Macro parameters in normal measuring plan

[[Be...]]

Hello everyone,

As we have a couple of product families, I’m looking for a way to somewhat parameterize our programs. We have looked into the PCM add-on, but at this moment we cannot justify the cost of it. Also, at this moment full PCM functionality is not really necessary.
I did found out that you can use ‘Define Macro Parameters’ as an input for some basic parameters that can be used in combination with formulas in the features and characteristics. My workflow now would be to first create macro parameters containing the dimensions that I want to see parameterized and then make a reference to those parameters in the features and/or characteristics. When running the program for a part, I just change the parameter(s) value(s) for that specific part. I do however need to change each parameter one by one.

As I’m quite new to Calypso and CMM’s in general, I want to check if I’m not missing anything.

• Is there a way you can import a set of parameters, so you don’t have to change them individually?

• Is there another way of importing data that you can reference to in the features and characteristics, or are we then getting into PCM territory?

• Can you think of any reason against using macro parameters in a normal measurement plan, instead of via a macro?

I am aware that the proper, fully covering solution is: ‘just purchase PCM 😉 ’. I am hoping to get to that point one day, but for now the reality is that I will have to be inventive with the tools I have available now.

[[Ow...]]

A sister company of ours bought their Zeiss CMM as a turn-key system pre-programmed with everything they were going to check and it's all done with macro's. I don't know it well enough to compare the two (vs PCM) but, I've attached an old document on how it works if it's any use, maybe better explained than what's inside Calypso.

How_to_write_a_macro[1].doc