Chapter Two: Getting Started: A

Simple Tutorial

Introduction
The purpose of this chapter is to guide you through the process of measuring a part
using the CMM.
The Brown & Sharpe test block was used to create this short tutorial. If this part is
not available to you, any similar part allowing the measurement of several circles
and a cone will be satisfactory. To fully explore the capabilities of PC-DMIS, please
read through this entire chapter and follow along on your system.
The main topics in this chapter include:
• Getting Started with a Simple Tutorial
• Measuring Features
• Using Different Probe Options
• Representing a Part Graphically
• Working in Manual or DCC Mode

Feature Guessing
PC-DMIS offers a unique method for measuring features. Instead of requiring you to
specify the type of feature about to be measured (i.e., point, circle, etc.), it allows hits
to simply be taken. When the measurement of a feature is completed, PC-DMIS is
signaled by pressing the designated button on the joystick box (if the machine is so
equipped) or pressing the END key on the keyboard. PC-DMIS then determines the
type of element that has just been measured using best guess algorithms. Best guess
algorithms are mathematical calculations used by PC-DMIS make a calculated guess
at what feature type is being created.
Always press the END key (or For example, a circle is measured with a minimum of three hits. As
equivalent CMM button) after each position is measured, the number of hits taken on the feature will
measuring each feature. be displayed on the status bar. Once an adequate number has been
taken, press the END key. The results will be displayed in the Edit
window.

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 The format and content of the measurement results will depend on the output format
that has been selected. For information on setting the output format refer to "Printing
from the Edit Window" in the "Using Basic File Options" chapter and "Parameter
Settings: Dimension tab" topic in the "Setting Your Preferences" chapter.

It is important to note that on some machines, PC-DMIS determines the

direction of a hit by sensing the direction the probe has traveled after making
contact with the part. If your machine is of this type, do not retract the probe
until PC-DMIS has signaled with a beeping sound and updated the number of
hits on the status bar.

Getting Started with a Simple Tutorial

This section highlights the steps necessary to create a simple part program. You will
create a part program using on-line PC-DMIS, without the use of CAD data. The
Brown and Sharpe test block is being used in this exercise. We suggest that you
use the same part, if it is available. However, any part providing several circular
features and a conical feature can be used.
If a procedure is unfamiliar to you, please use the on-line help (press ALT + H) or
appropriate sections of the manual to obtain additional information.
The tutorial guides you through the following steps:
Step 1. Create a New Part Program
Step 2. Define a Probe
Step 3. Set the View
Step 4. Measure the Features
Step 5. Scale the Image
Step 6. Create an Alignment
Step 7. Set your Preferences
Step 8. Add Comments
Step 9. Measure Additional Features
Step 10. Construct Features from Existing Features
Step 11. Calculate Dimensions
Step 12. Mark the Items to Execute
Step 13. Set the Report Output
Step 14. Execute the Finished Program
Step 15. Print the Report

Step 1: Create a New Part Program

To create a new Part Program:
1. Open the PC-DMIS program by double clicking on the PC-DMIS
icon. PC-DMIS can also be opened by selecting the Start button,
then Program Files | PC-DMIS For Windows | Offline. The

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 Open File dialog box will appear. If you had previously created a
part program, you would load it from this dialog.
2. Since you are creating a new part program, select the Cancel
button to close the dialog box.
3. Access the New Part Program dialog box (the "Using the Road
Map" appendix provides instruction on accessing all dialog boxes
and menu options).

New Part Program Dialog box

4. In the Part Name box type in the name "TEST".
5. Select the English (inch) option for the measurement units type.
6. Select ONLINE in the Interface drop-down list.
7. Click OK. PC-DMIS creates the new part program.
As soon as you have created a new part program, PC-DMIS will open the main user
interface and then immediately open the Probe Utilities dialog box for you to load
a probe.

Step 2: Define a Probe

The Probe Utilities dialog box allows you to define a new probe. When you first
create a new part program, PC-DMIS automatically brings up this dialog box. For
more information, see "Defining Probes" in the "Defining Hardware" chapter.

The Probe Description area of the Probe Utilities dialog box allows you to
define the probe, extensions and tip(s) that will be used in the part program. The
Probe Description drop-down list displays the available probe options in
alphabetical order.
To load your probe using the Probe Utilities dialog box:
1. In the Probe File box, type the name of the probe. Later, when
you create other part programs, your probes will be available in
this dialog box for selection.
2. Select the statement: "No Probe defined."
3. Select the desired probe head from the Probe Description drop-
down list using the mouse cursor or highlighting it with the arrow
keys and pressing ENTER.

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 4. Select the line "Empty Connection #1" and continue to select
the necessary probe parts.

5. Click the OK button. The Probe Utilities dialog box closes and
PC-DMIS returns you to the main interface.
6. Verify that the created probe tip just defined is displayed as the
active tip. (See the Probe Tips list located on the Settings
toolbar.)

Note: For the purpose of this exercise, the calibration process is disregarded.

At this point you will set up the views you will be using in the Graphics Display
window. This is done using the View Setup icon on the toolbar.

Step 3: Set the View

View Setup dialog box

Click the View Setup icon to To change the views in the Graphics Display window you will use the View Setup
access the View Setup dialog box. You can access this dialog box by clicking the View Setup icon from
dialog box the Graphics Mode toolbar or by selecting the View Setup menu option (the
"Using the Road Map" appendix provides instruction on accessing all dialog boxes
and menu options) :

1. From the View Setup dialog box, select the desired screen style.
For this tutorial, click on the second button (top row, second from
left) indicating a horizontally split window.

2. To view the upper part image in the Z+ direction, pull down the
Blue drop-down list located in the Views area of the dialog box,
and select Z+.

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 3. To view the lower part image in the Y- orientation, pull down the
Red drop-down list and select Y-.
4. Click the Apply button and PC-DMIS will re-draw the Graphics
Display window with the requested two views. Since you haven't
measured the part yet, nothing will be drawn in the Graphics
Display window. The screen will be split, however, according to
the views selected in the View Setup dialog box.

Note: All of the display options only affect how PC-DMIS displays the part image.
They do not have an effect on the measured data or inspection results.

Step 4: Measure the Features

Once the probe is defined and displayed, you may begin the measurement process.
See "Measuring Features" on page 2-14 for the proper way to take hits. (Deleting hits
and features is also discussed.)

Measure a Plane

Verify that PC-DMIS is set to Take three hits on the top surface. The hits should be triangular in shape and as
Program mode before taking hits. spread out as possible. Press the END key after the third hit. PC-DMIS will display a
Select the Program mode icon to feature ID and triangle, indicating the measurement of the plane.
do this.

Measure a Line

To measure a line, take two hits on the edge of the part, the first hit on the left side of
the part and the second hit to the right of the first hit. The direction is very important
when measuring features, as PC-DMIS uses this information to create the coordinate
axis system. Press the END key after the second hit. PC-DMIS will display a feature
ID and measured line in the Graphics Display window.

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 Measure a Circle

Move the probe to the center of one circle. (The top left circle was selected for this
example.) Lower the probe into the hole and measure the circle, taking four hits in
approximately equal distances. Press the END key after the last hit. PC-DMIS will
display a feature ID and measured circle in the Graphics Display window.

Step 5: Scale the Image

The Scale to Fit icon scales After the three features are measured, click the Scale to Fit toolbar icon (or select
the image in the Graphics Scale to Fit from the menu bar) to display all of the measured features in the
Display window. Graphics Display window.

Graphics Display window showing measured features

The next step in the measurement process is to create an alignment. Step 6:

Create an Alignment
This procedure sets the coordinate origin and defines the X, Y, Z axes. For more in
depth information on creating alignments, see the "Creating and Using Alignments"
chapter.

Access the Alignment dialog box (the "Using the Road Map" appendix provides
instruction on accessing all dialog boxes and menu options).
2. Using the cursor or arrow keys, select the plane feature ID (PLN1)
located in the list box. If you haven't changed the labels, the plane
feature ID will be shown as "F1" (for Feature 1) in the list box.
3. Click the Level command button to establish the orientation of the
normal axis of the current working plane.
4. Select the plane feature ID (PLN1 or F1) a second time.
5. Select the Auto check box.

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 6. Click the Origin command button. This action will translate (or
move) the part origin to a specific location (in this case, on the
plane). Selecting the Auto check box moves the axes based on the
feature type and the orientation of that feature.
7. Select the line feature ID (LINE1 or F2).
8. Click the Rotate command button. This action will rotate the
defined axis of the work plane to the feature. PC-DMIS rotates the
defined axis around the centroid that is used as the origin.
9. Select the circle feature ID (CIR1 or F3).
10. Make sure the Auto check box is selected.
11. Click the Origin command button. This action moves the origin to
the center of the circle, while keeping it at the level of the plane.
At this point the Alignment Utilities dialog box should look the same as shown
here:

Alignment Utilities dialog box showing the current alignment

When the above steps are complete, click on the OK button. The Alignments list
(on the Settings toolbar) and the Edit window will display the newly created
alignment.

Edit window showing the newly created Alignment

The Graphics Display window will also be updated to show the current alignment.

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 Updated Graphics Display window showing the current alignment

Step 7: Set your Preferences

PC-DMIS allows you to customize PC-DMIS to meet your specific needs or
preferences. There are a variety of options available that can be found within the
Preferences submenu. Only options pertinent to this exercise will be discussed in
this section. Please refer to the "Setting Your Preferences" chapter for complete
information regarding all of the available options.

Enter DCC Mode

Select DCC mode. This can be done by either clicking the DCC mode toolbar icon,
or placing your cursor on the line reading "MODE/MANUAL" in the Edit window
and pressing the F8 key.
The command in the Edit window will now display:
MODE/DCC
See "Manual / DCC Mode Toolbar" in the "Using Toolbars" chapter for additional
information on the CMM modes.

Set Move Speed

Parameter Settings Dialog boxMotion tab

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 The Move Speed option lets you change the point to point positioning speed of the
CMM.
1. Access the Parameter Settings dialog box (the "Using the Road
Map" appendix provides instruction on accessing all dialog boxes
and menu options).
2. Select the Motion tab.
3. Place your cursor in the Move Speed box.
4. Select the current move speed value.
5. Type 50. This value indicates a percentage of full machine speed.
Based on this setting, PC-DMIS will move the CMM at half of its full speed. The
default settings for the other options are satisfactory for this exercise.
See "Parameter Settings: Motion tab" in the "Setting your Preferences" chapter for
additional information on Move Speed as well as other motion options.

Set Clearance Plane

Parameter Settings Dialog boxClearPlane tab

To set the Clearance Plane:

1. Access the Parameter Settings dialog box (the "Using the Road
Map" appendix provides instruction on accessing all dialog boxes
and menu options).
2. Select the ClearPlane tab.
3. Select the Clearance Planes Active (ON) check box.
4. Select the current Active Plane value.
5. Type the value .50. This setting will create a one half inch
clearance plane around the top plane of the part
6. Verify that the top plane is displayed as the active plane.
7. Click the Apply button.

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 8. Click the OK button. The dialog box closes and PC-DMIS stores
the clearance plane in the Edit window.
See "Parameter Settings: ClearPlane tab" in the "Setting your Preferences" chapter
for more information on setting clearance planes.

Step 8: Add Comments

To Add comments:
1. Access the Comment dialog box (the "Using the Road Map"
appendix provides instruction on accessing all dialog boxes and
menu options).
2. Select the Operator option.
3. Type the following text in the available Comment Text box:
"WARNING, machine is going to DCC mode."

Comment dialog box

4. Click the OK button to end this option and display the command in
the Edit window.
See "Inserting Programmer Comments" in the "Inserting Report Commands" chapter
for additional information.

Step 9: Measure Additional Features

Use the probe to measure three additional circles and one cone. To measure a cone it
is best to take 3 hits on the upper level and three hits on a lower level as shown in the
drawing below.

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 Cone constructed from measurements at different depths

Step 10: Construct New Features from Existing

Features
PC-DMIS can create features by using other features. To do this:
1. Access the Construct Line dialog box (the "Using the Road Map"
appendix provides instruction on accessing all dialog boxes and menu
options).

Construct Line dialog box

2. Using the mouse cursor, click on two circles (CIR2, CIR3) in the
Graphics Display window (or select them from the list box of the
Construct Line dialog box). Once the circles are selected, they will
be highlighted.
3. Select the Auto option.
4. Select the 2D Line option.
5. Click the Create button.
PC-DMIS will create a line (LINE2) using the most effective construction method.
The line and feature ID will be displayed in the Graphics Display window and Edit
window.

Constructed line shown in the Graphics display window

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 For additional information on constructing features, see the "Constructing New
Features from Existing Features" chapter.

Step 11: Calculate Dimensions

Once a feature has been created, the dimensions of that feature can be calculated.
Dimensions can be generated at any time while learning a part program, and are
tailored to fit individual specifications. PC-DMIS will display the result of each
dimension operation in the Edit window.
To generate a dimension:
1. Access the Location dialog box (the "Using the Road Map"
appendix provides instruction on accessing all dialog boxes and
menu options).
2. From the list box or the Graphics Display window, select the last
three circles that were measured by selecting their feature
identifications in the list box.

Last three circles selected in the Feature Location dialog box.

3. Click the Create button.

Edit window showing location dimensions for three circles

PC-DMIS will display the locations of the three circles in the Edit window. These
values can be changed simply by double clicking on the desired line, highlighting the
necessary nominal and typing in a new value.

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 For additional information on creating dimensions, see the "Dimensioning Features"
chapter.

Step 12: Mark the Items to Execute

Marking allows you to selectively choose what elements of your part program are
executed. For this tutorial, mark all of the features.
1. Mark all of the features in the part program using the Mark All
menu option covered in the "Editing a Part Program" chapter.
Once marked, the selected features will be displayed using the
current highlight color.
2. PC-DMIS asks if it's OK to mark manual alignment features. Click
Yes.

Step 13: Set the Report Output

PC-DMIS will also send the final report to a file or printer if selected. For this
tutorial, set the output to go to the printer.
1. Select the Edit Window Print Setup option (the "Using the
Road Map" appendix provides instruction on accessing all dialog
boxes and menu options). The Print Options dialog box appears.
2. Select the Printer check box.
3. Click OK.
There is now enough information to allow PC-DMIS to execute the part program that
was created.

Step 14: Execute the Finished Program

There are a variety of options available to execute all or a portion of the part
program. See "Executing Part Programs" from the "Using Advanced File Options"
chapter.
Once all of the steps have been followed:
1. Select the Execute menu option (the "Using the Road Map"
appendix provides instruction on accessing all dialog boxes and
menu options). PC-DMIS will display the Execution Mode
Options dialog box and begin the measurement process.
2. Read the instructions in the CMM Command window, and follow
the requests to take specified hits.
3. PC-DMIS requests that you take these hits in the approximate
location indicated in the Graphics Display window.
• Take three hits on the surface to create a plane. Press the END key.
• Takes two hits on the edge to create a line. Press the END key.
• Take four hits inside the circle. Press the END key.
4. Click Continue after you take each hit.

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 Instructions displayed in Execution Mode Options dialog box
It's that simple. (Of course, if PC-DMIS detects an error, it will be displayed in the
CMM Errors list on the dialog box and action must be taken before the program can
proceed.)
When the last hit has been taken on the circle, PC-DMIS will display the PC-DMIS
Message dialog box with your message: "WARNING, Machine is going to DCC
mode." As soon as the OK button is clicked, PC-DMIS automatically measures the
rest of the features.

If an error is encountered, determine the cause using the CMM Errors drop-down
list on the Execution Mode Options dialog box. Take the necessary actions to
correct the problem. Click the Continue button to complete the execution of the
part program.

Step 15: Print the Report

After the part program is executed, PC-DMIS will automatically print the report to
the designated output source. This was determined in the Print Setup dialog box.
Since the Printer check box was selected, the report will be sent to the printer. Make
sure the printer is connected and turned on to review the part program.
Congratulations! You’ve finished the tutorial. For additional information related to
this tutorial, see the following topics included with this chapter:
• Measuring Features
• Using Different Probe Options
• Representing a Part Graphically
• Working in Manual or DCC Mode

Measuring Features
Verify that the desired probe and working plane are shown in the Display drop-
down list of the toolbar. PC-DMIS also should be set to Manual mode.
PC-DMIS does not require the operator to input data for measuring a feature. The
mouse can be used to measure a CAD feature (if CAD data is available) or the probe
can be used with the CMM. Once the feature is measured with either the mouse or

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 the CMM probe, press the END key. PC-DMIS will automatically determine the
feature type (circle, line, plane, etc.). In addition, PC-DMIS automatically
compensates for probe radius. For more information on measuring features from
CAD data please see the "Working in Off-line Mode" appendix

Minimum Required Hits for a Feature

PC-DMIS expects a minimum number of hits before it will identify a specific
feature. In certain instances it is advisable to take additional hits to improve the
accuracy.

Feature Min. # Special Instructions

of Hits
Point 1 See note below.
Line 2 PC-DMIS draws lines between the farthest points in
a set.
Circle 3 If a circle is measured at less than 180°, PC-DMIS
will draw an arc between the farthest points in a set.
Plane 3 -
Sphere 4 -
Cone 6 Occasionally PC-DMIS will not indicate a cone
when measured with six hits. If this happens, try
taking seven hits. (Take three hits on one level,
three on another level and one hit between the two
levels.) All hits taken after the initial first three hits
should be either above or below the plane defined
by the first three hits, not both. This will ensure the
best results. PC-DMIS will draw two circles: the
first of which is at the level of the first three points,
the second circle is at the lowest point. Cylinders
are drawn in a similar manner
Cylinder 6 See Cone.

Occasionally, PC-DMIS will incorrectly guess a feature's type depending on the

geometry of a part and the way the feature is measured. If this happens, you can
override the incorrect guess by following the documentation described in the
"Overriding Guessed Features" topic discussed in the "Editing a Part Program"
chapter.
If PC-DMIS consistently guesses Circle or Sphere when measuring a Line or a
Plane, try taking the hits in a consistent direction. This means always approach each
touch point in the same approximate direction when measuring a line or plane.
• If PC-DMIS consistently guesses Line or Plane when measuring a
Circle or Sphere, try taking the hits with more varied approach
directions. For example, if you are measuring an arc and you can
reach all desired touch points by touching in the X+ direction, try
measuring some of the points in the + or -Y direction.

Note: When measuring a Point (1 single hit), PC-DMIS compensates for probe
radius along the part axis closest to the probe's direction of motion when it was
deflected. This means that if a point is measured in the negative X direction, PC-
DMIS will compensate for probe radius in the -X direction (even if the probe was

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 moving slightly in the Y axis). For DCC machines (or if a manual machine is being
used with the sheet metal option), please see the "IJK Normal Vec boxes" topic " in
the "Creating Auto Features" chapter and "Probe Compensation" in "Setting Your
Preferences" chapter for more information on compensation.

Taking Hits
The Take Hit menu option takes a hit. It tells the computer to record the location of
the probe along the X, Y, and Z axes. This option is only available with certain
interface types. This option will work with most (if not all) controllers as long as a
hard probe is used.

Erasing or Deleting Hits

At least one probe tip must be PC-DMIS allows you to easily delete hits from the hit buffer that have been taken
loaded before PC-DMIS will incorrectly from the last probe touch. You can do this by selecting the Erase Hit
allow CMM probe hits to be menu option or by pressing the ALT + ' - ' (minus) key. As many hits as necessary
recorded. can be removed, beginning with the last hit taken. This option is only available
before you end the feature measurement by selecting the End Feature menu option.
Using the End Feature menu option creates the measured feature and automatically
clears the hit buffer.
Once a feature has been created, you can delete unwanted features by following
instructions detailed in the "Deleting Features" topic from the "Editing the CAD
Display" chapter.

Note: There are some CMMs that have an ERASE HIT button on the CMM jog
box.

PC-DMIS also will allow you to delete hits within a feature while in the Execute
mode. Simply press the ALT + ' - ' (minus) keys to remove the currently highlighted
hit in the CMM Commands list box of the Execution Mode Options dialog box.

Note: Pressing the PRINT button on the jog box (if so equipped) while in Execute
mode is the same as pressing the ALT + '-' (minus) key combination. Use the PC-
DMIS Settings Editor to set the PrintButton entry of the system registry to 0 to
enable this function. See the "Modifying Registry Entries" appendix for more
information.

Ending Features
The End Feature menu option allows you to signal PC-DMIS that the construction
of a feature has ended. You can also press the END key.

Determining Thickness of Sheet Metal Features

PC-DMIS gives you the option to determine how thickness should be applied on a
part using the Thickness area of the Auto Features dialog box. The options
available are Theoretical Thickness and Actual Thickness.
To access the thickness options:

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 1. Access the Auto Features dialog box (the "Using the Road Map"
appendix provides instruction on accessing all dialog boxes and
menu options).
2. Select the tab for the Auto Feature you want to create.
3. Click the Advanced check box to display the advanced portion of
the dialog box.
4. Choose either the Theo Thickness option or the Actl
Thickness option.
5. Type the thickness in the box.
6. Click Create to create the feature.

Theoretical Thickness
With Theo Thickness you have the ability to adjust the theoretical values by a
chosen thickness in order to measure the opposite side of material.

Actual Thickness
With Actl Thickness you have the ability to offset the target location for
measurement, and then have the measured values adjusted along the theoretical
vector by the thickness.

Using Different Probe Options

The first step in CMM part programming is to define which probes will be used
during the inspection process. A new part program must have a probe file created
before the measurement process can begin. PC-DMIS supports a wide variety of
probe types and calibration tools. It also offers a unique method for calibrating a
Renishaw PH9/PH10 wrist. The Probe options can be accessed using the Probe
Utilities dialog box.
It is assumed that a probe has been loaded and calibrated. The Topic "Defining
Probes" in the "Defining Hardware" chapter provides information on creating probe
files and calibrating probes.

Using a Probe On-line

To measure a point in the on-line mode using a TTP:
1. Lower the probe to the surface where the point is to be taken.
2. Trigger the probe by touching it to the surface.
3. Press the END key to complete the measurement process.
PC-DMIS is designed to determine the feature type. Probe compensation is
determined by the probe radius. The compensation direction is determined by the
machine direction.
For example, in measuring a circle, the probe would be inside the circle moving
outward. To measure a stud, the probe would start outside the circle moving inward
towards the part.
It is important that the approach direction be normal (perpendicular) to the surface
when measuring points. While this is not necessary for measuring other features, it
will improve the accuracy in determining the feature type.

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 To measure a point using a fixed probe, you must specify the feature type that is to
be measured and the probe compensation direction. See "Using Hard Probe" on page
2-18.

Using a Probe Off-line

When using off-line PC-DMIS, you can access all the probe options. However, no
actual measurements can be taken. Probe data can either be keyed in or the default
settings used. For example, a qualification tool cannot actually be measured to
calibrate a probe; the probe's nominal values must be keyed in.
To measure a point:
1. Make sure that PC-DMIS is in Program Mode. Do this by selecting
the Program Mode icon located on the Graphics Modes
toolbar. (See the "Graphics Modes Toolbar" in the "Using
Toolbars" chapter)
2. Move the mouse cursor to the screen where the hit is to be made.
3. Click the right mouse button to move the probe to the area of the
part where the hit is to be taken. The probe is drawn on the screen
and the probe depth is set.
4. Click the left mouse button to register a hit on the part.
5. Press the END key to complete the measurement process.

Using Hard Probes

PC-DMIS supports a wide variety of hard probes. The use and calibration of hard
probes are similar to that of TTP probes.
If a Hard probe is selected, PC-DMIS expects a probe that does not automatically
trigger when it comes in contact with the part. DCC calibration cannot be done using
a hard probe. Verify that the correct probe type is selected.
The Guess Mode toolbar (located on the menu bar) allows you to switch between
Round Guess Mode and Flat Guess Mode.
• Flat features are defined as points, planes and lines.
• Round Features Include Circles, Spheres, Cones And Cylinders.
Determine the feature type that will be measured and switch the Hard Probe button
accordingly.

Note: For information on using shortcut keys to switch between Flat and Round
guess modes, see the "Using Shortcut Keys and Shortcut Menus" appendix.

Taking a Hit with a Hard Probe

For touch trigger probes, taking a hit is automatic. But for Hard Probes you must tell
the probe when to register it's position. To do this, follow these directions:
1. Position the probe on the part where you want to take the hit.
2. Select the Take Hit menu command located in the Operation
menu (the "Using the Road Map" appendix provides instruction on
accessing all dialog boxes and menu options).

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 Note: If you happen to use a jog box, press the key that is set up to record a hit.

Flat Features
To measure a plane with a Hard Probe:
1. First, take a minimum of three hits on a surface.
2. It is then necessary to move the probe above the desired plane.
3. Press the END key.
This defines the direction of the plane. The direction of the surface normal vector is
up.
To measure a line:
1. Begin by taking two hits at the desired location.
2. Move the probe to the outside of the measured line.
3. Press the END key.

Note: PC-DMIS does not require the direction of features to be defined.

Round Features
When measuring round features using a fixed probe, it is necessary to keep the probe
in a fixed location (depending on the feature type).
• For holes, keep the probe inside the feature and press the END key.
• For pins, keep the probe outside the feature and press the END
key.

Note: PC-DMIS does not require the direction of features to be defined.

Representing a Part Graphically

PC-DMIS allows you to use standard IGES or DXF models to generate part
programs on an inexpensive PC or PC clone without going near a CMM. These part
programs can then be used to drive any CMM either running PC-DMIS or supporting
the DMIS, Tutor or AVAIL specifications.
See the "Working in Off-line Mode" appendix for additional information on using
CAD.
When PC-DMIS first begins to execute a part program, it displays a graphic
representation of the theoretical geometry of the part. This image can come from one
of three places:
1) From an IGES or DXF files, from a CAD drawing.
2) From the feature theoretical values in the part program.
3) From the first part measured when the part program was generated
on-line.
If the image comes from sources two or three, the image will only be a partial image.
That means only those features measured by PC-DMIS will be displayed.

PC-DMIS 3.5 Reference Manual Getting Started: A Simple Tutorial • 2-19

 If the image comes from source one, the graphical display will be whatever was
drawn on the CAD system. You then have the ability to remove specified features
from the CAD drawing. (See the "Deleting CAD" topic discussed in the "Editing the
CAD Display" chapter.) Regardless, the image is intended only to give enough
information to relate the inspection data to the actual part. See the "Importing CAD
Data" topic in the "Using Advanced File Options" chapter.
As PC-DMIS measures each feature on the part, it will post a picture of it to the
Graphics Display window. PC-DMIS will draw this picture in the colors designated
by the Setup dialog box using the ID setup tab. This allows you to visually
compare the actual to the theoretical feature. See "Setup Options: Id Setup tab" in the
"Setting your Preferences" chapter.
In both off-line and on-line manual mode, PC-DMIS will display an animated, scaled
representation of the probe in the Graphics Display window. During execution this
icon will move around the part showing where to take each hit.
The "Editing the CAD Display" chapter discusses options that allow you to control
the appearance of the image(s) in the Graphics Display window.

Working in Manual or DCC Mode

The Manual / DCC Mode toolbar provides easy access to setting the system to
Manual or DCC mode. See "Manual / DCC Mode Toolbar" topic in the "Using
Toolbars" chapter.
Manual Mode is used on a manual CMM, or during the manual alignment portion of
a program that will be run on an automatic CMM. To change modes, click on the
appropriate mode toolbar icon.
PC-DMIS lets you determine the speeds and distances that will be applied in the
automatic measurement process. See "Parameter Settings: Motion tab" in the
"Setting your Preferences" chapter for information.

Note: It is important to remember to define clearance planes or move points when

changing from Manual to DCC mode.

2-20 • Getting Started: A Simple Tutorial PC-DMIS 3.5 Reference Manual