HEIDENHAIN IK 5494-2D User Manual

Operating Instructions

IK 5000
QUADRA-CHEK

(QC 5000)

Video Edge Detection Systems

English (en)
2/2010

Video Edge Detection Systems

QC5200, QC5210, QC5230 and QC5240

QC5200 Series User’s Guide

Video edge detection systems: QC5200, QC5210, QC5230, and QC5240

Printed in the United States of America

All information set forth in this document, all rights to such information, any and all inventions disclosed

herein and any patents that might be granted by employing the materials, methods, techniques or apparatus

described herein are the exclusive property of Metronics Inc., Bedford, New Hampshire.

Terms, conditions and features referenced in this document are subject to change without notice

No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by

any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permis-

sion of Metronics, Inc.. Requests to Metronics, Inc. for permission should be addressed to the Technical

Services Department, Metronics, Inc., 30 Harvey Road, Bedford, New Hampshire 03110. The Technical

Services Department can be reached by phone at (603)-622.0212.

Limit of liability and disclaimer of warranty

While Metronics, Inc. exercised great care in the preparation of this book, Metronics makes no representa-

tions or warranties with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the contents of this book and specifi-

cally disclaims any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. The advice,

methods and instructions contained in this book might not be suitable for your situation. When in doubt

regarding suitability, you are encouraged to consult with a professional where appropriate. Metronics

shall not be liable for any loss of profit or any damages, including but not limited to special, incidental,

consequential or other damages.

Trademarks

Metronics is a registered trademark of Metronics, Inc. and its subsidiaries in the United States and other

countries and may not be used without written permission. Other trademarks are the property of their

respective owners.

Metronics part number: 11A10558

Publishing date: June, 2005

This User Guide describes the operation of the video edge series of QC5200 metrology products. This series

of QC5200 instruments conducts a wide variety of precise 2-D measurements using a wide assortment of

video edge detection probes. The QC5200 software supports manual part positioning and feature measure-

ment under user control, and CNC part positioning and automated measurement under program control.

While it is likely that this Guide includes some material that doesn’t apply to your specific QC5200 system,

information pertaining to your system will be easy to find using the Table of Contents and Index.

Who should read this Guide?

This Guide is necessary for the efficient operation of the QC5200 system. Operators and supervisors will

find the contents invaluable in conducting measurements, programming automatic functions and reporting

results. User setup functions are also described that will help users and supervisors customize the QC5200

measurement tools, user interface screens and report formats.

Operators and supervisors are assumed to have a good basic understanding of dimensional metrology

theory and practice, and a good understanding of Microsoft Windows use and conventions.

The conventions used to call attention to notes, cautions and warnings, and the shorthand used to show

menu navigation paths are described below:

This guide uses the following icons to highlight

note, warning and caution

information:

NOTE

The note icon indicates additional or supplementary information about an activity or

concept. Notes are sh

own in bold type.

CAUTION

The exclamation point icon indicates a situation or condition that can lead to

equipment malfunction or da

mage. Do not proceed until the caution message is read

and thoroughly understood. Caution messages are shown in bold type.

WARNING

The raised hand icon warns of a situation or condition that can lead to serious

equipment damage, personal injury or death. Do not proceed until the warning is

read and thoroughly understood. Warning messages are shown in bold type.

Throughout the Guide, many references are made to screens that must be displayed by clicking the mouse

cursor on a series of menu items and screen tabs. This kind of navigation path is demonstrated in this

example of displaying the

screen, shown in text as: Tools/Customize/Colors.

then clicking the Colors tab...

then clicking the Customize menu item...

displays the

screen

Introduction

Many commands are displayed by right-clicking the mouse cursor in a window, and then on one or a

series of menu items. This kind of command path is demonstrated in this example of using the Part View

window/Print Part View command to print the part view. The command is shown in text as: Part View

window/Print Part View.

Right-clicking the Part View window, then clicking Print Part View

prints the current part view

This Guide contains eleven chapters and three reference appendices. An overview of the contents is pro-

vided below. Experienced users are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the first six chapters before

beginning to use the QC5200. Users that are new to the QC5200 and similar Metronics products should

read the first six chapters carefully and then follow the tutorial in

Chapter 3:

Chapter 3:

Quick Start Demonstartion

Quick Start Demonstartion

before beginning.

Brief introduction to the QC5200 series features and benefits

Comprehensive description of the user interface covering screens, menus, toolbars the statusbar and work-

spaces.

Brief demonstration of using the basic functions of the QC5200 including:

• Organizing the workspace

• Selecting and teaching the probe

• Recording measurement activities as a program

• Measuring & constructing datums

• Measuring features

• Applying tolerances

• Exporting data

• Reporting

• Saving the part and program

Probes

Instructions for calibrating and using video edge detection measurement probes

Instructions for constructing datums and measuring, constructing and creating features.

Instructions for applying tolerances to measurements.

Instructions for organizing, formatting, exporting and printing measurement results.

Descriptions of programming functions and instructions for creating, editing, and debugging programs.

Introduction

v

Instructions for calibrating and configuring axis encoders.

Descriptions of setup tools and screens used to configure and customize measurement, programming and

display parameters

Basic troubleshooting guide in the form of a simple table of symptoms, probable causes and recommended

solutions.

Appendi

Appendi

x B:

ASCII Codes

Appendi

x C:

Index

vi

The QC5200 is inherently safe, and in proper use few if any potential safety hazards exist. However, many

systems include motorized CNC stages that, as is the case with all motorized equipment, must be treated

with caution to avoid collision and pinch injuries. Also, an entire system often consists of electrical equip-

ment connected by many cables, which must be treated with care to avoid shock and tripping injuries.

Be prepared to depress the emergency off mushroom switch or other similar device

quickly in the event of an emergency when motor axes are active.

on or create a tripping hazard.

The system components are equipped with 3-wire power plugs that include a separate ground

connection, or are grounded through a separate wire. Always connect the power plug to a 3-wire

grounded outlet. The use of 2-wire power plug adapters or any other connection accessories that

remove the third grounded connection create a safety hazard and should not be permitted. If a

3-wire grounded outlet is not available, ask your electrician to provide one. Never disconnect any

separate ground wire.

Do not open the QC5200 enclosure. There are no user-serviceable components or assemblies

inside.

General safety precautions must be followed when configuring, maintaining or operating the system.

Failure to observe these precautions could result in damage to the equipment, or injury to personnel.

It is understood that safety rules within individual companies vary. If a conflict exists between the material

contained in this guide and the rules of a company using this system, the more stringent rules should take

precedence.

Additional safety information is included throughout the remainder of this guide.

WARNINGS - AXIS MOTION

Always stay clear of axis motion paths.

Disconnect axis motor power when motor activities are not required.

WARNINGS - ELECTRICAL

Disconnect the system components from electrical sources before cleaning or

servicing.

Do not allow any power cord or signal cable to be located such that it can be walked

Introduction

vii

Disconnect the QC5200 from the power source and seek the assistance of a qualified service

technician if:

• The power cord is frayed or damaged or the power plug is damaged

• Liquid is spilled or splashed onto the enclosure

• The QC5200 has been dropped or the exterior enclosure has been damaged

• The QC5200 exhibits degraded performance or indicates a need for service some other way

Use only a cloth dampened with water and a mild detergent for cleaning the exterior surfaces and display

screens. Never use abrasive cleaners, and never use strong detergents or solvents. Only dampen the cloth,

do not use a cleaning cloth that is dripping wet.

Display resolutions in this guide are examples. User display resolutions are likely to vary according to the

specific application. Metric units of measure are used in examples.

Accuracy & Precision

Measurement accuracy is determined by many factors, such as the resolution of the encoders connected to

axis inputs. Generally, the display resolution of the QC5200 can exceed encoder resolutions. Setting the

display resolution to exceed the encoder resolution does not increase measurement accuracy.

Help is available in this printed Guide, in the electronic version of this Guide accessed from the Help

menu of the QC5200 software, from your Metronics distributor or system provider and directly from

Metronics.

The information contained in this guide should be adequate to customize the measurement, display and

programming aspects of system, and to perform the minimal setup and troubleshooting required beyond

the services provided by your Metronics distributor or system provider. However, in the event that your

Metronics distributor or system provider cannot provide the assistance you need, our support staff is com-

mitted to insuring your positive experience with the QC5200 series of products. To receive technical

support:

Routine issues

e-mail our support staff at: [e-mail]

viii

Telephone your Metronics distributor, or telephone our support staff at: [phone]

• A description of the equipment attached to the QC5200 computer, including the

manufacturer and model number

• The QC5200 software version number, found on the Help/About QC5000

menu screen

The most recent version of the QC5200 software can be downloaded from the

Product Support

Product Support

section of

our web site at:

http://www.metronics.com

Please carefully read all the instructions and cautions published on our site regarding your software update

before attempting to perform the update.

Additional publications for the QC5200

Additional application or instructional information is sometimes available for download from the Product

http://www.metronics.com

NOTE

If it becomes necessary to contact us directly, be prepared to supply the following

information:

• The QC5200 series serial number

(5-Digit number printed on back label)

w

Overview of system features

............................................................................

Introduction

......................................................................................................

7

Windows

...................................................................................................

8

DRO

...................................................................................................

8

Templates

..........................................................................................

8

Results

...............................................................................................

8

Part View

...........................................................................................

8

Live Video

.........................................................................................

8

Menus

.......................................................................................................

9

Toolbars

....................................................................................................

9

...................................................................................................

0

Windows

..........................................................................................................

DRO window

............................................................................................

Part View window

....................................................................................

2

Adding feature data

...........................................................................

3

Live Video window

..................................................................................

5

Results window

.........................................................................................

7

Template Windows

...................................................................................

8

separating templates

.....................................................

8

Adding and

deleting

template content

...............................................

9

Features template

..............................................................................

0

Program template

..............................................................................

2

0

Report template

.................................................................................

0

Tolerance templates

...........................................................................

2

Menus

...............................................................................................................

2

2

Menubar menus

........................................................................................

File menu

...........................................................................................

2

3

Edit menu

...........................................................................................

5

View menu

.........................................................................................

2

9

Measure menu

...................................................................................

3

5

Datum menu

3

5

Probe menu

........................................................................................

3

5

Tools menu

........................................................................................

3

6

Windows menu

..................................................................................

3

9

On-screen

menus

Template window menus

...................................................................

4

Template edit menus

..................................

Program edit menus

4

4

Results window menus

...............................................................

6

Part View window menus

..........................................................

5

0

Toolbar menus

............................................................................

5

3

Toolbars

...........................................................................................................

5

5

Changing

toolbar shape

............................................................................

5

6

Docking and

undocking toolbars

..............................................................

5

6

Customizing and

creating toolbars

...........................................................

5

7

...........................................................................................................

5

8

Workspaces

......................................................................................................

5

9

Creating

custom workspaces

....................................................................

5

9

.......................................................................

6

0

Opening custom workspaces

....................................................................

6

0

Demonstration steps

.........................................................................................

6

Organizing the

workspace

................................................................................

6

5

..........................................................................................

6

5

T

eaching the

video

probe

.................................................................................

6

6

Turning

program

recording ON

.......................................................................

6

6

Measuring

part

skew and

datum

...............................................................

6

7

..................................................................................................

6

7

Datum

................................................................................................

6

7

Measuring

features

....................................................................................

6

9

Applying

feature

tolerances

......................................................................

7

0

Adding

data to the

Runs template

.............................................................

7

Exporting data

...........................................................................................

7

Printing

reports

.........................................................................................

7

3

Turning program recording OFF

.....................................................................

7

3

.................................................................................................

7

4

Running the program

.......................................................................................

7

4

4 Probes

Preparing to

use video probes

..........................................................................

7

7

part condition

........................................................................

7

7

video

magnification

..................................................................

7

7

Adjusting

light control

..............................................................................

7

7

Associating

lighting with magnifications

.................................................

7

7

Enabling and

disabling light associations

.................................................

7

8

Using video probes

..........................................................................................

7

8

probe type

...............................................................................

7

9

Changing

probe

position

...........................................................................

7

9

Changing

probe

orientation

......................................................................

7

9

Changing

probe

size

.................................................................................

8

0

Changing

scan

direction

...........................................................................

8

0

Changing

edge detection order

.................................................................

8

Enabling and disabling

high accuracy scanning

.......................................

8

2

Firing video probes

...................................................................................

8

3

Dry firing probes

...............................................................................

8

3

Continuous probe firing

.....................................................................

8

3

Loading a

video

chart

...............................................................................

8

4

Video

probe descriptions

.................................................................................

8

5

Crosshair probe

.........................................................................................

8

6

.............................................................................................

8

7

Buffer Probe

..............................................................................................

8

9

Average probe

...........................................................................................

9

Nearest probe

............................................................................................

9

3

Farthest probe

...........................................................................................

9

4

Height probe

.............................................................................................

9

5

Width Probe

..............................................................................................

9

7

Circle Probe

..............................................................................................

9

8

Circles

................................................................................................

9

8

Arcs

....................................................................................................

9

9

Blob Probe

................................................................................................

Worm probe

..............................................................................................

2

New probe

.................................................................................................

5

Pattern Finder probe

.................................................................................

8

Initial setup of the video probe system

............................................................

Adding

magnifications with associated

zooms

.........................................

6

Adding magnifications to the

Probe toolbar

......................................

7

Adding the

highest magnification to the

probe library

......................

8

Adding other magnifications and

associating

Zoom positions

.........

9

Deleting

magnifications

............................................................................

0

Configuring the

highest

magnification

.....................................................

Configuring the

lower

magnifications

......................................................

Calibrating

auto

focus

...............................................................................

2

Calibrating

video

edge recognition (

Teach)

.............................................

Advanced

Edge

Teach

......................................................................

6

Calibrating

pixel

resolution

......................................................................

7

Calibrating

offset

......................................................................................

9

Compensating for

camera

skew

................................................................

Configuring

video

probe

data collection parameters

................................

5

Measurement activities

....................................................................................

8

The

measurement workspace

...........................................................................

8

The

measurement process

................................................................................

8

Preparing to use video probes

...................................................................

9

Establishing the

measurement

reference

..................................................

9

Leveling the part (optional)

......................................................................

9

Creating a

skew

alignment

........................................................................

0

Creating a

datum

zero point

......................................................................

Probing a datum zero point

................................................................

Constructing a datum zero point

........................................................

Probing and

measuring features

................................................................

4

Measure Magic

.........................................................................................

4

Probing features

...............................................................................................

Probing specific feature types

...................................................................

6

Points

.................................................................................................

6

Lines

..................................................................................................

7

Arcs

....................................................................................................

8

Circles

................................................................................................

9

...................................................................................................

Distances

............................................................................................

2

Angles

................................................................................................

3

Blobs

..................................................................................................

5

Profile measurements

........................................................................

6

Constructing features

.......................................................................................

Point constructions

....................................................................................

3

Line constructions

.....................................................................................

8

Distance constructions

..............................................................................

5

Circle

constructions

..................................................................................

Arc constructions

......................................................................................

4

Creating features

..............................................................................................

6

Creating a point

.........................................................................................

7

Creating a line

...........................................................................................

7

Creating a distance

....................................................................................

8

Creating a circle

........................................................................................

8

Creating an arc

..........................................................................................

9

Applying tolerances to features

.......................................................................

20

3

Tolerance screens

......................................................................................

20

3

Tolerance menu

........................................................................................

20

4

Tolerance toolbar

......................................................................................

20

Display of

tolerance results

......................................................................

20

5

Naming and saving tolerances

..................................................................

20

6

Deleting

Named Tolerances

.....................................................................

20

6

Tolerance types

................................................................................................

20

7

Bidirectional

.............................................................................................

20

7

True position

.............................................................................................

20

8

MMC/LMC (Material condition)

.............................................................

20

9

Runout

.......................................................................................................

21

0

Circularity

.................................................................................................

...............................................................................................

21

Concentricity

.............................................................................................

Profile

.......................................................................................................

21

2

Parallelism

................................................................................................

3

Perpendicularity

........................................................................................

3

Angularity

.................................................................................................

21

3

Angle

.........................................................................................................

Width

........................................................................................................

21

4

Template descriptions

......................................................................................

7

Features template

......................................................................................

21

7

Program template

......................................................................................

8

Runs template

...........................................................................................

9

Runs charts

................................................................................................

22

0

Report template

.........................................................................................

Tolerance templates

..................................................................................

22

3

Opening templates

...........................................................................................

Generating new default templates

....................................................................

22

4

Editing templates

.............................................................................................

5

Adding and

deleting data

..........................................................................

22

5

Adding data

.......................................................................................

5

Adding multiple data fields as a single new column

.........................

6

A

dding multiple data fields as multiple new columns

......................

22

7

Appending data fields to an existing column

....................................

8

Deleting data

......................................................................................

22

9

Deleting

rows

............................................................................................

9

Deleting

columns

......................................................................................

23

0

....................................................................

23

0

Aligning column titles and data

................................................................

23

Changing the

order of columns

.................................................................

23

Displaying

horizontal and

vertical

grid line

.............................................

23

Headers and

footers

..........................................................................................

23

2

...........................................................................

23

Editing headers and footers

..............................................................................

23

3

Adding text

...............................................................................................

23

3

Editing text

................................................................................................

23

3

Formatting

text

..........................................................................................

23

4

Including

automatic

text entry

..................................................................

23

5

Prompting the user for alphanumeric information

....................................

23

5

Deleting text

..............................................................................................

23

6

Enabling

text to

speech output

..................................................................

23

6

Adding

graphics from files

.......................................................................

23

6

Drawing

graphics

......................................................................................

23

8

Printing

reports

.................................................................................................

24

Exporting data

..................................................................................................

DDE Output

.....................................................................................................

24

3

Output parameters

.....................................................................................

3

Connection

................................................................................................

24

3

Data

...........................................................................................................

General guidelines

....................................................................................

24

4

8 Programming

Introduction

......................................................................................................

24

9

Creating Programs

...........................................................................................

25

0

Creating the new part

................................................................................

25

program

recording

.......................................................................

25

Performing a

skew and

datum

..................................................................

25

Choosing a

measurement

programming method

......................................

25

Adding tolerances

.....................................................................................

25

4

Reporting results

.......................................................................................

25

Optimizing program steps

.........................................................................

25

4

Adding

special steps to a program

............................................................

25

5

Finalizing

feature properties

.....................................................................

25

7

Finalizing

program properties

...................................................................

25

8

program

recording

.....................................................................

26

..........................................................................................

26

Editing Programs

.............................................................................................

26

Part fixturing

.............................................................................................

26

2

Program runtime environment

..................................................................

26

Palletizing multiple parts

..........................................................................

26

2

Editing

initial

program settings

................................................................

26

5

Probe

position indicator

............................................................................

26

6

Template state

...........................................................................................

26

6

Light controls

............................................................................................

26

7

Optical

magnification

...............................................................................

26

7

Probe selection

..........................................................................................

26

7

High accuracy mode

.................................................................................

26

8

Focus lock

.................................................................................................

26

8

Units of measure

.......................................................................................

26

8

Editing

feature properties

.........................................................................

26

9

Hiding features

..........................................................................................

26

9

Displaying

phantom features

....................................................................

26

9

Displaying

guide features

.........................................................................

26

9

note with a feature

..................................................................

27

0

feature name

........................................................................

27

0

Editing

feature

point

filtration

..................................................................

27

0

filtration

error limit

..............................................................

27

filtration

standard deviation range

.......................................

27

Adding

special and CNC program steps

..........................................................

27

Comment

...................................................................................................

27

2

Delay

.........................................................................................................

27

3

Play

sound

.................................................................................................

27

3

Program

image

..........................................................................................

27

4

User message

............................................................................................

27

Enabling or

disabling

run time

graphic displays

......................................

27

5

Enabling or

disabling

full

CNC mode

......................................................

27

5

Enabling or

disabling

power assist mode

.................................................

27

6

Enabling or

disabling

focus lock

..............................................................

27

6

output lines

...................................................................................

27

7

program

steps

...................................................................................

27

8

.........................................................................

27

8

..........................................................................

27

8

Clearing

step selections

............................................................................

28

Editing individual steps

....................................................................................

28

2

Changing the

target position for

probing

..................................................

28

Changing

parents of

construction features

...............................................

28

3

Requiring

user interaction to

complete a measurement

............................

28

Optimizing program steps

.........................................................................

28

5

Cutting,

copying,

pasting and

deleting program steps

..............................

28

5

Cutting steps

......................................................................................

28

5

Copying steps

....................................................................................

28

5

Pasting steps

......................................................................................

28

5

Deleting steps

....................................................................................

8

5

Inserting new program steps

.....................................................................

28

6

Debugging programs

........................................................................................

28

7

9 Encoders

TTL encoders

...................................................................................................

28

9

Analog encoders

...............................................................................................

29

0

Joystick setup and

limiting

maximum

axis velocity

........................................

29

0

Axis velocity

.............................................................................................

29

Curvature joystick parameter

....................................................................

29

Axis displacement

.....................................................................................

29

Counter setup

...................................................................................................

29

Limit Switch setup

...........................................................................................

29

2

Calibrating

analog

encoders

.............................................................................

29

3

QC5200

encoder setup

.....................................................................................

29

6

encoder

resolution

..................................................................

29

6

encoder

unit of measure

.........................................................

29

6

encoder

count direction

..........................................................

29

6

encoder

reference marks

.........................................................

29

6

r

eference offsets

.....................................................................

29

7

Tools/Customize menu item screens

...............................................................

29

9

Including a

startup message

......................................................................

30

0

Customizing

colors

...................................................................................

30

on-screen

help tips

..................................................................

30

5

error messages

........................................................................

30

6

status bar information

.............................................................

30

8

Customizing

toolbars

................................................................................

30

9

Tools/Options menu item screens

....................................................................

3

programming parameters

.........................................................

31

4

maximum program executions

.........................................

31

7

Restricting

access to setup screens

...........................................................

31

8

Configuring

measurement parameters

......................................................

32

0

Displaying

parts and

probe position

.........................................................

32

Configuring

joystick and

footswitch buttons

............................................

32

7

display of

resolution,

time and

date

........................................

33

0

encoder parameters

.................................................................

33

file names, locations and backups

..........................................

33

2

serial port,

machine zero and

general parameters

........................

33

7

video

probes

.......................................................................

34

0

Tools/CNC menu item screens

.......................................................................

350

joystick

..............................................................................

35

0

QC5200

settings or

appearance have changed. Everything looked

okay the last time you were on the system, now it’s different

....................

35

5

A QC5200

Window is missing from the screen, but is enabled

in the

QC5200 Windows menu

..................................................................

35

5

Measurements are inaccurate or inconsistent

..................................................

35

5

axis

counts in the

wrong direction

.............................................................

35

6

Cannot drag data fields from the Results window into a template

..................

35

7

Changes

to the QC5200 settings, window positions, etc.

are not saved

..........

35

7

The

QC5200 program doesn’t launch, but other Windows programs do

........

35

8

Cannot print from the QC5200 program

..........................................................

35

9

default

template contains

unwanted data or formatting

...............................

36

0

Cannot make changes to the QC5200 settings

.................................................

36

The system seems slow

....................................................................................

36

Cannot see image in the live video window

....................................................

36

3

The auto focus does not work properly

............................................................

36

The measurements finish before I’m ready

.....................................................

36

5

Cannot find captured images

...........................................................................

36

5

Appendix A Import File Formats

Appendix B ASCII Codes

Appendix C Tolerances

Concentricity toleranc

e

Reference Feature

s

Reference feature called for in

MMC or

LMC circle toleranc

e

Projected zon

e

1 System Overview

The Metronics QC5200 series of metrology instruments is a family of Windows PC-based products for

conducting precision dimensional measurements on 2-D parts. Systems can be supplied with video sys-

tems and measuring microscopes. Systems support manual part positioning and feature measurement

under user control, or CNC part positioning and automated measurement under program control.

All QC5200 systems consist of a Windows-based user interface and a dedicated Metronics

axis

PC card.

All axis cards include input circuitry for reading the axis position. Axis cards in systems capable of CNC

axis motion control also include circuitry for driving

CNC stepper motor or

CNC servo motor amplifiers.

All systems measure

2-D part features in the X–Y plane. Additionally, systems can include a Z-axis input

for height measurements and part leveling and a Q-axis for rotational measurements.

Basic QC5200 for video systems or microscopes with

joystick part positioning

Part

features can be measured, constructed from measured features, created from user data, copied from

existing features or imported from .dxf, .igs and other files.

Geometric

tolerances include location,

form, orientation, runout and size. In

addition, tolerances can be applied to

groups of selected features.

Tolerances are context sensitive. For

example, straightness is provided for

lines and circularity is provided for

circles. Tolerances can be displayed

for evaluation and the tolerance criteria

can be edited with a few clicks of the

mouse, as shown in this example of a

form tolerance.

Measured feature

Measured feature

1 System Overview

Programs can be created in manual sys-

tems to semi-automate repetitive tasks

and simplify operator interactions, or

in systems that include

CNC control

to automate measurements eliminat-

ing measurement errors and increasing

throughput. Programs can be recorded

automatically as a series of measure-

ments are performed, can be created

to include conditional branching and

messages, can be edited in static or

single-step modes and can be created

from imported

CAD files. The task of

programming is simplified by

programming wizards and a comprehensive program debugging environ-

ment.

Reports can be custom-formatted in a

wide variety of formats to satisfy the

requirements of different audiences

by simply dragging and dropping data

selections into templates.

Templates

can easily be customized. Completed

reports can be archived, printed, ex-

ported or saved for e-mailing.

Exported

data can be sent to CAD applications,

Microsoft

Excel and

Microsoft

Access

for processing.

The user interface conforms to stan-

dard Windows conventions and can

be quickly mastered by experienced

Windows users. Task-specific menus,

icons and toolbars further simplify in-

teractions with QC5200 features and measurement functions. Many aspects of the user interface can be

customized to suit the needs of each user.

Customized arrangements of windows and toolbars can be saved

as unique workspaces to facilitate the most efficient use of the system by different users.

This User’s Guide can be accessed and displayed from the

Help menu, and includes links from all page

references in the Table of Contents and Index to Guide content.

Example of a program recorded automatically as measurements

were performed

Example of a report of feature data

4

2 User Interface

The QC5200 user interface is a

workspace consisting of

menus,

windows,

toolbars and a

statusbar. The

overall appearance of the user interface can vary greatly and can be customized to satisfy the requirements

and personal preferences of the user. The following pages contain a detailed description of the QC5200

user interface. Here’s what you’ll find in this chapter:

Introduction

...............................................................................................

7

Windows

............................................................................................

8

Menus

.................................................................................................

9

Toolbars

.............................................................................................

9

.............................................................................................

0

Windows

...................................................................................................

DRO window

.....................................................................................

Part View window

..............................................................................

2

Live Video window

............................................................................

5

Results window

..................................................................................

7

Template Windows

............................................................................

8

separating templates

..............................................

8

Adding and

deleting

template content

........................................

9

Features template

........................................................................

2

0

Program template

........................................................................

2

0

Report template

...........................................................................

0

Tolerance templates

....................................................................

2

Menus

........................................................................................................

Menubar menus

..................................................................................

22

File menu

....................................................................................

3

Edit menu

....................................................................................

2

5

View menu

..................................................................................

9

Measure menu

.............................................................................

3

5

Datum menu

................................................................................

3

5

Probe menu

.................................................................................

3

5

Tools menu

.................................................................................

3

6

Windows menu

..................................................................................

3

9

On-screen

menus

.......................................................................................

Template window menus

...................................................................

4

Template edit menus

...................................................................

Program edit menus

...........................................................................

4

4

Results window menus

......................................................................

6

Part View window menus

..................................................................

5

0

Live

Video window menus

................................................................

5

Toolbar menus

...................................................................................

5

3

Toolbars

...........................................................................................................

55

Changing

toolbar shape

.............................................................................

5

6

Docking and

undocking toolbars

..............................................................

5

6

Customizing and

creating toolbars

............................................................

5

7

Workspaces

......................................................................................................

5

9

Creating

custom workspaces

.....................................................................

5

9

.......................................................................

6

0

Opening custom workspaces

.....................................................................

6

0

Launching the QC5200 program into a specific workspace

.....................

6

2 User Interface

The QC5200

user interface is a workspace consisting of windows, menus, toolbars and a statusbar. The

overall appearance of the user interface can vary greatly and can be customized to satisfy the requirements

and personal preferences of the user. However, the individual elements of every workspace are consistent

in purpose and function, and do not significantly change. Workspace elements include:

• The DRO, Template, Results, Part View and Live Video windows

• Menu bar and on-screen menus

• Toolbars

• Statusbar

The overall appearance of the user interface, or workspace,

can be customized to vary greatly as shown here, but indi-

vidual workspace elements remain essentially unchanged.

DRO window

Results window

Part View window

to the

Part View window

Statusbar

Menubar menus

Introduction

Windows

Four window types are used to present numeric, text and graphic information:

• DRO • Templates • Results • Part View • Live Video

DRO

The Digital Readout (DRO) presents numeric position information for

each axis.

Template windows present tabular data describing fea-

tures, programs, runs database contents and tolerance

measurements. The template windows shown here

are stacked. However, each window can be presented

alone.

Results

The Results window contains measurement data related

to a feature selected in a template or in the Part View

window.

Part View

The Part View window contains a graphic display of the

measurement reference frame and measured features.

Live Video

The Part View window contains a real-time display of the

video camera image including the part view at the active

magnification with the active video probe superimposed

over the part image.

9

2 User Interface

Menus contain functions that control

file operations,

editing, measurements, displayed information and

overall system configuration and setup. Menus can be accessed by clicking on a menu item in the menubar,

or by right-clicking areas in the workspace.

Toolbars

Toolbars like the examples below contain

icons that provide quick access to functions that are also pro-

vided by menus. Toolbars can be located nearly anywhere within the workspace, and can be docked to

most windows.

Menu accessed from the menubar

Menu accessed by right-clicking a window

Measure toolbar

Program toolbar

Datum toolbar

Separate toolbars

Introduction

The statusbar presents information regard-

ing

units of measure, current measure-

ments, programming and other

system

status information across the bottom of

the workspace. The information in the

statusbar changes to support current ac-

tivities.

The statusbar changes to display brief

definitions when the

mouse hovers over a

menu command, as in this example of a

statusbar definition displayed when hover-

ing over the Datum zero menu command.

Statusbar

2 User Interface

Windows

Windows present numeric, text and graphic information describing

probe position,

feature measurement

results,

tolerance measurement results,

program content and

measurement database statistics.

Windows include:

• DRO (digital readout) window: Probe position referred to the current measurement reference

(machine zero or part zero)

• Part View window: Graphic display of measured features

• Results window: Measurement result data

• Live Video window: Real-time display of video camera image and active video probe

• Templates: Eight default templates display feature data, program steps,

database and report statistics and tolerance measurement results.

Additional custom templates can be created by the user.

The DRO window shows the current probe position with respect to the zero position

of the current reference frame.

Check the Windows/DRO menu item to display the DRO window, or clear the check

mark to hide it.

The zero location of each axis can be

temporarily changed by clicking the

axis button on the right side of the DRO

window.

Cartesian coordinates are changed to R and Ө for

polar

coordinate

The DRO window can be resized by clicking and dragging the side

or corner of the window.

Axis zero buttons

NOTE

The X and Y axis

systems.

The

Part View window contains a

graphic display of the current measure-

ment

reference frame and all measured

features. This Part View window

shows features of the Metronics quickie

slide and

docked

toolbars. Check the

Windows/Part View

menu item to dis-

play the Part View

window, or clear

the check mark to

hide it.

The current reference frame is shown as X and Y axes and a coordinate zero point. The X-axis is identified

by a single green dot and the Y-axis by two blue dots.

A single part feature or multiple features can be selected by clicking features while pressing the Control

key, or by dragging a marquee across the desired features.

Selecting features by clicking them

Selecting features by dragging a marquee

Axis identifiers

2 User Interface

When the marquee is dragged across fea-

tures from left to right, all features touched

by the marquee are selected.

When the marquee is dragged across

features from right to left, only features

completely enclosed by the marquee are

selected.

Adding feature data

Feature data can be added to the Part View window by clicking and dragging the desired data for a selected

feature from the Results window to the Part View window.

Dragging the marquee from left to right selects all features

touched by the marguee

Dragging the marquee from right to left selects only features

completely enclosed by the marguee

Data for the selected feature is clicked and dragged...

into the Part View window

clicked and dragged to the desired position

Zoom and other Part View window functions can be accessed by clicking the Windows/View menu or by

right-clicking in the window. These functions are described in detail later in the Menus section of this

chapter.

The Part View window can be resized by click-

ing and dragging a corner of the window.

Accessing functions from the Menubar

Accessing functions from the on-screen menu

2 User Interface

The Live Video window displays a real-

time image from the

video camera. The

active video probe is shown superimposed

over the image.

Check the Windows/

Live Video menu

item to display the

Live Video window,

or clear the check

mark to hide it.

The image size is controlled by the

Probe/Magnification menu and the Probe

toolbar.

Click the desired Probe/Magnification

menu item or

Probe toolbar button to

change the

camera

magnification.

or Probe toolbar to change the camera magnification

The display of live video typically appears in its own

screen space when two monitors are used.

However, the display can be toggled between the Live Video window and the Part View window to con-

serve screen space when only a

single

monitor is used. Position the Live Video window directly over

the Part View window, matching the window sizes, then click the

P/V toolbar button

to toggle

between the two windows.

2 User Interface

The

Results window contains measure-

ment data for the selected feature.

Check the Windows/Results menu item

to display the Results window, or clear

the check mark to hide it.

All basic

feature data is displayed for

the current coordinate system. The

information changes to reflect the new

coordinate system when the measure-

ment coordinate system is changed by

the user.

Results window functions can be accessed by right-clicking the window. These functions are described in

detail later in the Menus section of this chapter.

The size and shape of the Results window can be changed by clicking and

dragging a corner, but the content’s text format remains unchanged when this

method is used.

To change the text formatting of the Results window, right-click the title bar

of the Results window to display the Results window menu, then highlight the

desired Results window text format and release the mouse. The new format

will be displayed.

Simply changing the over-

all shape doesn’t change

the text formatting

changed from the Results

window menu

Template Windows

Template Windows present tabular data and information

describing

features,

programs, runs

database content and

tolerance measurements. Template Windows can ap-

pear separately, or can be tabbed and stacked to

save screen space.

Check the desired template title in the recent template portion of the Windows menu

to display the template, or clear the check mark to hide it.

If the desired template is not shown in the list of recent templates, click the Windows/

Open Template menu item to select and open it, or right-click the Template window

and open a new template from the on-screen menu. Menubar and on-screen menu

functions are described in detail later in the Menus section of this chapter.

separating templates

and dropping one template onto

another.

Unstack templates that you wish

to appear separately by clicking

and dragging the title tab of one

template away from the stack.

windows presented separately

windows tabbed and stacked

onto the template stack

2 User Interface

Eight default templates are included in the QC5200 system. These default templates include:

• Features

• Program

• Report

• Runs

• Tolerance (four tolerance templates are available)

Adding and

Each template contains default columns for displaying information appropriate for the template type.

However, columns can be deleted or added to suit the needs of the user. Columns are deleted using the on-

screen template menu described later in the Menus section of this chapter. Columns are added by dragging

and dropping data fields from the Results window as shown in the example below.

Template scrollbars provide access to information that extends

beyond the fixed boundaries of the template window.

Diameter is clicked in the Results

window and dragged...

from the Results window to the

Features template...

to create a diameter column in the

Features template

Scrollbars

NOTE

When the Results window is locked in the Tools/Options/Locks setup screen, data

fields cannot be dragged and dropped from the Results window into templates.

Features template

The

Features template displays

dimensional

data for all measured, created or constructed

features. Default columns include the

feature icon, tolerance, feature name and

datum.

Use of the Features template is described in

detail in

Chapter 5: Measuring

Chapter 5: Measuring

Program template

The

Program template displays a list of

pro-

gram steps with information that includes

program status, tolerances, current step, ac-

tions to be performed and the program data

such as loop executions completed.

Use of the program template is described in

detail in

Chapter 8: Programming

Chapter 8: Programming

Report template

The

Report template displays a

tabular summary of

feature data

intended as the basis of printed re-

ports of measurement results.

Use of the report template is de-

scribed in detail in

Chapter 7: Reporting and Tem-

Chapter 7: Reporting and Tem-

plates

plates

2 User Interface

Tolerance templates display tabular summaries of tolerance measurement results.

Four default Tolerance templates are available. Each template contains a feature icon, tolerance flag (pass-

fail), tolerance symbol, feature name, nominal value, actual value and deviation. Tolerance templates

include:

AllTol: Complete tolerance information for all features

•

EuroTol: Cartesian +/- tolerance values formatted for European users

TolRep: Complete tolerance information for only toleranced features

•

QDAS: Report of feature data formatted for European users

Use of Tolerance templates is described in detail in

Chapter 7: Database, Reporting and Templates

Chapter 7: Database, Reporting and Templates

Menus can be displayed by clicking a menu title in the menubar, or by right-clicking certain items within

the workspace area.

Most menus accessed by right-clicking in the workspace area are also available in the menubar.

The menubar includes the following categories of menus:

File: Typical Windows file and print functions

•

Edit: Functions for editing features and programs

View: Workspace viewing alternatives

•

Measure: Feature measurement selections

•

Datum: Reference frame creation

Probe: Measurement probe selection and adjustment

•

Tools: Tolerance, CNC, programming, setup and language functions

Windows: Window selection and template functions

•

Help: User guide, backup and diagnostic utilities

A menu is displayed by clicking a menubar title

Another menu is displayed by right-clicking an item

within the workspace area

2 User Interface

File menu

Most file menu functions are identical to those found in other Windows

applications and are shown below:

New

Opens a new part or initiates a new run of the current program.

Chapter 10: Supervisor Setup

Chapter 10: Supervisor Setup

, Tools/Options/Files

Open

Displays the Open Part file dialog box to select and

open an existing part.

Save

current filename. If the part is new and has no cur-

rent filename, the Save Part As file dialog box will

be displayed and a new filename will be required.

Save As

Displays the Save Part As file dialog box. The

part file and part program are then saved using a

filename of the user’s choice.

Import

Imports part files in one of many standard formats.

Refer to

Appendix A:

Appendix A:

Import

Import

File Formats

for

details.

NOTE

The QC5200 can be configured to automatically save

part changes when a new program run is initiated. Refer

to the

screen.

Export

Exports highlighted feature data in one of many

standard file formats to a location of, and using a

file name of the user’s choice.

DDE output

Exports highlighted feature data to an application

of the user’s choice using Microsoft’s Direct Data

Exchange protocol.

Page setup

and configuring a printer.

Print preview

Displays a dialog box for selecting the source ma-

terial to print and the number of copies to be printed, then displays a preview of the printer output.

Print

Displays a dialog box for selecting the source material to print and the number of copies to be printed, then

prints the material.

Delete current part

Deletes the current part file and all associated files. Users are asked to confirm the delete request.

Exit

Closes the QC5200 application. Users are given the opportunity to save the part file before closing.

Chapter 10: Supervisor Setup

Chapter 10: Supervisor Setup

,

NOTE

The QC5200 can be configured to automatically save changes to part and template

files upon exiting the application. Refer to the

Tools/Options/Files screen.

2 User Interface

Edit menu

The first seven items of the Edit menu provide standard Windows editing functions

for cutting, copying, pasting, deleting and selecting elements in one of the QC5200

templates.

In the example shown below, Circles 4, 5 and 6 are selected and then copied from the

Features template and pasted into a Notepad document.

NOTE

The use of these standard editing functions is shown throughout the remainder of this

guide as part of the many instructions and examples that follow.

Find Features

Features listed in the Features, Report and Tolerance templates can be found and

highlighted (selected) by the system. This is useful when selecting features with

similar names from long lists containing many different feature types.

Clicking the Find Features menu item displays the Find Feature dialog box.

Feature names are entered directly into the Name field.

Checking the Add to Current Selection box adds the new

feature(s) to any existing selections. Clearing the box

replaces any existing selections with the new features.

The Find Feature function can be limited to features that

passed or failed tolerance tests by checking the Passed

or Failed Tolerances boxes, can find all features of the

specified name by clearing both boxes, or can find only

toleranced features of the specified name by checking both boxes.

Clicking the Advanced but-

ton displays the advanced

Find Feature dialog box.

Advanced search criteria

include characteristics

listed in the Item, Condi-

tion and Value drop-down

lists.

A wide variety of

search

criteria can be specified

and then included in, or

excluded from the search

using drop-down lists and

tool buttons on the advance

Find Feature dialog box.

2 User Interface

Change feature

Features are measured by selecting feature types from the Measure menu or Measure toolbar and then

probing part features. When a specific feature type is selected prior to probing, the feature data is assigned

the specified feature type and cannot be changed. However, when Measure Magic is selected prior to

probing, the feature type can be changed using the Change Feature menu item.

The Change Feature function is useful when one set of fea-

ture data describes different feature types. In this example,

a shallow arc was interpreted as a line with marginal form,

and is changed from a line to an arc in the Features list.

Feature properties

The Feature Properties dialog box

contains tools for specifying feature

properties that include:

•

Name

The feature name

•

Display/Hidden

Hides or shows the feature in

the Part View window

Display/

Phantom

Displays the feature as a dashed

line or a solid line

Display/Guide

Displays the feature as a guide,

outlined in the Part View

window during program

executions

•

Display/Show Note

Displays a

note over the feature

in the Part View window

Display/Show Name

Displays the feature’s name in the Part View window

•

Point Filtration/

Filtered

Displays only data points within the specified sigma factor, and with errors lower in value than the

specified Quantization limit

Chapter 10: Supervisor Setup

Chapter 10: Supervisor Setup

for additional details requiring display and

The

Type field displays the feature type and cannot be changed.

The

Run field displays the program run number used to record the feature data in the runs database.

NOTE

Refer to

point filtration properties.

2 User Interface

The

View menu includes functions for:

Zooming in or out to show Part View, Feature stamp and Profile

window contents at different magnifications

•

Panning the contents of the Part View, Feature stamp and Profile

window

•

Profile window

•

• Displaying the Toolbar selection dialog box

• Specifying

English or

metric

units of measure

• Specifying

Cartesian or

polar coordinate systems

• Opening, saving or specifying workspaces

Zoom all

Click Zoom All to automatically fit all measured features in the Part View

window.

automatically zooms to fit all features into the

Part View window

Zoom Window

Click Zoom Window to display the magnifying glass cursor. Click and drag

the cursor to select the portion of the Part View window to be magnified and

fit into the Part View window.

Zoom Special

Click Zoom Special to zoom in, Zoom out or zoom to fit a se-

lected feature or collection of features into the Part View win-

dow.

to select an area to fit into the Part View window

increases the magnification without changing position

2 User Interface

Zoom Out...

decreases the magnification without changing position

Selecting a feature or features and clicking Zoom

Selected...

fits the selected feature or features into the Part View

window

Pan

Click Pan to display the

hand

cursor. Click and drag the hand cursor in the

desired direction to reposition the image displayed in the Part View window.

Show

position indicator

The position of the probe can be shown in the Part View window as a large dot

by checking the Show Position Indicator menu item. Clicking the menu item

toggles a check mark on and off.

cursor...

moves the contents of the Part View window

Indicator on...

displays the probe position as a dot in the Part View

window

Position indicator

2 User Interface

Show

reference frame indicator

The

X-Y reference frame can be shown in the Part View window as large dots

on the X and Y axes by checking the Show Reference Frame Indicator menu

item. The X-axis is indicated by a single dot. The Y-axis is indicated by two

dots. Clicking the menu item toggles the check mark on and off.

Units

Measurements can be shown in

English or

metric units, and in

Cartesian or

polar coordinates by checking the desired Units menu

item selections. Clicking a menu item toggles the check mark on

or off.

Checking Units selections displays the desired units of measure

and coordinate system in the Results window and in all templates.

The current units of measure and coordinate system are also dis-

played in the Status bar.

Frame Indicator on...

displays the X-Y reference frame indicators as dots on

axes in the Part View window

X indicator dot

Workspaces

Click the Workspaces menu item to open or save a work-

space. Recently used workspaces are listed in the bottom

section of the Workspaces drop-down menu.

2 User Interface

Measure menu

The measure menu provides access to the QC5200

measurement func-

tions. Detailed descriptions of the measurement functions are con-

tained in

Chapter 5: Measuring

Chapter 5: Measuring

Datum menu

The datum menu provides access to the tools required to establish a

measurement

reference frame. Measurement reference frame con-

struction is discussed in detail in

Chapter 5: Measuring

Chapter 5: Measuring

Probe menu

The Probe menu provides access to tools for:

• Selecting a

video probe

• Displaying the light control

• Associating light settings with the current camera

magnification

• Enabling or disabling light w/mag function

• Calibrating the video edge detection

• Displaying the Probe Library functions

• Selecting

camera

magnification levels

The contents of the Probe menu are described in detail in

Chapter 4: Probes

Chapter 4: Probes

The Tools menu provides access to tools for:

• Conducting

tolerance measurements

• Filtering the video camera image for improved edge detection

• Moving the stage to the Worm probe start or stop position

• Controlling

CNC functions

• Capturing a bitmap of the current camera image

Programming automated and semiautomatic measurements

• Configuring

supervisor

setup parameters for the QC5200 system

• Specifying a

language for screen displays and file output

Tolerance menu items

The menu items available for per-

forming tolerance measurements

change in support of the feature

selected in the Part View window

or active template.

Tolerance menu items are

described in detail in

Chapter 6: Tolerancing

Chapter 6: Tolerancing

Filter functions

Clicking Filter launches the image processing functions that include tools for clean-

ing and optimizing the camera image to improve video edge detection. The filter

functions are described in detail in

Chapter 4: Probes

Chapter 4: Probes

Goto Worm functions

Clicking Goto Worm or Goto Stop Worm sends the stage to

the beginning or end of the Worm video probe path. The Goto

Worm functions are described in detail in

Chapter 4: Probes

Chapter 4: Probes

2 User Interface

CNC control functions

CNC functions control the stage position,

joystick behavior and CNC

motors.

Goto

The Goto functions control the CNC stage. Clicking

Goto Position

moves the CNC stage to a specified coordinate. Clicking

Goto Click or

Goto Selected Feature moves the stage to a mouse location clicked on

the Part View window or to the center of a selected feature. The Goto

functions can be used anytime, but are typically used during a program-

ming session or during program execution. Detailed descriptions of the

Goto functions are contained in

Chapter 8: Programming

Chapter 8: Programming

Joystick

The

Joystick functions control the resolution of joystick motion, limit motion to a single axis

and enable/disable automatic

part following when part alignment has been performed.

These joystick functions are not included in part programs, but are typically used by the operator during

programming sessions or program execution. Detailed descriptions of the joystick functions are contained

in

Chapter 8: Programming

Chapter 8: Programming

Motors off

Checking the Motors Off menu item disables

CNC motor operation. Clicking the Motors Off menu item

toggles the check mark on and off.

Capture Image

Clicking Capture Image creates a bitmap (bmp) file of the current camera image and

stores the file in the QC5000\Parts folder using a name that includes time and date

information.

The Capture Image function can also be launched by pressing the Control and F8

computer keyboard keys simultaneously.

functions

Programming functions

Programming functions are used during programming sessions, pro-

gram execution, for program editing and for program troubleshoot-

ing. The programming functions are described in detail in

Chapter 8: Programming

Chapter 8: Programming

Setup functions

The Customize, Options and

CNC menu items provide access

to the supervisor setup functions

that are used to configure most

operating characteristics of the

QC5200 system. The supervisor

setup functions are explained in

detail in

Chapter 10: Supervisor

Chapter 10: Supervisor

setup

setup

technical support group. Contact information is provided in

Chapter 11: Problem solving

Chapter 11: Problem solving

.

Language

A language for the display of information on the screen, in exported

files and on printed reports is specified by clicking the Language

menu item and then clicking the desired language.

Setup

functions

CAUTION

Changing setup functions may significantly impact the accuracy and reliability of

your QC5200 system. These setup functions should be used only by technically quali-

fied supervisors, OEMs and Metronics distributors. If you have questions regarding

the setup of your system, please contact your Metronics distributor or the Metronics

2 User Interface

The Windows menu contains selections for:

• Displaying or hiding the

DRO (Digital readout) window

• Displaying or hiding the

Part View window

• Displaying or hiding the

Results window

• Displaying or hiding the

Live Video window

•

Creating a

new

template

Opening an existing template

•

• Saving the current template with a new name

• Displaying recently used templates

Displaying and

hiding

windows

Check a window name to display the window in the QC5200

workspace. Clear the check mark to hide it.

Creating a new template

Click the New Template menu item to create a new template. The New Template

Name dialog box will be displayed.

Enter the desired name into

the File Name field, then click

dialog box will be dis-

played.

Click the desired template

type, then click the Use

Defaults box to apply all

the selected template’s

defaults to the new tem-

plate, or clear the box to

create a blank template.

window to

display it

DRO window

Part View window

Results window

Live Video window

40

Opening an existing template

Click the Open Template

menu item to open an existing

template. The Open Feature

Template dialog box will be

displayed.

click Open.

Saving templates

Templates that have been modified can be saved using

the existing file name or a new filename.

Save with an existing file name

Click the Save Templates menu item. All current templates will be saved using

their existing filenames.

Save with a new filename

Click the Save Template As

menu item. The Save Feature

Template As dialog box will be

displayed.

Only the active template will

be saved with a new filename.

Enter the desired filename and click Save.

Displaying recently used templates

Recently used templates are displayed in the lower portion of the Windows menu.

Check a template to display it, or clear the check mark to hide it.

name to display it

41

2 User Interface

On-screen menus are displayed by right-clicking different areas of the screen within the QC5200 work-

space. The following categories of on-screen menus are available:

• Template window menus

• Results window menus

• Part View window menus

• Live Video window menus

• Toolbar menus

Template window menus consist of template edit and program edit menus.

Template edit menus provide access to standard Windows editing functions, feature editing functions,

template functions and chart functions. Template edit menus are displayed by right-clicking a column

heading of any template.

A slightly simpler version of the template edit menu can be displayed by right-clicking the title bar of any

template except the programming template. This simpler edit menu does not include the Column Proper-

ties and Delete Column functions.

42

Common editing functions

The common

editing functions include:

•

Feature Properties

Cut

•

Copy

Delete Selection

•

•

Change Feature

These first 6 common editing functions are identical to menubar items described earlier in this chapter and

are included again in on-screen menus as a convenience for the user.

Print selection

A feature or collection of features can be selected using standard Windows methods. Selected features are

highlighted, and can be printed by clicking the Print Selection menu item.

prints the selected feature data

43

2 User Interface

Template properties

Clicking the Template Properties menu item provides access to tools for specifying parameters for the

current template. The Properties tool are slightly different for each template type.

The template tools are discussed in detail in

Chapter 7: Reporting and Templates

Chapter 7: Reporting and Templates

Template file operations

Template file operations include:

•

New Template

Open Template

•

These menu items are identical to menubar items described earlier

in this chapter and are also included in on-screen menus as a con-

venience for the user.

displays tools for specifying template parameters

operations

44

Charts

Clicking the Charts menu item provides access to charts charac-

terizing the statistical performance of feature data collected by

a series of program executions (runs).

The Charts function is discussed in detail in

Chapter 7: Reporting and Templates

Chapter 7: Reporting and Templates

Program edit menus

Program edit menus provide access to standard Windows edit-

ing and printing functions, template properties tools, and a wide

variety of programming functions. Program edit menus are

displayed by right-clicking the title bar or a content line of the

Program template.

Right-click the title bar...

or contents of the program template

45

2 User Interface

Common editing, printing and template functions

The common editing, printing and template functions include:

•

Cut

Copy

•

Paste

Paste Special

•

Delete Selection

•

•

DDE Output

Print Selection

These menu items are identical to menubar items described earlier in this chapter

or are standard Windows functions. They are included in on-screen menus as a

convenience for the user

Programming functions

Programming functions include:

Copy and mirror

•

Pause Mode

•

Record/Edit Mode

CNC Mode Steps

•

Editing Steps

•

Flow Control Steps

Programming Wizards

•

The programming functions are described in detail in

Chapter 8: Programming

Chapter 8: Programming

46

Results window menus

The Results window menus provide access to tools for:

• Specifying a fit algorithm for the probed data points

• Redefining the feature type (when Measure Magic is used)

• Specifying tolerance parameters

• Exporting feature data using the Microsoft DDE protocol

• Deleting the selected feature

• Specifying feature display and filtration properties

• Formatting the display of the Results window

Results window menus are displayed

by selecting a feature in the Features

template or on the Part View window,

and then right-clicking anywhere in the

Results window.

Specifying a

fit

algorithm

When more than the minimum required number of points are probed to capture a

feature, alternative algorithms can be specified to fit the data.

Click the desired fitting algorithm to re-fit the probed data points.

NOTE

The contents of the Results window menu changes to support the selected feature type.

For example, the menu for a line feature is different than the menu for a circle fea-

ture.

47

2 User Interface

Redefining the

feature type

When

Measure Magic is used to capture feature data and the probed data could fit more than one feature

type, the wrong feature might be displayed in the Feature template and Results windows.

In this example, a shallow arc is initially clas-

sified as a line with poor form (0.0113).

Clicking the Arc feature alternative changes

the feature classification to Arc, with a better

form (0.0038).

Change the current feature type by clicking

the desired feature type in the Results window

menu.

Change

name

Feature names can be changed to make feature names consistent with drawing nomenclature or to simplify

reporting.

Click the Change Name menu

item to display the Change Fea-

ture Name dialog box, then en-

ter the desired name and click

OK.

The original feature (type)

name will be retained by the

system, but the new name will

be shown in the Part View win-

dow, in templates, in reports

and in exported data files.

NOTE

Feature alternatives are not

provided when a specific

measure function is used in

place of Measure Magic.

48

Tolerance

The

Tolerance menu item provides access to tools for specifying

tolerance parameters for the current feature.

The tolerance menu item functions are described in detail in

Chapter 6: Tolerancing

Chapter 6: Tolerancing

DDE output

Click the DDE Output menu item to export data for the current

feature to an application using Microsoft’s DDE protocol.

Delete selection

Click the Delete Selection menu item to delete the current feature.

Feature properties

The Feature Properties functions are identical to menubar items described earlier in this chapter and are

included in on-screen menus as a convenience for the user.

Format

The Format menu item provides access to tools for:

• Specifying a

narrow or

wide window

Left or

right justifying label text

• Specifying

text

font size

• Editing Results window fields

Narrow Format/Wide Format

Click the Narrow Format or Wide Format menu item to specify

the desired Results window aspect ratio.

Narrow format

49

2 User Interface

Left Justify/

Right Justify labels

Click the Left Justify or Right Justify menu item to specify the

desired Results window label text justification.

Font size

Click the Font Size menu item to choose a specific point

size for all text in the Results window, or click Auto Size to

allow the QC5200 to determine the optimum font size.

Fields

The Fields menu item provides access to advanced formula

and field editing tools that are reserved for qualified special

application developers.

Left justified

Right justified

Part View window menus

The Part View window menus provide access to tools for:

• Zooming in or out to show Part View window contents at different magnifications

• Printing the contents of the Part View window

• Deleting selected features

• Selecting all features

• Specifying feature properties

Zoom functions

The

Zoom All,

Zoom Window and

Zoom Special functions are identical to menubar

items described earlier in this chapter and are included in on-screen menus as a con-

venience for the user.

Print part View

Click Print Part View to display the Enter Report Header Data dialog box.

Enter the desired header information

and click OK. The contents of the Part

View window will be printed in the

format determined by the current Page

Delete selection

Click the Delete Selection menu item

to remove the highlighted feature(s).

Select all

Click Select All to select all features.

Feature properties

The Feature Properties functions are

identical to menubar items described

earlier this chapter and are included in

on-screen menus as a convenience for

the user.

Part View printout

2 User Interface

Live

The

Live Video window menus provide access to tools for:

• Firing the current video probe

• Selecting the New VED probe

• Selecting a VED probe

• Teaching (calibrating) video edge detection

• Filtering camera images to improve video edge recognition

• Sending the stage to the beginning (Goto Worm) or the end (Goto Worm Stop) of the

worm probe travel

• Capturing a bitmap of the current camera image

• Automatically finishing a feature measurement (Auto Finish) after a video tool is fired

• Selecting the High Accuracy mode for data acquisition

• Selecting the Continuous Fire mode for probe positioning

• Entering or removing data points and completing or cancelling a measurement

Most Live Video window menu items pertain to video probe calibration or use in mea-

surements and are described in detail in

Chapter 4: Probes

Chapter 4: Probes

and

Chapter 5: Measuring

Chapter 5: Measuring

Dry

fire probe

During a probe setup process, when Measure Magic is not used, click Dry Fire Probe

to indicate data points that will be collected during actual measurements. During a

measurement session, when Measure Magic is used, clicking Dry Fire Probe collects

feature data.

New VED Probe

Click New VED Probe to select the New VED Probe for a measure-

ment.

VED Probes

Click VED Probes to select a probe from the list of VED probes. Click

Load Video Chart to import a dxf overlay file as a basis of qualitative

visual part inspections.

Teach VED Edge

Click Teach VED Edge to calibrate VED edge detection. Follow in-

structions presented on the screen. Details are provided in

Chapter 4: Probes

Chapter 4: Probes

Filter

Click Filter to launch an image processing utility that can be used to optimize the camera image for video

edge detection. Follow instructions presented on the screen. Details are provided in

Chapter 4: Probes

Chapter 4: Probes

Goto Worm/

Goto Worm Stop

Click Goto Worm or Goto Worm Stop to send the stage to the beginning or end of the

Worm probe path during a measurement session using the Worm probe. Details are

provided in

Chapter 4: Probes

Chapter 4: Probes

Capture Image

Click Capture Image to capture the current camera image as a bmp file in the QC5000\

Parts folder. The file will be given a name that includes the time and date of the capture

operation.

Auto Finish

Click auto Finish to toggle the Auto Finish function on or off. When Auto Finish is enabled, a feature

measurement will be completed when a video probe is fired.

Other/

High Accuracy

Click High Accuracy to toggle the High Accuracy measurement mode on

or off. When the High Accuracy mode is enabled, three sets of data will be

collected and averaged when a probe is fired. The average will be returned

as feature data.

Other/

Continuous

Click Continuous to continuously fire the active video probe for probe per-

formance evaluations. Data will not be collected until the probe is fired by

the operator, but data points will be displayed at the probe continuously.

The Live Video window menu changes slightly during a measurement to the include

measurement functions Enter Pt, Remove Last, OK and Cancel.

Enter Pt

Click Enter Pt to acquire a data point or data points by firing the current probe.

Remove Last

Click Remove Last to remove the last acquired point from the current collection of data

points.

OK

Click OK to complete the current measurement and send acquired data to the Feature list.

Cancel

Click Cancel to cancel the current feature measurement.

2 User Interface

Toolbar menus

Toolbar menus are identical for all toolbars and are displayed by right-

clicking on a toolbar.

Toolbar menus provide access to functions for:

• Displaying or hiding toolbars

• Customizing toolbar content

• Changing toolbar appearance

Displaying or

hiding toolbars

Check a toolbar title to display the toolbar. Clicking a title toggles the

check mark on or off.

Click the

Customize menu item to display the Customize Toolbars

dialog box. The customize toolbar functions are described in detail in

Chapter

Chapter

10: Supervisor Setup

10: Supervisor Setup

Display

Clicking the

Display menu item provides access to tools for changing

the toolbar icon size and toolbar title.

Toolbar

icon size

Click Normal, Large or Huge to specify the toolbar icon size as pre-

ferred.

Normal icon size

Large icon size

Huge icon size

Change

toolbar title

Click the Change Toolbar Title menu item to display the Change Toolbar Title dia-

log box.

Enter the desired toolbar title and click OK. The new title

will be displayed immediately in the toolbar.

2 User Interface

Toolbars

Toolbars contain

icon

buttons that provide quick access to commonly used functions. Nearly all toolbar

functions are also available in menubar or in on-screen menus. Clicking a toolbar button initiates the

function.

Click the View/Toolbars

menu item to display the

Toolbars dialog box. High-

light the desired toolbar title,

and then click Show to dis-

play it, or click Hide to hide

it.

Toolbars can also be dis-

played or hidden by right-

clicking the toolbar. The list

of available toolbars will be

displayed. Check a toolbar

title to display it, or clear the

toolbar check mark to hide

it. Clicking the toolbar title

toggles the check mark on

and off.

Toolbar icon functions are shown in

tool tips when the mouse cursor hovers

over an icon. The tool tip function is enabled in the Tools/Customize/Help

screen.

Icon button

Program toolbar

toolbar shape

Toolbars can be displayed as horizontal or vertical bars, or as blocks. The shape of a toolbar can be

changed by clicking and dragging a corner.

Toolbars can be docked to the DRO, Results window and Part View window

to conserve screen space and organize the workspace to suit the preferences of

individual users.

To dock a toolbar, click and drag the desired toolbar to the edge of the target

window, and then release the mouse. An edge of the toolbar should slightly

overlap the inner perimeter of the target

window as shown here.

When a toolbar is docked, its

title bar is replaced with two

parallel lines.

overlaps the perimeter of

the Part View window

docked to the Part View

window

its title bar is replaced with

two parallel lines

Parallel lines

datum toolbar

has title bar

Docked datum

toolbar has

parallel lines

2 User Interface

To undock a toolbar, click on the toolbar’s parallel lines.

The toolbar will separate from its docked position. Then

click and drag the toolbar to a new location.

creating

toolbars

Toolbars can be customized by the user to better support

specific application requirements. New custom toolbars

can be created that include any collection of function icons.

Toolbar customizing and creation is described in detail in

Chapter 10: Supervisor Setup

Chapter 10: Supervisor Setup

The statusbar presents information regarding measurement, program and other QC5200 status. Status

information fields can include:

•

Date

Coordinate system (Cartesian or polar)

•

Units of measure (English or metric)

• Current

probe

magnification

•

Angular display units (degrees, minutes, seconds or digital degrees)

Error correction enabled

Program status

•

Fine position enabled

Temperature compensation status

Click the Tools/Customize/Statusbar menu item

to display the Statusbar dialog box. Highlight the

desired status information, and then click Show to

display it or click Hide to hide it.

The Statusbar is also used to display descriptions

of functions. When the

mouse cursor hovers over

a menu item, the Statusbar

changes to provide a brief

description of the menu

item function.

The statusbar can be displayed from left to right, or from right to left. Check or clear the Display items...

box of the Tools/Customize/Statusbar screen as desired.

hovers over a menu

item...

the Statusbar displays

a description of the

function

2 User Interface

Workspaces

QC5200 workspaces contain all elements of the user interface organized to satisfy the needs and prefer-

ences of individual users.

custom workspaces

Custom workspaces can be created by

using the tools discussed earlier in this

chapter to customize the shapes, content

and locations of Windows, templates

and toolbars. The two screens shown

on this page contain the same part data

but have customized to show it differ-

ently, illustrating the flexibility of custom

workspaces.

DRO window

Results window

Part View window

to the

Part View window

Statusbar

Menubar menus

Workspaces are stored in the Workspaces folder of the QC5000 directory using a .5ws file extension. To

save a workspace, click the View/Workspaces menu item and then click Save Workspace as. The Save

Workspaces as file dialog box will be displayed. Enter the desired name and click Save.

When saved, the workspace name will be shown on the template tabs and in the View/Workspaces list of

available workspaces.

Custom workspaces can be opened to restore the user

interface to an organization of Windows, toolbars and

templates developed at an earlier time. To open a

custom workspace, click the View/Workspaces menu

item to display the list of available workspaces, and

then click the desired workspace name.

2 User Interface

When multiple operators use the same QC5200 system and prefer different workspace layouts, it is conve-

nient to provide each operator with a unique desktop shortcut that launches the QC5200 program directly

into a specified workspace.

To create a custom desktop shortcut:

The Properties dialog box will be displayed.

2 Append the following information to the command line in the Target data

field:

space, path to specific workspace file in the workspaces folder

for example, to launch directly into a workspace previously saved as

Jeff,

the

revised command line would be:

C:\QC5000\QC5000.exe C:\QC5000\workspaces\Jeff.WS5

3 Click OK to save the new command line.

4 Right-click the QC5000 desktop shortcut icon, and then click Rename.

Enter a unique name for the desktop shortcut icon and then click the keyboard

Enter key.

Double-clicking the shortcut will now launch the QC5200 di-

rectly into the specified workspace. The workspace name will

be shown on templates.

Demonstration

This chapter demonstrates the operation of the QC5200 system. The demonstration is provided as a means

of quickly getting experienced operators started using the system. This material will be most helpful if you

perform the measurements and other activities as you follow along with this demonstration.

The demonstration will measure the

Metronics

QC Quickie slide part

skew and

datum,

measure some part

features, apply a few

tolerances,

export results data as a

comma separated variable (csv) file and print a

tolerance report. These activities will be recorded as a

program and saved as a

part file.

Measurements will be performed on a

video stage us-

ing

video edge detection, but could also be performed

on a

video microscope. When the program is run on a

CNC system using

temporary

fixturing, the user will

measure the datum of the first part, and then all subse-

quent measurements will be completed by the system

as the stage is repeatedly positioned and the required

points are automatically probed. When the program

is run on a manual system, the series of required points will be indicated by a blinking green dot that moves

over the part outline in the Part View window. The user need only probe locations indicated by the dot to

complete measurements.

Detailed information regarding measuring is contained in

Chapter 5: Measuring

Chapter 5: Measuring

regarding programming is contained in

Chapter 8: Programming

Chapter 8: Programming

Summary diagram of the Quick Start Demonstration

Individual steps are

recorded as a program

3 Quick Start

This diagram shows the individual steps of

the quick start demonstration. References are

provided on the diagram and throughout the

demonstration to more detailed information in

this guide regarding each step.

Measure Magic will be used throughout this

demonstration so that video probes can be

fired on feature edges without the need to first

identify the feature type. Refer to

Chapter 5: Measuring

Chapter 5: Measuring

for details regarding

Measure Magic.

Individual steps are

recorded as a program

and page 65 of this chapter

and page 65 of this chapter

and page 66 of this chapter

and page 66 of this chapter

and page 67 of this chapter

and page 69 of this chapter

and page 70 of this chapter

and page 71 of this chapter

and page 72 of this chapter

and page 73 of this chapter

and page 73 of this chapter

and page 74 of this chapter

and page 74 of this chapter

Demonstration

workspace

A detailed description of the user interface and methods of organizing, saving and opening workspaces is

provided by

Chapter 2: User Interface

Chapter 2: User Interface

• DRO • Results window • Part View window • Live Video window

• Features template • Program template • Runs template • TolRep template

• Measure toolbar • VED toolbar • Program toolbar • Datum toolbar

• Probe toolbar

A single monitor is used in this demonstration. The Win-

dows should be resized and relocated to optimize viewing.

Toolbars should be

docked to conserve

screen space. The

Part View and Live

Video windows are

also stacked to con-

serve space and are

toggled using the P/V

toolbar button.

A detailed description of

templates is provided by

Chapter 7:

Chapter 7:

Reporting and Templates

Reporting and Templates

TolRep (Tolerance Report) templates will be stacked on the Features and Program templates to facilitate

data collection in the Runs database and tolerance reporting.

are organized to optimize viewing

to add them to the Template

window

3 Quick Start

Teaching the

video probe

A detailed description of video probes is provided by

Chapter 4:

Chapter 4:

Probes

Video edge detection must be taught (calibrated) to optimize recognition of

the contrast between dark and light levels prior to measurements. Click the

Probe/Teach Video Edge menu item to teach the probe.

You will be instructed to move the Simple probe

over an edge and press OK. You will also be

given the opportunity to select the type of edge

detection algorithm. Click Auto if it is not al-

ready selected, then click OK.

Position the simple probe over an edge oriented

to detect in the light to dark direction, and then

fire the probe. The acquired data point will be

shown by a red cross at the edge and you will be

notified that a point was acquired by the Simple

probe. Click OK to conclude the calibration.

Turning

A detailed description of programming is provided by

Chapter 8:

Chapter 8:

Pro

gramming

gramming

ton to begin recording your measurement activities as a program.

Demonstration

skew and

datum

Detailed descriptions of measuring the part skew and datum are provided in

Chapter 5:

Chapter 5:

Measur

ing

ing

The part skew must be measured to eliminate errors resulting from part

misalignment. Use

the Buffer probe to

measure the bottom

edge.

Datum

A part datum point must be established as a reference for subsequent measurements. In this example, it

will be constructed at the intersection of the skew line and the vertical line

measured along the left edge of the part.

Use the buffer probe

to measure the left

vertical edge.

Measuring Part Skew and Datum

3 Quick Start

Construct the datum point from the intersection of the skew line and the left part vertical line.

You will be asked to confirm that your reference frame is complete. Click Yes. The program will include

the datum and record the part registration.

The reference frame will be shown in the Part

View window, and subsequent measurements will

be referred to the new datum.

Select the Skew Line and the

vertical line...

click the Zero Point toolbar button...

Zero point construction

to complete the skew and datum

Demonstration

features

In this example, the perimeter and the three holes of the QC Quickie slide

will be measured using the Buffer, New and Circle probes and Measure

Magic. A detailed description of measuring features is provided by

Chapter 5:

Chapter 5:

Measur

ing

ing

Measure the perimeter starting with the arc in the top

left corner of the part. In this example the New probe is

used to click and drag a probe and measure the arc.

Continue measuring perimeter features in a clockwise direction using the Buffer and New probes until the

entire slide perimeter is measured, and then measure the three holes using the Circle probe.

The final measurement steps are shown in the Program template

window.

Measuring Features

3 Quick Start

Applying

feature

tolerances

A detailed description of applying tolerances to features is provided by

Chapter 6:

Chapter 6:

Tolerancing

Tolerancing

larity tolerances will be applied to the three

circles. The tolerance result data will be col-

lected automatically by the TolRep (Tolerance

Report) template, and will be printed later.

ance type.

Enter the tolerance data into the Tolerance Entry dialog box and click OK. The tolerance results will be

displayed in the Tolerance Results dialog box and in the feature lists. Click OK to complete applying

tolerances.

Select the three circles and then right-click the Results window and select the tolerance type

Enter the tolerance data...

to display tolerance results in the Tolerance Results dialog box

and in feature lists

Demonstration

Adding data to the

A detailed description of the Runs template is provided by

Chapter 7:

Chapter 7:

Reporting and Templates

Reporting and Templates

Runs template will be used to collect user-specified measurement result data in the Runs database. In this

example, measurement results for the three circles will be collected by the Runs template. The contents of

the Runs template will be exported later as a .csv file.

Each part should have a unique Runs template and associated database. The Runs template can be made

unique by saving it using a unique template name. Change the name of the default Runs template for the

current part. Select the Runs template as the active template, right-click the template, click Save Template

As, enter the new unique template name and Click Save.

The desired feature measurement results must be loaded into the

renamed Runs template. Select the Features or Program template

as the active template then select the desired features. Select the

renamed Runs template as the active template, select the desired

feature parameters in the Results window and drag and drop them from the Results window into the Runs

template.

Make the Runs template active and save it using a name unique to this part

Select the desired results...

then drag and drop them...

into the Runs template as columns

Select the desired features

Adding Data to the Runs Template

3 Quick Start

A detailed description of exporting data is provided by

Chapter 7:

Chapter 7:

Reporting and Templates

Reporting and Templates

exported from templates in a variety of file formats. This example will export the measurement result data

previously loaded into the Runs template as a comma separated variable (.csv) file.

select the data to be exported, click File/Ex-

port, enter the desired export file name into the

Export dialog box, select the export file type

and click Save.

click Export...

enter an export file name, select the file type and click Save

Select the template and data...

Demonstration

A detailed description of printing reports is provided by

Chapter 7:

Chapter 7:

Reporting and Templates

Reporting and Templates

be printed from any template. This example will print the tolerance results for the three hole measurements

of the slide.

active template, select the desired

report contents (in this case the

tolerance data for the three holes),

right-click the selection and click

Print. The report will be printed to

the system’s active printer.

Turning program recording OFF

A detailed description of programming is provided by

Chapter 8:

Chapter 8:

Pro

gramming

gramming

toolbar button to finish recording your measurement activities as a program.

All measurement, tolerancing, exporting and printing activities recorded in the

program will be repeated each time the program is run.

Select the active template...

select the desired report contents, right-click the selection

and click Print Selection

Printing Reports

3 Quick Start

Click the File/Save menu item to save the part including all feature data and the

program. The part data and program will be saved in a part (.5pa) file in the default

file location C:\QC5000\parts. The data from program executions will be saved in

a runs (.5ru) file at the same default location.

Click File and then click the part file name at the bottom of

the File menu to load the part. Click the New Run toolbar

button to run the program.

4 Probes

Measurements are conducted using

video

edge detection on manually controlled systems or on automated

CNC systems. Part features can be probed manually by the user or automatically under program control.

This chapter explains how to use and calibrate video probes.

Chapter 5: Measuring

Chapter 5: Measuring

.

Here’s what you’ll find in this chapter:

Preparing to use video probes

...................................................................

7

7

..................................................................

7

7

video

magnification

............................................................

7

7

Adjusting

light control

.......................................................................

7

7

Associating lighting with magnifications

..........................................

7

7

Enabling and

disabling light associations

..........................................

7

8

Using video probes

....................................................................................

7

8

........................................................................

7

9

Changing probe position

....................................................................

7

9

Changing probe orientation

................................................................

7

9

Changing probe siz

e

...........................................................................

80

Changing scan directio

.....................................................................

80

Changing edge detection order

..........................................................

8

Enabling and disabling high accuracy scanning

................................

8

Firing video probes

............................................................................

8

3

Loading a

video

chart

.........................................................................

8

Video probe descriptions

..........................................................................

8

5

Crosshair probe

..................................................................................

8

6

......................................................................................

8

7

Buffer Probe

.......................................................................................

8

9

Average probe

....................................................................................

9

Nearest probe

.....................................................................................

9

3

Farthest probe

.....................................................................................

9

NOTE

The measurement, construction and creation of features using video probes is ex-

plained in

Height probe

.......................................................................................

9

5

Width Probe

.......................................................................................

9

7

Circle Probe

.......................................................................................

9

8

Blob Probe

.........................................................................................

0

Worm probe

.......................................................................................

0

New probe

..........................................................................................

0

5

Pattern Finder probe

...........................................................................

0

8

Initial setup of the video probe system

.....................................................

Adding magnifications to the

Probe toolbar

......................................

7

Adding the

highest magnification to the

probe library

......................

8

Adding other magnifications and

associating

Zoom positions

.........

9

Deleting magnifications

..............................................................

20

Configuring the

highest magnification

..............................................

2

Configuring the

lower

magnifications

...............................................

Calibrating

auto

focus

........................................................................

2

2

Calibrating

video

edge recognition (

Teach)

......................................

Advanced

Edge

Teach

...............................................................

2

6

Calibrating

pixel

resolution

................................................................

2

7

Calibrating

offset

...............................................................................

9

Compensating for

camera

skew

.........................................................

3

2

Configuring

video

probe

data collection parameters

.........................

3

5

4 Probes

The accuracy and repeatability of video probing depends on the general condition of the system and part,

video magnification, part lighting and optical focus.

The system is presumed to be well-maintained which implies a clean stage and optical system, free of

scratches and other damage. The part to be measured is also presumed to be clean and undamaged.

video

probe toolbar button or Probes/Magnifications menu item. The mag-

nifications that appear in the Probe menu and toolbar are setup in the

Probe Library by supervisors, distributors and

OEMs.

Adjusting

Video backlighting and surface lighting are adjusted by operat-

ing the Lights slider controls. Click the Probe/Light Control

menu item to display the Lights slider controls.

Lighting is described in detail in

Chapter 5: Measuring

Chapter 5: Measuring

Associating

Each video magnification can require unique

light adjustments for optimum video edge

recognition. The light adjustments can be stored by the system and automatically used

each time the magnification is selected.

Click the Probe/Associate Light w/Mag menu item to store the

current light levels for the current magnification.

NOTE

The Probe/Set Lights w/Mag Changes menu

item must be checked for stored light adjust-

ments to be applied to associated magnifica-

tions.

Preparing to Use Probes

disabling light associations

Enable the light adjustments associated with magnifications by checking the

Probe/Set Lights w/Mag Changes menu item.

A wide variety of video probes is available for measuring regular geometric features such as points, lines,

arcs, circles and slots. Video probes are also available for measuring irregular features, features that extend

beyond the field of view and entire part profiles. In addition, pass/fail charts can be imported and used to

facilitate visual inspections.

Each video probe is comprised of one or

more

scan lines, each of which acquires a

point as the scan crosses an edge bounded

by light and dark areas of the screen image.

For example, the

a single scan line, while the default buffer

probe contains 50 scan lines.

Probe Library.

measure several different feature types. However, each video probe is intended for specific measurements

and measuring features for which the probe

was not specifically designed is discour-

aged. For example, while a circle probe can

perform a line measurement, higher accuracy

and repeatability will be obtained by using

the buffer probe to measure a line.

The video probe descriptions presented in

this chapter include recommended feature

measurements for each probe.

NOTE

The number of points acquired by multiscan video probes can be changed by supervi-

sors, distributors and OEMs in the

point with a single scan

many points with 50 scans

many feature types...

always use a probe intended

for the feature