NC Measure

The demand of measure on a machine tool is growing due to the need to answer to some crucial points:

• Provide support for part alignment in the machine tools
• Provide statistical information about measuring trends while large scale of items is produced
• Provide feedback on tool offset and/or part alignment to rectify deviation while producing.

...all this done to save time and reduce scrap

• The use of probing techniques combined with metrology software allowed the machine tool to get more productive and reduce the need of measure parts on CMM.
• For its intrinsic nature, an NC Machine Tool cannot replace the CMM to get high accurate metrology, but, using comparative techniques, they are useful to control the stability of a production.

...reduce the loop!

• In a machine tool the measuring probe is not normally installed as standard configuration, but it can be easily add in the existing installations.
• The probe connected to the machine tool controller will send the trigger signal that will latch the exact position where the point was taken.
• This information will be collected and used by the NC Measure to perform the inspection task.

---install a probe is an easy task

• The most common probes for machine tools are “touch”, therefore they probe the part with an high accuracy stylus.
• The mechanical probes have the advantage of being able to hold very long styli, but, on the other hand they react differently according the direction of touch.
• The electrical probes based on a Strain Gage technology have the advantage of a performance direction independent and they are very accurate.

...several probe option

• The correct use of the probe require a calibration in order to define the offsets.
• NC Measure allow this capabilities for probes calibrations:
• Graphical definition of the configuration
• Generate the probing path on the machine tool
• Calculate the probe diameter and offsets
• Use a correction map to compensate the uneven behavior of the probe based on measuring direction.

...handle the probe from NC Measure

The work flow of NC MEASURE is linear and enhance two possible solution based on the need of programming and reporting  at customer end.

...a single station handles more machine tools                                                                                                               ...each machine tool is independent

• This type of integration sees each machine tool connected to a complete seat of NC MEASURE, it is also called DIRECT CONNECTION.
• The measuring program is produced on NC MEASURE using the full CAD functionalities and the DMIS format.
• The program is sent to the machine tool in NATIVE GCODE macro independent by NC MEASURE
• The machine tool run the inspection cycle and NC MEASURE collect real time data running the program in parallel
• The results produce a measuring report or machine tool feedback and it can be sent to the METROLOGY GATE cloud portal for Industry 4.0 evaluation.

• This type of integration sees a MASTER SEAT where a NC MEASURE and a series of RECEIVERS that transmits results back for report evaluation: it is a more flexible and economic way connect several machine, it is also called RECEIVERS CONNECTION.
• The transmission of the programs and results is automatic thanks to a client/server network between of NC MEASURE and the different machine tools; in case of unavailability of a networks, the transmission of files and results can be done using traditional ways such us pen drives.
• The measuring program is produced on NC MEASURE using the full CAD functionalities and the DMIS format. This operation is done at the MASTER SEAT .
• The program is sent to the machine tool in NATIVE GCODE macro independent by the MASTER SEAT using a PROGRAM LAUNCHER that allows the choice of the destination.
• The GCODE is received by the specific RECEIVER of the selected instrument, after that the RECEIVER send the program to the machine where it is run.
• The RECEIVER collects all the measuring points and send the results back to the server.
• The MASTER SEAT receives the results and place them into the “REPORTING QUEUE” and produce the inspection results by running the specific report of each result data in the queue
• The results produce a measuring report or machine tool feedback and it can be sent to the METROLOGY GATE cloud portal for Industry 4.0 evaluation.

The package NC Measure is based on the platform of ARCOCAD from whom inherit all the measuring capabilities such as:

• DMIS measuring language
• Graphical probe building
• CAD import
• Graphical Simulation
• Textual Reports
• Graphical Reports
• Industry 4.0 access using Metrology Gate