Mitutoyo BRIGHT APEX 710

[bveizaj]

We are using PC-DMIS Cad++ v. 3.7 with CMM Mitutoyo Bright Apex 710. CAD system is SolidWorks 2006.

If anybody is using this machine we would like to talk to you because we are having some problems.

Best regards,


Baci

[Wes Cisco]

Baci,
Are you using ver 3.7 no MR?!? That could well be your biggest problem! Go to http://www.wilcoxassoc.com/Downloads/dl_pcdmis.htm and download ver 3.7MR3. You will find instructions for the best way to proceed with installing the new version in the code section of this forum. It might also help if you filled out some of the basic profile information, like where in the world you are located, how much experience you have, what general sort of work you do, etc. HTH

[justncredible]

Explain the problems and maybe someone will know the answer or at least help you to find the answer.

Is it a problem with the machine? Or pc-d-mess?

[bveizaj]

Thanks everyone for the fast response.

I am working as a mechanical designer for BJ Services Company Canada, Research & Development Department, Calgary, Alberta, Canada since 2000. We design downhole tools for oil & gas industry specifically for coil tubing technology.

We have a Quality Control division responsible to check up all the parts that come from manufacturing shops. So, we do not manufacture or machine parts in-house.

The quality control room has been equipped with the Mitutoyo machine since 1998 and it was run for several years by a person that left the company on 2004.

Recently company purchased pc-dmis but the people that are working in the lab are not able to run the software and to make the machine work properly.

The management of the company is asking me to help on this. My job will be to investigate the problems, troubleshoot and make the machine work.

My background is 20 years mechanical engineering, design and drafting, 3D Modeling, CNC machining, computer programming. However, until now I have never worked in CMM field. I will start in the new position in January. So, as you might see I am not able right now to tell what is going wrong exactly. My first question probably is: can PC-PDMIS run in conjuction with Mitutoyo, are there hardware and compatibility problems.

Already I just started to get familiar with the SOFTWARE AND THE MACHINE ITSELF.

We have PC-DMIS v 3.7 MR1 installed on Window 200 Pro.

Sorry bothering you so much. Any advise how to start or any experience would be appreciated.

Talk to you later.

[justncredible]

Well, if I remember correctly it might need a controller change. Since they sold you guys the software they should have installed it or at least you should have the almighty SMA, which is the service maintence agreement.

Has it ever ran/worked with pc-dmis?

Is everything plugged in?

What errors do you get fireing up pc-dmis?

Last calibration date? (machine sticker)

There are major diffrences from geomeasure and pc-dmis, I went from Ziess U-mess to pc-dmis and it was very diffrent. To be honest the geopak stuff is very easy to use, pc-dmis is much harder to learn but has more control, whereas ziess is very complex but offers the most control.

[Wes Cisco]

I also used a Mitutoyo with Geopak before running into the demon. Geopak is much easier to use as Justincredible said, but not nearly as versatile or powerful as pc-dmis. There is a hefty learning curve with pc-dmis. I have not tried pc-dmis on a Mitutoyo but I know there are plenty of people out there doing it. Generally speaking it is better to stick to the OEM software, so unless Geopak can't do what you need, your company may want to seriously consider buying the newest version of that. If you decide to stay with pc-demon: 1) Has it ever run on this computer/cmm setup? If not I recommend getting in touch with the salesperson who sold you pc-dmis and either spending a bunch of time on the phone with techsupport to get it going, or (better) have a tech come in and troubleshoot the system to get you functional. 2) Is the company going to spring for training? You and anyone who will be replacing you if this is a temporary assignment, will need at least the 1 week basic course. You might consider having it done onsight. 3) If you are sticking to the demon you really need to upgrade to 3.7MR3!!! MR1 has many problems and crashes very often. Lastly, since you are in Canada you might want to get in touch with a gentleman who can probably solve all your problems should you choose to hire him. His name is Jim Jewel. If you look thru the member list you will find him and can send him a PM. I am pretty sure he does training and could probably come to your facility and straighten it all out. That about does it for general advice. Good Luck! ! ! hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

[#2#]

Since they sold you guys the software they should have installed it or at least you should have the almighty SMA, which is the service maintence agreement.

Just wanted to point out SMA is Software Maintenance Agreement - not service. The SMA only covers PC-DMIS and not the machine. True, tech support should be able to help you set up the software so it works with your machine if you have a compatable controller.

Oh, and I agree with Wes that training is very important for the person/persons who will be programming. If you just bought PC-DMIS I would think there would be some discount for training.

[Matthew D. Hoedeman]

Just wanted to point out SMA is Software Maintenance Agreement - not service. The SMA only covers PC-DMIS and not the machine. True, tech support should be able to help you set up the software so it works with your machine if you have a compatable controller.

Oh, and I agree with Wes that training is very important for the person/persons who will be programming. If you just bought PC-DMIS I would think there would be some discount for training.

OR, it should have been included in the purchase contract, unless the ********* cheaped it out and told them to remove it from the contract, planning on you training yourself on a VERY complicated piece of software.

[dwade]

I know that if the CMM is a CNC machine and is a 98 model it has GeoMeasure6000 on it. I also know that Mitutoyo CMMs can run PC-DMIS as there are 2 locally that do it and can jump back and forth between using the Mitutoyo software and the PC-DMIS.

As Wes said, Jim Jewel should be able to help you get things up and running.

Duane

[bveizaj]

Thank you all!!! I am very impressed...

Yes, we have two licenses and SMA. Two of the guys that are working now has got PC-DMIS training in Mississauga early in 2005. As they are saying the software is installed, runs and hooks up properly with Solidworks. Also, the machine was calibrated by pc-dmis techicians early in 2005 when software was purchased.

The major problems they are having are probe changing from the rack, probe calibration and the accuracy of the measurement.

I already started to read the pc-dmis manual.
I will start officially in January and a training is scheduled early next year for me, too.

When time will come to put things together I'll get back to you and ask for help for real problems that will come out for sure.

Again I am very happy that I can talk to all of you.

Best regards...

[JoeRZ]

What type probe head?
What type probe changer?

I have MCR20 - I can try and asist with that or send some lit.

Joe

[justncredible]

I have a SCR600 probe rack with a SP600M scanning head.

Are they running DCC programs?
or
Manual hits to lay out parts?

Does these machines come with books? I need one........

[bveizaj]

All the probes we have are RENISHAW. Also, the probe racks are RENISHAW ACRI and MCR20.

Currently nobody is creating programs or running the machine.

I am digging to find any manuals for the Mitutoyo....