Auto base alignment

[[Ke...]]

We are machining 250 parts for a customer and all the parts are identical. I need to measure every 5th part.
When i set the part in the fixture for measuring, how do I set it up to automatically probe the base alignment when I hit start?
I am trying to get away from manually probing the base alignment of each part that i measure.

Thanks in advance.
Kevin

[[SH...]]

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You can run in current alignment if your fixture RR is good.

[[Ja...]]

Depends on what features you are using for your base alignment. If all the features are on the part itself and as Shabu said if your fixture RR is good, then you can use program alignment or CNC alignment or current alignment (l would not prefer using current alignment in this case.)

If any of your base alignment features are on the fixture, there are few options as far as your fixture RR is good:
1) If all base alignment features are on the fixture, put a programmable stop in the first feature to be measured on the part to wait for operator to put the part in the fixture before continuing. Use order of run "From feature list" . Use manual alignment for the first time and complete run for the first part; then you can use program or CNC alignment for the rest of the parts.

2) If some of the base alignment features are on the fixture (Programmable stops are handy in this situation if you have to remove and put back the part for base alignment features),
i) Use manual alignment for the first time and complete run for the first part; then you can use current alignment for the rest of the parts.
NOTE: If any of your characteristics refer to any of base alignment features that are on the fixture (for e.g. true position characteristic) then this will not work as it will measure those features even when using current alignment. In this case, create theoretical features from the fixture features and use them in characteristics.
ii) You can also create a separate program for base alignment, run it and save it with proper name and all. Create new program for part and use Resources > Utilities > load alignment to recall the base alignment. Use this alignment for all your features. Create theoretical features for base alignment features if needed in characteristics. Use current alignment and run.

[[Am...]]

There should be a alignment right under your current alignment that would match your program name most likely (unless you name you name your base alignments something else) that will run the base alignment probing without having to manually do it.

This works great if you are fixturing it. I use this over current alignment as it will re-do your x,y,z zeros which current alignment will not do. If you are doing current alignment it really needs to be placed exact or you measurements need to be not calling back on the original x,y,z values.

[[Ja...]]

Normally, I create a base alignment by extracting features from the model. The first time I run the program, a manual alignment has to be performed. That alignment is saved automatically. So, the next time you open and run the program, you don't have to do it again, if you put the part on a fixture that's located in the same location as the last time. When you click on "run", change the alignment from "Manual" to the name of your base alignment. It will run as if you just got done doing the manual alignment. If you use the CNC alignment it will run with respect to the last base alignment that was probed by the machine, not the operator. I always use the the CNC. I almost never probe fixtures for the alignment so I don't about that.

[[Ro...]]

First: make sure you have the correct alignment selected in your run menu, itll be the 3rd option from the top in the drop down menu. If it is set to manual alignment then youll have to take manual points every time.

Second: Make sure "Manual Alignment" is not selected in your alignment toolbox. If manual alignment is checked then youll have to take manual points every time.

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