I have searched on this forum and tried everything to make my CAD import and alignment work but I am still having problems. The CAD file I am importing has both its origins and vectors oriented correctly so I don't need to re-orient them. I take four hits on the top face, two on the front face and one on the left face. I have selected these points both manually as well as directly from the CAD model. I then insert an alignment. I have tried Iterative, non-iterative, CAD = PART, and anything else that I read on this site. When I run the program, it works the first time through when I follow the prompts to manually probe the part, my alignment works and I am then able to measure an array of holes on the part. The problem occurs when I try to run the program a second time in DCC. All of the target positions in my 7 points used for alignment have changed to the part work coordinates instead of the machine work coordinates so I get an "OUT OF TOLERANCE" error since the machine appears to be looking for machine work coordinate positions. I have been working on this for about 6 hours now and have runout of ideas.
Henniger;
I read as much info as I could find last night on the subject of CAD import and alignment. I deleted my program this morning and started again and it worked properly. I was probably too tired yesterday to see something simple causing the problem. Thanks.
I have run into this error again. It only happens when I am running a program that has a CAD file in it. Lets assume I have imported a CAD file and it is aligned correctly to the trihedron. If I manually probe a plane, line and point to use for my alignment, I can run the program afterwards in DCC and it works fine. If I use auto feature to select four points for a plane, two points for a line and a single point to establish my third axis of alignment I run into a problem. I can run the program in manual mode to pick up my points and do an alignment but if I change to DCC it won't run. Instead, all the position values are displayed on the machine relative to the machine origin and it wants to run the program from there, which obviously wont work because it tries to send the machine into Z overtravel. How can I force the machine to work relative to the part after I have done my first manual alignment?
After going back and re-reading your issue, I'm not so sure the above question applies. It almost sounds like you're trying to go straight into DCC measurement without a manual, external or readpoint alignment... and maybe I'm just not understanding the issue...
Cheesiechanman;
yes, I am using one alignment then changing it to DCC. My error I guess? If I put two alignments in, can I run the program on subsequent parts and skip the manual alignment? If I have them fixtured on the table I hope I can just drop in another part and run DCC.
Hi Tech;
Cheesie is correct in the way I am doing the alignment. I will put two alignments in on Monday and hope for the best
I have made a new program based on Cheesie's suggestion and it worked properly. I struggled with this because 1) I'm getting old. You can teach an old dog new tricks but they don't get it quickly. 2) I am a machinist, not a CMM guy. On a machine tool, you pick up your XYZ zero and you stay in that work coordinate until you change it, not so on the CMM, the probe position readout will change based on where you place the cursor in the program. 3) Formal training will not be an option for a while yet so we will have to struggle though. Thanks for your patience.
