[joe perry]

Anybody in here using OpenDMIS ver. 2.8 yet? Just would like to compare notes with ya. I'm a machinist 80 percent of the time and an inspector the rest of the time. I've been working on a Wenzel CNC CMM for the last couple of months.

[boxwood]

Hey Joe

We are using OpenDMIS 2.8 but we have the Wenzel Xcite Manual CMM. I am very new to dmis I was a Zeiss guy at my last job.I am a former machinist, CNC programmer but with some health issues going all quality was the way for me. I am in a pretty big learning curve right now. But we might be able to help each other. you can e-mail if you like [email protected] Looking forward to hearing from you.


Best Regards Ray

[JCDAVIS1RC]

New to CMM and OpenDmis would like like to exchange ideas ect.

[joe perry]

Well, I guess there's three of us anyway. Yeah, so what to say. Well, for one, I get the distince impression that the guys at Wenzel and Xspect are learning this software at the same time as we are. One example that gives me that impression as as follows.
I often come across parts in our shop that have the centerline of the part as the secondary datum. On almost all of these parts there are features of size that are dimensioned to that datum. They are symmetrical features like walls or slots and the often have a maximum material condition called out on them. The last time I asked a question on the OpenDMIS.com help forum, I didn't really get an answer that I liked. Or, more to the point, it seems like the software wasn't designed to do what I need it to do. Here's the question that I posted and the reply:

I'm trying to make one feature out of two (hopefully parallel) planes so that I can apply maximum material condition and then a true position tolerance to that one feature. Also, I'd like to know the min/max deviation from nominal. The feature (in this case) is an open-ended slot but there are other times that I need to do the same with widths.

Joe,
The only way that I can see if measure an open ended slot is to create a slot with only nominal information for the nominal updated with your actual for the width. What you have here basically is a true position that you can't actually measure because there is no way position the Y positioin if the X were to be the height of the slot.

[--- UPDATED: 6/29/2009 3:06:51 PM ---]

Called the customer to clarify the question.

First question was how to measure open ended slot. Customer to email solution or file to clarify.

Second question was how to measure min and max width between two planes. Measured as a distance tolerance with a tolerance for min and a tolerance for max selected from the drop down menu.

I think it's very powerful software and the guys are very helpful and tolerant of my ignorance but it really seems like the software is in it's infancy. You guys havin' any better luck?

[robbdee40]

Make that 4 of us. Anyone have any experience with offline programming?

[joe perry]

You know, Rob, I haven't tried programming a part completely offline but I'd imagine if you're good with your methodology, it wouldn't be a big deal. I'm not real experienced at Open DMIS so I often end up going back to the code and modifying clearance planes and such. How 'bout you?

[robbdee40]

Yes I find myself programming most everything we do in the learn mode and then editing and adding code afterwards. I just found out yesterday that in order to program offline you need the OpenDMIS Cad module. Something that we don't have. We have a couple of large quantity orders coming up and I was hoping to have them programmed prior to the first piece inspection so I wouldn't hold up the operators. Doesn't look like this is going to happen. I am also quite unhappy with the help files and the manual. Its basically a tool for definitions and not much on the tutorial side of things.....I had to learn a lot of things by trial and error....what about you?

[joe perry]

Our company bought the Wenzel CNC CMM and controller. They bought a package deal, I guess, that included 3 days of training at Xspect Solutions' place out in Oakland, Ca., and a year of support. Myself and the main inspector went through the training together but we still spent a month, off and on, getting our first complex program to work and be accurate. That was WITH alot of remote desktop support. I'm not sure what you mean by not having the CAD module. Is it a way to draw the objects? We don't draw ours. We either get them from the customer or our machine programmer draws up a step file with Mastercam.

[robbdee40]

I am not certain either. But when I called and asked them about offline programming they told me that in order to program offline you needed to have their "CAD" module. They are supposed to have someone get in touch with us so as soon as I know I will post it here. We also had the three day training but in Detroit. I think it covered most of the basics and it was enough to get us started but like you we needed a lot of desktop support. We learned a lot of it on our own just by trial and error.

[professor_t]

No probe indexing (angle changes) when program is running? Really???

Have seen the software lockup after indexing, regardless of manual or automatic operation. However, the problem was with the PH10M, not the software. During an index cycle, the software waits for a successful clamp signal from the PH10M. If that signal is not received within a specific time frame, the software faults (in this case, locks up). Granted this error could/should be handled differently. Swapped out the PH10M with a known good unit, problem fixed! The questionable PH10M worked fine on the other machine, because WTutor (software on other CMM) will go through an unclamp-reclamp cycle 3 times before it times/alarms out.

Never stop ranting!!! Remember, it's the sqeaky wheel that gets the grease!! (just make sure it's not Vaselne!)

[jamriggsy]

Hi there,
I am new to open DMIS & am currently learning how to use higher level language, i have currently come across the following problem and wondering if there is an easy solution.

I would like to write a variable to an external text file which is saved as a unique serial no and then read the variable back at a later stage.

cant find a simple solution to this, any ideas?

Thanks

[lasers!!!]

Looks like this place is pretty empty... I've been trying to find an opendmis forum that is active. Anyone have suggestions?

I have a year of experience with opendmis on manual and automatic machines, and have received wenzel's advanced training. I can probably help with some basic issues for beginners and i would be willing to share the tips and tricks i learned from xspect. I know how to program offline with or without a CAD model.

so, if you're out there, please reply.

THANKS!

[Doc Michael]

Jamriggsy, did you find the solution for your request?
I have done this part of DMIS code and I could give you the information.

[lasers!!!]

doc michael-

i'd liket o see that code. i've been trying to figure out how to save excel output in a way that saves the date time and operator for each session rather than appending just the dimensions to one big file.

thanks!

[Doc Michael]

$$ ----- Sample to write a prompted filename in a File ---------------
DECL/COMMON,CHAR,255,FILE1, file_in_folder
FILE1 = PROMPT/'Input Filename'
file_in_folder=assign/concat('C:\Filefolder\',FILE1,'.xxx')
DID(Parameter)=DEVICE/STOR,file_in_folder
OPEN/DID(Parameter),DIRECT,OUTPUT,OVERWR
Write/DID(Parameter), FILE1
CLOSE/DID(Parameter)
$$ -------------------------------------------------------------------

[Doc Michael]

$$ ----- Sample to read variable(s) from a previous stored filename -------------------
DECL/COMMON,CHAR,255,FILE1, file_in_folder
file_in_folder = ASSIGN/'C:\FILEFOLDER\TEST.XXX'
DID(Parameter)=DEVICE/STOR,file_in_folder
OPEN/DID(Parameter),DIRECT,INPUT
READ/DID(Parameter), FILE1
CLOSE/DID(Parameter)
$$ -------------------------------------------------------------------


Hope this small samples helps to understand

[EvoX]

I recently started using OpenDMIS 2.64 on a manual Hansford, and I've hit a snag. Maybe I'm overlooking something ... hopefully someone can help. I can't seem to figure out how to get it to construct a line between the centerpoints of 2 circles. I can drag circles in the feature pane to 'Points' and produce the midpoints, but highlighting 2 points and dragging them to 'Line' it does nothing. I can see the plus sign appear under my cursor as though it would be able to do this, but it doesn't work. Any ideas?

[Doc Michael]

You have to D&D the 2 circle features from the database window into
"construction" menue item "bestfit"
Remember all what you can't find to construct, try it under "bestfit"

[EvoX]

Aha! Thanks so much Doc. This was totally escaping me. I'll give it a try tomorrow.

[miguelon]

hello you can help me?
my name is miguel you know take the perpendicularity in opendmis 2.8?
thanks