VIDEO: MiCAT Planner: How to Create a Measurement Program
Streamline your CMM measurements and boost accuracy with Mitutoyo's MiCAT Planner.
Streamline your CMM measurements and boost accuracy with Mitutoyo's MiCAT Planner.
Streamline your CMM measurements and boost accuracy. Learn how to efficiently create a precise measurement program for your Mitutoyo CMM using MiCAT Planner. Discover the steps like importing CAD models, setting up collision avoidance, selecting the right CMM, positioning your parts, adding features, setting datums, and optimizing tool paths.
Previously Featured on Mitutoyo's YouTube channel.
In this video we will show you how you can quickly create a measurement program for a Mitutoyo CMM using MiCAT Planner. The first step is to import the CAD model of a part into MiCAT Planner. Next, add a collision avoidance zone to prevent interference during measurements. Now, select the appropriate Mitutoyo CMM. For this example we are using a MiSTAR 555 that is equipped with a TP200. The next step is to roughly position the part inside the measuring volume. Now that the design model loaded and positioned, it's time to add features and characteristics that you want to measure on the part. For this example, we will start with this top plane. It will give you a set of measurement points. This is the primary datum so we will set this as datum A. Next, we will evaluate the flatness of this plane. Our tolerance for this example is plus or minus a tenth of a millimeter. Next, we will evaluate the central bore. Add a cylinder and this will be our secondary datum. The diameter of this cylinder for this example will be plus or minus 50 microns. We will add a front face as a plane then we'll set this as our tertiary datum and add a perpendicularly tolerance to datum A which is 150 microns. Now that we have our three datums, we will use these to create a CNC alignment on the example part. Once you have the actual part, relate the virtual model to the physical one. You can now add all other features you would like to that can evaluate and align the part. We will set our part relative to a GEOPAK coordinate system that we just created and confirmed that all the features are still accessible. Now we will create a measurement program that will optimize the tool path and it will appear on the right. From here we can simulate what the program will look like. Now, post the measurement program to the Mitutoyo CMM and you're ready to start measuring.
Established in 1963, Mitutoyo offers a full product line of precision measuring tools including calipers, micrometers and indicators, as well as instruments and equipment. Mitutoyo is the leading metrology company in the world and is committed to developing breakthrough technologies for its comprehensive range of dimensional measuring tools, instruments and systems. Mitutoyo continues to develop the most advanced and sophisticated metrology equipment available.