Renishaw HCU2 User Manual

HCU2 user's guide

Documentation part number: H-1000-5361-02-A

HCU2 user's guide

http://www.renishaw.com

Issued 07 2017

1

General information

©20152017Renishawplc.Allrightsreserved.

This document may not be copied or reproduced in whole or in part, or transferred to any other media or language, by any means, without
the prior written permission of Renishaw.

The publication of material within this document does not imply freedom from the patent rights of Renishaw plc.

Disclaimer

RENISHAW HAS MADE CONSIDERABLE EFFORTS TO ENSURE THE CONTENT OF THIS DOCUMENT IS CORRECT AT THE
DATE OF PUBLICATION BUT MAKES NO WARRANTIES OR REPRESENTATIONS REGARDING THE CONTENT. RENISHAW
EXCLUDES LIABILITY, HOWSOEVER ARISING, FOR ANY INACCURACIES IN THIS DOCUMENT.

Trademarks

RENISHAW® and the probe emblem used in the RENISHAW logo are registered trademarks of Renishaw plc in the UK and other
countries.

apply innovation is a trademark of Renishaw plc.
All brand names and product names used in this document are trade names, service marks, trademarks, or registered trademarks of their

respective owners.
Windows XP, Windows 2000, Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 10 are registered trade names of the Microsoft Corporation.
All trademarks and trade names are acknowledged.

WEEE

The use of this symbol on Renishaw products and/or accompanying documentation indicates that the product should not be mixed with the
general household waste upon disposal. It is the responsibility of the end user to dispose of this product at a designated collection point for
waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) to enable reuse or recycling. Correct disposal of this product will help save valuable
resources and prevent potential negative effects on the environment. For more information, please contact your local waste disposal
service or Renishaw distributor.

Warranty

Renishaw plc warrants its equipment for a limited period (as set out in our Standard Terms and Conditions of Sale) provided that it is
installed exactly as defined in associated Renishaw documentation.

Prior consent must be obtained from Renishaw if non-Renishaw equipment (e.g. interfaces and/or cabling) is to be used or substituted.
Failure to comply with this will invalidate the Renishaw warranty.

Claims under warranty must be made from authorised service centres only, which may be advised by the supplier or distributor.

HCU2 user's guide

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Care of equipment

Renishaw probes and associated systems are precision tools used for obtaining precise measurements and must therefore be treated
with care.

Changes to Renishaw products

Renishaw reserves the right to improve, change or modify its hardware or software without incurring any obligations to make changes to
Renishaw equipment previously sold.

Packaging

To aid end user recycling and disposal the materials used in the different components of the packaging are stated here:

Packaging component Material 94/62/EC code 94/62/EC number

Outer box Cardboard - 70% recycled content PAP 20
Accessory packing Low density polyethylene bag LDPE 4

HCU2 user's guide

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EU declaration of conformity

Contact Renishaw plc or visit www.renishaw.com/productcompliance for the full EU declaration.

HCU2 user's guide

http://www.renishaw.com

Issued 07 2017

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FCC (USA only)

Information to user (47CFR section 15.105)

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC rules.
These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial
environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the
instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to
cause harmful interference, in which case you will be required to correct the interference at your own expense.

Information to user (47CFR section 15.21)

The user is cautioned that any changes or modifications not expressly approved by Renishaw plc or authorised representative could void
the user's authority to operate the equipment.

Equipment label (47CFR section 15.19)

This device complies with part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

1. This device may not cause harmful interference

2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

HCU2 user's guide

http://www.renishaw.com

Issued 07 2017

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Introduction

The HCU2 is a hand control unit for use with all Renishaw PH10 motorised probe head systems.

HCU2 enables the probe head to be used in a manual mode and is invaluable for component set-up, operator-controlled inspection and
teach cycle programming. HCU2 has a two-speed action, with a choice of jog or sweep moves. The LCD screen provides head angle
and system status information as well as error analysis.

A transmit button is provided for teach cycle programming. The unit comes complete with probe DAMPing and probe reset functions. The
unit is supplied with a 5 m long cable, which can be extended to up to 25 m if required.

HCU2 user's guide

http://www.renishaw.com

Issued 07 2017

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Installation

HCU2ispluggedintothe9way‘D'socketmarkedHCUontherearpanelofthemotorisedprobeheadcontrollerasshownbelow.

HCU2 user's guide

http://www.renishaw.com

Issued 07 2017

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Using HCU2

Layout

Key Description

1 Display
2 Beep on / off button
3 Probe function buttons (see 'Probe functions')
4 Direction buttons
5 Teach button

Manual and automatic modes

Manual and automatic modes are selected by the CMM computer.

Manual mode

In manual mode, the HCU2 is used to control the motorised head, to set probe functions or send teach point commands.
The display indicates MANUAL.
If the HCU2 is connected to the motorised head controller before power is applied, the system will power up in manual mode.

HCU2 user's guide

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Automatic mode

In automatic mode the motorised head system is under control of the CMM computer.
The display indicates AUTO.
The HCU2 displays information, but it is not possible to use it to move the head or set probe functions.
If the HCU2 is not connected to the motorised head controller when power is applied, the system will enter automatic mode.

Jog move

This feature is used to move the probe head in single steps.
Press and immediately release the appropriate direction key.

TheheadwillunlockandtheLCDwilldisplayACTIVE.Theheadwillrotatebyasingle7.5°step.

Ifthedirectionkeyispressedagainbeforetheheadbeginstolock,theheadwillrotatebyanother7.5°step.

If no further keys are pressed, the head will lock, the LCD will display READY and the motorised head will be ready for measurement.

Sweep move

This feature is used to move the probe head in one continuous movement.
Press and hold down the appropriate direction key.

Theheadwillunlock,andtheLCDwilldisplayACTIVE.Theheadwillrotatebyasingle7.5°step.

After a short delay the head will continue to rotate in this direction until either the key is released or the axis limit is reached.
There will be another short delay, then the head will lock and the LCD will display READY.

HCU2 user's guide

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Teach signal

The T (transmit) key is used to send a signal to the CMM computer.
The action and use of this signal are dependent on the integration of this function by your CMM supplier.

Whentheoperatoris“teaching”theCMMasequenceofpositionstofollow,theTkeyispressedtosignalthatarequiredpositionhas

been reached. It can also be used to instruct the CMM computer to memorise the angle of the probe head during a teach cycle.
Please refer to the relevant CMM-specific documentation provided by your CMM supplier for details of the use of the T key.

HCU2 user's guide

http://www.renishaw.com

Issued 07 2017

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Probe functions

Probe reset

NOTE: The probe reset function is only available if it has been integrated by your CMM supplier.

Some Renishaw probe interfaces have a probe reset button mounted on the front panel. The function of this button is to reset the probe
sensor to a seated condition, for instance following a manual stylus change. This button has been reproduced on the HCU2 for ease of
access. Probe reset is only available from the HCU2 if the motorised probe head is in manual mode.

Please refer to your probing system user's guide or to your CMM supplier for details of the use of this feature.

CAUTION: This button should only be pressed when the probe is physically seated and clear of the workpiece.

Probe DAMPing

Probe DAMPing is a feature of your Renishaw probe interface which reduces the sensitivity of the probing system and helps to reduce
unwanted triggering caused by CMM acceleration or vibration during position moves.

It is normally used by the CMM computer to filter unwanted triggers during automatic position moves.
The HCU2 enables probe DAMPing to be set manually to eliminate unwanted triggers during manual position moves. Probe DAMPing is

only available from the HCU2 if the motorised head system is in manual mode. In automatic mode probe DAMPing is controlled from the
CMM aplication software and motorised head controller and this key has no effect.

The DAMP key toggles between probe DAMPing ON and OFF.
Probe DAMPing display summary

System mode Probe DAMPing HCU2 LCD display

Manual or automatic OFF
Manual or automatic ON DAMPED

CAUTION: Probe DAMPing must be switched off when measurement points are being taken. Use of probe DAMPing during

measurement will significantly affect measurement accuracy.

HCU2 user's guide

http://www.renishaw.com

Issued 07 2017

11

Audible key press confirmation

It is possible to switch on an audible indicator which emits a tone when any key is pressed. The Audible key toggles between audible tone
ON and OFF.

The HCU2 powers up with the audible indicator OFF.

Effect of PICS STOP

If a PICS STOP signal is sent to the motorised head system by the CMM controller while it is in manual mode, the motorised head will
react as follows:

Manual mode STOP reactions

Action Reaction Removal of STOP

STOP sent while direction key on HCU2 is being
pressed.

Continuous head movement immediately disabled.
Head will continue to move in single steps.
Head will lock up as normal when movement key
released.

Continuous movement
enabled.

Direction key on HCU2 pressed after STOP has
been sent.

Single step manual movement only.
Head will lock up as normal when movement key
released.

Continuous movement
enabled.

HCU2 user's guide

http://www.renishaw.com

Issued 07 2017

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HCU2 error reporting

The HCU2 LCD display gives information on head and system errors.

Datum error

Fault The motorised probe head has not locked up to the required level of accuracy.
Action Refer to your motorised head user's guide for further information concerning this error condition.

Obstruct error

Fault The motorised probe head has been obstructed while rotating to the required position.
Action Refer to your motorised head user's guide for further information concerning this error condition.

Overload error

Fault The motorised probe head head has been overloaded during a machine quill move.
Action Refer to your motorised head user's guide for further information concerning this error.

Head not present

Fault The motorised head is not electrically connected to the probe head controller.
Action Check the head is electrically connected.

Check cable integrity.
Contact your CMM supplier for further assistance.

HCU2 not recognised

Fault There is a communications error between the HCU2 and the motorised head controller.
Action Check cable connections.

Contact your Renishaw representative for further assistance.

HCU2 user's guide

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Issued 07 2017

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No response from controller

Fault There is a communications error between the HCU2 and the probe head controller.
Action Check the cable connections.

Return both units to your Renishaw representative for service.

System error

Fault Internal motorised head system failure.
Action No user recovery action.

Return motorised head to your Renishaw representative for service.

HCU2 user's guide

http://www.renishaw.com

Issued 07 2017

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For worldwide contact details,

please visit our main website at

www.renishaw.com/contact

Renishaw plc

New Mills, Wotton-under-Edge,
Gloucestershire, GL12 8JR
United Kingdom

T [phone]
F [phone]

www.renishaw.com/cmmsupport

Issued 07 2017