Looping Program

[djayne]

I have this fixture that holds 4 sets of parts of RH/LH. The RH and LH are mirror images of one another. All the RHs face the same direction as well as the LHs. My question is this: What would be the best way to program this? I would like to use a loop so that the program is only written once. I have a similar fixture and part that I wrote a program for and I just moved the datum and copy and pasted the program again. I did it this way on that program because the parts sat in different positions and required different sensors. The trouble with this is editing the multiple programs and PCDMIS doesn't like using the same feature names and dimension names. I think that I would like to use some sort of incremented loop with the operators having the option of inputting the # of sets rather than using alot of marked sets as I do currently.
Attached (hopefully) is a picture of the model of the fixture and parts. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

DF Fixture.JPG

[T Miller]

Would paste with pattern work for one of the halfs it would renumber your features

[djayne]

I would like for the feature numbers to stay the same so when the database is populated (WinSPC) it will only create two files - one for each hand.

[Matthew D. Hoedeman]

Make a seperate alignment file and save the alignment to an external file. Then, using variable operator inputs, call up the required alignment in the check program. All the features will have the same name, all the dimensions will have the same name, all will show up in the same place in Datapage. This can also be done with loops, recall an alignment, jump to the check, return and call up the next alignment, etc.

[TRD_racing]

I do this w/ a lot of my parts. Looping will work fine. You may need to use external alignments for the fixtures just as Matt said. I also send the stats to datapage and have some code for this if you need it. I am in the middle of a run for the next couple of hours. Email me if you need it.

[djayne]

Thanks Matthew - I will give this a go. It's about what I was thinking but, I'm not sure how to loop unless I use some sort of boolean loop to end the program so I thought if PCDMIS had some sort of option to go to the set to detect if a part exist type of thing then I wouldn't even have to rely on the operator to input correctly. I was trying an if on error statement in another program but, I never got it to work correctly for me.

[Matthew D. Hoedeman]

I don't use them myself, but I DID stay an a Holiday Inn Express last night. Actually, I have read about them on the boards. I would think you would be able to recall AL1, check the points, recall AL2, check the points, etc. I'll bet booger-boy has the exact syntax for this all set and ready to post here.

[craiger_ny]

I'll bet booger-boy has the exact syntax for this all set and ready to post here

I love to help with this type of stuff but I am actually not following this one well.

Craig

[djayne]

I programmed the left front set on the fixture, what i'd like to do is move the datums to the next set, then to the next, and then to the last without copy and paste but rather jump back up to the original part program and use it. I also need the option of selecting 1,2,3 or 4 sets or 1,2,3, or 4 of one hand or the other. I need to use the original part program for database population and editing with ease.
Craiger ny - that's one morbid animation you got goin' on there. I had to work this weekend so I never got to the smoke test - Next weekend is a long one though - I'm sure to get one day off.

[TRD_racing]

djayne,

I will upload the code I have in about an 1 hour or so. I just got busted for not running what I am suppose to be running. sorry.
Is there anyway of opening up the program outside of PCdmis?

[T Miller]

You should be able to open another program while one is running

[craiger_ny]

I am on slow mo today. Question: theoretically, you will run this routine (or loop) 4 times right? There are 4 stations on the fixture and after incrementing through each one the operator loads parts and does it over again right? If that is the case you can nest two loops. Or do you want the loop to run all 4 pause (operator comment) then after unloading and reloading parts the execution resumes? To make things tricky (however slick) you want to add an error handler in case one of the stations is empty? I think this is doable but maybe I'm plain lost.

Craig

[djayne]

Most of the time it will run 4 sets at a time. Sometimes it will run one set or two or three due to tool changes in certain machining stations. Is there such a thing for the if on error statement to make it go to the next set if there is no touch detected? I would like to use this if there is - if not, I would like to have the operator input the number of sets to be inspected. At last resort, I'll use marked sets for the number of sets to measure. I know what i'm thinkin' in my head but it's not coming out of my keyboard right.

[TRD_racing]

djayne,

Here is what I have, I cut of most of the measurement code, you would add yours there. I do think Matt was right w/ the external alignments unless you can measure both fixtures like I did up front and recall as needed. Hope this helps and I added the datapage code. It may not be the best way but it works for me. Sorry it took so long, they have been wanting the part done. I don't usually get that but I guess someone in the shop is behind.

Thanks Tom, That worked.

Craiger, that avatar is something else. I just got a chance to look at it all the way through. Where do you find these things.

[djayne]

Thanks, Dale! I understand you have to work while at work! They sometimes expect me to do that here too. I read through this loop program - Is this for all of the parts in the same location? I'm not sure I saw where the loop called for the datum shift for a new part. I think I have an idea of how to use this and modify it with the datum shift but I think the datum will automatically shift back on me.