Select rest options as discussed earlier 9. Click the Create button

(xi) Programming:

(a) Steps for Alignment

Alignment of the part coordinate system is very essential before taking the actual measurements.

This gives accurate dimensions of the job/part.

Place the job in the desired location.

Use keys Control+ Alt+A or go to Menu bar >Insert >Alignment> New

Alignment utilities window appears.

Align or Level the part coordinate system by 3-2-1 feature as described below:

This feature is for leveling the working plane.

Create plane using manual feature.

Take 3 sample hits on the plane such that it covers the entire plane.

Plane created from 3 sample hits in the CAD view.

ZPLUS

In the Alignment Utilities window, select the created plane and the working plane to which former plane has to be leveled e.g. Z PLUS in this case.

Click Level.

Created plane leveled to ZPLUS Plane selected

Click OK 2 point leveling

This feature is for leveling the axis.

This can be done by creating a line (using manual feature) or by selecting the two circles (using manual feature) on the desired plane.

Once the line/circles (whichever applicable) are made, select the circles: CIR1 and CIR2 in the alignment window.

Fill up Rotate to and About box for leveling the X- and Y-axis Click on Rotate.

Viewing

direction YPLUS

XPLUS

Line joining the centers of 2 selected circles leveled in X-Circles selected axis

1 point leveling

This feature is for fixing the Origin which is essential for Dimensioning.

Two lines are made manually in two different planes

Click on Constructed Point in Constructed Feature toolbar and select Intersection Point to get the intersection of the above two lines

In order to project the newly created point on the defined plane (say Z Plus in this case), click on Constructed point and then select Project Point

Select the projected point from the list in the alignment dialog box Click on X,Y,Z

Click on Origin

Click OK finally to exit the Alignment Utilities window when alignment procedure is completed.

** Note: Other alternative features such as intersection of 3 planes can also be used for fixing the origin

(b) Steps for Block Programming Once the alignment is done, click on DCC mode

Auto features get activated and hence used for the programming

Steps for block programming are given with reference to the following illustration:

Sphere1 Cone1

Circles 3-6

Circle1 Circle2

Slot 1

Circle 1:

Click on Auto Circle.

Take 3 sample hits to define the surface and 3 hits to define the diameter manually using the remote control.

Go to Probe Tool box.

Make necessary settings (as discussed in the previous section) by clicking on the tabs.

Go to Auto Feature window.

Define Start angle and End angle.

Activate Circular move.

Click on Create.

When the AUTO MODE REQUIRED option appears at the bottom of the window, click on AUTO in the remote control unit.

Probe automatically starts taking the measurement. Circle 1 is created.

Circles (2 -7):

From simplicity, origin can be shifted temporarily to the centre of circle 1 for creating the surrounding circles 2-7.

To shift origin:

Use keys Control+ Alt+A or go to Menu bar <Insert <Alignment for the Alignment Utilities window.

Select circle 1.

Click on X, Y, Z options.

Click on Origin.

Origin is now fixed to centre of circle 1.

Move the probe manually with the help of joystick to one of the small circles, say Circle 2.

Repeat the exact procedure as mentioned in the case of circle1.

AUTO is clicked to take the measurements automatically by the probe.

Circle 2 is created

For making circles 3-7, an ARRAY is defined which is as follows:

Place the cursor at the end of the command Go to Edit > Pattern

>Pattern Offset window appears

> No. of Offsets = 5, Offset Angle = 60º (in this case)

Select the block for circle 2 in the Edit window.

Right click and copy the selected block program.

Go to Edit > click on Paste with Pattern.

Circles 3-7 are created.

Origin can be shifted back to the previous one.

Change the option in the alignment from A2 to A1 (as in this case) combo box of the menu bar.

Cone 1:

Click on Auto cone.

Take 3 sample hits on the surface, 3 hits on the periphery of the upper part and 1 hit on the periphery of the lower part.

Go to Auto Feature window.

> Define Length i.e. depth of the cone approximately.

Go to probe tool box.

Make necessary settings (as discussed in the previous section) by clicking on the tabs.

Rest same as Auto Circle.

Cone is created.

Sphere 1:

Take 3 sample hits on the equatorial line and 1 hit on the top manually.

Make settings in the tool probe box.

Go to Auto Feature settings

> Measurement Properties

<Define Start Angle1= 0º Define End Angle1= 0º < Inner/ Outer = out

<Define Start Angle2= 0º Define End Angle2= 90º Click on Auto mode.

Sphere is created.

Slot1:

Auto feature is not available for slot.

Slot is created using manual features as discussed in the previous section.

CAD view of the created features:

Move command:

In order to avoid striking of the probe with any obstacles while running the program, sometimes path has to be defined manually and is incorporated in the program. The probe then follows this path and hence, moves safely.

First make sure that cursor is placed at the location where move command needs to be added in Edit Program window.

Manually move the probe to the desired location.

Use keys Ctrl+M.

Move command inserted to the block program Dimensioning:

Dimensions can be added to the program with the help of icons shown in the figure.

To obtain the standard deviation value, the theoretical value is input as nominal value in the Edit window.

Measured value and standard deviation are shown in the Edit window.

Execution

Execution of program is done with the help of following icons:

(3) (1)

(2) Click on (1) to unmark any selected features in the Edit window.

Click on (2) to select the entire program.

Click on (3) for execution.

Read the instructions in the CMM Command window, and follow the requests to take specified hits.

PCDMIS requests that you take these hits in the approximate location indicated in the Graphics Display window.

- Take three hits on the surface to create a plane. Press the END key.

- Takes two hits on the edge to create a line. Press the END key.

- Take four hits inside the circle. Press the END key.

Click Continue after you take each hit.

PCDMIS will display the PCDMIS Message dialog box with your message: "WARNING, Machine is going

*Alternate method: to partly execute the program locate the cursor at desired position in the Edit window and right click. Click on “Execute From Cursor” from the pop up menu.