Using a machining center and spindle probe for inspection

[cincy k]

What are your thoughts on using a machining center and spindle probe as a "not quite as accurate CMM"?

 

I currently do not have a CMM and have some parts I need to inspect. They are turned components and will be made on a lathe. I was thinking of using a machining center and spindle probe (which I currently have) as a method of inspecting things like profile tolerances, runout, diameters, true position, chamfers, inside radii, flatness, etc. Is this doable? Have you done this before? What software is out there to help with writing the inspection routine?

[GnoGueyJose]

It's certainly doable, but if you're going to buy parts off doing this then you will need to laser and ball bar the machine at regualr intervals and you'll need a volumetric error map as well. Crazy MIllman can probably fill you in a littl ebetter as far as QC requirements for that.

 

Next, you'll need to either write the cycles by hand, purchase the Renishaw Productivity+ software package or purchase Mastercam's Renishaw Add-On. You can export reports via RS-232 or memory card on your machine using DPRNT.

 

We do some spot inspection from time to time if our CMM is backed up. We can format the reports out of the machine however we need to. It's not too complicated. We've got scales our machines so accuracy isn;t much of a worry but we probe more for re-machining operations so we'll know the part will fit on the 2nd Operation Fixtures.

[cincy k]

Thanks for the info. Will the mcam add-on handle gd&t and its calculations? I'm not a wiz at gd&t so that would be helpful.

[GnoGueyJose]

Well, every probe cycle you run, one of the variable outputs is True Position. Usually #145

[Brad Lisle]

Check out PC DMIS. It works great for programming the machine. Very easy to use and learn.

[Machineguy]

Cincy K,

 

For your own good try to find a GD&t class. It will be a eye opener and help a lot with what you are trying to do.

 

MachineGuy