Setup and Configuration
Overview
A/C can manage tool life and dimensional variation of a part process based on measurements it receives, either via CMM reports (.txt or .csv files) or handheld digital gages, through a network connection with the machine control.
Comps can be written to tool wear offsets or to variables (ie. Common or Macro variables)
System Configuration Interface
The PC that will be running A/C can be directly wired to the machine control via ethernet or it can communicate with the control on the Local Area Network. If using the LAN, the PC must be on the same subnet as the machine’s static IP address.
CNC System Button
Select the control type
Enter the IPV4 IP address of the machine control
Apply
(Okuma controls need correct server installed. Along with Mitsubishi, Brother, Hass, Mazak, Siemens, and Heidenhain. )
Routine Path
Directory where the A/C routines will be stored.
Typically C:\Caron Engineering\CEI_AutoComp\PartRoutines
Run Data Main Path
Directory where the Run Data (measurement data for a given Part Routine) is stored
Typically C:\Caron Engineering\CEI_AutoComp\RunData
Comp Files Path (within the gage converters interface)
Directory where the data files will need to land for AutoComp to read them. Once A/C has read the measurement data file, it will automatically move it to the Comped Files directory.
Typically C:\Caron Engineering\CEI_AutoComp\CompFiles and C:\Caron Engineering\CEI_AutoComp\CompedFiles respectively.
System Global Parameters
Comp on Reject:
- If Unchecked, NO COMPENSATION for ANY dimension will be sent if any single dimension is out of tolerance. Read: If the part is bad for any reason, no dimension will be comp’d.
- If Checked, comps will be sent for any dimension that needs it EXCEPT dimensions that are Out of Tolerance. See below to comp for dimensions that are Out of Tolerance(aka Rejected Dimensions).
Comp on Rejected Dimensions:
- If Checked (in conjunction with Comp On Reject being Checked), dimensions that measure Out of Tolerance will be comp’d.
- If Unchecked (in conjunction with Comp On Reject being Checked), dimensions that measure Out of Tolerance will not be comp’d.
Comp After Wear:
If Unchecked, NO COMPENSATION will be sent for a dimension that has exceeded its Wear Limit.
AutoComp has the ability to track Tool Wear. The Wear Limit is defined as a cumulative compensation value applied to a tool in the Dimension Parameters within the Routine, ie .015”.
Clear Offset on Tool Change:
If Checked, the CNC offset will be cleared when the A/C tool life is reset. (Fanuc Focas, DNC2, and Okuma P controls)
Expire Tool on Wear Limit:
If Checked, the CNC Tool Life Management – Tool Expired flag is set when a dimension has exceeded its wear limit. Currently used with Okuma P and Fanuc Focas controls with Tool Life Management.
Wear Offset Compensation:
If Checked, compensation values are written to the tool wear offsets.
If Unchecked, compensation values are written to the tool offsets.
Dimension Limits Deviation:
If Checked, tolerance and compensation values are entered as deviations for the Nominal in the Routine Editor.
If Unchecked, they’re entered as actual values.
Offset Display as Deviation:
If Checked, gage values are displayed as deviations from the nominal in the Run Screen.
In Unchecked, the actual values are displayed as received from the gage.
Load Routine Variable/Load Routine Path:
Where A/C has access to read/write variables to the control, these fields tell A/C which variable and path to poll from. This works in conjunction with the AutoLoad Routine Value setting in the Routine Parameters tab for a given routine.
AutoLoad Routine Value:
· If the Load Routine Variable’s value matches the Routine Editor’s AutoLoad Routine Value, then the routine will be loaded if:
· It is not already loaded.
· It is not being edited. It will load as soon as the editor is closed.
· The currently loaded routine is not mid-cycle or waiting for critical measurements for the cycle to complete. It will load as soon as the cycle completes.
Note: AutoLoading can also be accomplished via the CMM report name. If the name of the report matches the routine name, it will autoload when the file is dropped into the Comp Files directory.
AutoComp Cycle Notifications:
A/C allows the user to pass macro variables to a control when completing a cycle, compensating a dimension, and exceeding the wear limit on a tool.
Gage Converters:
Gage converters are the translator for AutoComp to read incoming text (.txt) or comma separated values (.csv) files. They tell AutoComp where the data is in the file (Row Number and Column number) and which dimension(s) to apply the data to based on the currently loaded routine.
When using gage converters with a CMM report, you need to know what column of data holds the measurement output, and what row(aka line number) the data is in. For example, if a report line reads, (Dim Name Nominal Plus Tolerance Minus Tolerance Measurement)
Dim2 1.500 .005 -.005 1.501
Select ACConverter_Delimited
Column Number 5
Delimited by a Space
You’ll need to identify the line number or “Row Number” and input that in the Dimension details while editing the AC Routine.
If the report reads, (Dim Name Measurement Plus Tolerance Minus Tolerance Nominal)
Dim2,1.501,.005,-.005,1.500
Select ACConverter_Delimited
Column Number 2
Delimited by a Comma
The CMM Report needs to be named the same as the Routine Name followed by square brackets containing the Gage Converter name.
RoutineName[Gage Converter Name].txt or .csv