Tech Tips

The latest version of Pcdmis employs a "feature control frame" based dimensioning dialogue. We fill in this dialogue in the same way as a GD&T feature control on a drawing. Datum features must be marked as such before filling in the dimension dialogue. We may also return to the "Legacy" type dimensions by placing a check next to "Use Legacy Dimensions" in the "Insert->Dimension" pull down menu in Pcdmis.

  

With the introduction of template based reporting in PC-Dmis version 4, the method for inserting a company logo has changed. The company logo is now stored in a file named "FILE_HEADER.LBL" that resides in your PC-Dmis installation folder. To insert your company logo please perform the following steps:

Prepare the PC-Dmis report folder

1. Exit PC-Dmis if it is running.

               

2. On your keyboard, locate and press the windows key and E to start windows explorer. Using windows explorer, navigate to the PC-Dmis installation folder. (Example: "C:\Program_Files\WAI\PCdmis43")
3. Once inside of the PC-Dmis installation folder locate the sub folder labeled "Reporting". Right mouse button click on this folder and select "Properties" from the pop up menu.
4. In the "Properties" dialog, remove the check mark from "Read only" and select "Apply" and "OK".

       

 Next, we will copy the reporting folder. This will allow us access to a back up of our reporting files if we make an editing mistake. 

5.  Again, right mouse button click on the "Reporting" folder and this time select "Copy" from the pop up menu. Now right mouse button click on a blank area of the PC-dmis directory listing and select "Paste" from the pop up menu.
6. If you have done this correctly you should have a new folder in "C:\Program Files\WAI\PCdmis43" named "Copy of reporting". You may now exit from Windows explorer.
   
   

    Adding your Company Logo  

1. Start PC-Dmis version 4 or higher.
2. Create a new PC-Dmis program or open an existing PC-Dmis program.
3. From the pull down menu select "File -> Reporting -> Edit -> Label Template".
4. In the "Open" dialog, browse for the file "FILE_HEADER.LBL". And select "Open".
     

5. This will open the "FILE_HEADER.LBL" label in the PC-Dmis label template editor. To select and change the existing logo simply use the left mouse button and double click the existing logo. Now, right mouse click to view the properties page.

Once inside the properties page, hit the "Select" button to browse for your new logo. Note that Jpg, bitmap and GIF are the supported file types

 

6. Hit the "Apply" and "OK" buttons to confirm your changes.
7. To save your new Label template select "File -> Save". When asked if you wish to replace your existing label template select "Yes"
   
8.   To exit from the  "PC-Dmis label template editor" select "File -> Exit".

  Testing our new Report Label

1. To test our new label, open up any PC-Dmis program and view the report for that program.
2. Select the "Text Only" report template and your new logo should be displayed.
3. If you do not see your new logo then select the "Redraw the Report" icon on the left hand end of the tool bar.
   
   
   
4. If you still do not see your logo then please ensure that you have successfully removed the "Read Only" attribute from the PC-Dmis "Reporting" folder.
    

 

Locate the "View" pull down in Pcdmis and select the "Report Window" option. The icons on the right side of the toolbar will allow you to view and try out various different report formats. The icon to the right of the Printer icon will allow you to save the chosen report as the default for the program. Ensure that you save your part program to save this change to the report format.

The surfaces have been hidden. Select the "Draw" surfaces icon to unhide them.

Locate the "Lighting, Materials" dialogue in "Edit" -> "Graphics Display Window". Select the "Lighting" tab and then select the "Probe" radio button. Place a check next to "Enable Transparency" and adjust the probe transparency with the slider bar to suite your preference.

Pcdmis will use any created views to display your report information. Just create a new view in your program before the dimension you wish to display and Pcdmis will use this saved view to display your results.

The alignment you have created does not have the same origin and axis directions as your CAD model. You need to reevaluate your alignment and ensure that the alignment that you create is the same alignment that the CAD model is using. You may edit your existing alignment and re-execute the command "CAD = Part". You will find another shortcut to the "CAD=Part" command under the "Operation" -> "Graphics display window" pull down menu.

Auto features will be grayed out unless a valid probe file is Present and a tip angle selected. The cursor needs to be placed below the TIP command in the program.

The search path should be changed to the one which includes the probe file or part programs. To change this select -> Edit > "preferences " "set search path" Change the path for the probe directory to the folder containing your probes

There is the option "Polar" for measured features and Auto features, you can turn that option on to convert the features into the Polar coordinate system on the "Measured feature window or Auto Feature window". Also the "Location Dimensions" can be output to the Polar coordinate system by turn using the "Prad" and "Pang" items on the feature Location window.

No, the Iterative alignment performs a "Cad=part" command automatically.

The latest released version is V4.3MR1, click here for more information and  installation instructions.

Please make sure the database is created in Datapage. Delete the Xstats11.tmp file, which is located in the Pcdmis directory.

Yes, the install of the PC-DMIS software is straight-forward, but this doesn't mean it will communicate with, or enable the error compensation map of your machine. Different machines and controllers have varying settings which need to be adjusted and files that need to be placed in specific locations. When you call us, we can ensure all your settings and files are correct for your specific machine.

Datapage contains the database of all stored program executions and creates SPC reports and charts. Dataview uses your cad model to visually display these results to the specific locations on the cad for easy viewing.

The IGES import the same import as with previous generations of PC-DMIS. If the import of the IGES model with this method is unsatisfactory, you can use the IGES (ALTERNATE) method for import instead. Both methods will import IGES models, but use slightly different algorithms in the process. Sometimes, one method will import a better cad model than the other.

QuickStart (found under the View menu) is designed for users with little or no knowledge of PC-DMIS. It has canned alignment routines, simple constructions, basic measurements and easy dimensions so the user can get a quick report, with minimal effort.

Obviously, the portability allows the user to take the machine to the part itself. This can allow for a quick set-up for large parts or even less down-time in an assembly environment. Portable measurements are typically quicker and depending on the portable equipment, fixtures may not be necessary for the measurement.

This is one of the major enhancements in this version of PC-DMIS. The report is no longer available in the Edit Window, but now has its own window. Under the View menu, you can now find Report Window. The reports are completely customizable through the File - Reporting menu by modifying existing templates, or creating your own.

No. The environment necessary to run these programs - ntvdm - will not be provided by Microsoft.

No. You can run 32 bit programs on a 64 bit operating system but you will not be able to install 32 bit drivers on a 64 bit operating system. In the case of a HASP driver you will need to get the 64 bit version of the driver from the Aladdin website - www.aladdin.com.

No. To determine the cause of a crash you should try to re-create it by repeating the steps that lead to the crash. Another useful method is to create a log book and record all unusual events as they occur and then look for patterns. Keep records of changes to the computer such driver updates and installation of new software. A debug file can be created by Pcdmis if the problem is believed to be related to the machine.

Yes. Pcdmis for Windows version 4.0 and beyond uses a free, open source package called lp_solve (or lpsolve) that is distributed under the GNU lesser general public license (LGPL). You can get this package from: http://lpsolve.sourceforge.net

 Yes.  You can write a probe calibration program in PC-DMIS that uses the parameter sets feature from the probe calibration utility.  This is a good way to manage the probes when using probe changers.  Using the qualification check option in PC-DMIS can help determine calibration frequency for production machines. 

Please phone and ask us to send you a 'Training Information Package' . This training package includes course outlines, prices, a schedule and a registration form, as well as current training promotions and information on hotel accommodations nearby.

 1) Open your program in Measure-mind 3D.

2) Select "Edit->Change". Type the step number you wish to change.

 3) This will display the step on the right side of the dialog box. Select the "Points" button to reset the meaured points to zero.

 

4) Now refocus the feature and relearn the points for the feature. Press the "Done" button to save this feature .

 5) Save your program.

 1. Open your program in Measure-mind 3D.

2. Select "Part Setup" -> "Run Overrides".

3. Select the "Report Output" button.

4. In the "Overrides" dialog set the output to "Toleranced". (Note: you must have tolerance added to your dimensions for this selection to work.)

5. Set the "Sample Size" to 1.6. Set the "Report Type" to C:\OGP\SRPlus\Template\Onepiece.fst".(Note: Other report templates are available, the template above is for a single part)

7. Select the “OK” button to save this configuration.

8. Select "Close" to exit from the "Overrides" window.

9. Save your program.

10.Start Smart Report.

11.Run your program. At the end of the run your data should appear inside of Smart Report.

 1. Open the Measure-mind 3D program.

2. Select "Units" -> "Resolution". Place a check next to the number of decimal places you require.

3. Save your program.

 1) Open the program you wish to configure for QC-Calc in Measure-mind 3D.

 2) Select Part Setup -> Run Overrides.

3) Select the Stats button.

4) Place a check next to ALL and Keep Stats Filename.

5) You will now be prompted for a file name. Use the name QC.STA and ensurethat this file is stored in the C:\Partrtn directory.

  6) Select save to close the Filename dialog.

7) Select OK and then Close to exit from the Run Overrides dialog.

8) Save your part program.  

 

 1. Open your program in Measure-mind 3D.

2. Select Part Setup -> Run Options.

3. In the Options dialog, remove the check mark from the Done During Run entry.

4. Save your program.

 OGP Measure Mind / Measure X use Direct3D for video rendering and processing.  Some programs disable this feature (i.e. MS NetMeeting) which causes Measure Mind and Measure X to stop working.  Users can verity the state of their system by running the command DXDIAG from a command prompt. 

  

Measure X uses direct draw and a mask colour for displaying the camera image.  When you press the button 'Print Screen' the image placed on the clipboard is only the mask colour which is typically pink.  If you want to capture the camera image you need to use the options built into the software for this purpose.

  

Measure X uses direct draw for displaying the camera image.  Some programs (NetMeeting for example) will temporarily disable direct draw resulting in a missing camera image.  In this situation running the utility 'dxdiag' will provide information about the status of direct draw.

You may do this by performing the following:
1.      Create a new program in Measure-X.
2.      Select the units you wish to work with. These units should be the same as the nominal DXF file later used in Measure-Fit.

3.Perform a manual alignment using the focus target and any of the tools located in the "Targets" tool bar.

4.From the "Tools" tool bar select the "Edge Trace" icon. Now from the "Measurements" tool bar select "Measure Contour".

5. Use the "back light" control to set up rear illumination at approximately 45%.

6. Inside of the "Contour Measurement" dialog, set a spacing value and then indicate a "Start"

and "End" point for you contour. Select the "Trace" button to execute the contour.

7. Once the contour has been executed, select the "OK" button to create this step in your program.

8. Save your program and then select the "Measure Fit" tab to have Measure-X automatically send the data for analysis.

9. If you wish to have a copy of the contour saved in a file,then you only need to place a check next to the "Data Stream" option in Step 6, Measure-X will then prompt you for a file name and path to save the contour. This "Dat" file may then be imported into Measure Fit.

To send your measured results to Smart Report please do the following:

1. Setup the report template and sample size you wish to use by selecting "System" ->

    "Configuration" -> "Output" from the pull down menu.

2. Now select the "Smart Report" tab from the "Configure Output" dialog.

3. From inside of the "Configure Output" dialog select the "Smart Report" tab.

4. Next, set the "Report Type" to "First Article", the "Report Filename" to "Onepiece.fst" and the "Sample size" to 1. Select the OK button to save these changes.

 5.Measure or construct any feature that you wish to send to "Smart Report". From inside the measurement or construction dialog, set the output to "Smart Report" by choosing the Smart report icon in the list of output options.

6.      Use the "Tolerances Tab" to set the appropriate Nominals and Tolerances for the feature.

7.      Place a check mark next to each axis you wish to output.

8.      Perform steps 5 through 7 for as many features as you wish to report.

9.      Save and run your program and Smart Report will pop and display your results.

To Export your measured data to Excel perform the following steps:

1.Setup the export options to use by selecting "System" -> "Configuration" -> "Output" from the pull down menu.

2.Select the Smart Report tab and locate the "Data Export" area of the dialog.

3.Next, Specify the output file name and the version of Excel to be used. You may also
  specify the number of part runs to save.
  
4. Measure or construct any feature that you wish to send to Excel. From inside the measurement or construction dialog, set the output to Export by choosing the Export report icon in the list of output options.

5.  Use the "Tolerances Tab" to set the appropriate Nominals and Tolerances for the feature.

6.  Place a check mark next to each axis you wish to output.

7.  Perform steps 4 through 6 for as many features as you wish to report.

8. Save and run your program and Smart Report will pop and allow the exportation of your results.

 

 Using an analog probe such as an SP600 or SP25 on a Leitz protocol controller works better when using the Ethernet link between the controller and computer.  The serial connection is too slow for scanning purposes. 

 CMM’s used in less than ideal environments require more frequent cleaning and maintenance.  Computers used for these systems should regularly be checked for functioning or blocked cooling fans.  The bearing gaps used on typical CMM vary from 0.010 to 0.0015 mm and can easily be blocked by dirt or dust.  Oil or other contaminants in the air supply have detrimental affects on a CMM.

 Separately purchased probes for the Romer Arms come either with a 3.5" floppy disk or a USB stick containing the probe file (i.e. PROBE.6). Copy this file to the ARMDATA and ARMDATA.S6X folders located in "C:\Program Files\CIMCORE\WinRDS". The next time you start Cimcore Arm Utilities (aka WinRDS) the probe will be recognized. Note: You must calibrate this probe before use.

  

Turn on Trigger Plane (sometimes referred to as Edge Auto Trigger Mode).  Now when you measure your circle, drag the probe up and down the surface of the circle to the depth of the programmed hit.  PC-DMIS will automatically take the hit once this programmed depth is reached.  Perform this for all hits. 

 

  

The 7 axis Infinite arm has a red trigger button, as well as two white side buttons.  The two side buttons have identical functionality as it is designed for lefties and righties.  To enter Mouse mode, you must press and hold the red button, then push one of the side white buttons.  Ensure this is done within 1 second.  Now you are in Mouse Mode.  Using the mouse, the red button is your left mouse button and the side white buttons act as the right mouse button.  To exit mouse mode, using the arm, move the mouse pointer to the very top of the computer screen and press the red button.  You are now back in Measure Mode.

 When PC-DMIS is purchased with a Romer Arm, it is supplied with a USB stick. There is a folder on this stick called "PC-DMIS 4.2 Probes". Go into this folder and copy the USRPROBE.DAT file into your PC-DMIS folder on the computer. This will get the other probes working. If you cannot find this USB stick, contact our Technical Support department and we can email you this file.

  

The points are not lined up because your manual hits with the arm are not close enough to the cad points you originally selected.  This alignment would be quite unacceptable.  This is typical with manual equipment.  PC-DMIS has a new option for best fitting to re-pierce the cad.  This function takes your measured data as a reference and recreates your original cad hits to better line up the nominal data to the measured data.  Using this, the points would line up and the alignment would be fine.

  

Configuration of PC-Dmis for Portable Use 

Enlarging the Menu's and Tool bars
 (Making PC-Dmis Easier to see at a distance)    

• Start PC-Dmis
• From the pull down menus select View -> Toolbars -> Customize.
• Select the Toolbars tab and place a check next to Use Large Toolbars

•    Now select the Menu tab and place a check next to Use Large Menus.

• PC-Dmis will now warn you that it needs to shutdown and restart to implement the changes. Select OK to exit the Customize menu and then exit out of PC-Dmis.

•   PC-Dmis will now restart on its own and both the tool bars and menus will be larger and easier to read.

  

• From the pull down menus select View -> Toolbars and place check marks next to the following:
• Graphic View          
• Graphic Items
• Window Layouts
• Settings
• Probe Mode
• Portable

    

• Viewing your program in Summary Mode 
• From the pull down menus select View. Ensure that there is a check mark next to both Edit Window and Summary Mode.

• From the pull down menus select View ->Other Windows and place check marks next to Quick Start and Status Window.

•   Saving you Changes
• Locate the Windows Layout tool bar that you earlier placed a check mark beside and select the diskette icon. You will be prompted for a name, enter “Portable1” and select OK.

  Note: You may also wish to create an icon to save your PC-Dmis window layout before making the above changes!

 

 

 

  

From Version 4.0 on you can output measurement data into an Excel report. Perform the following steps:

Inside the Pcdmis part program, select "Wizards" on the tool bar list.

 On the Wizards toolbar, select the icon "PCD2XCEL"

 On the prompted window, click on "configure" button

  Assign the path or the file name for the Excel file. Check all of the areas to make sure you have set all the items correctly.

 Click on "Continue", Pcdmis will transfer the measurement data to the assigned Excel file. When the transferring is done,  click on "Finish"

 

  

Steps in Performing a Leap Frog Alignment

Note: This tutorial will instruct the reader on the use of the "Measure 3 Point Sets" option inside of the leap frog alignment dialog.

Requirements: Three features that will act as datums. These three features can be geometric primitives on the measured part or conical seats attached to the part with hot glue or magnets. Whether you choose geometric features or conical seats will not matter providing that these features support the stylus of your choice in all three axis X,Y and Z.

Some choices for Datum Features

Geometric features like bores may also work

Notice how the probe is supported in all axis X,Y & Z!

If you choose to use washers, ensure that your probe sits in the washer without touching the part!

   Lets Begin

• Start by choosing your 3 datum features on the part. If you do not have suitable features on your part then glue the appropriate size conical seats or washers to your part. These datum features should encompass all of the parts volume for the best accuracy! Use a piece of paper to sketch the location of your 3 datum features.
• Create your PC-Dmis part program like usual, measure all the features that you can reach with the part in this position.
• We will now prepare for the Leap Frog alignment. Turn off the probe compensation by selecting Insert -> Parameter Change -> Probe Compensation from the pull down menus. While viewing your program in command mode ,ensure the command reads “probecom/off”.

• If the Probe Compensation command reads “ON” then place your cursor on the command and hit the F9 key to bring up the edit dialog and remove the check mark from the “Probe Compensation Active” entry. Hit OK to save this change.

 

• Open the “Leap Frog” dialog by selecting its icon from the tool bar.

• Select the “Measure 3 Points Sets” option. Leave the number of hits at 5 and select the “Measure All” button. This dialog means that we will measure each datum feature 5 times. This multiple measurement will increase our accuracy by averaging the 5 measurements for each of our 3 datum positions.

•  You will now be prompted to measure hit 1 of 5 for point number 1. Locate datum feature number 1 and ensure that the probe is resting securely in this datum feature. Now measure a point and confirm the measurement for this datum feature.

• Measure 4 more individual hits in datum feature number 1 and confirm each hit.
• Perform the same operation on datum features 2 and 3.

 

• You can now move either the part or the arm to a location suitable to measure the next group of features.

• 
  With the arm or part in the new location, remeasure the datum features with 5 hits for each feature, in the same order as used in the preious. Refer to the sketch created in the first step  if necessary.
• When the measurement is complete you will again be presented with the Leap Frog alignment screen. Review the results for residual XY and Z error. Select the "Accept" and "OK" buttons to apply the alignment. Select "Yes" to the prompt "Is it OK to insert a Leap Frog Alignment Command?" If you fail to hit the "Accept" button you will lose your alignment!

• As a final step, turn the probe compensation back on in your part program (See steps 3 and 4 for details). You may perform a Leap Frog alignment as many time as necessary to measure the remaining features on your part.

 To reduce the fonts of the menus, go to your View menu select Toolbars and click on Customize.  From the Menu tab, uncheck Use Large Menus.  Shutdown PC-DMIS and restart.

  To reduce the size of the icons in PC-DMIS, go to your View menu select Toolbars and click on Customize.  Click on the Toolbars tab and uncheck Use Large Icons.

 

 PC-DMIS is capable of performing 'probe compensation' automatically using Romer arms. The first 'hit' taken of a feature (circle, sphere, etc.) must be pointed towards the surface. This tells PC-DMIS if this is an inside feature or an outside feature. When measuring a Point, you need to be more careful. If you are not using cad, PC-DMIS can only compensate in X+, X-, Y+, Y-, Z+ and Z- when using Guess Mode. During these measurements, you MUST point the probe perpendicular to the surface of measurement for an accurate reading. If the surface you are attempting to measure has a compounded angle, Vector Point must be used, or Find Nominals when using cad.

  

Yes and no.  You must use the compiler supplied with Tutor to create the part program from the source file.  The source file can be created or modified from any text editor.  Some more advanced text editor's include features such as spell checking, automatic code completion, and text formatting.  These editors will allow seamless integration with the Tutor compiler.

  

NURBS stands for Non Uniform Rational Basis Spline. It is a mathematical  representation of freeform surfaces.  A NURBS surfaces is also known as patch.  Polyworks uses the curve net to create NURBS surfaces (patches) so the surfaces can be recognized by other CAD software.