Matt,

I apologize for not recognizing your name, perhaps I responded in the past to your post on the CMMWORLD website? In any event, you are correct in that Origin's CheckMate CAD programming software does not directly control the CMM as the core metrology package that comes with the brand of CMM. The idea behind CheckMate is that you have the ability to write programs weeks in advance of receiving the sample parts. CheckMate gets installed on a separate PC. Therefore, you can keep your CMM running programs at the same time you are programming your next job. Because your CMM will never spend downtime in programming mode, you then will achieve optimum CMM output, all the while leaving your CMM unchanged in its ability to work as designed in the past.

According to my study of PCDMIS and other similarities, you really must know your CAD. The screens are very busy and hard to follow due to the complexity of commands and drawing limitations that inhibit your ability to get the most out of your CAD files.

Conversely, CheckMate runs through Mechanical Desktop AutoCad 2000 and is both everything CAD/everything CMM. CheckMate is not a replacement software for your CMM, it is merely an enhancement package for the same. CheckMate is extremely versatile in accepting all CAD geometry and adapting to all CMM makes and models. There is virtually nothing CheckMate can't do inside the realm of Cartesian metrology. The people of Origin pride themselves on streamlining the act of sample inspection and simplifying the programming/layout process. Their Tech. support staff is devoted to solving complex measurement tasks in order to eliminate the time consuming efforts involved. These men and women will go far beyond the call of the proverbial help desk, placing every known solution on the market at your fingertips. I challenge you to question their capability. Trust me they will either have the remedy or soon create one for you. CheckMate has the answer for you CAD based programming needs.
Geoff
Sr. CMM Programmer
Lapeer Metal Stamping
LMS Metrology Lab
Lapeer, MI