CMM Issues today

[Underspec]

Someone decided to re-organize the lab today (unnecessarily). Now the CMM probe movements by the rack are stalling. By stalling I mean it kinda acts like it bumps into something. I've restarted it a few times and re-homed it. I've also cleaned the scales. Nothing worked.

Could shutting down the CMM improperly do this? I think they might of just unplugged it. Any ideas before I call for service?

[#2#]

Was the CMM moved?

[Underspec]

Yes it was moved.

[#2#]

I don't think just unplugging it would do it. Ours is plugged into a power strip and is/has always been turned on and off using the switch on the power strip.

I think since it was moved I'd schedule a service call. Any idea how they moved it? Did they install the original shipping brackets and lift it as recomended by B&S?

[bw_bob]

Yes it was moved.

They moved your CMM.....Physically moved it
I would think it would have to be recalibrated.
I would then break the stupid MF arms

[Boomer]

You really need to have machine requalified. I would hope that they used the brackets when they moved it...even if it was a small distance.

[kbotta]

What if it was a small machine?
Just curious...
kb

[John Kingston]

Sounds like it needs to be squared up. You need to call for service. They will have to laser it and get it mechanically square. Be glad Matt is out hunting, he would post a very long dissertation about why this was a bad thing. You would feel like you were the bad kid sitting in the corner with the dunce cap on.

[craiger_ny]

I have moved several machines from moving a 4-5-4 to a 7-10-7 anywhere from a mile to across the shop. It does not automatically mean you need to recalibrate if done properly. I have even moved them with a pallet jack and no braces. Underspec you have a Discovery correct. These machines are composite and designed to be placed on a pallet system to be moved around the shop. Don't be scared just check the machine before and after you move it. Seeing as how it is too late for that you might want to look for damage (where something might have gotten crunched). If you have a Discovery that means your ways are all up at the bridge level. Do you see anything up there that looks scuffed? In your case you might be looking at a recal but there shouldn't need to be so much alarm for others considering moving a machine. It all depends on the machine size/type and moving method. In this case it is a machine that is designed to be moved. Man handled no it is not designed for that, are there signs of man-handling?

Craig

[John Kingston]

I kind of have to agree with craig. If the people moving it have a clue and are gentle, I don't see a big deal. I was critical because it appears the machine was moved with little thought. Ours would not get moved one millimeter without my input. Our maintainence crew knows their stuff and would be asking all kinds of questions before touching the CMM.

[craiger_ny]

All of our folks are scared of the CMM and won't think about moving it without my being involved. But if you have some dunderhead that thinks it is just like moving a filing cabinet you might be in for it. I just don't want folks getting scared into hiring a rigging outfit or worse B&S to come in at their conveinience then do a complete recal to move it across the room. This doesn't mean you can't mess it up though. In this case I would focus on the fact that it was moved and make it known that it is not working properly and try to get the story from those that moved it. One way or another you need to get to the bottom of it. You can get it from the guys that moved it or play the guessing game. Or hire a tech to come in and play the guessing game.

Craig

[Jan d.]

Craig clearly has more experience in the CMM-move area than myself. I have never dealt with a CMM-move that did NOT include re-calibration. I always re-calibrated, whether we moved a few inches or cross country.

I must admit that I never investigated whether this was really necessary. But I felt that making my management aware of the need for recal, many times it got them to re-think their plans to move the machine, thus avoiding the mess.

I guess that's too late for you. I think you need a re-cal.


Jan.

[cmmguy]

I think Underspec has a Sheffield Discovery if I remember right. They can be moved within a lab very easily and safely without recalibrating. They can be moved across the shop easily without recal'ing. However, it does depend on how it was moved. If someone grabbed the quill and pushed on it by mistake, you are basically screwed.

If you are getting "stumbling" like false hits, I would bet a donut that someone picked up the quill to fast and got the counter balance out of whack.

Underspec confirm that this is a Discovery and which version (what model year).

[Underspec]

The CMM now basically doesn't move properly when the probe head is near the back end. Something is misaligned. It acts like it's bumping into something in certain areas back there. No errors.

Yes, this machine sits on wheels. It was moved by 3-4 women. I'm not sexist, but these some are not qualified to do certain things.

Sheffield Discovery II D-12.

[cmmguy]

Does it move ok towards the front of the machine?

What exactly does it do when it gets to the back of the CMM?

Was this a PCDMIS upgrade or did it come from the factory with PCDMIS?
The reason I ask this is to determine how to ask you to run a utility that should have come with that CMM.