Siemens PLM Software

On-machine probing for tools and

turning parts
NX CAM 9: How to use the new probing operations to measure tools and
turning parts

Answers for industry.

About NX CAM
NXTM CAM software has helped many of the world’s learning manufacturers and job shops produce
better parts faster. You can also achieve similar benefits by making use of the unique advantages NX
CAM offers.

This is one of many hands-on demonstrations designed to introduce you to the powerful capabilities in
NX CAM 9. In order to run this demonstration, you will need access to NX CAM 9.

Visit the NX Manufacturing Forum to learn more, ask questions, and share comments about NX CAM.

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Hands-on Demonstration: On-machine probing for tools and turning parts
This enhancement improves the current on-machine Probing capabilities to include support for turning
applications. It also enhances probing for milling and turning so that cutting tools can be measured.

Do you have a question?

Post your questions or comments at the bottom of this Tech Tip article in the NX Manufacturing Forum.

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Prerequisites:
1. You will need access to NX CAM 9 in order to run this demonstration.
2. If you haven’t done so already, download and unzip Probing parts.7z.
You will find the .7z file attached directly to this Tech Tip article in the NX Manufacturing Forum.

Demo:

1. Open turning_setup.prt in NX.

2. Click Create Operation.
3. Select probing in the Type list.

There are three new probing operation subtypes.

4. Select TURN_PART_PROBING .
5. Specify the following:

Program: 1234
Tool: UGT0402_001
Geometry: WORKPIECE
Method: METHOD

6. Click OK.

Rotary Point Vector Move suboperation

You will create a Rotary Point Vector Move suboperation to move and re-orient tool so that it is parallel
to XM axis.

7. Click Add New Sup-Operation.

8. Select Rotary Point Vector Move from the Move Type list.

You can now name all probing, teach mode, and Generic Motion Control suboperations.

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9. Type orient probe in the Sub-Operation Name box.

10. Rotate the tool 90 degrees and move it to the position shown below by dragging the handles on the
screen.

11. Click OK.

Turn Probe Point suboperation

You will create a Turn Probe Point suboperation to probe the front face of the part.

12. Click Add New Sup-Operation.

13. Select Turn Probe Point from the Move Type list.

14. Type probe front face in the Sub-Operation Name box.

15. Select Inferred Point.

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16. Select the midpoint of the line on the front face of the part.

You have selected the edge of the part spun outline, which is what the probe should contact.

17. Select Axial from the Probing Direction list.

18. Click Reverse Direction if necessary so that the vector indicates the correct approach direction to
the point.

19. Type 10.0 in the Standoff Distance box.

This is the distance from the point at which the probing move will begin.

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20. Select RadialAxial from the Approach Type list.

21. Click OK.

Turn Linear Move To Point suboperation

You will create a Turn Linear Move To Point suboperation to move to a point away from the part.

22. Click Add New Sup-Operation.

23. Select Turn Linear Move To Point from the Move Type list.

If you do not specify a suboperation name, the move type will be used.

24. Indicate a point at the approximate position shown below for the tool to move to.

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25. In the Move Definition section of the dialog box, select AxialRadial from the Move Type list.

26. Click OK.

Turn Linear Move To Point suboperation

You will create another Turn Linear Move To Point suboperation to move the point close to the next
probing point.

27. Select the Turn_Linear_Move_To_Point suboperation and MB3Copy.

28. With the cursor on Turn_Linear_Move_To_Point, MB3Paste.
29. Double-click Turn_Linear_Move_To_Point_1 to edit the suboperation.
30. Select Axial from the Move Type list.

31. Select Inferred Point.

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32. Select the midpoint of the line on the diameter of the part.
This defines the axial distance.

33. Click OK.

Turn Probe Point suboperation

You will create a Turn Probe Point suboperation to probe the diameter of the part.

34. Click Add New Sup-Operation.

35. Select Turn Probe Point from the Move Type list.

36. Type probe diameter in the Sub-Operation Name box.

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37. Select the midpoint of the line on the diameter of the part.

38. Select Radial from the Probing Direction list.

39. Click Reverse Direction if necessary so that the vector indicates the correct approach direction to
the point.

40. Type 10.0 in the Standoff Distance box.

41. Select AxialRadial from the Approach Type list.
42. Click OK.

Turn Linear Move To Point suboperation

You will create a Turn Linear Move To Point suboperation to move to a previously defined point away
from the part.

43. Select the Turn_Linear_Move_To_Point suboperation and MB3Copy.

44. With the cursor on Turn_Probe_Point_1, MB3Paste.
45. Double-click Turn_Linear_Move_To_Point_2 to edit the suboperation.
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46. Select Direct from the Move Type list.
47. Click OK.
48. Select TURN_PART_PROBING in the list of suboperations.

49. Click Generate.

50. Reduce the Animation Speed to 1 and click Play.

51. Click OK to complete the TURN_PART_PROBING operation.

Next, you will create an operation that measures a turning tool against a probing device.

Turn Linear Move To Point suboperation

1. Click Create Operation.

2. Select TURN_TOOL_PROBING .
3. Specify the following:

Program: 1234
Tool: OD_80_L
Geometry: NONE
Method: METHOD

4. Click OK.

You will create a Turn Linear Move To Point suboperation to move the point close to the probing device.

5. Click Add New Sup-Operation.

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6. Select Turn Linear Move To Point from the Move Type list.

7. Select Direct from the Move Type list.

8. Indicate a point at the approximate position shown below for the tool to move from.

9. Click OK.

Turn Probe Point suboperation

You will create a Turn Probe Point suboperation to position the tool to a known reference point on the
probing device.

10. Click Add New Sup-Operation.

11. Select Turn Probe Point from the Move Type list.

12. Select the reference point in front of the part.

13. Select Axial from the Probing Direction list.

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14. Click Reverse Direction if necessary so that the vector indicates the correct approach direction to
the point.

15. Type 5.0 in the Standoff Distance box.

16. Select Direct from the Approach Type list.
17. Click OK.

Turn Linear Move To Point suboperation

You will create a Turn Linear Move To Point suboperation to move to a point away from the probing
device.

18. Click Add New Sup-Operation.

19. Select Turn Linear Move To Point from the Move Type list.

20. Select Direct from the Move Type list.

21. Indicate a point at the approximate position shown below for the tool to move to.

22. Click OK.

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23. Click Rewind to the Start.
24. Click Generate.
25. Click Step twice to see the tool probing motions.

26. Click OK to complete the TURN_TOOL_PROBING operation.

27. Close the part without saving.

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