cmm software

[MarkT]

I too have installed and used Renishaw and Marposs on Fanuc/ Fanuc based (Haas), Mazatrol(Mazak) and Osai controls in both routing, milling and turning applications. You all are correct in the theory. Rapid to discriminate point, reduce feed to feed at a "probing" speed, once the proble contacts, a skip signal is sent to the control assigning those coordinates. The primary use in these applications is for when one does not want to set up a positive mechanical stop or to verify machined diminsions on the machine and adjust tool offsets. The probe routines can be configured to store offsets, rotate the program to account for skew, change cutter comp. automatically, etc.
To use it for a true digitizer would only present one problem, I can think of, on a proprietary style control.....volume of coordinates. This would require looped and intensive subroutines in which some controls may not be able to handle the actual volume of coordinates desired. On open architecture PC style control, this can probably be done with some good aftermarket software.
Let me know what you all find, I may begin to offer a low cost alternative to probing using an articulating arm and its own software off my website. I was actually supposed to meet back with those guys last week and things came up. Would a "benchtop" style unit, articulating arm, with what I would consider meduim accuracy ( + or - .2mm) (+ or - .008in) be something any of you would be interested in? And what do you feel would be a fair price for such a unit?
MarkT www.cnccustomservices.com

[larrycoyle]

There is a company called Centroid who makes a setup to digitize with your CNC machine. It only works with their controller but it is pretty reasonable in cost. The main problem with trying to do this on your CNC is the controller either has to support what you are trying to do or offer a method allowing external software to drive it. You cannot do this effectively with a touch probe and you need to use an analog scanning probe. I am fortunate in that my CNC machine offers a analog scanner as an option. The biggest problem with all of this is that most of the software will only capture the data points. Then you have to have software that will allow you to import those points and create your part. I have done more research on this than I care to admit. I finally bought a Renishaw Cyclone to do it off-line. I also have a Microscribe and would use a laser scanner if it could get into the small parts I need scanned.

It all comes down to how much money do you want to spend...

Larry