In the previous article we created a shell with relevant settings for our program. Now we must define and calibrate the sensor we would like to use for inspection.

Sensors are sometimes referred to as probes and usually consist of a head, trigger device and one or more styli. Depending on the manufacturer of the head it will be either fixed or have the ability to rotate. If the probe is fixed it will usually have multiple styli attached to provide access to different areas of a component. An indexing head provides a manual or automatic rotary axis allowing the user to move the head for part access with a single styli (although more styli are an option):

This article builds on the previous overview and gives you some examples of program structure along with suggestions regarding some ‘must have’ settings to get your program underway.

Most DMIS based CMM’s provide icon based tools to create DMIS programs, however a DMIS programmer does not need CMM software to create a DMIS program. DMIS programs can be created from any text editor and the program can usually be opened by or imported into the CMM software later.  It should be noted however that a text editor works well when you are measuring primitive features or making simple changes using engineering drawings but will not suffice if you need data from a CAD model in order to measure complex surfaces or simulate your measurement routines. These types of tasks are best left to a professional CMM system.