Two/Multiple Reference Spheres in 1 Cal Routine

[[Jo...]]

Hello all,

I am looking for some help/considerations when creating a qualification program designed for two reference spheres.

 

For some background, I have added a second threaded hole to hold another reference sphere pointing in the Y- to be able to qualify a specific probe. (See attached Image)

I want to add that specific probe to the current probe qualification routine.

Is it as simple as adding a second master probe qualification using Ref Sphere 2?

 

For example,

Characteristic List:

1. MasterProbe qualification Using Ref Sphere 1

2. Probe 1, 2, & 3 qualification using Ref Sphere 1

3. MasterProbe qualification Using Ref Sphere 2

4. Probe 4 qualification using Ref Sphere 2

5. Applicable Stdev characteristics for all qualified probes

6. End routine

 

Is this method the correct way, or are there other considerations? Unfortunately, I do not get much actual CMM time to test this. The last time I tried this, the reference sphere 1 location calibrated the reference sphere 2 location as this was the last "Ref Sphere Loc" performed. This gave an error during the production probe qualification routine. 

 

TIA

 

[[Mi...]]

Yes that works.

 

We handle the situation by physically moving 1 ball instead of having 2. Same difference really.

[[Jo...]]

Hey

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thanks for the feedback. 

Do you perform a "ref. Sphere Position" between the Ref Sphere relocation?

Or is this within the same qualification routine and the spheres are always in the same location/orientation?

[[Mi...]]

Anytime you even think the Ref. Sphere has moved you must redo "Ref. Sphere Position"

 

So we:

Ref. Sphere position ( Using RSH Sphere definition if it's that type of sphere)

Calibrate all probes for that position

Move Sphere ( Change tilt and/or Rotation)

Ref. Sphere position again

Calibrate all probes for that position.

 

[[Jo...]]

So in your case, because you are using the same reference sphere in two different locations; you are redoing the Ref Sphere position. 

But in my case, I want to be able to "ref sphere position" for both reference spheres and for it to remember their respective location/orientation. Is this even possible, or is the software not designed to do this?

[[Mi...]]

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I'm sure it's fine to do both at the start. The locations are saved.

 

Just always make sure the right Sphere is selected. I picture the wrong one being done.

[[Jo...]]

Yeah, that's always my thought. I want to make it as idiot-proof as possible. That was my idea behind attaching a new ref sphere to the existing RSH. 

I will have to get some time to do some more testing. 

[[Cl...]]

Contura G2 VAST Gold XT. I use two ref spheres (30mm & 8mm), both attached to the same base. The base is mounted on a round keyed pallet. This pallet gets inserted into a schunk pneumatic chuck. The chuck is permanently located in the center of the CMM on a R&R Fixture grid plate. All styli systems are qualitied with no problems.

[[Jo...]]

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Hey Clarke,

Are you calibrating these within the same stylus system qualification program or are these calibrated manually?

Edited March 11, 2025

[[Cl...]]

The same program.

Here's the ref sphere I use. It is mounted on an aluminum plate that is keyed to fit into a Schunk pneumatic pallet. The pallet is bolted to a R&R fixture grid plate. All of our fixturing is part specific/Poke Yoke and are mounted on the round aluminum plates. We simply remove and replace them as we run them. Giddy up!

Edited March 12, 2025

[[Cl...]]

[[Ri...]]

There should be an older topic on this.

I have used up to 4 Ref Spheres. We used two of these, one at -X and one at +X.

Double Reference sphere holder, Invar, 400mm, M8/M12 base (reference sphere not included) - Reference Sphere Holders (RSH)

 

Someone else posted they used about 8, I think there were pictures too.

[[Jo...]]

Hello All,

I'm a new Zeiss/Calypso user, trying to adapt my brain from PC-DMIS. I created a program with 3 Probe System Qualification characteristics. The first 2 use sphere 1 (30mm), the 3rd uses sphere 2 (8mm). It runs through the first 2 as expected. Then it gets the third stylus system from the rack, articulates into the required position, and then goes straight up in Z until I stop it. Does anyone have an idea why this would happen? The sphere is located. If I run a manual qualification with the stylus system from Probe system qualification #3 it runs through without a problem.

I'm using Calypso 2023 on an Accura machine with a VAST RDS-XXT sensor. Would the sensor possibly have anything to do with why this would happen. From what I can see, those who have posted that they run qualification programs with multiple spheres are using XT sensors. Has anyone run a multi-sphere qualification program with an RDS-XXT?

[[Jo...]]

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I got mine working.

Try double checking the 3rd probe qual to ensure it is set to the second ref sphere. 

[[Jo...]]

Thank you for the idea

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. As far as I can tell, I have everything set to sphere 2. I've added relevant pics below so that if I'm missing something, someone should be able to see what it is. Looking at the pics you've included I see that your qualification is done in Tensor mode. That means you're not using an XXT sensor, correct? I know that on my system the "Tensor" mode is grayed out

[[Jo...]]

Although I am using an XT sensor the Tensor is the qualification type or "Mode". I can see that you have Geometry Re-qualification as your mode. 

I would make sure your other two probe quals have the other reference sphere selected. 

Probe #1 set to RS 1

Probe #2 Set to RS 1

Probe #3 set to RS 2