Search for obstruction before program start

[tjones2]

Hello all,

Our facility recently purchased a couple of new CMM's and are running software version PC-DMIS 2019 R2 SP2. I am in charge of setting up the CNC machines but work closely with our CMM programmer. We are working on setting these CMM's up to be used on the shop floor by CNC machine operators so I would like a few safety checks performed before starting a CMM program. My CMM programmer is telling me there is no way to scan a certain area of the table to verify a previous fixture or part has been properly removed.

1) Can a program be written to verify an area is clear before jumping into the inspection portion of the program?
Example: Say there is an "A" fixture & a "B" fixture permanently mounted on the table. Can we set up program "A" to search for a part on fixture "B". If fixture "B" is clear then start inspection on fixture "A"? If fixture "B" is not clear, stop the program.

2) If we have changeout fixtures with a specific detail in the same location on each fixture but different dimensions, can a specific program be called up based on that?
Example: If 3 different fixtures mount onto a universal base and each has a different size diameter hole in the same location, can a specific program be called based on hole diameter? So if fixture "A" has a diameter of 0.5", fixture B diameter is 0.75" & fixture "C" diameter is 1.0". Can a "Master" program run to measure the hole then automatically jump to the specific program based on that hole diameter?

Thank you in advance

[kingsld1]

Look into the on error command. It can be setup to attempt to take a point on the other fixture. If the point is taken then you can tell the operator to remove the fixture. If the point is NOT taken the measurement routine is executed.

BUT if fixture C is ever added a major crash is extremely likely to occur.

[neil.challinor]

I did a presentation about using the on error functionality back in 2015. You can use this link to download a copy (too big to attach) https://sendit.hexagon.com/message/z...F6Q3apBubziXfE
It will only be available to download until 6th June 2020 as that is the latest date I could set.

[NinjaBadger]

Hello all,

Our facility recently purchased a couple of new CMM's and are running software version PC-DMIS 2019 R2 SP2. I am in charge of setting up the CNC machines but work closely with our CMM programmer. We are working on setting these CMM's up to be used on the shop floor by CNC machine operators so I would like a few safety checks performed before starting a CMM program. My CMM programmer is telling me there is no way to scan a certain area of the table to verify a previous fixture or part has been properly removed.

1) Can a program be written to verify an area is clear before jumping into the inspection portion of the program?
Example: Say there is an "A" fixture & a "B" fixture permanently mounted on the table. Can we set up program "A" to search for a part on fixture "B". If fixture "B" is clear then start inspection on fixture "A"? If fixture "B" is not clear, stop the program.

2) If we have changeout fixtures with a specific detail in the same location on each fixture but different dimensions, can a specific program be called up based on that?
Example: If 3 different fixtures mount onto a universal base and each has a different size diameter hole in the same location, can a specific program be called based on hole diameter? So if fixture "A" has a diameter of 0.5", fixture B diameter is 0.75" & fixture "C" diameter is 1.0". Can a "Master" program run to measure the hole then automatically jump to the specific program based on that hole diameter?

Thank you in advance

1) Yes, use On error as other have suggested (basically try take a point on the part that shouldn't be there, if you measure a point prompt to remove part, on error carry on inspecting the part you want to check)

2) Yep, fairly easy to do. Flow control and subroutines are what's required.


(Sorry for the brief answers, answers given in terms of feasibility, not technical workings of it)

[tjones2]

This is perfect, thank you everyone. It gives me something to start the conversation with our CMM programmer.