"A" value in probe macro

[kendo]

We just got the Renishaw probe installed on our GR408 and Im trying to learn to write the macros myself instead of using VQC

I got the renishaw manual #H-2000-6222-OA I found in this forum but it says nothing about the "A" value I see in every macro generated by VQC

Im trying to do some program writing from home tonight and without the machine and its VQC to just copy from, Im stumped about what the A value should be and what its even used for

The manual also shows an X,Y, or Z value as compulsory input for a single surface measure cycle, which I know the VQC never generates.
I cant think of why the macro needs an X input for "surface position", when Im trying to use the probe to find that position in the first place, plus the stylus is positioned within .400 of the surface, and the macro number tells it wether to travel plus or minus to find the surface.

So, am I reading the wrong manual?
Are there two (or three) ways to do the same thing?
Can I forget about VQC and learn the method in this manual?
Is there a manual that explains the code output by VQC so I can learn it?
Whats the X,Y, or Z input for in a single surface measuring cycle?

Thanks,
Kendo

[Haas_Apps]

The values that are passed via any letter argument may not have anything to do with any axis position. The "A" argument is just a way to pass some value to the sub-programs. VQCPS is written by Renishaw and it is simply a front end for Inspection Plus. You do have the right manual. That is the same one I have. The easy way to figure out what the "A" value is used for it to see what VQCPS outputs to MDI. I suspect that it may be the WCO number.

[kendo]

-If this is the right manual for me, why doesn't it teach me what the A variable is?
-Why does it talk about variables that VQC doesn't generate?
-What is inspection plus and what do you mean by VQC is a "front end" for it?
-If I'm using VQC, and thats different from inspection plus, then why is this the right manual for me?
-Why didn't this probe show up with a comprehensive programming manual in the box?

[PaintItBlue]

Hey there, I am just getting into programming too. I would reccomend turning setting #23 9xxx prog lock to off. This will give you access to the probng programs. Then copy the 9023 program and print it. Don;t forget to turn off the setting when done.

I highlighted all of the Nxxxx lines to pick out the steering.

Take a minute or two to study the O9023 if then statements concernng A (#1), it uses them to steer the program.

For example when A= 9.0 the probe will send the program to the Z face probing routnes, with the command "IF [ #1 EQ 9.0 ] GOTO16
also note with the Z probe option you only need A(probing op steering) and S(applicable woorkoffset)

now for x y web you will need more variables:
A:4.0
X or Y variable = to diam or length or width of part, again the machne will use an IF X eq # do the x web probe, if x is vacant or y has a value it will do the Y web probing.
S:work offset
Z: amoun to drop porbe during the web probing - I am using part blank heigth/2 +.100 approach allowance + .118 for probe ruby diam (.236)/2. This makes the ruby strike midpoint on heigth.



Study the 9023 program well, its will give you tons of tricks for programming.
My main part program looks more and more like the probing one every day.

[Haas_Apps]

Originally Posted by kendo -If this is the right manual for me, why doesn't it teach me what the A variable is? -Why does it talk about variables that VQC doesn't generate? -What is inspection plus and what do you mean by VQC is a "front end" for it? -If I'm using VQC, and thats different from inspection plus, then why is this the right manual for me? -Why didn't this probe show up with a comprehensive programming manual in the box?

Kendo,
Okay, you have raised a lot of questions that I will try to answer. Haas sells the Visual Quick Code Probe System. This product is intended to make setting up a machine easy. We partnered with Renishaw and they created the templates for VQCPS and supplied Inspection Plus as the engine. Haas does not sell inspection plus, Haas sells VQCPS. VQCPS does not need a manual because it is all visual - in the templates. What you initially asked was how to use the underlying macros to write your own probe routines. These macros are Inspection Plus and not VQCPS. If you really, really want to get to write your very own custom probe routines then you can use G31 and some custom macros to do whatever you want. I hope this clears up any confusion.

[extanker59]

I've been using the probe cycles in my programs but I'm taking a risk every time because I haven't been able to incorporate G31. It seems to skip it. Can you show me what I'm doing wrong?


N25 (PROBE)
T25 M06
G00 G90 G57 X0 Y0
G43 Z1. H25 T18

(PROBE Z)
M53 (PROBE ON)
G1 G31 Z.25 F12.
G65 P9023 A9. S57.

G00 Z3.
G53 Y0 Z0
M01

Thanks
Chris

[kendo]

Thanks for helping me figure this out,
Im not trying (yet) to write my own probing macros, I just want to get more familiar with the macros VQC is outputing so I can write them manually.

The Aa input your screenshot shows is associated with an angled surface measure cycle according to the manual, not the same Aa I was trying to figure out.

I realized the VQC uses P9023 for every cycle and the Aa "steers" it internally to use all the macros I'd like to learn.

extanker,

from my reading (not experience), I think you need a protected positioning move there which looks like:

G43 H25 Z1.
G65 P9832 - PROBE ON
G65 P9810 Z.25 F12. - PROTECTED MOVE
G65 P9811 Z0. S57 - SINGLE SURFACE MEASURE

[extanker59]

Thanks Kendo, I'll try it. I gather that the G31 is in the body of the sub programs? I'll look. Again, thanks.
Chris.

[guypb]

Indeed, macro 9023 is part of the Renishaw "EasySet" set of software. The A value indicates whether it is a Bore/Boss etc. Macro 9023 is used ONLY for part setting not for part inspection.

I have developed a set of VQCPS templates specifically aimed at Part Inspection which also allows input of tolerances on sizes and positions. You can also probe one feature in one WCS and update a seperate WCS with the output.

The templates tackle all the same areas as the standard VQC cycles and a few extras like 3 point bore / boss with definable probing angles & probing a number of holes on a PCD.

It also strings together the probing cycles with protected moves so you don't need to use the hand wheel and can incorporate them into your metal cutting programs.

The templates work in conjunction with my CNC Reporter software to generate Inspection Reports & SPC charts in Excel on a PC connected via RS232.

If you can use Haas / Renishaw's standard VQCPS for part setting, you can use what I call VQCPS+ for part inspection.

I already have a few Haas end users using the templates and they love them!.

The down side is that it is not quite (but nearly) as straight forward as just distributing the VQC templates - there are a couple of other minor tweaks required on a few macros - these are required to make the application and it's resultant output bullet proof.

It is also not officially sanctioned by Haas but then as Haas_Apps says, the VQCPS called macros are actually Renishaw's code anway.

I can point you in the direction of someone who can help with the templates if you are interested.

If I knew how to post images on here I would show you what I've done. I have a Haas CNC Simulator so everything is fully tested.