Any thoughts as to the benifits of Romer over Faro? My shop is thinking of getting a portable CMM and I'd like to get some imput as to which you think is better. Also do you have any suggestions in gereral for what to be careful about with portable CMMs?
Faro Software; cam 2 measur x is totally inferior to the pcdmis software.
No matter what the "glitches" you may have, or find in pcdmis, it is nothing in comparison to the cam 2 software.
i) as stated above, you can only have 1 alignment. If you have multiple datum schemes, the solution that I was told was to make "multiple" reports.
ii) during measurement, if you add notes to the "note" tab they do not show up in your report.
iii) extremely irritating is the fact that the rotation of the cad file on screen can drive you totally insane.
iv) mirroring of a cad file does not work as it should. Aslo, you can not delete cad features as you can in pcdmis.
v) you are not able to measure all features, and then report them in the order that you wish to. This is easily done in pcdmis.
vi) you can only have one crappy view of your part in the cam 2 software.
vii) many of my cad files will not "function" as they should. Not able to pick up surfaces etc. Also, many times I have to consctuct a nominal for each feature and then associate it manually. (What a waste of time that is, espedially if you have many features).
These are just some of my observations over the past few months that I have been subjected to this software.
I would love to be back programming in the "demon".
Truth is there are about 10 different programs you can run on either arms. Faro will lead with CAM2, Romer with PcDmis. CAM2 was meant to be quick and easy, PCDmis was built to do more complex work but takes a long time to learn. I'd never buy either of them if I had it to do over, I'd go with Verisurf or Delcam.
Romer comes with a simplified interface PC-DMIS, that is meant to be simple like CAM2, but still has all the power if you need it. Romer also comes standard with Quick Check Tools, for walk up and check type of functions. The best thing to do if you have an inkling of wanting either PC-DMIS or a Romer arm is to ask for a demo. Verisurf and Delcam are both for specific purposes while PC-DMIS is a Swiss Army knife. CAM2 I've heard demos nicely, but then is hard to actually get to do work.
IMO,,,,with the Faro,,,the Cam2 is a basic and easy to use software. It isn't as complex or versatile as PC DMIS, but will do the job. The encoders are very fragile and the entire package needs to be handled like a fine piece of china,,,,it isn't as durable as noted in the demo. The hardware and software are work specific,,,,simple or complex are the determining factors......oh ya and the $$$
Everything is a compromise. We purchased a ROMER and I have used a FARO before. Ergonomically speaking I prefer the FARO to the ROMER. Software I prefer the ROMER. I think the ROMER is unweildy when compared to the FARO. The pistol grip of the faro was very intuitive and the ROMER feels clumsy by comparison. And, PLEASE!!!!!!! the different modes (mouse and inspection) is insane the way Hexagon decided to handle it. Clumsy.
OK, my rant is over. ROMER with Polyworks is the direction we are going and it appears to be SWEET!!!!!!!
We have/been using a Faro arm (Silver)with PcDmis and have found it very useful out on the shop floor for jigs, dies etc.Was purchased about 4 years ago and doesn't have the Infinite Rotation that the Romer has now.
Coot
We were informed that Faro was not compatible with Pc-dmis. How did you handle the marriage of the Two??
