Loading a Stylus System mid program inside the part

[[Jo...]]

I will be working on a program on a pretty big part, 600mm long. The part is a rolled shell with side ledges that I need to measure roughly 400mm inside.

The problem is our CMM is not long enough to clear the part within the CMM limits on the long probe I developed.

Here is my plan to overcome this...

1. Start the program using a shorter probe for alignments.

2. Return the probe to the rack.

3. Move the machine head to the front of the part at the "load/unload location."

4. Manually load the new long probe.

5. Measure all internal features with the new long probe.

6. Return to the probe "load/unload location."

7. Manually unload the long probe.

8. Perform an automatic probe change and continue measuring the rest of the program.

 

How should I approach this? I do have PCM. I need advice for #3, 4 & 7.

Appreciate the help!