I need to ad CAD to an old version

[moyer]

we have an old sheffield sitting here, it is running PC-DMIS PRO 2010 MR3. I am looking to find the CAD++ version of this. The complete lack of CAD support is a deal breaker. the kicker is I have not been able to secure and funds to make this happen. we have gone to OpenDMIS on the new machines. new boss in town doesn't understand in the slightest why the old CMM just sits. Can anyone here help?
thanks!!

[DmisDave]

You have “new machines” and your boss has decided you don’t need that machine anymore?

[moyer]

no we have 2 newer machines running and the sheffield is and has sat here for years unused. new ceo is demanding this runs now. it appears to me we don't have a full version to support cad

[Schrocknroll]

Pony up to update the SMA and upgrade. It'll be expensive, but the only way to add CAD++.

[louisd]

Hexagon controls all licensing. The only way you will get CAD to work on that machine would be to purchase a license with CAD. You can attempt to somehow buy used through a third party purchase of a dongle with CAD enabled (Hex will void all support/service of 3rd party purchases btw), or through upgrade and renewal of your SMA (Software Maintenance Agreement) through Hexagon.

[Matthew D. Hoedeman]

Hexagon controls all licensing. The only way you will get CAD to work on that machine would be to purchase a license with CAD. You can attempt to somehow buy used through a third party purchase of a dongle with CAD enabled (Hex will void all support/service of 3rd party purchases btw), or through upgrade and renewal of your SMA (Software Maintenance Agreement) through Hexagon.

and the programmed dongle MUST be programmed for the same controller for it to work.

[louisd]

good point, I didn't know that part.

[Paul Sarrach]

Have you considered having the old one retrofitted with Open Dmis?

[moyer]

i have asked the questions on what it will take to retrofit this one with OpenDmis, as well as updating the sma for a new version of PC-Dmis. seems like that is the 2 solutions, but cash is most likely to stand in the way.

[louisd]

There are 3 license options: Pro, CAD, and CAD++.
Pro = what you have, 3d with no cad ability.
CAD = ability to import CAD models (IGES/STEP and a few other formats), programs from CAD
CAD++ = Adds scanning (if you have a scanning probe) and some other bonus stuff for sheet metal, etc included with it as well.

https://www.hexagonmi.com/products/software/pc-dmis/pcdmis-cmm-388?creative=218171261486&keyword=&matchtype=b&network=g&device=c&gclid=CjwKCAjw0N3nBRBvEiwAHMwvNocoKT-X12EOZhyoL-Frj0pUxvai-yqtiunLNN_Fhrw5CwYlk-ELaBoCjXkQAvD_BwE

Seems like you'd only need CAD, not CAD++. That might help the cause (CAD++ is certainly extra $$$$$)

[kingsld1]

Unless your in an environment with absolutely minimal dimensions on your prints CAD is not absolutely necessary. It is a great convenience and definitely speeds up programming. Once the part is programmed though having CAD doesn't matter. At that point it's just a nice cartoon. While I would greatly prefer to have CAD, I could still work without it on most jobs.

[louisd]

Likewise, I programmed without cad for years. Just gotta have spacial aptitude.

[kingsld1]

I even offline programmed without CAD back in my OFI/ FLB days.

[Quality ish]

I don't have CAD now. I have to touch off a part, and make sure the numbers are accurate to the print (and recently found out that my vectors have to be cleaned up. lol)

Such is life. They'll spend enough on the piece of equipment, and then won't send the person who runs it to school. Ugh.

[moyer]

how do you go about getting surface normal? it's the vectors along conical surfaces and varying forms i have a hard time with. normal circle vectors i have down. this is were i am having trouble with no cad

[kingsld1]

Assuming that your print is adequately dimensioned...
one way for a xy cone would be to set your origin on the cone theoretical origin, and trig out vector point coordinates at the levels desired along the x axis. J vector is 0. I and K vectors would be the sine or cosine of half the cone angle. (Someone double check me on the vectors) Create your points along the slope of the cone. Then do a copy and paste with pattern using only rotation about the cone axis. Construct a cone from the points. If you have more than one cone of the same size, copy and paste with pattern all your points and the constructed cone as needed. Definitely much easier and faster with cad but doable.

Show the boss it can be done but keep telling them you would be much more efficient using CAD by not having to do all the calculations and not having to figure out where you're at after getting interrupted in the middle of all that. Show them some of the video's out there on quick features or just normal CAD programming and compare that to what you're having to do. Build a financial case because that's likely the easist thing they will understand.

[louisd]

why not just use autofeature and key in the nominals as defined on the print?

[UKCMM]

There is almost zero need to have a part in front of you on the CMM to be able to make a programme so long as the print has all the information. Programme as you would if you had a CAD model INCLUDING any manual alignment. Use auto features for most of the programme they all work as they should when you understand how they work.

Creating dummy features/alignments then using Pattern / Paste with pattern is very useful and can save a lot of time when creating features at odd angles just delete the dummy feature/alignment when done.

Inevitably you will be required to use trig for some feature and this is basic maths all programmes need to know.