Alignment question

[[Ju...]]

I was hoping someone could answer my question. I have a part that is slightly to long for my table, so typically I measure to the point that is closest to the end of the table and pull the part back and create a new window and create a base alignment off the distances measured from the previous setup and offset my new alignment to match and carry on. I would like to have all the characteristics on one report, I saw something called a base alignment match would that work? If so could someone please walk me they it.

Thanks in advance,,

Justin

[[Ow...]]

I've never had a scenario where I've needed to use the base alignment match so, I cannot answer your question directly.

I believe the base alignment match works the same way using a 2nd alignment with manual points works except that, Once the new position has been probed manually, the same features will be measured once again in a CNC run to reduce the inaccuracy of the initial manual measurement used to tell the CMM where the part now is?

However, for the lack of anybody else posting that has used it, here is how you could do it with a 2nd alignment to get it all on report.

Once you've measured the 1st part of the program, put a CMM position in the last feature of the first parts strategy (if you’re running off of features) to move the probe out of the way and then in the same feature, after the CMM position, put a programmable stop in to allow the operator to move or flip the part while program is stopped. You can put a message in the programmable stop to tell the operator what to do.

Create another set of features to align the part after it's moved (preferably ones that relate to the same alignment features of the original base alignment but, it doesn’t have to be) and these features will be set to measure manually later.
Create your 2nd alignment:
Go to resources, utilities and select an additional alignment and it will be placed on the characteristics side. Go to it and Rename the alignment to something like "2nd side/section align" and then use your features you created to align the 2nd part of the program.

THEN, got to the measurement plan editor and select "Man CNC Mode" and select the 2nd side alignment features to be run on MAN mode so, the operator will take them points manually to tell the CMM where the part is.

Then each feature to be measured on the 2nd side (except the ones used for 2nd alignment) will use the new alignment you just created and be run automatically referencing the new position you created with the 2nd alignment. When you open a feature, there is a drop-down menu beside the alignment where the new 2nd alignment can be chosen. Make sure all the features on that 2nd side use that alignment but, again, not the features used for the 2nd alignment.

After the part is moved or flipped, the operator will select continue and the 2nd alignment will be measured manually and after they are measured, all the other 2nd side features will be run automatically, i.e. in CNC mode.

You will then have everything on one report, be sure to name all the back side features and characteristics accordingly for identification.

[[Ju...]]

Wow, thank you for the very detailed explanation. I know that must have taken a while to type up, I can’t wait to give that a try. I do hope to learn more everyday thru this forum as well as learn what base alignment match just to have more tools at my disposal.

[[Ri...]]

Justin, as much as is possible, use the same features for both the Base Alignment and the Secondary Alignment.

[[Ju...]]

I had an opportunity to try out what you said today, I ran into some trouble. I used a secondary alignment and moved the part and picked up second alignment manually as instructed. All the features measured on the second alignment were not measured from original datum but instead the new alignment I created. I could offset the new alignment to match the original alignment but that would be offsetting to the print and not actual numbers so I don’t think that would be correct in this instance. Did I do something wrong perhaps? Am I understanding correctly that the features I use for the second alignment should be collected on the main alignment so the machine knows where they are and then when I move the part and using manual Cnc mode and pick it up the machine know knows where it is so the remaining feature on secondary alignment can be done in cnc mode? Is there a better way than having to offset the new alignment to match up with the original datum from original alignment? I apologize for the dumb questions, I’m still new at this and am wanting to learn as much as I can

[[Ri...]]

The key is to be able to measure the origin feature of the second alignment in the Base Alignment. That way, you'll be able to offset the second alignment so the origin feature of the second alignment shows the same position as in the Base Alignment.

[[Ju...]]

Thanks for the help, I was able to do exactly what u said and it worked perfectly. Not only that but I got to impress my coworkers which is always a good feeling.

Thanks again

[[Ri...]]

Justin, good job. I love it when a plan works out. Make sure you remind your coworkers how much you impressed them for this. I would recommend every 15 minutes, every day, for a month or so.

[[Ow...]]

Glad you got it once Richard got you going.

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Good grief, he's not married to his coworkers Richard...or maybe that's just my wife.....lol

[[Ju...]]

This was a group effort 8)

[[Ju...]]

Richard,

Could u give a little more info on offsetting the alignment from your last post? I basically created a 2nd alignment and offset it per print from the hole I picked up to the original origin. I’m still foggy on correctly offsetting it, but the concept has worked out amazing from all I learned here.

[[Me...]]

This actually worked very well in another scenario. We have a part that's a tube, about 1" diameter, 12" long. There are a number of features on each end. Because of warp and twist, I wasn't able to run the 2nd side from the base alignment on the first side. I created an alignment using 3 features on the back side in manual mode. I then created a 3rd alignment to measure these same features in CNC mode, referencing the 2nd alignment to make sure they probe properly. Thank you for the help!