Editing strategies

[[Da...]]

I usually run bits of my program as I write them, save, then add more. Using the "run" button, I've more-or-less mastered Calypso's usage of base alignment, followed by a DCC 'more accurate' alignment which I usually give the name of the part#, unless it's a part with multiple alignments. But here's where I'm trying to save some time in my editing:

When I just edit a few recent dimensions after I've named them, set the dimensions to the correct alignment,  added all the rest of the 'similar' dimensions (already named, as to not cause multiple characteristics...) then after 'paintbrushing' them I highlight the new features in the "run" window, press the button for only the highlighted features, pull down the 'run from features' choice, and choose either 'current alignment' or the name of the current alignment. This forces the machine to go back to measure the 'fine alignment', which can take some time (my last part had a plane with 24 points, and 2 circles measured by scanning), and can sometimes be on a different stylus orientation, or even a different tip altogether.

Now, this is, and WAS handy when I left a program half-finished the other night, and some jack-wagon on night shift managed to ever-so-slightly skew the part. OK, that probably saved me from a crash, so I'll continue to do that if I need to leave a program in limbo overnight. HOWEVER, when I KNOW the part hasn't moved and wish to just skip this procedure, how do I go about skipping the alignment check?

Thought I should ask her first, before 'experimenting', or (god forbid....) trying to find exactly what I need in the cookbook. Last time I went there for an answer, I kept getting side-tracked and half an hour later still did not have an answer..

[[Ma...]]

As long as the controller has not been turned off the alignment position is saved. If you are sure it hasn’t moved you can continue to run the program by highlighting and running those features.

Here is one way to verify it is in the same place. Move the Z axis down close to the part, above any fixturing, it the straight down position. Now click on the Plan menu and select Travel to Nominal Position, I’m not in front of the software so I think that is the name of it, it is the last selection on that menu. Type in 0,0 (in X and Y) leave zero where it is at. Now there is an execution button, do that. Now change either X or Y axis to a given value and it should move relative to the part along that axis. This doesn’t take much time and gives some peace of mind. 

[[Ma...]]

Whenever i do this type of programming, then i use mainly selected features and F9. Once you opened program and run base alignment, then you can do that.
I do that on features only, because sometimes it runs more than just those selected features.

Using normal run with headers you have to uncheck "clear actuals" to run that with protocol.

[[To...]]

Please sign in to view this quote.

Sometimes, when running "Selected Features" with the current alignment, it's not actually running the Base Alignment, but rather is running the features used for the BA but only because the characteristics/features being run are datum features in the DRF or they are referenced in another alignment tied the items being run.  If you right-click on an alignment feature, and choose "Check use of selected feature", you'll a list of everywhere this feature is being used.  You might find that it references one of the items in your "Current selection" group.

Edited January 13

[[Ri...]]

Please sign in to view this quote.

I was today years old learning about "F9". 😁

[[Ke...]]

Please sign in to view this quote.

I'm more comfortable with Right Click -> Execute, just because I dont know what the other "F" buttons do, and don't want to click the wrong one by mistake. lol