base alignment, start alignment, cad model

[[Jo...]]

Hello,

So learning Calypso on the fly - In the past with other softwares/methods I would create a quick manual alignment (plane, axis, hole etc..) on a part and then a "better" auto program based off of that alignments origins that would just run on it's own with all the rest of the measures. So If I would take said part to a different machine, or say run it in a different spot on the machine, I would just manually pick a couple of those manual features and then the program would just take off again. This is what I'm shooting for.

In Calypso, I'm trying to differentiate between the "Start" align and "Base Align" in Calypso. Do I need a Start Alignment? When I brought in a model and chose a few features on the part to create an alignment, I assume they then have to be then measured manually to tie the model to the machine, then refined with with some scanned circles & planes that create a "better" Base Alignment. I had a few missteps today when I was doing this where I expected to see alignment zero origins closer to the part, but the actuals when measured manually seemed to be the machine coordinates instead(large X,Y,Z values)

My flow is a little off when approaching this and needs a little straightening. 😭

Thanks for the time and help!

JM

[[Ma...]]

Hi,

if you have big complex alignment which takes big time to measure and you need to be precise, u can use Start alignment to use simplier elements.

Or you can user loops for base alignment.

If you are placing part on undefined place, you can use Start alignment with manual measuring - you can force it in element editor (MAN-CNC).
Just be carefull for 2d lines in alignments - u need to scan same direction as in element strategy.

[[No...]]

Calypso knows 3 kinds of alignments (excluded are additional alignments inside a program):

• Base Alignment (manual)
• Base Alignment (CNC)
• Start Alignment

The principle goes like this:

• After defining the base alignment from features, you measure the alignment manually once (with button on the lower right in definition window). This is the manual base alignment, which defines the location on the CMM for CNC start. It never changes unless you initiate a new manual alignment.
• When starting the first CNC run, you select the manual base alignment and check the option to reset old results. Then Calypso will measure the CNC version of the base alignment automatically at the start of the program. This version ends on "...[CNC]" and always represents the base alignment as measured during the last CNC run.
• If your base alignment is very complex and tedious to measure manually, you can define a simpler start alignment. The base alignment has to be defined (not measured!) first however, because Calypso needs to calculate the offset between both. Once the start alignment is defined, you can measure this one instead of the manual base alignment. Calypso will then calculate the base alignment from the start alignment. For the CNC run you then select "Start Alignment" and select it from the list (it ends on "...(Start)").

So you don't NEED a start alignment. It just makes life easier when your base alignment is too complex to be measured by hand. The downside of it is that Calypso won't create a manual base alignment (I mean as a file on the hard drive) unless you really measure it. I prefer having the real one in some special situations.

Note that depending on the form error of your parts it may be wise to start all CNC runs with the manual version of the BA. Because if something goes wrong during the CNC alignment, that version can end up wrong and may lead to collisions in the next run.

[[Jo...]]

Norbert,

That's a perfect breakdown and what I was looking for. I was so used to having a manual alignment saved in past practice. I'll just have to adapt but all will be good.

Thanks! 😃