Siemens PLM Software

MCOSMOS™ Post-processor
Usage notes for Release 4
Steve Scigliano
4/21/2017

May 23, 2014 Steve Scigliano Initial version

July 15, 2014 Steve Scigliano • Added documentation on SAVE/RECALL PCS
• Support added for closed slots (i.e. RECTANGLE and SLOT)
• Added a UDE to call a subroutine
• Added cylinder features to the feature types that must be
inspected in a specific order
• Added a UDE to specify archive names with lower case letters
• Added additional guidance on setting inspection methods for
sensor selection
• Updated the installation instructions
August 22, 2014 Steve Scigliano • Updated installation Instructions
• Added support for straightness, runout, rotary table,
symmetry and line profile
• Added error messages for unsupported features
November 20, 2014 Steve Scigliano • Updated installation instructions to use final released file
names
• Added instructions to merge ude.cdl if modified
November 21, 2014 Steve Scigliano • Update for NX 10
June 12, 2015 Steve Scigliano • Add scanning of planes, lines, arcs, circles and cylinders
November 2, 2015 Steve Scigliano • Added curve scanning of planes, lines, arcs, circles, cylinders
and GCURVE
April 21, 2017 Steve Scigliano • Added support for ITERAT and Best-fit alignment

Version 4 – April 21, 2017

Table of Contents
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 2
Feature & Tolerance Names ......................................................................................................................... 2
Probe Management ...................................................................................................................................... 2
Tool names ................................................................................................................................................ 3
Sensor Selection and Names..................................................................................................................... 3
Sensor Definition....................................................................................................................................... 4
Calibration ................................................................................................................................................. 4
Feature Inspection ........................................................................................................................................ 4
Scanning ........................................................................................................................................................ 5
Warning! ................................................................................................................................................... 6
Alignment ...................................................................................................................................................... 6
Saving and Recalling Part Coordinate Systems ............................................................................................. 6
Use of the NX CMM Inspection Programming Alignment Assistant ............................................................. 8
Geometric Tolerancing.................................................................................................................................. 8
Importing the Post-processed file into MCOSMOS™.................................................................................... 9
User Defined Events .................................................................................................................................... 11
Capability of Post-processor ....................................................................................................................... 11
Feature Types.......................................................................................................................................... 12
Construction Types ................................................................................................................................. 13
Alignment Types ..................................................................................................................................... 16
Measurement Types ............................................................................................................................... 16
Tolerance Types ...................................................................................................................................... 17
Rotary Table Commands ......................................................................................................................... 19
Probe Commands.................................................................................................................................... 19

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Introduction
This document covers the MCOSMOS™ Post-processor for NX CMM Inspection Programming version 10.

This post-processor has been tested with MCOSMOS™ v3.4 and MCOSMOS™ v4.0, and is based on the
ASCII-GEOPAK v3.5 specification.

This document assumes that the reader is familiar with both MCOSMOS™ and NX CMM Inspection
Programming and is a supplement to existing software documentation.

Feature & Tolerance Names

MCOSMOS™ has a limit of 20 characters for feature names. This number is further reduced by the post-
processor since the characters “.FA” are appended to nominal feature name to distinguish measured
features from nominal features. Thus the feature name length for all feature types except open slots is
17 characters (open slots have additional features for each side identified as “.1” and “.2” reducing the
allowable length for this feature type to 15). Exceeding this length will prevent the post processed file
from importing into MCOSMOS™.

Tolerance names are currently not passed to the output file and therefore have no specific length limit.
In the future, they may be passed as remarks or SPC identifiers and if so will also be subject to the 20
character length limit.

Probe Management
Successful execution of a part program requires that the sensor and tool definitions align between NX
CMM and MCOSMOS™. It is recommended that a template containing the machine model with correct
tool and sensor names be built in NX CMM (see the NX on-line documentation for instructions) so that
this information does not have to manually entered for every part program. In addition, the sensor
strategy in each feature inspection method should be set to “Use existing only” as shown in this
Inspection Method dialog for Plane Features:

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Tool names
When a tool change occurs, the name of the tool is examined and the first sequence of characters that
looks like a number is used to output a SNSLT/ACR statement (MCOSMOS™ select probe from automatic
tool changer command). So for example if the tool name is T12, a SNSLCT/ACR,12 will be output. If the
tool name is SP25_100X_2mm a SNSLCT/ACR,25 is output.

Sensor Selection and Names

When a SNSLCT occurs in the program, the sensor name is examined and if it consists of just a number
(for example 2) the number is used as-is in the SNSLCT statement. If it contains characters other than
numbers, the LAST underscore in the name is found and the string to the right of the underscore is used
as SNSLCT and the string to the left of the underscore is used in a SNSLOAD/ARCHIVE statement. For
example if the sensor name is ABC_2, a SNSLOAD/ARCHIVE,”ABC” statement is output followed by a
SNSLCT/2. The SNSLOAD statement is only output when the archive name changes to minimize delays in

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the program execution. MCOSMOS™ has a limit of 40 characters for an archive name; therefore, the
portion to the left of the underscore cannot exceed 40 characters or the archive cannot be opened.

Note that NX only allows for upper case sensor names, therefore by default, only archives with
uppercase names will be loaded. If the archive has lower case letters, then the User Defined Event “Set
Archive Alternative Name” should be added to the SENSORS folder. The Base Name is the archive name
in all upper case letters and alternative name is the name used in MCOSMOS™ for the archive. The
following shows an example of this dialog.

In this example, a SNSLOAD/ARCHIVE,”B1_alluppercase” will be output in the post processed file not
SNSLOAD/ARCHIVE,”B1_ALLUPPERCASE”. Note that there needs to one UDE for each unique archive.
For example if there are three unique archives referenced in the SENSOR definitions, then there should
be three UDE assigned to the SENSOR folder.

Sensor Definition
Currently sensor definition is not output by the post-processor, though the information is available if
needed.

Calibration
Calibration must be done in MCOSMOS™ as NX CMM currently does not support the definition or
output of sensor calibration statements

Feature Inspection
Cone and cylinder features must be inspected in cross-sections for MCOSMOS™. It is recommended that
the INSP-CONE and the INSP-CYLINDER inspection methods be set as follows to obtain the correct
inspection paths. Ideally this would be set in the template with the machine definition so that it does
not have to be manually edited for every part program.

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Scanning
When scanning supported feature types it is important to set the scan velocity for each feature per
Mitutoyo recommendations for your specific machine and probing system. The post processor will set
the scanning mode to “Automatic Best” except in the case of small inner ARC scans. In this case the
scanning mode is set to “Standard Scan”. Small is defined in the post processor as the variable
cmm_small_hole_diameter. The out of the box value is set to 10.0mm. You can change this value if you
need to by simply editing the post processor and changing the value. The value should be set in
millimeters as the post converts it to inches if an inch program is posted.

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 Warning!
The clearance height is disabled to prevent any unexpected motion when scanning.
Remember to reset it in subsequent MCOSMOS™ programs if needed.

Curve scanning is achieved via the use of MCOSMOS™ CONTOUR features. The nominal definition of the
features is via a GWS file for each CONTOUR. The post processor creates these GWS files as needed in
the same folder as the AGW file and these files must be copied to the correct folder for MCOSMOS™ to
find them after the AGW file has been imported. By default, the post processor configures MCOSMOS™
to look for the GWS files in the location defined by the predefined MCOSMOS™ string variables
@PartPath@PartSubDirectory. The files themselves are named as follows:

<AGW file name>_<date-time>_<feature_name>_<scan curve name>.GWS

All of these files must be copied to the specified location or you will receive an error that the file cannot
be opened when the MCOSMOS™ program is run. MCOSMOS™ has a limit on the length of the file name
of approximately 72 characters, so you should use short names for the AGW file name.

If a different folder structure is desired, change the following line in the post processor to the desired
folder

set cmm_target_folder "@PartPath@PartSubDirectory"

Alignment
All NX CMM alignment methods are supported in the post-processor. In some situations extra features
or math is inserted to satisfy the intent of the alignment operation. See the Alignment Types section for
a complete description of compatibility.

This version of the post-processor requires that features be defined, measured and toleranced in the
same part coordinate system.

Saving and Recalling Part Coordinate Systems

Standard DMIS labels can be used in most situations for creating or transforming Part Coordinate
Systems (PCS). The post processor automatically saves each PCS with a unique integer identifier and
maintains a mapping table between alpha numeric names and integer numbers. Each PCS can be
recalled by simply recalling its label that you assign.

If you are going to explicitly save a PCS, then you must name it with a label that is an integer number
(e.g. 400). The post processor currently does not check that the name supplied for the save is an integer
and not following this convention will prevent the post processed file from importing into MCOSMOS™.
When you save a PCS you can specify one of two predefined locations ARCHIVE or TABLE to store the
PCS in the archive or as a table coordinate system. The keyword ARCHIVE or TABLE is entered in the
Device Identifier field of the SAVE PCS dialog as shown below

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When recalling a PCS created within the program, specify the pcs type as internal and simply select the
PCS name from the drop down list as shown below (do not specify a device id)

When recalling a previously manually saved PCS then specify the PCS type as external and you must
specify a label that is an integer number (e.g. 400). The post processor currently does not check that the
name supplied for the save is an integer and not following this convention will prevent the post
processed file from importing into MCOSMOS™. In addition you must select an NX coordinate system
that represents the coordinate system on the machine.

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When you recall a PCS, you can specify one of two predefined locations: ARCHIVE and TABLE as the
source of the PCS. The keyword ARCHIVE or TABLE is entered in the Device Identifier field of the RECALL
PCS dialog as shown below (note that these are the only two valid Device Identifiers for this post
processor):

Use of the NX CMM Inspection Programming Alignment Assistant

The Alignment Assistant is fully supported by this version of the post processor. Be aware that the
default operation name (which translates to the PCS name) can create variables used by the post
processor that have names that are too long. You should use short names (10 characters or less) for
your Alignment Assistant operation names; for example FINAL. A name that is too long will create a
syntax error when imported into MCOSMOS™.

Geometric Tolerancing
In general, MCOSMOS™ requires that features align with one of the principle axes of the current part
coordinate system. This version of the post processor has the same requirements. Features are checked
when geometric tolerances are applied and messages are written to the post processed file if these
conditions are not satisfied. These messages will prevent the post-processed file from translating into
MCOSMOS™ so you must correct them before executing the program. This issue can be overcome by
creating a temporary alignment that satisfies this requirement (typically by aligning to the nominal
features) prior to the application of the tolerance and recalling the part coordinate system after the
tolerance.

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Position tolerances do not contain explicit datums, but instead rely on the current part coordinate
system to define the datum reference frame. They are subject to the same requirements that the
toleranced features are aligned to one of the axes of the current part coordinate system. If they are not,
you must explicitly insert PCS rotation commands to satisfy this condition then define measure and
tolerance your features.

Circular runout on a plane requires the specification of a reference diameter. A user defined event
Runout Reference Diameter is used to specify this diameter. It is added as a start event to a circular
runout tolerance applied to a planar feature.

The following table describes the support for symmetry tolerances

Datum Feature Type

Tol Line Cylinder Cone Plane Open other
Feature slot/tab
Line Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Cylinder Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Cone Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Plane Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Open Note 1 Note 1 Note 1 Note 1 Note 1 No
slot/tab
other No No No No No No

Cells highlighted in yellow will produce warnings in NX CMM regarding unsupported feature/tolerance
combination but the correct MCOSMOS code is created so they can be ignored.

Note 1: Currently NX CMM does not bound open slot/tab; however, the user can manually insert
bounding planes which will then enable this feature type to be toleranced with symmetry and position
tolerances. Create 4 plane features at the 4 corner points that bound the PARPLN. If these features are
named <parpln name>_BND<n> where n runs from 1 to 4 the post processor will correctly bound the
feature and use this information for these tolerance types. These planes should be unbounded and
unmeasured as they are only used to determine the bounding rectangle of the PARPLN.

Importing the Post-processed file into MCOSMOS™

The post processor creates text files with the extension AGW that is read by the MCOSMOS™ function
ASCII-GEOPAK converter found in the CMM menu item of the Mitutoyo Part Manager as seen here:

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After conversion, a fully functioning MCOSMOS™ part programs is created and can be edited or
executed using standard MCOSMOS™ functionality.

The program name used by MCOSMOS™ is defined in the Program Header statement dialog

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User Defined Events
All of the OOTB user defined events are supported by the post-processor. In addition a new UDE is
available to call a subroutine. The user defined events are accessed by highlighting any operation in the
Inspection Navigator and using the right mouse button to access Object->Start Events for events
processed before the operation is output or Object->End Events for events processed after the
operation is output (see picture below).

The Call Subroutine event requires a subroutine name and a type indicating whether it is an internal,
external or library routine.

Capability of Post-processor
Capability that is not supported by the post processor will result in error messages being output in the
AGW file. This will prevent the file from importing into MCOSMOS™ and must be removed from your NX
CMM program

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Feature Types
Feature Type NX CMM GEOPAK Release 4 Post-processor

Point Y Y Y

Edge point Y N treat as a normal point

Line Y Y Y

Plane Y Y Y

Circle Y Y Y

Arc Y N Treat as circle

Ellipse N Y N

Cylinder Y Y Y

Sphere Y Y Y

Cone Y Y Y

Torus Y N N

Curve Y Contour? Y (Treat as individual point features)

Surface Y ? Y (Treat as individual point features)

Open slot Y N Y (Treat as three planes)

Square hole Y Y Y

Hexagon hole N Y N

Rectangular hole Y Y Y

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 Round end slot Y Y Y

Triangular hole N Y N

Trapezoid hole N Y N

Pattern Y N Treat as individual features

Construction Types
Construction Construction Type NX CMM GEOPAK Release 4 Post-processor

Point Best fit Y Y Y

Intersect between prismatic Y Y Y

Minmax (extreme) Y Contour only N

Transform Y Y Y

Pierce N Y N

Move Y indirectly Y (inserted math statements)

Project Y Y Y

Vertex N indirectly N

Middle Y Y Y

Intersect with curve N Y N

Line Best Fit Y Y Y

Intersect Y Y Y

Offset Y N N

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 Tangent N Y N

transform Y Y Y

Perpendicular Y N Y (Insert math statements)

Parallel Y Y Y

Projection Y N Y (Insert math statements)

Middle Y Y Y

Plane Best fit Y Y Y

Perpendicular Y N Y (inserted math statements)

Parallel Y N Y (inserted math statements)

Transform Y Y Y

Middle Y Y Y

Offset Y N N

Tangent N N N

From Contour Y Y N

Circle Best fit Y Y Y

Transform Y Y Y

From Contour Y Y N

Intersection Y Y Y

Cone diameter Y Y N

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 Cone distance Y Y N

Tangent N Y N

Projection N N N

Sphere diameter N Y N

Sphere distance N Y N

Ellipse Any N Y N

Sphere Best Fit Y Y Y

Transform Y Y Y

Fit in cone N Y N

From contour Y Y N

Cone Best Fit Y Y Y

Transform Y Y Y

From contour Y Y N

Cylinder Best Fit Y Y Y

Transform Y Y Y

From contour Y Y N

Arc Best Fit Y N Y (treat as circle)

Transform Y N Y (treat as circle)

From Contour Y N Y (treat as circle)

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Alignment Types
Alignment NX CMM GEOPAK Release 4 Post-processor

Translate Y Y Y

Rotate Y Y Y

To datums Y Y Y

Locate best-fit actual Y Y Y

to nominal

Save Y Y Y

Recall Y Y Y

Set to MCS Y Y Y

Set PCS to CAD Y Indirectly Y (suitable translate/rotate commands)

Iterative Y Y Y (suitable if tests and jumps inserted)

Measurement Types
Measurement NX CMM GEOPAK Release 4 Post-processor

Touch trigger Y Y Y

3 axis scanning Y Y ARC Scanning on ARC, CIRCLE, PLANE

and CYLINDER features.

LINE Scanning on LINE, PLANE, CYLINDER

and CONE features

Curve scanning on Line, PLANE,

CYLINDER, CONE and CURVE features

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 5 axis scanning Y Y N
(REVO)

Manual Mode Y Y Y

Program Mode Y Y Y

Automatic Mode N Y N

Set approach dist Y Y Y

Set retract dist Y Y Y

Set search dist Y Y Y

Relative Y N N
Measurements

Tolerance Types
Tolerance Type NX CMM GEOPAK Release 4 Post-processor

Angle between Y Y Y

Cone angle Y Y Y

Angularity Y Y Y

Circularity Y Y Y

Composite position Y N N

Concentricity Y Y Y

Cortol Y Y Y

Composite Line Profile Y N N

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 Composite Surface Profile Y N N

Circular Runout Y Y (circle and Y (circle and plane per MCOSMOS

plane) support)

Cylindricity Y Y Y

Diameter Y Y Y

Distance between Y Y Y

Flatness Y Y Y

Parallelism Y Y Y

Perpendicularity Y Y Y

Position Y Y Y

Line Profile Y Contour Y (individual points if inspected

with touch trigger, CONTOUR if
scanned)

Surface Profile Y contour Y (of individual points)

Profile of a point Y N Y

Radius Y Y Y

Straightness Y Y (of a line Y (of a line per MCOSMOS

only) support)

Symmetry Y Y Y (see discussion in Geometric

Tolerance section)

Total Runout Y Y (plane & Y (plane and cylinder per

cylinder) MCOSMOS support)

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 Width Y N Y (inserted constructions)

Rotary Table Commands

Rotary table NX CMM GEOPAK Release 4 Post-processor

Rotate table no PCS Y Y Y

update

Rotate table Y N N
translate PCS

Rotate table Y Y Y
translate and rotate
PCS

Incremental rotation Y Y Y

Absolute rotation Y Y Y

Calibrate N Y N

Probe Commands
Sensor NX CMM GEOPAK Release 4 Post-processor

Tool changer Y Y Y

Load from archive Through naming Y Y

convention

Define Y Y N

Select Y Y Y

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