PCDMIS Automation

[cmmguy]

I have developed a VB shell program that launches PCDMIS programs based on the input from an automation system. I want to run a full program every hour and a short program(marked set) all other times. I can get the regular full programs to start but am having difficulty with the marked set version.

None of the samples on the Wilcox site address the starting of a marked set. So.....

Does anyone have any input or code sample that would show the syntax for the marked set program start. I could simply save the marked set program as a different name but I wanted to solve the problem without "cheating"

[bill kurz]

You might try exporting the file as a *.bas with marked sets select. Then read the vb code.

just a thought
Bill

[cmmguy]

Do you mean exporting the .prg file as a .bas and then reverse engr the result?

[bill kurz]

Yes, you may want to start with a small *.prg There will be a lot of code. Hope this works I've done other automation projects this way.

[Don Ruggieri]

Automation not working, wdym?

I've done a few Automation projects, none too large, and I have some examples of various things. Please explain what you mean when you say it does not work for the smaller marked sets program(s). Does it give you an error? Does it open the program but not measure anything? Does it measure everything and just ignore the marked sets? Please elaborate, I will try to help. . .

[Underspec]

How do you export .prg's to .bas files??

[cmmguy]

Don,
I'm trying to automatically start a program with a particular marked set active. I haven't seen any example of how to activate the marked set that I want to execute...

Bill,
Thanks, I will be trying this tomorrow when I can get back out on the machine.

Underspec,
I will find out tuesday....

[Underspec]

cmmguy,

Can't you do a save as to a different file, mark your set, then assign that to a different button?

[cmmguy]

Yes I can do that but it makes it a pain in the A$$

The machining cell sends a two bit code to identify the part from the RFID chip embedded in the pallet. The system runs four parts ( 0, 1, 2, or a 3). The CMM needs to run a shortened program normally and then every hour(or some other criteria) it needs to run a full part check.

There is no operator to push any buttons, At the end of the check, the CMM turns on a stack light indicating the quality of the part. A roving attendent watches the stacklight. Red or Yellow and he/she comes over to look at the data.

There is also an interface for the operator to run pallet checks, set safe locations, and calibrate tips.

[Underspec]

PCDMIS has a partial execution option.

Wouldn't labels help with those marked sets? Can use if/goto commands.

[cmmguy]

Yes,
If/gotos can be used but they are a pain when Marked Sets are easily available. And I may end up using them.

Answers to other questions:
Export program to basic?
Yes, actually it works pretty cool and gives me lots of ideas!! but it didn't help in identifying how to start a specific marked set of a program via automation. (BUT... If I can export the whole program... maybe I can run the entire part program as a VB program!!)

Back to automation...
What I tried was to mark the short program and save it so that it was the default program when it launched. Then there is a command that allows you to "MarkALL" and then start a program, but it makes the change permanent so it it only works one time. I hate that PCDMIS actually opens the program and then resaves it each time it runs. Seem like a weakness to secured programs.

If anyone has any ideas, I would appreciate the input.