Proprietary and restricted rights notice

This documentation is proprietary to Siemens Product Lifecycle Management Software Inc.

© 2011 Siemens Product Lifecycle Management Software Inc. All Rights Reserved.

All trademarks belong to their respective holders.

[ CREATING A VIRTUAL
PROBE TOOL ]
This document provides an overview and example of how to construct a virtual probe tool for
use with a virtual Coordinate Measuring Machine in NX CMM Inspection Programming, version
7.5. The file Renishaw_Probe_Library_2011_04_29.zip, available to licensed NX CMM users from
http://support.ugs.com/gtac.shtml, is required to complete the example provided.
Creating a virtual probe tool NX CMM Inspection Programming

4/21/2010

Contents
Probe Tool Overview ............................................................................................ 3
Prepare to create a probe tool .............................................................................. 4
Step 1: Download Renishaw tool part files .................................................... 4
Step 2: Set up your load options .................................................................... 4
Step 3: View a complete probe tool assembly ............................................... 6
Create a probe tool ............................................................................................... 8
Step 1: Begin creating your probe tool ........................................................... 8
Step 2: Use the NX Assemblies application to add Renishaw components to
the probe setup ............................................................................................ 10
Step 3: Add remaining Renishaw components ............................................ 13
Step 4: Set up your probe tool properties .................................................... 16
Step 5: Define the probe mounting junction and tracking point .................... 18
Step 6: Define a stem vector and top face location ...................................... 20
Step 7: Export your probe tool to the NX CMM library ................................. 21
Step 8: Complete your probe definition ........................................................ 21
Appendix A: Details of the Probe Tool Dialog Box .............................................. 22

2
Creating a virtual probe tool NX CMM Inspection Programming

Probe Tool Overview

A probe tool is a solid model or assembly that is used in the NX CMM Inspection Programming
application (it can also be used in Manufacturing applications). The shape of the tool is defined by
the solid model rather than traditional CAM Manufacturing parameters such as diameter. Tracking
points determine what point on the solid follows the programmed path.

You must create each probe tool using the Probe Tool template, available from the Inspection
tab of the New dialog box when you click New . You cannot simply copy geometry files to the
library and update the tool database. When creating or retrieving a tool, there are two subtypes in
the solid tool type or class:

 Generic
 Probe

Probe tools include parameters that let you define sensors and stems. Tools created from solids
are shown in all display, verify, and simulation commands, and the tool parameters, such as
stored tracking points, are available as necessary.

Solid modeled tools support:

 Assemblies
 Mounting junction and multiple tracking points
 Special parameters for each tracking point
o Sensor tip diameter, length and vector (direction)

o Sensor tip shape

 Storage in the ASCII library and in Teamcenter (future capability).

3
Creating a virtual probe tool NX CMM Inspection Programming

Prepare to create a probe tool

The following detailed steps will prepare you to create a probe tool using Renishaw tool part files.

Step 1: Download Renishaw tool part files

If you have not already done so, do the following.

1. Go to http://ftp.ugs.com/unigraphics/cmm_inspection/
2. If necessary, on the GTAC: Siemens PLM Software page.
3. Enter your Webkey Username and Webkey Password.

4. On the Support page, in the Filename column, click add_ons/

5. Download:
Renishaw_Probe_Library_2011_04_29.zip

Step 2: Set up your load options

1. Unzip Renishaw_Probe_Library_2011_04_29.zip to a preferred location on your hard
drive (for example, C:\Temp\).
2. Choose File→Options→Assembly Load Options.
3. In the Assembly Load Options dialog box, in the Part Versions group, from Load,
select From Search Folders.
4. Next to Add Folder to Search, do the following.

a. Click .
b. In the Choose Search Directory dialog box, browse to the following folder:
[install directory]Renishaw_Probe_Library\inch or metric

where [install directory] is the location where you unzipped the library.
c. Click OK.
5. In the Assembly Load Options dialog box, in the Show Session Folders list box, select
the new path.
6. Click in the Add Folder to Search box, move to the end of the path, and add three
periods:

4
Creating a virtual probe tool NX CMM Inspection Programming

[install directory]\Renishaw_Probe_Library\inch or metric ...

7. In the Assembly Load Options dialog box, in the Saved Load Options group, click
Save as Default . Do not include the [install_directory]\cmm_inspection\resource\... in
your search path while defining new probes. This avoids accidentally pulling geometry
with similar names from previously defined probe components.
8. Click OK.

5
Creating a virtual probe tool NX CMM Inspection Programming

Step 3: View a complete probe tool assembly

1. Press Ctrl +O and in the following folder

[install
directory]\Renishaw_Probe_Library\Metric\Defined_Probes\

where [install directory] is the directory where you unzipped the library, open
TP200_SF_EXT20_A-5003-0034-01-A_Probe_Setup.prt. Although a probe
tool can be a single solid body or an assembly, this tool consists of multiple
components, as does the probe tool you will create in the next section.

2. Click the Assembly Navigator tab and then click individual components to identify
them in the graphics window.

6
Creating a virtual probe tool NX CMM Inspection Programming

3. Note that the tool axis must be aligned with the CAD Absolute +X axis.

CAD Absolute CSYS

(+X Tool Axis)

PAA1 Adapter

TP200 Body – LA_1207_0020_C

TP200 Standard Force module

20mm Extension – M-5000-3648-01-H

Styli –A-5003-0034-01-A

4. Choose File→Close→All Parts, and then in the Close All Files dialog box, click
No - Close.

7
Creating a virtual probe tool NX CMM Inspection Programming

Create a probe tool

The following detailed steps will show you to how to create a probe tool using Renishaw tool part
files.

Step 1: Begin creating your probe tool

Start a new Inspection part using the Probe Tool template by doing the following.

1. Choose File→New.

2. In the New dialog box, click the Inspection tab.

3. In the Templates group, from Units, select Millimeters, and then select Probe
Tool.

4. In the New File Name group, in the Name text box, type a name for your probe
setup file (this is not the name as it will appear when selecting it from the NX
CMM library, but the name of your working file).

5. Click Folder and in the Choose Directory dialog box, navigate to the
location where you want to save your probe, and then click OK.

8
Creating a virtual probe tool NX CMM Inspection Programming

6. In the Part to Reference group, click Name .

7. In the Select master part dialog box, click Open .

8. In the Part Name dialog box, navigate to

[install directory]\Renishaw_Probe_Library\Metric\PAA\

where [install directory] is the directory where you unzipped the library,
and select LA_1051_0417_C_PAA1.prt.

9. Click OK, click OK again, and then click OK to close the New dialog box.

The status bar searches your computer for related components, and then loads
the first component of the probe assembly.

9
Creating a virtual probe tool NX CMM Inspection Programming

Step 2: Use the NX Assemblies application to add Renishaw

components to the probe setup

1. Click Start and if Assemblies is unchecked, select it.

2. In the Assemblies toolbar, click Add Component .

3. In the Add Component dialog box, toward the bottom of the Part group, click

Open .
4. In the Part Name dialog box, navigate to

[install directory]\Renishaw_Probe_Library\Metric\TP6\

where [install directory] is the directory where you unzipped the library,
and select LA_1039_0050_B_TP6.prt.

5. Click OK.

The part appears selected in the Loaded Parts list.

10
Creating a virtual probe tool NX CMM Inspection Programming

6. In the Add Component dialog box, in the Placement group, from the
Positioning list, choose Select Origin.

7. Click OK.
8. In the Point dialog box, from Type, select Arc/Ellipse/Sphere Center.

9. If necessary rotate the PAA1 component so that the bottom is visible, and then
position the TP6 probe body component by selecting the arc center of the
interface point on the PAA1 component.

11
Creating a virtual probe tool NX CMM Inspection Programming

10. The TP6 body component is added to the probe setup assembly.

12
Creating a virtual probe tool NX CMM Inspection Programming

Step 3: Add remaining Renishaw components

1. Rotate the probe so that the area of the TP6 body component where the
remaining extension and stylus components will be attached is visible.

2. In the Assemblies toolbar, click Add Component .

3. In the Add Component dialog box, toward the bottom of the Part group, click

Open .

4. In the Part Name dialog box, navigate to

[install directory]\Renishaw_Probe_Library\Metric\
Styli\M3\

where [install directory] is the directory where you unzipped the library,
and select M-5000-3592-01-M.prt.

5. Click OK.

The part appears selected in the Loaded Parts list.

Note: In the Add Component dialog box, in the Placement group, your last
Select Origin selection from the Positioning list is retained. You do not need to
reselect it.

6. Click Apply.

13
Creating a virtual probe tool NX CMM Inspection Programming

7. In the Point dialog box, select the arc center of the interface point on the TP6
component.

8. The M extension component is added to the probe setup assembly.

9. In the Add Component dialog box, toward the bottom of the Part group, click

Open .
10. In the Part Name dialog box, select A-5003-0060-01-A.prt.

11. Click OK, and then click OK again to open the Point dialog box.

12. In the graphics window, select the arc center of the interface point on the
extension component.

14
Creating a virtual probe tool NX CMM Inspection Programming

13. The A stylus component is added to the probe setup assembly.

14. In the Add Component dialog box, click Cancel.

15
Creating a virtual probe tool NX CMM Inspection Programming

Step 4: Set up your probe tool properties

1. If it is not visible, on the Resource Bar, click the Inspection Navigator tab.
2. In the Navigator toolbar, click Machine View.

3. In the Inspection Navigator, right-click GENERIC_MACHINE and choose

Insert→New Probe.

4. In the Create Tool dialog box, in the Location group, select

GENERIC_MACHINE if it is not already selected.

16
Creating a virtual probe tool NX CMM Inspection Programming

5. In the Name text box, type a descriptive name of 30 characters or less for the
new tool as you want it to appear in the Inspection Navigator, and then click
OK.

6. In the Probe Tool dialog box, on the Tool tab, do the following.

a. In the Description group, using 132 characters or less, type the

description that will appear in the second column of the NX CMM
library’s search results.

b. In the Numbers group, in the Tool Number text box, accept the
default value of 1.

c. In the Information group, in the Catalog Number text box, using 132
characters or less, type OEM part number reference information.

d. In the Library group, in the Library Reference group, define the

unique name for the probe that will appear throughout the application
(for example, Inspection Navigator views, NX CMM library’s search
results, the Probe drop down in the Inspection Path dialog box). You
can either type a name or leave the field blank to have the application
automatically assign a unique string.

7. Leave the Probe Tool dialog box open for the next step.

17
Creating a virtual probe tool NX CMM Inspection Programming

Step 5: Define the probe mounting junction and tracking point

1. In the Probe Tool dialog box, in the Mounting Junction group, define the
location and orientation of the probe tool in relation to the CMM machine or
probe head it will be mounted to as follows.

IMPORTANT: This coordinate system will be aligned with the tool mount
junction specified in the kinematics for the CMM machine or probe head. The
CAD absolute X axis of the Mounting Junction must be oriented along the
tool axis for animations to work correctly. The Renishaw library components
were created with CAD Absolute X axis aligned with the tool axis.

a. In the Mounting Junction group, click .

b. In the CSYS dialog box, in the Type group, select Absolute CSYS.

c. Click OK.

2. In the Probe Tool dialog box, click the Tracking tab.

3. In the Tracking Point group, click Select Tracking Point .

4. If it is not already selected, from the Selection bar above the Inspection
Navigator, from the selection filter drop down, select Face, and from the
selection scope drop down, select Entire Assembly.

5. Select the face of the spherical probe tip. You must select physical geometry,
as inferred geometry options are not available. Once you select the face, an
indicator (TP_0) and CSYS are displayed at the tip center.

18
Creating a virtual probe tool NX CMM Inspection Programming

Note: Future NX CMM releases will support the circular, planar face of a
cylindrical probe tip, or the circular edge of a cylindrical probe tip.

IMPORTANT: You must leave the tracking point (probe tip) name as TP_0
(the default value) in order for simulation to work correctly. If you are defining a
multi-tip probe, the first tip must be named TP_0 and subsequent tips TP_1,
TP_2, etc.
6. Leave the Probe Tool dialog box open for the next step.

19
Creating a virtual probe tool NX CMM Inspection Programming

Step 6: Define a stem vector and top face location

IMPORTANT: The stem vector of the first probe must always point in the –Z direction of
the CAD absolute CSYS for path animations and machine simulations to work properly. If
you want to create a multi-tip probe, the first stem vector must point –Z and each
remaining stem vector must point from tip center along the stem towards the center.
Repeat the tracking point and stem vector definition for each tip (TP_1 – TP_4) as
required, making sure to specify the stem vector from the drop down as shown in the
example below (vector pointing towards the center). Do NOT pick stem solid geometry to
create these vectors as this will result in problems with ISV machine code simulation.

1. In the Probe Tool dialog box, in the Tracking Point group, in the Stem sub-

group, click the Specify Vector drop down and select –ZC Axis.
–ZC is required for TP_0 only.

2. Click Select Top Face and then click the location where the probe tool
will mount with the probe head device.

20
Creating a virtual probe tool NX CMM Inspection Programming

3. In the Add New Set group, leave the Adjust Register and Offsets values at
their default settings of 0. Offsets will be supported in a future version for disk
and cylindrical probe stylus types.

Note: When adding a star type probe cluster, you can click Add New Set
to add more tracking points.

4. Leave the Probe Tool dialog box open for the next step.

Step 7: Export your probe tool to the NX CMM library

If you have rights to do so, you can add your probe to the NX CMM library.
1. In the Probe Tool dialog box, click on the Tool tab.

2. In the Library group, click Export Tool to Library .

3. In the Template Attributes dialog box, select a Holder value of 310.

The Holder value will be added to the Holding System values specified in the
_DEVICE_HOLDER component when mounting the probe tool to the machine
and device. The probe tool is saved to the library.
4. Click OK.

NX copies the assembly to the tool library graphics area, creating a new folder
under ...\MACH\resource\library\tool\graphic), and creates a tool
data record in the tool database that references the probe graphics files. The
record contains information similar to the following:

TP6_35EXT_A-5003-0060-01-A_4MM | 04 | 02 | TP6 x 35EXT x

36EWL x 4mm DIA | TMC0_00041 | Ruby | 1 | 310 |

5. Leave the Probe Tool dialog box open for the next step.

Step 8: Complete your probe definition

1. In the Probe Tool dialog box, click OK.

In Machine view of the Inspection Navigator, the new probe is now visible.

2. (Optional) Choose File→Save to save your setup file.

21
Creating a virtual probe tool NX CMM Inspection Programming

Appendix A: Details of the Probe Tool Dialog Box

Tool tab

Mounting Junction determines the orientation and location of the probe tool relative to the
machine or probe head it is mounted to.
Specify CSYS Establishes the coordinate system for mounting the probe tool.
Description lets you type a description and assign a material for the tool.

Lets you select a material from the Tool Material list.

Material
Numbers lets you assign a tool number.
Tool Number
Information lets you add commercial information for reference.
Catalog Number Lets you enter a catalog number up to 132 characters long.
Library
Library Lets you assign a unique library reference number. Leave this box blank for
Reference NX to assign the number for you.
Export Tool to
Lets you place the probe tool into the NX library.
Library

Tracking tag

Tracking Point
Name Lets you enter a name for the tracking point.
Select Tracking Point Lets you select a face to define the tracking point.

Stem

Specify Vector Establishes the direction of the probe sensor associated with this tracking point.

22
Creating a virtual probe tool NX CMM Inspection Programming

Stem vector for the selected tracking point (1)

Select Top Lets you select a face (2) to define the length of the sensor (how far the probe
Face extends).

Adjust Register Lets you assign register values used by some post processors.

Offsets Lets you assign offset values required by the used by some post processors.
Add New Set
Lets you add more tracking points

List Displays the tracking points and lets you reorder or delete tracking points.

23