Hi Justin!

First off, let's discuss the probe qualification.

When the window pops open you must first give the probe a name. It is best to identify it with a name so that you can reuse it again (e.g. 2mmX20mm which describes the tip and length of extension.) Hit the enter key. Then place your cursor on the line that says "No probe defined" and highlight it.

Now go back to the pull-down just above this message. When you click on the down arrow it brings up a file describing most configurations known. Look at the wrist for identification (e.g. PH9, PH10MQ, etc.) Select the one you have on your CMM. A picture of your configuration starts to form just to the right of the pull down. Next identify attachments such as 30 to 8mm converters, TP2s, or whatever you are using. Renishaw typically does a nice job identifying its components except for the convertors, extensions, and actual tips.

Continue until the complete probe is pictured on the right hand side. If you do not wish to see the entire unit appear on you screen, select the component just above the tip, double click on it, and click on the "Do not draw.." box.

By default, your first tip is T1A0B0. This is done so for a specific reason. An asterisk appears to the left of this tip indicating that the tip has not been calibrated (unless you are using a Faro Arm -- the asterisks will always be there if so.)

Select the measure button. You must now identify the tool (calibration artifact) that you are using. Click on the Add Tool button. A new menu appears. Give the artifact a name. If you do not use multiple artifacts, this window needs to be addressed only one time. Now you must look at the artifact itself. If it is pointed straight up. then the shank vector values are:

I=0, J=0, K=1.

If you have a BnS artifact, it gets more exciting. Until you have formal training I recommend that you the position the top sphere facing the back of the machine (assuming that you are working on a bridge CMM with x+ to the right and y+ to the back). Your shank vector is I=0, J=1, K=1. The software understands this to be 45 degree in the Y+ axis and 45 degrees in the Z+ axis.)

Finally, enter the diameter of the qualification artifact. If it is not on the tool itself, check the calibration certificate. DO NOT round this value off! If it says .74996", enter it accordingly. By the way, you must not mix mm and inches during the qualification process. If you are in inches and enter a 19.xx mm ball, the software will think that the ball is 19.xx inches in size.

Select OK.

You should find yourself back in the "Measure Probe" window. On the bottom of this screen you will find the artifact tool that you just created. The size of the qualification sphere will be rounded. The name first appears with the type of tool that you are using. The next three numbers indicate where the software thinks the sphere is located. These coordinates will update upon completion of the calibration routine. Finally, the IJK values and rounded sphere value appears.

By default, this program measures 4 points around the equator of the sphere with the final point on top. Once again, until you receive formal training, allow the preset defaults to run this routine. Make sure that you have DCC selected. Click on the measure button.

If this is the first time that this qualification has occurred, say "Yes" to the question regarding whether the tool has been moved. Another lengthy statement will appear. Say Yes (or OK) to this lengthy statement.

Turn your speed down. Take your first point on the top of the top sphere. Select "continue" on the screen or "done" on the joy stick box. The qual process should begin. Three sample hits take place within a short distance of the first. The software is locating the sphere. You should now see four points measured around the equator of the sphere with the final point measured on the top. If it does not measure at or close to the equator, your configuration set at the beginning of this process is incorrect.

Check the results (click on the Results button). The theo should be close to the actual tip size. Also check the standard deviation. It should be very small. If the theo is not close to the actual, you have indicated an incorrect tip size.

To add additional angles, click on the "Add Angles" button. A new screen appears. Enter the A and B values then select the "Add Angle" button. This will place the existing tool into the white box located to the right of the list. (There is a way to do multiple tools by incrementing probe orientations but it takes a little hands-on if you are a novice.) Once you have added the additional tips, select the OK or Done button. These additional tips are now listed in the original box with asterisks next to them. Select the "Measure" button again, say "Yes" to qualify all of them (this allows you to print out all of the qualified tips). Finally say "No" to the question asking whether the artifact has been moved (the assumption here is that it has not been relocated). The machine should go into DCC mode and measure each tip starting at the equator specific to the tip orientation.

Check the "Results" window again to verify correct calibration.

P.S. When you look back at the "List of Available Tools" you will see that the XYZ location has been updated to the machine coordinate-ordinate system's location of the qual artifact.

This should start the process of getting you up and running. As you will see, the cal'n routine is slick once you understand its parameters.

Finally, the software requires its users to do things in very a specific order. Time must be spent on each part of it to completely understand it.

I wish you the best and hope to meet you.

Joyce Elsner
Applications Engineer
Brown and Sharpe
Wixom, MI