The Portable CMM Arms interface provides unified access to all measurement parameters associated with measurement using a PCMM arm. The arm interface is divided into three primary sections: Target and Geometry Naming, Measurement Modes, and Settings.
At the very top of the interface, an interface docking button toggles between docking the interface to the SA window or letting it float as a separate window. If the instrument interface is opened without running SA, this button is unavailable (as there would be no instance of SA on the machine to dock with). If more than one interface is running, docking an interface will replace any currently docked interface.
The Target & Geometry Naming section is used to define how measured targets and constructed geometry will be named.
Measured targets and geometry constructed by the instrument interface are sent to SA. The Collection field is where you specify the destination collection for measured entities. If a collection name is not specified, entities are by default placed into the active collection.
The point group name for measured targets is specified in the field next to the “G”. To assign measured targets to a specific group, enter the name into the field. To assign measured targets to an existing point group, select it from the drop-down list, which shows all point groups in the active collection.
To increment the Current Group Name: Left-click the button.
To decrement the Current Group Name: Right-click the button.
Target naming is managed in the field next to the “T”. Enter the desired target name in this field. After each measured target, this name will automatically increment by one.
To Increment the Current Target Name: Left-click the button.
To Decrement the Current Target Name: Right-click the button.
The SA Arm interface supports the use of button commands from the buttons equipped on the Portable Arm. These buttons can be assigned different functions in the Edit Arm Settings window. One common use of the arm buttons is to move through the different measurement modes, which makes it possible to change measurement methods without the need to return to the computer keyboard.
The SA ArmPad enhances this functionality even further by added a way to touch a mouse pad with the arm to change the arm mode.
Measurement modes are extremely powerful and functional. They allow a user to take measurements and process data in one step. The arm interface supports 17 different measurement modes: Discrete Points, Stream Points, Patch (Projected Pt.), Pin, Hole, Slot, Line, Circle, Plane, Sphere, Section Cross, Frame, Batch (Guided Points), Scanner, Average Discrete Points, Geometry Trigger, and Cone. A special method for selecting measurement modes can be accessed as well. These modes are discussed below.
Discrete Points mode is used to take individual measurements. When in this mode (signified by the appearance of the Points Measurement window below), the assigned Record button will take a measurement, and the assigned Delete Last button will delete the last measured point (if applicable). Point names will be incremented and decremented automatically.
When finished with this mode, press the assigned Accept or Cancel buttons on the arm--or click the Done button--and the Points Measurement window will close, returning you to the interface.
Stream Points mode is used to take measured data at specific spatial or temporal increments (as specified in the Edit Arm Settings window). It is extremely important to recognize that the actual measured data will not be spaced by the specified increments exactly--the increment will be limited by such factors as the hardware’s measurement update speed, the connection speed between the instrument and SA, the computer’s performance, and the speed at which the probe is moved.
When in this mode, pressing the assigned Record button will begin or continue measurement, and the assigned Delete Last button will pause measurement. Press OK when done.
Note: The title of the measurement mode window will either say TEMPORAL or SPATIAL, depending on the currently selected mode.
To edit the settings, Right-click on the stream button:
The Temporal Scan rate is set in the Arm Settings.
Spatial Scans will only trigger a point when the arm moves the specified distance.
The option to Control Tracker Meas with Stream On/OFFis a special function for simultaneous measurements when working with both a tracker and an arm. More information on this can be found here:
Synchronized Arm/Tracker Scans for Alignment
Scanner mode activates the laser line scanner on the arm, if equipped. Typically, the assigned Record button starts and stops scanning, while pressing the assigned Accept or Cancel button will end scanning mode. The specific display for this mode is dependent on the hardware being used to execute the scan.
Geometry Name
The arm interface supports real-time geometry construction. The Group Name field is used to name this constructed geometry. After each geometrical entity is constructed, this name will automatically increment.
Patch (Projected Pt.) mode will project measured points to a plane, with an optional offset (set in the Edit Arm Settings window). After starting this measurement mode, you can either select a plane to project to (by clicking the Select button) or you can measure plane points yourself by pressing the assigned Record button. Statistics for the measured plane will be displayed as you measure points. Note that you can delete a measured point by pressing the assigned Delete Last button, and the plane will automatically re-fit.
When you’ve defined the plane, press the default Accept button to accept it. Every subsequent measurement will be projected to the selected plane (or offset plane). The projected point’s coordinates will be displayed in the window with each measurement. When finished, press the assigned Accept or Cancel button--or click the Done button and you will be returned to the interface.
Pin mode will project measured points on the outside of a cylinder to a plane, and create a circle representing the pin diameter. This is useful for determining, for example, the diameter of a pin. When in this mode, you first define the plane to which you’d like to project. As in Patch (Projected Pt.) mode, you can either select a plane to project to (by clicking the Select button) or you can measure plane points yourself by pressing the assigned Record button. Statistics for the measured plane will be displayed as you measure points. Note that you can delete a measured point by pressing the assigned Delete Last button and the plane will automatically re-fit.
Once the plane is defined, press the assigned Accept button to accept it. Subsequent measurements should be taken around the outside of cylindrical geometry (such as a pin or shaft), and these measured points will be projected to the defined plane. Once 3 measurements have been taken, statistics for the constructed circle (radius, fit error, etc.) will be displayed. To accept the Pin measurement, press the as- signed Accept button or click the Accept Pin button. To cancel geom- etry creation, press the assigned Cancel button or click Cancel.
You can right-click this measurement mode button in order to in- spect a pin feature that already has nominal geometry in your file. The inspect mode will compare your measured feature to the geometry selected as the reference. To inspect a pin, first right-click on the Pin button. When prompted, choose the circle to inspect. You’ll then be prompted to measure plane points. After measuring and accepting the plane points, you’ll be prompted to measure the pin itself. When complete, and after pressing the assigned Accept button, you’ll get a comparison of feature characteristics:
Hole mode will project measured points on the inside of a hole to a plane, and create a circle representing the hole diameter. When in this mode, you first define the plane to which you’d like to project. As in other modes, you can either select a plane to project to (by clicking the Select button) or you can measure plane points yourself by pressing the assigned Record button. Statistics for the measured plane will be displayed as you measure points. Note that you can delete a measured point by pressing the assigned Delete Last button, and the plane will automatically re-fit.
Slot mode will project two measured inside diameters of a slot to a plane, and construct circles and a slot midpoint (if speci- fied). When in this mode, you first define the plane to which you’d like to project. As in other modes, you can either select a plane to project to (by clicking the Select button) or you can measure plane points yourself by pressing the assigned Record button. Statistics for the measured plane will be displayed as you measure points. Note that you can delete a measured point by pressing the assigned Delete Last button and the plane will automatically re-fit.
Once the plane is defined, press the assigned Accept button to accept it. You should then measure the points defining the inside diameter of one end of the slot (Circle A). Once 3 measurements have been taken, statistics for the constructed circle (radius, fit error, etc.) will be displayed. To accept the measurement, press the assigned Accept but- ton. Next, measure the points defining the inside diameter of the other end of the slot (Circle B). To accept the slot measurement, press the assigned Accept button again, or click the Accept Slot button. To cancel geometry creation, press the assigned Cancel button or click Cancel.
Line mode creates a best-fit line through a series of measured points. Once two points have been measured, statistics for the line and the fit will be displayed. The assigned Record button will take additional measurements, while the assigned Delete Last button will delete the previously measured point and re-fit.
When finished measuring, press the assigned Accept button or click the Accept Line button. This will create a line in the SA job. To cancel the measurement mode, press the assigned Cancel button or click the Cancel button.
Circle mode creates a best-fit circle to the measured points. The difference between this mode and Pin / Hole modes is that the measured points are not first projected to a plane. This mode allows you to specify whether you’re measuring an inside radius (hole), outside radius (pin), or face radius (no offset). Probing direction is used to define the normal direction of the resulting circle. After 3 points have been measured, statistics for the fit of the resulting circle will be displayed. You can remove the previously measured point from the fit by pressing the assigned Delete Last button.
When finished measuring points, press the assigned Accept button or click the Accept Circle button. To cancel geometry creation, press the assigned Cancel button or click the Cancel button.
Plane mode creates a best-fit plane to a series of measured points. Once 3 points are measured, the Plane Measurement window displays statistics for the fit and the resulting plane. The normal direction of the plane is determined by the probing vector. You can remove the previously-measured point from the fit by pressing the assigned Delete Last button.
When finished measuring points, press and hold the assigned Accept button or click the Accept Plane button. To cancel geometry creation, press the assigned Cancel button or click the Cancel button.
You can right-click this measurement mode button in order to inspect a plane that already exists in your file. The inspect mode will compare your measured feature to the geometry selected as the reference. To inspect a plane, first right-click on the Plane button. When prompt- ed, choose the plane to inspect. You’ll then be prompted to measure plane points. After measuring and accepting the plane points, you’ll get a comparison of feature characteristics.
Sphere mode creates a best-fit sphere to a series of measured points. Once 4 points are measured, the Sphere window dis- plays statistics for the fit and the resulting sphere. You can remove the previously-measured point from the fit by pressing the assigned Delete Last button.
When finished measuring points, press the assigned Accept button or click the Accept Sphere button. This will create a sphere and a point representing the center of that sphere. To cancel geometry creation, press the assigned Cancel button or click Cancel.
Cone
Cone mode creates a best-fit cone to a series of measured points. Once at least 12 points are measured, the Cone window displays statistics for the fit and the resulting cone. You can remove the previously-measured point from the fit by pressing the assigned Delete Last button.
Fit parameters can be accessed by right-clicking on the Cone icon.
Lock Angle. Allows you to specify the apex angle and lock it, so that the resulting cone matches the specified angle.
Measured. Indicate whether you measured the outside of the cone, inside of the cone, or have zero offset.
Offset. Use the current probe offset, or override it with a custom value.
Perform Guess First. When checked, as each additional point is measured the fitting algorithm will re-evaluate all of the measured points. If unchecked, the initial guess parameters will not necessarily be re-evaluated as additional points are measured. In general, leave this option checked, unless computation times become unreasonable.
Angle. Define the apex angle used for the initial cone fit guess.
When finished measuring points, press the assigned Accept button or click the Accept Cone button. To exit the dialog, press the assigned Cancel button.
Cross Section mode will automatically trigger measurements when the probe crosses a specified coordinate frame axis value (plane). This is useful, for example, when creating measured cross- sections of complex geometry. After initiating this mode, the Section Specification dialog will appear, in which you specify the axis (X, Y, or Z) and plane on that axis that you would like to use to trigger measurements:
Once the plane is defined, click the OK button or the assigned Accept button. This will bring up the Section Measurement dialog:
When ready to begin measurement, press the assigned Record but- ton . The arm will begin streaming data to SA (Figure 4-18). When the probe crosses the specified plane, a measurement will be fired. Notice that the result of this measurement will be an interpolated point that lies directly on the specified plane. (Due to limits of hardware sam- pling frequency, network speed, computer speed, and other restrictions, it is highly unlikely that the instrument’s measurement will lie perfectly on the specified plane).
To pause measurement, press the assigned Delete Last button, which will put the arm back into a mode in which the graphical view will be continuously updated with the arm’s position, but no measurements will be taken. When finished measuring, press the assigned Accept or Cancel button, which will return you to the interface.
Frame mode constructs a frame based on the probing direction (final joint position) of the arm. The origin is placed at the probe position, and the constructed frame’s Z-axis is along the direction of the probe.
To specify a name for the constructed frame, fill in the Frame Name field. To measure a frame, press the assigned Record button. When finished measuring, press the assigned Accept or Cancel button.
Batch, or Guided Points mode, guides the user to a series of selected points using dynamic zooming and audio cues. When entering this mode, you are first prompted to select the points to guide to (usually nominal points). Select these points in the order in which you’d like to measure them, then press Enter. Next, you will be presented with the Measure a Batch of Points dialog.
Group Suffix. Attaches the specified suffix to the group of measured points.
Target Suffix. Attaches the specified suffix to each measured target.
Drive Tolerance. Specifies the radius around the current point that is considered to be “good” or “in-tolerance”. When the probe is within this radius, it turns green and the tone reflects an in-tolerance position (see below image).
Warbler Tone ramp start zone. Specifies the radius at which the audio tone begins to ramp up in pitch to signify that the probe is approaching the desired position.
When the desired parameters are entered, click Transmit Batch to Instrument to begin measurement. While in the actual measurement mode (Figure 4-21), press the assigned Record button to measure the point and the assigned Delete Last button to delete the previous point. Note that as the probe is moved closer to the desired position, the tone increases in pitch and the view zooms in closer to the reference point.
When all of the batch points have been measured, this mode exits automatically. You can also exit the mode prematurely by pressing the assigned Accept or Cancel button
Average Discrete Points mode creates an averaged point from a number of measured points. This mode is useful when you want to average out a series of potentially noisy measurements (perhaps from vibration or other issues).
When in this mode, press the assigned Record button to begin taking samples. The number of samples that are averaged to determine the ultimate measurement position is determined in the Edit Arm Settings window.
While taking samples, the assigned Delete Last button will pause sampling. Press the assigned Record button to resume. At the completion of the desired number of samples, the resulting point (and RMS error) will be displayed. Press the assigned Delete Last button to reject the point, the assigned Record button to take another measurement, and the assigned Accept button to complete the measurement mode.
Geometry Trigger mode allows you to define planar, cylindrical, or spherical cross sections that, when crossed by the probe, trigger measurement. By default, these geometric triggers are not defined. You first need to define them by right-clicking on the Geometry Trigger button, which will take you to the Make Geometry Crossing Triggers dialog. The top of this dialog (separated into Add Planes, Add Cylinders, and Add Spheres sections) is where the geometry triggers are defined. The active geometry triggers are displayed in the list in the center of this dialog.
see: Geometry Triggers for more information
This will display hardware-specific calibration routines and settings. The options provided by this button are strictly controlled by the instrument manufacturer.
Press this button to toggle the arm buttons on and off. Toggling the arm buttons off will render them inoperable until toggled back on again. The number keys on the keyboard can also be used as an alternative to the buttons on the arm.
This button will display the MP string commands that can be used to set the arm measurement modes or apply additional settings via Measurement Plans.
In simulation mode, you can simulate the different measurement modes, as well as record points to simulate a measurement process. When simulating, you will come across a series of buttons in various parts of the interface.
These buttons refer to “First button, short”, “First button, long”, “Second button, short” and “Second button, long” and refer to simulating pressing the arm buttons momentarily or pressing and holding them.
At the very bottom of the interface is the collection, instrument index number, and name of the active instrument. This index number (which for a given collection begins counting from zero) is used in several places in SA--one of which is Measurement Plans.