model around. Click "Graphics Window in Y-". This will show you from the Y- perspective how your trihedron is currently set to your model.
5) Think of how you want it to be sitting again...vs how it imported for you...then go into "Edit/Graphic Display Window/Transform". This window will allow you to rotate as well as move (translate) the model around your trihedron. Don't be scared, play around with this until you understand what its doing. Use this window to rotate & translate as needed then hit apply & okay.
6) Once your trihedron is oriented how you want it to be on your model, THEN begin your programming. Everything should look normal.
If I completely misunderstood you, sorry! Would still love to try & help...please post your code & we'll really start digging into this for you.