Cad models

[John Coughlin]

We are having trouble aligning cad models to the part, can anyone point us in the right direction in simple layman's terms or have a step by step guide for this subject.
Thanks
John & Lewis

[Darrollh]

When you import a CAD model, you have to Transform it into the orientation you want. I’m not at my computer at the moment but if you are still needing help later today, I can walk you through it.

[NinjaBadger]

If you know how to program without CAD then the easiest way is probably Program Mode.

1) Import model
2) Switch on Program mode (Graphics mode toolbar, or Ctrl+F4)
3) Left click on CAD model to take 'hits' (like you would on real part) - 'End' key on keyboard is like 'Done' button on jogbox
4) Create features & alignment completely on screen - when you've completed the manual alignment you can run program through - you will be prompted to measure the features you've just defined on the model - this links the features on the cad with the actual part

[neil.challinor]

You don't have to transform the CAD model, or set up the CAD to PART relationship - it's just that some people find it easier to work that way. The easiest way that I show people, is to do the following....

1) Open a new program using your chosen units (inch / mm) and select your desired probe file when prompted.
2) Import the CAD model.
3) Make sure the MODE is set to MANUAL then go into program mode (CTRL+F4)
4) Pick points on the model to define the first feature for your alignment (level) - for example a plane. Each click will teach a point - think of it as being the same as if you probed a point in that location on the machine using the jogbox. When you have taken the required number of points for your feature press the END key to create that feature (same as pressing DONE on the jogbox).
5) INSERT>ALIGNMENT>NEW then level and origin your desired axis to your feature.
6) Pick points for your second alignment feature (rotate) in the same was as described in point 4.
7) INSERT>ALIGNMENT>NEW, then rotate and origin your second feature to your chosen axis around the axis you levelled in step 5.
8) Pick points for your third alignment feature (final origin) in the same way as described for point 4.
9) INSERT>ALIGNMENT>NEW, then origin your remaining axis to your third feature.

You are now aligned to the CAD model and can continue to create the remainder of your program. You can either carry on in program mode or use quick features to teach everything offline prior to running it on a machine or you could run what you have written so far, make sure you have "find nominal from cad mode" selected on the probe mode toolbar, and then teach everything on the machine.

Keep in mind that steps 1 to 9 only define a manual alignment. It is best practice to create a more robust DCC alignment that sets up the part as defined on your drawing before proceeding to measure and report.

[cmmen199]

After creating a more robust DCC alignment does the CAD model then "sync" to the new alignment??

[neil.challinor]

It should "sync" after every alignment providing your nominal (THEO) values are correct.

[DHARTNESS55]

Perfect Neil... Manual Alignment & then DCC..... Hopefully using the Datum Structure?

[DAN_M]

Edit/Graphic Display Window/Transform

With the "transform" window still open, I will ALSO open up an autovector point and/or autovector circle. Using the point or circle, I click on my model to see where certain surfaces "ended up". Once you click, you'll see the XYZ location as well as a vector in the autofeature's dialogue box. YOU ARE NOT SAVING THESE POINTS OR CIRCLES, YOU'RE JUST USING THEM AS DUMMY FEATURES TO STEAL NUMBERS FROM. Use those values to translate/rotate your mode using the "transform" window".

In this example, I imported this model. Clicked Y- view to see how it imported and it looked like this:
riser_1.PNG

I want my trihedron to be at the bottom/center of my part. I opened up my autofeature dialogue box, clicked the top surface of my model. A circle showed me I was at X0Z0 and a point that had at 0,-1,0 IJK was at Y0.
riser_2.PNGI used the "Transform" window to rotate my model 90° about the X, hit"APPLY" and "OK". After doing so it looked like this:
riser_3.PNG Hope this helped, reach out any time if you need help/further clarification

[NinjaBadger]

You can just click Select in the Transform window and click on the CAD straight from there btw DAN_M