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.
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.
I'm 52 and no formal Training. I have been doing programming for a few years and though at times it's a struggle I had some smart people help me along. Some people I met on here and some that I've met in the industry. This forum has been a great help too.
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
Thank you both.
I'm glad to hear you were able to get it working.
Yes that is correct. Once the manual alignment is set, and as long as your part placement or nest is repeatable, you won't need to rerun the manual alignment. If the part ever changes location just rerun the manual alignment and the CMM will do the rest. (as long as orientation doesn't change. Probe angles will not adjust to a new orientation.)
I always use CTRL + F2 to create a bookmark at the first line of my DCC portion of the program. This serves 2 purposes. One to identify the starting point for the operators running the programs, and two as a visual aid when scrolling through the program trying to get back to the beginning. Just a layer of convenience.
and you should ALWAYS do a DCC alignment after the manual alignment. It is more accurate than just doing a manual alignment as probe comp IS effected by touch speed, and a person can not touch all touches at the same speed like the machine can.
