VAST probing mode

[[Ni...]]

I'm curious if anyone has purchased the VAST probing add-on license and utilizes it on their CMM. We are considering purchasing the option for our Contura CMM equipped with an XTR sensor head. My understanding is that it can speed up discrete point collection by 20 - 30% and am wondering if that is what to expect if we utilize the VAST probe option.

 

Unfortunately, Zeiss will not or cannot provide a demo license so am hoping to get some feedback from others who have used the add-on prior to submitting a PO for the software.

 

Thanks,

[[na...]]

Please sign in to view this quote.

I thought that is for XXT only, but I could be wrong.

And I'm curious what that option adds to measurement uncertainty.

[[Ka...]]

Hello Nicholas,

We use Vast Probing for our DuraMax with XXT sensor
Generally speaking, the accuracy of a measurement will be slightly lower. However, Zeiss is completely silent on the exact extent of this reduction. You’ll need to carry out comparative measurements to assess whether you’re still satisfied with the accuracy.
The gain in speed, however, is impressively good. The sensor behaves almost like a switching sensor. The dwell time at the contact point is very short.
Depending on the number of points used and the required level of accuracy, we’ve been able to run programmes up to 50% faster.
Zeiss will certainly be able to provide you with a trial version. Just keep asking!

[[Ni...]]

Please sign in to view this quote.

From what I can find in the Calypso manuals it doesn't explicitly state it is compatible with a XTR gold sensor. However, our regional rep who handles our SMAs and calibrations said it was compatible when I asked if it was. We have two duramax's XXTs as well, but the XTR is so much slower than the XXT with discrete probing that my hope/goal is to at least bring the CMM in line with our Duramax in terms of speed on discrete points...

Edited 6 hours ago

[[Ni...]]

 

Please sign in to view this quote.

I appreciate the feedback. Regarding the accuracy that is one of the main reason's I'd like a trial version. Whether it is through trial or purchase I'd like to run a MSA type 1 study with probing mode active vs default. If the accuracy is way off or if the time savings is too low, we wouldn't use it. $4,000 isn't really something I want to spend just to find out right away that it isn't going to work for us.