Get rid of the move to the probe rack?

[Mike_B]

Some of my programs are old, and they have probe changes in them, when it comes time to do this, the machine moves to the rack, but in my case its easier to just manually change it. (The probes arent even in the rack) I have to click cancel, abort then re execute and manually select the probe from the dropdown then off we go.

How do I erase this from the machines memory?

[ir a programmer]

Depends -
1. Are you referring to a hard code MOVEPOINT that sends the head to the rack for a change?
or
2. A LOADPROBE command sending the head to the rack?

If 1, edit/remove the MOVEPOINT (just keep in mind the code AFTER the probe change)
If 2, that (probably) means the probes were at some time in the rack. The individual rack slots must be edited to remove the probe that is no longer in the rack, and new comments/moves added to tell the CMM where to go and what to do.

[RandomJerk]

If you aren't using the rack, tell it you don't have a rack installed. Operation...Calibrate...Edit...Probe Changer. There's an option there somewhere that says available, uncheck it.

[Mike_B]

IR---it was option 2.

And RandomJerk---Worked great. Thanks!

[ir a programmer]

IR---it was option 2.

And RandomJerk---Worked great. Thanks!

Then this begs a question -
If a rack is installed, and there are (obviously) probes already assigned to it, why not use it?

[Mike_B]

Then this begs a question -
If a rack is installed, and there are (obviously) probes already assigned to it, why not use it?

It only has 3 ports, and I have many, many probe files, so if it recalls a probe that isnt currently assembled and stored in the rack...well. Theres the issue.

[grandpaal56]

You can have more than one probe called out for the same slot. Then all you have to do is make sure the correct probe is in the rack for the program you're running. ****USE EXTREME CAUTION**** If you forget to change probes and you call out a short probe build and there is a long probe build in the rack you will have a crash. ****USE EXTREME CAUTION****

[Wes Cisco]

It only has 3 ports, and I have many, many probe files, so if it recalls a probe that isnt currently assembled and stored in the rack...well. Theres the issue.

Unless you have a program with more than 3 probes, (and even then), you should still use the rack IMNSFO. After you do it a couple of times, it is no big deal to load the necessary tips into the rack manually and reassign slots before qualifying tips and running the program. I have 18 slots and still have to swap some out from time to time. Using the rack for changes is faster and removes the possibility, (however slight you might feel it is), of dropping and damaging or causing a wrist error while manually swapping tips.

[RandomJerk]

I wonder if a script could be written to change the assignment of the probe rack before a program begins, then include a prompt to swap them out....

[DungT]

It only has 3 ports, and I have many, many probe files, so if it recalls a probe that isnt currently assembled and stored in the rack...well. Theres the issue.

In your case, I would assign the most popular probe in slot 1, second in slot 2 and the rest in slot 3. That way you don’t have to worry about anything other than to prompt the operator to change the probe when necessary.

For example:
Probe ‘A’ in slot 1, probe ‘B’ in slot 2 and the rest in slot 3.
‘A’ is you current probe and you want to call probe ‘D’ in slot 3. The machine will drop off probe ‘A’ and then pick up a probe in slot 3, that’s where you add an operator prompt. Now, you are done with probe ‘D’ and you want probe ‘F’, your part program will pause and ask the operator to replace current probe instead of returning to the rack.

[tking]

Unless you have a program with more than 3 probes, (and even then), you should still use the rack IMNSFO. After you do it a couple of times, it is no big deal to load the necessary tips into the rack manually and reassign slots before qualifying tips and running the program. I have 18 slots and still have to swap some out from time to time. Using the rack for changes is faster and removes the possibility, (however slight you might feel it is), of dropping and damaging or causing a wrist error while manually swapping tips.

As well the rack reduces the possibility of contamination of the magnetic surfaces of TP20 type probe systems from less than clean operator paws. I think most animals are cleaner than some of the folks hired as operators.

.02,

TK