Advanced Operations

MCM Calibrations

When measuring with the LR in different orientations, such that it is not oriented vertically with respect to gravity, additional compensations should be considered for optimal accuracy. Monument Compensation Model (MCM) calibrations can be used for this purpose. Settings>MCM Database opens a dialog which provides both a list of existing calibrations and offers the ability to record an additional one.


MP/SDK script control is also essential for the MCM process. The following commands are available:

 

APDIS Models and Licensing

Different LR models come with both different capabilities and licensing restrictions. The current capability of your model can be checked under Instrument>Hardware Capabilities.

 

Auto Measure from SA

There are several automatic measure functions that can be triggered from the Instrument menu within SA. Auto Measure opens a dialog that allows selection, drive and automatic measurement options. Batch commands are much simpler and run through a list of targets in one pass only. These commands exist for both points and vectors. Vectors offer the added benefit of allowing the LR to search the nominal vector for the actual surface intersection point. For more information take a look at the instruments section HERE.

 

Using the LR Gauging Engine from SA

Starting with SA version 2022.2 there is now an Auto-Measure option to process a list of GR-Features. This is currently supported through the MV430/MV450 Gauging Engine (GE). Currently supported geometry types include:

If the user’s job has a list of GR-Features with predefined nominals, SA can measure this list using the LR’s Gauging Engine capability. See Measure Batch of Features

 

Nikon Interface Controls

There are GE specific target profiles that can be linked to individual Features in the tree. These profiles can be edited and saved for specific features:

 

To configure GE target profile / measurement settings on Nikon AP- DIS LR application, use the Gauging Engine section in the Target Manager dialog:

The selected GE Target definition setting show a short description on the bottom from the Nikon GE specifications.

Users can define whether to send to SA a measured geometry and/or scan data in form of a cloud. By default, a measured geometry will be sent automatically to SA.

 

SA Feature Configuration

You can optionally assign a predefined measurement profile to a feature. If this step is skipped, measurement defaults will be used.

To assign a specific measurement profile to a feature, R-click in SA tree on geometry relationship and select the Trapping Controls >>Configure Instrument

You can select a measurement profile for a feature from a list of available GE settings received from LR interface Target Manager:

The same dialog allows you to apply the same settings to selected features or reset to defaults.

 

Triggering the Measurement Process

To start the measurement process, navigate to the Instrument tab of the SA ribbon and select Auto Measure >> Measure Batch of Features.

SA application prompts you to select a list of GR-Features to measure and then sends this list to the LR for measurement using Gauging Engine.

On completion of each measurement, SA receives a measurement result (geometry and / or scan data) and immediately associates it with the geometry relationship.

Each measured object (geometry and / or cloud) lists the measurement settings details in the job units.

 

 

 

Laser Radar Automation (MP/SDK) Commands

A list of MP command strings can be found in the interface under Help>Help Topics>Measurement Plans (MP). This dialog offers a full list of strings that can be used with the Set Instrument Measurement Mode/ Profile and Instrument Operational Check commands.

 

Nikon Laser Radar

Basic Operations

 

Start Instrument Interface

Starts the LR Interface

LR Hardware Connect

Connects to the LR interface to the instrument

LR Hardware Disconnect

Disconnects the LR interface from the instrument

LR Verify Hardware Connection

checks the connection between the interface and the instrument

LR Set Red Laser Intensity

Sets the red laser intensity level for the LR

LR Get Most Recent SNR Info

Return signal-to-noise-ratio information about the IR FFT

LR Self Test

Performs a Self Test and returns the results

LR Self Test - Linearization

Performs a Linearization test and returns the results

LR Self Test - Flip Test

Performs a Flip Test and returns the results

LR APDIS Perform MCM Calibration

Provides a means to perform an MCM calibration

LR APDIS Activate MCM Calibration

Set’s the active MCM calibration on the instrument

LR APDIS Get Active MCM Calibration

Returns the name of the currently active MCM Calibration

 

 

Measurement Controls

 

Auto-Measure Surface Vector Intersections

Performs an auto measure using a reference vector group to find the intersec- tion with a measured surface

Auto-Measure Points

Performs a points based automatic measurement

Auto-Measure Vectors

Performs a Vector based automatic measurement

Auto-Measure Specified Geometry

Performs an automatic measurement using the selected geometry

Auto-Measure Batch of Features

Auto measure of SA Geometry Relationships (Features) by MV430E/MV450E Gauging Engine (GE)

Configure and Measure

Measures a point using the specified name and measurement profile/target

Scan within Perimeter

Scans within the specified perimeter

 

 

Nikon Laser Radar

Point At Target

Points at a selected point

 

 

“Set Instrument Measurement Mode/Profile” - Input Strings

 

<Target type name>

Sets the specified target type as the measurement profile

mirroron <mirror name>

Enables the selected mirror measurement

mirroroff

Disables the active mirror measurement mod

 

 

“Instrument Operational Check” - Input Strings

 

Linearization

 

FlipTest

Perform a flip test

SelfTest

Perform a self test

StareTest

Perform a stare test

FullComp

Performs a full compensation

QuickComp

Performs a quick compensation (currently functions the same as a full com- pensation)

MCMCalibration <ptgroup>

Performs an MCM calibration using a point group. (Point group syntax is

Collection::PtGroupName)

MCMCalibration <ptgroup1>, <ptgroup2>, ..., <ptgroupN>

Performs a relative MCM calibration using several point groups

MCMCalibration <ptgroup1>, ..., <ptgroupN> TRUE

Validate a relative MCM calibration using several point groups

AutoFocus

Initiates an autofocus operation

SetFocusLimits <min> <max>

Sets the focus limits using the specified min and max distances

IRPowerWindow <ON/OFF>

Open/Close IR Power Spectrum FFT Window

Start Video

Starts the video display

IsVideoOn?

Verify status of the video streaming

Stop Video

Stops the video display

SaveVideoFrame <path and filename>

Save video frame as an image file (BMP, JPG, PNG, GIF, or TIFF)

 

HWCapability <capability>

Offers the ability to check if the LR supports hardware capabilities (SVIGroup- ing, ScanEngineLicense, HighSpeedScan, GaugingEngine, GaugingEngineLi- censed, MCMDatabase, NetworkVideo, InternalAccelerometer, VibrationAnaly- sis, InstDopplerCorrection, GEPartialScanProgress)

SetScanPowerThreshold [ ]

Provides a means to set the can power threshold for the active target.

SetConfi denceThreshold [ ]

Provides a means to set the quality (confidence) threshold for the active target.