Relationship between Machine Model and CAD Model

[Mike Ruff]

I haven't messed with the CMM models much, but from what I can tell the relationship between the CMM and CAD models is a codependent one. Ideally, I'm trying to use the CMM model to make the animation look prettier. But from what I can tell, when it sees a CAD=PART, it puts the part model at machine zero in the Graphics Display Window, so the part is nowhere near where it is on the table in the Graphics Display Window. This can be offset in F5> Part/Machine but if the part is moved to a different location on the table, it again has problems. So I guess my question is, why are they interdependent? Why can't the machine model be based off of Machine Zero and the part model be based off of Part Zero? That way, if I move the part to a different spot on the machine, the software can simply move the part CAD relative to the machine CAD to reflect this. Is there a way to drive the offset numbers in F5> Part/Machine off of the manual alignment to accomplish this? From what I can tell, if the part isn't in the exact same XYZIJK everytime, trying to use the machine model won't work correctly, but I hope I'm missing something

[RandomJerk]

Why can't the machine model be based off of Machine Zero and the part model be based off of Part Zero?

You can't have zero in two different locations.

Have you worked with quick fixture mode? You want to be in quick fixture mode, then you can right click the model and select "Drop Object", then right click again and select "Move XY Only", then you can drag the part model around on the machine.

[Mike Ruff]

I haven't looked into quick fixture mode. I'll check it out when I get some free time. Thanks!

[RandomJerk]

Mike Ruff - you're welcome, but you won't be thanking me after your first few attempts at quick fixture mode

It works OK once you screw it up a few times and learn what not to do.

[Paul Sarrach]

Are you talking CAD to CMM? If so that is easy.

[Mike Ruff]

No, I'm not talking CAD=PART. I'm talking about the relationship between the .DRAW file of CMM and the .CAD file of the part and the relationship between them. I feel like it should be independent and that the part .CAD file should be able to move relative to the .DRAW file based on where it is placed on the CMM. So that if I run a part, the animation will match what is happening. And that if I run the next part in a different location on the CMM, that the animation should reflect this and visibly move the part's .CAD file on the CMM's .DRAW file so that the animation is still correct. I need to check out quick fixture mode, but hopefully I can mess around with that a bit tomorrow

[NinjaBadger]

I haven't messed with the CMM models much, but from what I can tell the relationship between the CMM and CAD models is a codependent one. Ideally, I'm trying to use the CMM model to make the animation look prettier. But from what I can tell, when it sees a CAD=PART, it puts the part model at machine zero in the Graphics Display Window, so the part is nowhere near where it is on the table in the Graphics Display Window. This can be offset in F5> Part/Machine but if the part is moved to a different location on the table, it again has problems. So I guess my question is, why are they interdependent? Why can't the machine model be based off of Machine Zero and the part model be based off of Part Zero? That way, if I move the part to a different spot on the machine, the software can simply move the part CAD relative to the machine CAD to reflect this. Is there a way to drive the offset numbers in F5> Part/Machine off of the manual alignment to accomplish this? From what I can tell, if the part isn't in the exact same XYZIJK everytime, trying to use the machine model won't work correctly, but I hope I'm missing something

I've not used it much, but if I remember then the offsets in F5 simply allow you to roughly position the model for off line collision detection.

Once you run on the live machine doesn't it just update to show where the part actually is on the machine?