Coordinate systems

&
Part Programming

© 2016 Renishaw plc – Company confidential

 Machine Co-ordinate Systems (MCS)

Z+ Z+

Y+

Y+

X+ X+

The Machine Coordinate System (MCS) location is dependant on the

equipment and the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer).
The machine axis follow the Left Hand Rule

© 2016 Renishaw plc – Company confidential TM-5683-5113-02

 Machine Co-ordinate Systems (MCS)

Examples of where the Machine Co-ordinate Systems sit on different

measuring equipment

© 2016 Renishaw plc – Company confidential TM-5683-5113-02

 Angular rotation convention

Y+ Z+ Z+

X+ Y+ X+
Rotation
Primaryisaxis
Primary
in XYaxis
is X to
Secondary axis
Primary axis in YZ is Y
Primary axis is 0°
Primary axis in ZX is Z
Secondary axis is 90°
© 2016 Renishaw plc – Company confidential TM-5683-5113-02
 Part Co-ordinate Systems (PCS)
• Introduction to Part Co-ordinate Systems (PCS)

• Co-ordinate systems are used to control the alignment of

components i.e. to control the “six degrees of freedom”.

• Functions are available to control 3D and 2D rotation and also

datum translation in X,Y and Z directions.

• A components co-ordinate system is defined by it’s Drawing/CAD

model.

• A component will always have a co-ordinate system, in most cases

there will be more than one co-ordinate system on a component.

• Modus provides many ways to align a component, the following

exercises will provide examples of the most common procedures.

© 2016 Renishaw plc – Company confidential TM-5683-5113-02

 Part Co-ordinate Systems, Six Degrees of Freedom

Prior to alignment a
component is free to
rotate and translate in
each of the 3 axes,
The “Six Degrees of
Freedom”.
© 2016 Renishaw plc – Company confidential TM-5683-5113-02
 Co-ordinate Systems, Six Degrees of Freedom
Free rotation
Fixed
Fixed Rotations
translation

Free
translations

Following
The PCS the
(Part
3D rotation
Co-ordinate
About the component
Axis (2D) System)
rotation,isthecomplete
iscomponent
alignedonce
in two
is
axis of rotation,
Translation butinremains
(datum/origin)
aligned free
all threeis settoof
axis inrotate
all in it’s
three
rotation. third
axis axis
(XYZ)

© 2016 Renishaw plc – Company confidential TM-5683-5113-02

 Part Co-ordinate Systems Summary

Z+Z
axis
Z axis
...controls the rotation of the 3 Z axis
+Y Z axis +X
axis of the part... YYaxis
axis X axis
X axis
Y axis X axis
Y axis X axis

-X
...defines the datum, -Y
or zero point, of each axis...
-Z

...determines the axis positive

and negative directions.

© 2016 Renishaw plc – Company confidential TM-5683-5113-02

 Introduction to Part Programming
• When writing a Part Program it is important to plan the procedure that is
going to be followed, a program which isn’t planned usually results in
problems.

• The planning procedure includes the need to understand:

1. the components co-ordinate system(s),

2. use of a repeatable component mounting,
3. selection of suitable sensors,
4. deciding upon the orientation of the component,
5. program start point (Point Zero).

© 2016 Renishaw plc – Company confidential TM-5683-5113-02

 Introduction to Part Programming
• When possible the Point Zero (start point) should use:

1. a hole
2. with a plane perpendicular to it,
3. and an edge nearby.

• This procedure enables the six degrees of freedom to be controlled.

• There is usually a necessity for the generation of a minimum of two co-

ordinate systems, one used to “locate the part” (Point Zero) and one for
the measurement .

© 2016 Renishaw plc – Company confidential TM-5683-5113-02

 Exercises

Equator exercises

© 2016 Renishaw plc – Company confidential TM-5683-5113-02

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© 2016 Renishaw plc – Company confidential Issued JUNE 2016 Part No. TM-5683-5113-02