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.

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 V4.1, please contact CMM for more instruction for installation.

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.

 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. 

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.

 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.

 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.