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Workpiece Offset Machine Coordinate vs Manual Alignment

Nicholas Norton

Hey all, 

We've got some bright Machinists here that are tired of having the CMM programmer manual align their parts every few months. We get a few repeat jobs once every 6 months or so, and by that time either probe calibration, machine settling or by some other factor I'm not aware of our programs will need a new manual alignment. Afterwards, we unmark these features and let the job run in DCC mode. (sidenote, my hunch is that the manual alignment feature's measured coordinates are married to the previous probe alignment, so after a new alignment they don't 'match' the expected coordinates for DCC mode)


Anyways here is my question/discussion; What are the pros/cons of using a manual alignment vs a know x,y,z position for part programs?
I don't have a good answer for rebuttal to our machinists, and I'm starting to wonder if some of our programs would be better off with hard-coded workpiece offsets. We use an Erowa chuck with custom fixturing for 70% of our jobs, so these parts are highly repeatable. 

What are your thoughts?

Parents

  • I don't do readpoint or manual alignments anymore. I simply recall an external plate alignment and go right into the DCC alignment. I created a threaded plate and the standoffs along with other tooling I use from Solidworks (not a fan of quick fixture) and all that needs to happen is the operator needs to place the fixture in the place per the display with the correct size standoffs. 95% are the same size. All programs now start and end in the tool changer "safe zone". The ones that are more detailed I have a set-up program with comments to tell the operator what size standoff to use and the CMM steps through each location. If your Erowa chuck can be placed in the same spot to measure all parts it might be an easier way. 

    If I have a part that I can't lock in place the same every time, I still recall the plate alignment and then do a readpoint alignment. That only happens when my last translation can't be fixtured on the plate.

    It takes time to transform the part and each detail the first time but after that it's as easy as looking at the display and comment/pic.

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  • I don't do readpoint or manual alignments anymore. I simply recall an external plate alignment and go right into the DCC alignment. I created a threaded plate and the standoffs along with other tooling I use from Solidworks (not a fan of quick fixture) and all that needs to happen is the operator needs to place the fixture in the place per the display with the correct size standoffs. 95% are the same size. All programs now start and end in the tool changer "safe zone". The ones that are more detailed I have a set-up program with comments to tell the operator what size standoff to use and the CMM steps through each location. If your Erowa chuck can be placed in the same spot to measure all parts it might be an easier way. 

    If I have a part that I can't lock in place the same every time, I still recall the plate alignment and then do a readpoint alignment. That only happens when my last translation can't be fixtured on the plate.

    It takes time to transform the part and each detail the first time but after that it's as easy as looking at the display and comment/pic.

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