Prevent CMM from abrupt shutdown during Power Outage

[[Ra...]]

Hello All,

We have been facing several power outages in recent past due to construction activities and trying to figure out a way to prevent CMM to shut down abruptly. UPS seems to be a good option for that.  The concern here is having a part being run overnight (unattended). I am looking for a solution where if the machine is unattended, system still shuts down safely. CMM is Contura G2. Can someone advise on the best possible way to do it?

[[Wo...]]

I don't know of any official solution for that. The only thing I can think of is having a smart UPS that will send an alert if the power is down, Then someone could remotely stop the machine in a safe spot and shut down Calypso. This way if the UPS runs out the machine should be easy to restart.

[[Ke...]]

You can get large capacity UPS. Some advertised runtimes are up to "96 hours, and more"; for thier cabinet systems.

[[Ka...]]

I'm not sure what exactly you want to achieve.
Every UPS (please only an online UPS) has an alarm output that can be queried using suitable software.
In the event of a power failure:
Interrupt the running measurement Programme, move to the parking position, switch off Contura?

The Contura can be stopped externally by switching off the compressed air. This stops the motors and the sensor stops immediately. It is essentially an emergency stop.
Afterwards, the Contura can simply be switched off if that is your goal.

[[Je...]]

In the US, we sell UPS systems specifically intended for this workflow.  A power loss initiates a Windows setting to start shutting down applications safely. 

While the CMM itself is important to shut down safely, there aren't many circumstances that cannot be easily recovered from after a power/air failure (generally the worst are mid-RDS swivel or mid-stylus rack change).  

I've considered an added workflow to CALYPSO that would trigger the end of an inspection run and safe driving to and end-park type position as well. The easiest method for this would require PCM but it is achievable without much effort (through a batch file push to load a feature_plugin pcm into inspections directory then wipe after execution or on next inspection run😉).

The most encountered problem however is the shutdown of SQL Services during active use which may create invalid SQL data and, as a result, a corrupted probe database (I am guessing a few users just connected some dots related to why their probe database connection failed after a workstation failure/shutdown.) This requires a config restore or rebuild of probing systems in CALYPSO.

As manager of the ZEISS North American Software Help Desk - the following statement should hold some credence and weight: 

IMHO: Putting a UPS on the workstation itself should be considered a REQUIREMENT on any workstation connected to a CMM to prevent unnecessary downtime after power-failure or sudden workstation shutdown.

A UPS is cheap compared to CMM downtime.

Offline/Planner is less critical. It is still painful to lose your stylus database on an Offline/Planner seat but generally your shipping department isn't relying on the offline seat for the "OK" on parts due to ship.
 

[[Je...]]

Agreed,

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 A capable UPS pays for itself in a hurry.