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Point Measurment to Calculate Pretravel

Point Measurment to Calculate Pretravel

What is involved in a kinematic probe calibration?

A kinematic probe is defined as a Touch-Trigger probe requiring a physical force to trigger. This physical force for triggering can vary depending on the make and model of the probe as well as at which specific point of the ruby has encountered the object.

Because a Kinematic probe requires a physical touch force, and the amount of force can vary depending on where the probe is triggered you must calibrate the vectors of where the ruby will encounter the object. By performing a vector calibration, you can compensate for that different amount of force by determining the probes Pre-Travel amount as well as touch the specific vectors of the intended object.

 

Remove Calibration Data

  1. Verify the probe you are going to calculate the pretravel is selected.

  2. Click on Create (if a warning pop up that Calibration data will be lost click OK)

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  1. Clear out any numbers that are in the pre-Travel box.

  2. Click “Ok”

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  1. after Clicking “OK” a Probe Save Dialog will pop up.

  2. Keep the same file name if you are in the process of re-calibrating a probe.

  3. If this is a Completely new probe you are making change the name as desired.

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  1. You will be directed back to the Probe Definitions dialog before you exit this dialog click “APPLY”

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Set Work-Offset

 

  1. Set a Work Offset that isn’t being used with the Z on the top surface and x,y center of the top surface.

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Making a Point Measurement Program

  1. Start by making a new program.

  2. select the probe you are trying to find the pretravel with.

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  1. Click on the measurement tab

  2. make sure Nominals is selected

  3. click on point

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  1. Click on Enter Nominals

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  1. Create a point at X 0.0, Y0.0, Z0.0 With your Z vector at 1.0

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  1. Measure tab

  2. Make sure Meas-CAD is selected

  3. Click on Point

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Now measure the point

  1. Click on measure

  2. Select the point

  3. Make sure Generate Report is on

  4. Measure

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Now that you’ve completed the program, send it to the controller and run it. Be sure to use the work offset that was set up on top of the gage block or at the center of the master ball.

 

Apply Difference as Pretravel

Now that the program has completed you will have your results.

Look at the Z Dev results

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In this example, there is a 0.010 deviation in the Z touch. This value represents your pretravel amount. Please note that this value can vary—it may be higher or lower depending on the probe. While different probes typically have unique values, it’s possible for some to share the same pretravel amount. We will now apply this value to the probe.

Verify that your report output is in the correct unit of measure (Inch or Metric).

Since we removed the pretravel value earlier when clearing the calibration data, we now need to add this value back in, as shown below.

 

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The last step before calibrating the probe is to Apply these settings after entering the pretravel amount, then click OK. This will return you to the Probe Definitions dialog. Be sure to click Apply again.

You can now proceed with calibrating your probe.

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