Probing Operations

The Probing dialog box appears when you select Hole or Pins Probing,Slots or Ribs Probing, Corner Probing, or Multi-Points Probing. This dialog box contain controls for:

This page discusses:

PP Table

Strategy and geometry parameters for Probing operations are described in PP Tables and Word Syntaxes - PP Word Tables

Strategy for Holes or Pins Probing

Tool axis
Select tool axis in the 3DEXPERIENCE platform.

By default, the value is 0., 0., 1.

See Defining the Tool Axis

Probing direction
Specifies direction of the first probing.

By default, the value is 1., 0., 0.

Probing Tolerance
Specifies probing tolerance used in the computation of the tool path.
Depth of contact
Specifies depth of penetration of the stylus into the material.
Number of Probes
Specifies number of probing points.

By default, the value is 4.

The value must be greater than 0.

Safety Distance
Specifies safety distance.

By default, the value is 10.mm.

Depth
Specifies depth distance.

By default, the value is 0.mm, if you select points.

Security Distance
Specifies distance before contact with part to change the feedrate in probing feedrate.

By default, the value is 5.mm.

Compensation and Compensation Application mode
This specifies how the Compensation, or in other words the corrector type specified on the tool (P1, P2, P3, for example) is used to define the position of the tool: Output point (the tool compensation point is generated in the output file. The tool path computation is done according to the tool tip) or Guiding point (the tool motion is computed according to the tool compensation point and the tool compensation point is generated in the output file).

If the type of the user parameter is Multi values, the generated value of your parameter is changed for each point, except in these cases:

  • if the linking macros of the probing operation are deactivated. In this case, only one NC CYCLE is generated. The generated value of the user parameter is the first value.
  • if the Output Cycle syntax of NC Data Option is deactivated. In this case, the generated value of your parameter is the first value.

Note: This last parameter, Guiding point is not available in MultiPoint Probing, because the generated point in the cycle command is always the point to probe, never the tip or center tool.
Note: The tool compensation point is defined on the tool and used on the operation.

The Compensation app mode defines the tool position to reach.

Return by the middle
When selected, after each probe, the retract goes through the middle of the hole (or the pin). Example when the option is activated then deactivated:

Return by the top plane
  • Is available only when Probing Side is set to Probe Inside.
  • When selected, after each probe, the retract goes through the top plane.

Geometry for Holes or Pins Probing

Probing Side
List of geometries composed of points (center of holes or pins to probe) or guides (contour of holes or pins). You can select points, circles, and cylinders.
  • Probe Inside to probe a hole,

    1-Top plane, 2-Selected point, 3-Safety distance, 4-Offset on top plane, 5-Depth distance, 6-Security distance

  • or Probe Outside to probe a pin.

    1-Top plane, 2-Selected contour, 3-Safety distance, 4-Offset on top plane, 5-Depth distance, 6-Security distance

Diameter
Specifies diameter.

Double-click Diameter and edit it in the dialog box that appears.

By default, the value is 0.mm.

Angle
Specifies angle.

Double-click Angle and edit it in the dialog box that appears.

Top\Part\Points
Select top, part, and plane in the 3DEXPERIENCE platform.

You can:

  • remove your selection and select a new contour, Remove, Analyze
  • Modify the geometry, hence the diameter or the angle, and retrieve the associativity via the context menu: Restore Associativity

Note: If the contour of the hole (or pin) is selected, the diameter is automatically computed and is associated with the geometry. Its value is displayed in the sensitive icon.
Offset on Part
Specifies offset on part.

By default, the value is 0.

Strategy for Slots or Ribs Probing

Tool axis
Select tool axis in the 3DEXPERIENCE platform.

By default, the value is 0., 0., 1.

See Defining the Tool Axis

Probing direction
Specifies direction of the first probing.

By default, the value is 1., 0., 0.

Probing Tolerance
Specifies probing tolerance used in the computation of the tool path.
Depth of Contact
Specifies depth of penetration of the stylus into the material.
Safety Distance
Specifies safety distance.

By default, the value is 10.mm.

Depth
Specifies depth distance.

By default, the value is 0.mm.

Security Distance
Specifies distance before contact with part to change the feedrate in probing feedrate.

By default, the value is 5.mm.

Compensation and Compensation Application mode
See Compensation and Compensation Application mode under Strategy for Holes or Pins Probing
Return by the top plane
  • Is available only when Probing Side is set to Probe Inside.
  • When selected, after each probe, the retract goes through the top plane.

Geometry for Slots or Ribs Probing

In addition to the two faces or planes which compose the Slot or the Rib, you can define the following.

Note: If the faces of the slot (or rib) are selected, the width is automatically computed and is associated of the geometry.
Probing Side
Specifics the probing side.

You can specify:

  • Probe Inside to probe a slot,

    1-Top plane, 2-Selected plane, 3-Safety distance, 4-Offset on top plane, 5-Depth distance, 6-Security distance, 7-Selected faces

  • or Probe Outside to probe a rib.

    1-Top plane, 2-Selected plane, 3-Safety distance, 4-Offset on top plane, 5-Depth distance, 6-Security distance, 7-Selected faces

Offset on Part
Specifies offset on part.

By default, the value is 0.

Width
Specifies width. Its value is displayed in the sensitive icon.

Double-click Width and edit it in the dialog box that appears.

By default, the value is 0.

Top\Planes\Part\Faces
Right-click to select top\planes\part\faces in the 3DEXPERIENCE platform.

You can

  • remove your selection and select new faces, Analyze,
  • Modify the geometry, hence the rib or the slot, and retrieve the associativity via the context menu: Restore Associativity.

Strategy for Corner Probing

Tool axis
Select tool axis in the 3DEXPERIENCE platform.

By default, the value is 0., 0., 1.

See Defining the Tool Axis

Probing Tolerance
Specifies probing tolerance used in the computation of the tool path.
Depth of contact
Specifies depth of penetration of the stylus into the material.
Distance of first point
Defines the distance between the corner and the first probing point for the external corner.
Note: For the internal corner, the distance between the corner and the first probing point is designed by this distance plus the security distance.
Distance of second point
Defines the distance between the first and the second probing points.
Safety Distance
Specifies safety distance.

By default, the value is 10.mm.

Depth
Specifies depth distance.

By default, the value is 0.mm.

Security Distance
Specifies distance before contact with part to change the Feedrates in probing Feedrates.

By default, the value is 5.mm.

Compensation and Compensation Application mode
See Compensation and Compensation Application mode under Strategy for Holes or Pins Probing

Geometry for Corner Probing

In addition to the two faces which compose the corner, you can define the following, Probing Side:

Probing Side
Specifies probing side.

You can specify:

  • Probe Inside to probe a internal corner,

    1-Top plane, 3-Safety distance, 4-Offset on top plane, 5-Depth distance, 6-Security distance, 7-Selected faces

  • or Probe Outside to probe an external corner.

    1-Top plane, 3-Safety distance, 4-Offset on top plane, 5-Depth distance, 6-Security distance, 7-Selected faces

Offset on Part
Specifies offset on part.

By default, the value is 0.

Top plane/Faces/Part
Select top plane/faces/part in the 3DEXPERIENCE platform.

Strategy for Multi-Points Probing

Tool axis
Select tool axis in the 3DEXPERIENCE platform.

By default, the value is 0., 0., 1.

See Defining the Tool Axis

Probing Tolerance
Specifies probing tolerance used in the computation of the tool path.
Depth of contact
Specifies depth of penetration of the stylus into the material.
Safety Distance
Specifies safety distance.

By default, the value is 10.mm.

Security Distance
Specifies distance before contact with part to change the feedrate in probing feedrate.

By default, the value is 5.mm.

Compensation and Compensation Application mode
See Compensation and Compensation Application mode under Strategy for Holes or Pins Probing

Geometry for Multi-Points Probing

You can define the points to probe and their direction (1- Safety distance, 2- Security distance).

You can:

  • select points, in this case their direction is the tool axis.
  • pick points on a surface(or a STL mesh). At each pick, a point is created on the surface (or on the mesh) with the coordinates of pointer. This point is not associated of the face (or on the mesh): if the face (or on the mesh) is modified, the point cannot be modified. The direction of the point is the normal to the surface.

The points selected are displayed under the geometry sensitive icon showing the Number, Coordinates, and Direction. You can:

  • Edit Coordinates modifies probing point coordinates,
  • Edit Direction modifies probing point direction,
  • Remove removes,
  • Up, Down reorder's them.

Right-click the number and you can activate the context menu to select Normal to Part which allows you to select the normal to part direction or keep the one explicitly defined. The default value is the explicit direction. Multi-selection of points is supported.

Select a number, and click Edit Coordinates the Modification Coordinates dialog box appears, showing the coordinates. Edit accordingly, and select OK. This adjusts the Coordinates in the list and in the work area.

Select a number, and click Edit Direction the Probing Direction dialog box appears, showing the coordinates. Edit accordingly, and select OK.

Probing User Parameters

This tab page is found in each probing command and works as described in Adding a User Parameter.

Probing User parameters is of the following types:

  • String,
  • Boolean,
  • Integer,
  • Real,
  • Length,
  • Angle.

Clicking on Add the Add User Parameter dialog box appears. Enter the appropriate information, and OK.

If the type of the user parameter is Multi values, the generated value of your parameter is changed for each point, except in these cases:

  • if the linking macros of the probing operation are deactivated. In this case, only one NC CYCLE is generated. The generated value of the user parameter is the first value.
  • if the Output Cycle syntax of NC Data Option is deactivated. In this case, the generated value of your parameter is the first value.

In the dialog box, right-click the Parameter in the Label list for the context menu.

Set Multiple Vales, or Reset Multiple Values

When multiples vales are selected you can add (or remove a line) to set a value for a specific point.

Selecting the parameter and select the Reset Multiple Values to reset the values of that parameter.

If there is more selected points than values, a warning message appears during the computation of the tool path.

For integer type parameter only, there is no need to set explicitly a value for each point.

Tips: Two cases:

First case: If the law is defined: origin + step. Example, If you set the value for the first 2 points and not for the point 3, the user parameter is set automatically for the 3rd point according to following rule:

value 2nd point = (value 2nd point - value 1st point)

Example 1 2 (defined by you) 3 4 5 6 7 (defined automatically)

Second Case: If the law cannot be defined, the pattern is repeated.

Example: 1 2 1 (defined by you) 1 2 1 1 2 1 (defined automatically)

Feedrates and Speeds

  • Feedrate
    Transition
    You can locally set the feedrate for a transition path to a machining operation B from a machining operation A or from a tool change activity. This is done by selecting the Transition check box in the Machining Operation dialog box for operation B.

    For more information, please refer to the Setting a Transition Feedrate.

  • Compute: Feeds and speeds of the operation is updated according to tooling feeds and speeds by clicking the Compute button located in the Feeds and Speeds tab of the operation.

    See About Feeds and Speeds

Tools

The tools used with the probing operations are Ball Stylus (or disc stylus: portion of a sphere) and Cylinder Stylus :

See Assigning a Tool Element to a Machining Operation

NC Macros

For more information, please refer to the Defining Macros.

You can define transition paths in your machining operations by means of NC macros:

  • Approach: to approach the operation start point (deactivated by default),
  • Retract: to retract from the operation end point (deactivated by default),
  • Linking: to link two probing cycles (deactivated by default).
  • Clearance to avoid a fixture, for example.
    Note: A Clearance macro is used only if Linking macros are used.

The macros generated in APT file are managed as the drilling operations. Examples:

  • Hole probing of two holes with the Linking macros deactivated:

    1-Top plane, 2-Approach, 3-Retract, 4-Safety distance, 5-Offset on top plane, 6-Depth distance, 7-Security distance.

  • Strategy Parameters:
    • Diameter = 40mm
    • Safety Distance = 10mm
    • Offset on Top Plane = 2mm
    • Depth = 20mm
    • Security Distance = 5mm
  • Macro Parameters:
    • Along Tool Axis - 20mm
    • Linking: Deactivated
    • Retract: Along Tool Axis - 20mm
    • Approach:

  • APT Generated:
    $$ Start generation of: Holes Probing.1
    RAPID
    GOTO / 100.0, 100.0, 80.0, 0.0, 0.0, 1.0
    FEDRAT/ 300.0000,MMPM
    GOTO / 100.0, 100.0, 60.0, 0.0, 0.0, 1.0
    CYCLE/PROBING_HOLE, 40.000000, 10.000000, 2.000000, 20.000000,
    5.000000
    GOTO / 100.0, 100.0, 50.0, 0.0, 0.0, 1.0
    GOTO / 200.0, 100.0, 50.0, 0.0, 0.0, 1.0
    CYCLE/OFF
    FEDRAT/ 1000.0000,MMPM
    GOTO / 200.0, 100.0, 80.0, 0.0, 0.0, 1.0
    $$ End of generation of: Holes Probing.1

Edit Cycle Macro
Clicking Edit cycle, a panel is displayed, allowing you to edit the NC_PROBING_MULTIPOINTS instruction or the NC_PROBING_CYCLE_OFF instructions.

Add PP word list
lets you add PP Words. General information about PP Words is found in PP Tables and Word Syntaxes - PP Word Tables.

See Defining Macros for more information. The syntaxes available are:

Probing operation

Available syntaxes (where n is a number: 1,2, etc.)



Holes or Pins Probing

NC_PROBING_HOLE
NC_PROBING_PIN
NC_PROBING_HOLE_n
NC_PROBING_PIN_n


Slots or Ribs Probing

NC_PROBING_SLOT
NC_PROBING_RIB
NC_PROBING_SLOT_n
NC_PROBING_RIB_n


Corner Probing

NC_PROBING_CORNER
NC_PROGING_CORNER_n


Multi-Points Probing

NC_PROBING_MULTI_POINTS
NC_PROBING_MULTI_POINTS_n