DCC alignment shifted from manual alignment

[ANDHERO]

I'm brand new to using PC-DMIS. I feel I've made good progress on learning basics, and being able to fix mistakes in programs (I run into errors in programs alot here...). I cant always get the programmer here to fix them in a timely manner so I usually just explore here and or the help files till I find a fix. However, I've run into problems that are beyond my knowledge and this here is one of the more common problems I've had that I cant figure out.

So, this is what happens. I pull up program, calibrate all used tips and angles, start program take manual alignment points (in this program its 3 pln points 'z', 3 pln points 'y', and 3 pln points 'x'). Then when program goes into DCC it seems the machine thinks the part has shifted anywhere from .5-2 inches x negative... Because of this I'm not able to run the program at all.

help would be greatly appreciated! Though as I stated before i'm still fairly new to it all.

[Darrollh]

Are you taking hits or creating features? You should be creating 3 hit to create a plane, 3 hits for a line and 3 hits for a line to create an alignment. The DCC alignment should follow the manual alignment.

[ANDHERO]

First 3 hits create a pln feature followed by a level feature (not sure what this is), second 3 hits create a pln feature followed by a line feature, and third 3 hits create a pln feature followed by a line feature also.

[Darrollh]

If you can, post the code so that we can dissect it and help you fix it.

[ANDHERO]

Man pnt b1 =feat/contact/vector point/default,cartesian
theo/<-0.35,0.3,0>,<0,0,1>
actl/<9.573459,1.862196,-24.387719>,<0.0009341,-0.0009341,0.9999991>
targ/<-0.35,0.3,0>,<0,0,1>
show feature parameters=yes
surface=actl_thickness,0
measure mode=nominals
rmeas=none,none,none
auto wrist=no
graphical analysis=no
feature locator=no,no,""
show contact parameters=yes
avoidance move=both,distance=0.2
show hits=no
man pnt b2 =feat/contact/vector point/default,cartesian
theo/<-3.2,0.2,0>,<0,0,1>
actl/<6.785916,1.862478,-24.386189>,<-0.0004697,0,0.9999999>
targ/<-3.2,0.2,0>,<0,0,1>
show feature parameters=yes
surface=actl_thickness,0
measure mode=nominals
rmeas=none,none,none
auto wrist=no
graphical analysis=no
feature locator=no,no,""
show contact parameters=yes
avoidance move=both,distance=0.2
show hits=no
man pnt b3 =feat/contact/vector point/default,cartesian
theo/<-1.4,7.2,0>,<0,0,1>
actl/<8.497682,8.700141,-24.380815>,<0.0009528,-0.0014292,0.9999985>
targ/<-1.4,7.2,0>,<0,0,1>
show feature parameters=yes
surface=actl_thickness,0
measure mode=nominals
rmeas=none,none,none
auto wrist=no
graphical analysis=no
feature locator=no,no,""
show contact parameters=yes
avoidance move=both,distance=0.2
show hits=no
man pln b =feat/plane,cartesian,triangle,no
theo/<-1.65,2.566667,0>,<0,0,1>
actl/<8.285685,4.141605,-24.384907>,<0.0005489,-0.0009233,0.9999994>
constr/plane,bf,man pnt b1,man pnt b2,man pnt b3,,
outlier_removal/off,3
filter/off,wavelength=0
man level b=alignment/start,recall:startup,list=yes
alignment/level,zplus,man pln b
alignment/trans,zaxis,man pln b
alignment/end
man pnt a3 =feat/contact/vector point/default,cartesian
theo/<-3.2,-0.001696,-0.25>,<0,-0.999977,0.0067833>
actl/<6.75863,1.50684,-0.187983>,<-0.0009158,-0.9999992,0.0009228>
targ/<-3.2,-0.001696,-0.25>,<0,-0.999977,0.0067833>
show feature parameters=yes
surface=actl_thickness,0
measure mode=nominals
rmeas=none,none,none
auto wrist=no
graphical analysis=no
feature locator=no,no,""
show contact parameters=yes
avoidance move=both,distance=0.2
show hits=no
man pnt a2 =feat/contact/vector point/default,cartesian
theo/<-1.85,-0.023064,-3.4>,<0,-0.999977,0.0067833>
actl/<8.057039,1.486846,-3.486493>,<0.000374,-0.9999995,0.0009235>
targ/<-1.85,-0.023064,-3.4>,<0,-0.999977,0.0067833>
show feature parameters=yes
surface=actl_thickness,0
measure mode=nominals
rmeas=none,none,none
auto wrist=no
graphical analysis=no
feature locator=no,no,""
show contact parameters=yes
avoidance move=both,distance=0.2
show hits=no
man pnt a1 =feat/contact/vector point/default,cartesian
theo/<-0.6,-0.001696,-0.25>,<0,-0.999977,0.0067833>
actl/<9.334201,1.502008,-0.179745>,<0.0018307,-0.9999983,0.000009>
targ/<-0.6,-0.001696,-0.25>,<0,-0.999977,0.0067833>
show feature parameters=yes
surface=actl_thickness,0
measure mode=nominals
rmeas=none,none,none
auto wrist=no
graphical analysis=no
feature locator=no,no,""
show contact parameters=yes
avoidance move=both,distance=0.2
show hits=no
man pln a =feat/plane,cartesian,triangle,no
theo/<-1.883333,-0.008818,-1.3>,<0,-0.999977,0.0067833>
actl/<8.049957,1.498564,-1.28474>,<-0.0018929,-0.9999841,0.0053162>
constr/plane,bf,man pnt a1,man pnt a2,man pnt a3,,
outlier_removal/off,3
filter/off,wavelength=0
man lin a =feat/line,cartesian,unbounded,no
theo/<-1.766667,0,0>,<1,0,0>
actl/<8.172046,1.505163,0>,<0.9999982,-0.001893,0>
constr/line,intof,man pln b,man pln a
man pnt c1 =feat/contact/vector point/default,cartesian
theo/<0,0.52,-1.1>,<1,0,0>
actl/<9.918581,2.054249,-1.205915>,<0.9999983,-0.0012399,0.0013771>
targ/<0,0.52,-1.1>,<1,0,0>
show feature parameters=yes
surface=actl_thickness,0
measure mode=nominals
rmeas=none,none,none
auto wrist=no
graphical analysis=no
feature locator=no,no,""
show contact parameters=yes
avoidance move=both,distance=0.2
show hits=no
man pnt c2 =feat/contact/vector point/default,cartesian
theo/<0,0.4,-1.5>,<1,0,0>
actl/<9.917448,1.934456,-1.628118>,<0.9999977,-0.0018635,0.0010166>
targ/<0,0.4,-1.5>,<1,0,0>
show feature parameters=yes
surface=actl_thickness,0
measure mode=nominals
rmeas=none,none,none
auto wrist=no
graphical analysis=no
feature locator=no,no,""
show contact parameters=yes
avoidance move=both,distance=0.2
show hits=no
man pnt c3 =feat/contact/vector point/default,cartesian
theo/<0,0.52,-1.95>,<1,0,0>
actl/<9.919752,2.008979,-2.007565>,<0.9999993,0.0004933,0.0010413>
targ/<0,0.52,-1.95>,<1,0,0>
show feature parameters=yes
surface=actl_thickness,0
measure mode=nominals
rmeas=none,none,none
auto wrist=no
graphical analysis=no
feature locator=no,no,""
show contact parameters=yes
avoidance move=both,distance=0.2
show hits=no
man pln c =feat/plane,cartesian,triangle,no
theo/<0,0.48,-1.516667>,<1,0,0>
actl/<9.918594,1.999228,-1.613866>,<0.9998307,-0.0182302,0.00249>
constr/plane,bf,man pnt c1,man pnt c2,man pnt c3,,
outlier_removal/off,3
filter/off,wavelength=0
man lin c =feat/line,cartesian,unbounded,no
theo/<0,1.523333,0>,<0,-1,0>
actl/<9.933626,3.044119,0>,<-0.0182303,-0.9998338,0>
constr/line,intof,man pln c,man pln b
man align =alignment/start,recall:man level b,list=yes
alignment/level,zplus,man pln b
alignment/trans,zaxis,man pln b
alignment/rotate,xplus,to,man lin a,about,zplus
alignment/trans,yaxis,man lin a
alignment/trans,xaxis,man lin c
alignment/end
comment/oper,no,full screen=no,auto-continue=no,
************************************************** *
move probe above part and
hit "enter" for dcc mode
************************************************** *

[ANDHERO]

mode/dcc
clearp/zplus,2,zplus,0,off
move/clearplane
auto pnt b1=feat/contact/vector point/default,cartesian
theo/<-0.35,0.3,0>,<0,0,1>
actl/<-0.35,0.3,0.001326>,<0,0,1>
targ/<-0.35,0.3,0>,<0,0,1>
snap=yes
show feature parameters=yes
surface=actl_thickness,0
measure mode=nominals
rmeas=none,none,none
auto wrist=no
graphical analysis=no
feature locator=no,no,""
show contact parameters=yes
avoidance move=both,distance=0.2
show hits=no
auto pnt b2=feat/contact/vector point/default,cartesian
theo/<-3.2,0.2,0>,<0,0,1>
actl/<-3.2,0.2,0.000709>,<0,0,1>
targ/<-3.2,0.2,0>,<0,0,1>
snap=yes
show feature parameters=yes
surface=actl_thickness,0
measure mode=nominals
rmeas=none,none,none
auto wrist=no
graphical analysis=no
feature locator=no,no,""
show contact parameters=yes
avoidance move=both,distance=0.2
show hits=no
auto pnt b3=feat/contact/vector point/default,cartesian
theo/<-1.4,7.2,0>,<0,0,1>
actl/<-1.4,7.2,0.000958>,<0,0,1>
targ/<-1.4,7.2,0>,<0,0,1>
snap=yes
show feature parameters=yes
surface=actl_thickness,0
measure mode=nominals
rmeas=none,none,none
auto wrist=no
graphical analysis=no
feature locator=no,no,""
show contact parameters=yes
avoidance move=both,distance=0.2
show hits=no
auto pln b =feat/plane,cartesian,triangle,no
theo/<-1.65,2.566667,0>,<0,0,1>
actl/<-1.65,2.566667,0.000998>,<-0.000217,0.0000203,1>
constr/plane,bf,auto pnt b1,auto pnt b2,auto pnt b3,,
outlier_removal/off,3
filter/off,wavelength=0
move/clearplane
auto pnt a3=feat/contact/vector point/default,cartesian
theo/<-3.2,-0.001696,-0.25>,<0,-0.999977,0.0067833>
actl/<-3.2,-0.002317,-0.249996>,<0,-0.999977,0.0067833>
targ/<-3.2,-0.001696,-0.25>,<0,-0.999977,0.0067833>
snap=yes
show feature parameters=yes
surface=actl_thickness,0
measure mode=nominals
rmeas=none,none,none
auto wrist=no
graphical analysis=no
feature locator=no,no,""
show contact parameters=yes
avoidance move=both,distance=0.2
show hits=no
auto pnt a2=feat/contact/vector point/default,cartesian
theo/<-1.85,-0.023064,-3.4>,<0,-0.999977,0.0067833>
actl/<-1.85,-0.021143,-3.400013>,<0,-0.999977,0.0067833>
targ/<-1.85,-0.023064,-3.4>,<0,-0.999977,0.0067833>
snap=yes
show feature parameters=yes
surface=actl_thickness,0
measure mode=nominals
rmeas=none,none,none
auto wrist=no
graphical analysis=no
feature locator=no,no,""
show contact parameters=yes
avoidance move=both,distance=0.2
show hits=no
auto pnt a1=feat/contact/vector point/default,cartesian
theo/<-0.6,-0.001696,-0.25>,<0,-0.999977,0.0067833>
actl/<-0.6,-0.002141,-0.249997>,<0,-0.999977,0.0067833>
targ/<-0.6,-0.001696,-0.25>,<0,-0.999977,0.0067833>
snap=yes
show feature parameters=yes
surface=actl_thickness,0
measure mode=nominals
rmeas=none,none,none
auto wrist=no
graphical analysis=no
feature locator=no,no,""
show contact parameters=yes
avoidance move=both,distance=0.2
show hits=no
auto pln a offset=feat/plane,cartesian,triangle,no
theo/<-1.883333,0,-1.3>,<0,-1,0>
actl/<-1.883334,0.000285,-1.299995>,<0.0000676,-0.9999997,-0.0007781>
constr/plane,offset
id = auto pnt a1,auto pnt a2,auto pnt a3,,
offset = -0.001696,-0.023064,-0.001696
move/clearplane
auto pnt c1=feat/contact/vector point/default,cartesian
theo/<0,0.52,-1.1>,<1,0,0>
actl/<-0.003867,0.52,-1.1>,<1,0,0>
targ/<0,0.52,-1.1>,<1,0,0>
snap=yes
show feature parameters=yes
surface=actl_thickness,0
measure mode=nominals
rmeas=none,none,none
auto wrist=no
graphical analysis=no
feature locator=no,no,""
show contact parameters=yes
avoidance move=both,distance=0.2
show hits=no
auto pnt c2=feat/contact/vector point/default,cartesian
theo/<0,0.4,-1.5>,<1,0,0>
actl/<-0.00293,0.4,-1.5>,<1,0,0>
targ/<0,0.4,-1.5>,<1,0,0>
snap=yes
show feature parameters=yes
surface=actl_thickness,0
measure mode=nominals
rmeas=none,none,none
auto wrist=no
graphical analysis=no
feature locator=no,no,""
show contact parameters=yes
avoidance move=both,distance=0.2
show hits=no
auto pnt c3=feat/contact/vector point/default,cartesian
theo/<0,0.52,-1.95>,<1,0,0>
actl/<-0.002253,0.52,-1.95>,<1,0,0>
targ/<0,0.52,-1.95>,<1,0,0>
snap=yes
show feature parameters=yes
surface=actl_thickness,0
measure mode=nominals
rmeas=none,none,none
auto wrist=no
graphical analysis=no
feature locator=no,no,""
show contact parameters=yes
avoidance move=both,distance=0.2
show hits=no
auto pln c =feat/plane,cartesian,triangle,no
theo/<0,0.48,-1.516667>,<1,0,0>
actl/<-0.003016,0.48,-1.516667>,<0.9999971,0.0014816,0.001899>
constr/plane,bf,auto pnt c1,auto pnt c2,auto pnt c3,,
outlier_removal/off,3
filter/off,wavelength=0
auto align =alignment/start,recall:man align,list=yes
alignment/level,zplus,auto pln b
alignment/trans,zaxis,auto pln b
alignment/rotate,yminus,to,auto pln a offset,about,zplus
alignment/trans,yaxis,auto pln a offset
alignment/trans,xaxis,auto pln c
alignment/end

[Darrollh]

Turn off your avoidance moves.

[ANDHERO]

How is that done?
thanks!

[ANDHERO]

Unfortunately that didnt seem to help....
everytime I restart the alignment DCC is shifted different amounts each time.

[bfire85]

Those intersection lines in the manual alignment are odd because if you don't take the hits wide enough apart on the planes, it will skew the alignment. I would a simple 3 point plane level and trans in Z, 2 pt line trans in X and rotate Y, and a point and trans Y. BTW, avoid spaces in naming of features. Use only numbers, letters, and underscores.

[ANDHERO]

I think the reason it has 3 points on each is because its not a 90 degree part, and takes lots of surface points on all of the flat surfaces to determine if the angle between the surfaces are correct, due to tight tolerancing on the part.

I had read elsewhere that spaces in the feature names have been known to mess things up. So maybe thats it?

thanks!

[UKCMM]

I notice that on all the DCC hits you have snap ON it is possible this is the cause of the strange move. I have never used this function or seen it used so maybe someone how does use it can advise.