Camio 8.

4 SP1
Manual Alignment without CAD

Training Manual
YDT0053_B1
Contents
1 Prerequisites 1
2 Purpose of Alignments 1
2.1 Six Degrees of Freedom ........................................................................................ 2
2.2 Primary, Secondary & Tertiary Datums .................................................................. 2
2.3 Location Fixture for a Cubic Part............................................................................ 3
2.4 Locating the Part in a Fixture ................................................................................. 3
2.5 Plane Line Point Analogy....................................................................................... 4
3 Create Basic Inspection 5
4 Plane Line Point 8
5 Cylinder Plane Circle Alignment 15
6 Three Plane Alignment Wizard 21

Manual Alignment without CAD YDT0053_B1 i

1 Prerequisites
This guide assumes you are have previously created and calibrated a probe at 5
perpendicular angles for part inspection.
This guide assumes that you can take touch points with a CMM.
This guide assumes you do not have a CAD model for the part you will be measuring.

2 Purpose of Alignments
In this guide you will learn the importance and purpose of aligning the datum point within
CAMIO to the datum point of the part. You will also learn the skills required to create a
manual alignment on a part using various features. This is a pre-requisite for the more
accurate automatic alignments, and must not be used as a replacement.
When placed on the CMM table, a part's position and orientation to the CMM is unknown and
must be established before any automatic dimensions can be reported. The same is true
when you measure a part manually, you must align the part to the surface you are using to
locate the part, e.g. a surface table or a box plate. If you do not align the part, any
measurements that you take will be relative to either the CMM’s axes or worse still, the last
axis system that CAMIO remembers! The figure below shows a 3 dimensional view of the
capability part mis-aligned to the CMM axes.

Component axis system

CMM's axis system

For example, if CAMIO is restarted and you use the Measure Circle command to measure a
hole
on the Z face, you are actually measuring an ellipse. This would result in the incorrect
diameter and hole co-ordinates being produced.

Manual Alignment without CAD YDT0053_B1 1

Purpose of Alignments

2.1 Six Degrees of Freedom

When fixturing a component, the rules are that you must constrain the six degrees of
freedom of the part, i.e. three linear and three rotational movements, see the figure below.

These six degrees of freedom can be further sub divided into three categories known as
primary, secondary and tertiary.

2.2 Primary, Secondary & Tertiary Datums

When creating a fixture or axis system you need to divide the alignment features into an
order of precedence.
Primary represents the feature used as the first datum for the part and is unique, i.e. it is not
related to or controlled by any other feature.
Secondary represents the second datum feature which is always assumed to be normal (at
right angles) to the primary feature but is freely rotating about the axis of the primary feature.
Tertiary represents the third datum feature and is always assumed to be normal to the
secondary and primary features. As a result of this control, the tertiary datum is more of a
positional datum than an rotational datum.

2 YDT0053_B1 Manual Alignment without CAD

 Purpose of Alignments

2.3 Location Fixture for a Cubic Part

So a simple fixture to locate, say a cube, has to provide a means of preventing these
movements. For example, 3 pads for the part to rest on and stop the up/down movement.
Two pins to stop the left/right (or rotational) movement and a single pin to stop the
forward/backward movement.

3 point location to support the part and prevent vertical movement

2 point location support to prevent part lateral movement

1 point location to prevent longitudinal movement

2.4 Locating the Part in a Fixture

When the part is placed in the fixture (image below) and pushed against the pins, it is
securely located and ready for inspection (assuming that the base plate lies in the reference
plane).

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Purpose of Alignments

2.5 Plane Line Point Analogy

So that you can align the parts using CAMIO you are provided with a suite of commands that
emulate this function. As an analogy, we will use the plane-line-point alignment described in
this section. Aligning the Z plane is similar to mounting the part on a 3 point location (primary
datum), Aligning a line uses two points to stop the part from rotating (secondary datum) and
aligning a point acts as an end stop (tertiary datum). See the image below for visual
representation.

3 points to create a plane feature.

2 points to create a line feature.

1 point to create a point feature.

4 YDT0053_B1 Manual Alignment without CAD

 Create Basic Inspection

3 Create Basic Inspection

1. From the File menu, select New Program.
2. In the New Inspection dialog box which opens select the Default template, the relevant
operation mode (Online = With physical or virtual CMM, Offline = Without a CMM
present) and Auto-Run program. By auto-running the program the parameters created by
the default template are automatically applied. This guide assumes you have access to a
CMM, and will run in online operation.

3. Browse to a memorable location to store your program using the browser in the
New program name group. Give the program a relevant name, for example
"Training_Basic_Inspection" and press Open in the browser window.

Use Template - Select Default for this exercise.

File Browser - Opens the file browser to define a save location for your
program.
Model File - Ensure the checkbox is cleared for this exercise.

Options - Allows the selection of operation mode, and whether the

program should run on opening.

Manual Alignment without CAD YDT0053_B1 5

Create Basic Inspection

Click OK in the New Inspection dialog box to create the program. Check that it runs to the
PAUSE step.
4. It is good practice to set the sensor depth (the amount by which the tip will enter a
feature) to at least the radius of the probe you are using. This will ensure the outermost
edge of the tip contacts the part, generating accurate touch points. In the default template
this is set to 0, and should be changed.
5. Navigate to the program window and double click on the entry SNSET/DEPTH,0. In the
dialog box that opens set the relevant depth. In this exercise we will be using a 2mm tip,
so the sensor depth should be no less than 1mm. To insure against any defects in the
machining of the part, enter a depth of 2mm.

If you are using a template without a particular measurement parameter or you wish to
change the parameter part way through the program, new measurement parameters may
be defined. Navigate to the Tactile tab in the ribbon toolbar and open the Measurement
drop-down menu as shown above. From here any parameters may be selected, which
will open a dialog box like the one you just used. Once the program runs past a
parameter definition it will remain in effect in that program until another of the same type
is encountered, at which point the new value for that parameter will be used.
6. Restart the program to ensure all parameters have been applied to the program and
that the program runs to the PAUSE step. Your program window should now look like the
one below.
UNITS - The units recorded in the
program. In this instance MM and decimal
degrees are used.
APPRCH - Distance from which the CMM
will approach a feature in slow mode.
RETRACT - Distance which the CMM
automatically retracts after taking a touch.
SEARCH - Distance which the CMM
looks for the part before failing to find a
touch point.

6 YDT0053_B1 Manual Alignment without CAD

 Create Basic Inspection

CLRSRF - Clearance the CMM gives

when automatically moving between
features.
DEPTH - Distance into the feature the
CMM moves to take touch points.

7. With the program still at the PAUSE step, recall any sensors to be used in the program.
Select calibrated sensors from the sensor window, right click and click Recall. These
settings will be added to the program window as before.
For this exercise recall the TP20_2x20 probe definitions at 5 perpendicular angles.
8. Select the first probe to be used in the program by right clicking and clicking Select from
the context menu that appears. This informs CAMIO of which sensor is currently attached
to the CMM. For this exercise select A0.0_B0.0_TP20_2x20.

5 RECALL entries will be added into the program window followed by a SNSLCT, all
before the PAUSE step.

9. Save the program . Your basic inspection is now set up to allow measurement of your
part. When creating a new program in the following sections of this guide use this section
to guide you.

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Plane Line Point Alignment

4 Plane Line Point Alignment

This guide will take you through the steps required to manually create a Plane-Line-Point
alignment, without a CAD model.

The drawing below shows a part marked with the Datum’s A, B and C.
Datum A will be used as the primary datum. This datum can be set by the measurement of a
plane.
This plane can then be used to control the X and Y axis rotation and the Z origin.
Datum B will be used as the secondary datum. This datum will be set by the measurement of
a line
This line can then be used to control the X axis rotation and Y origin.
Datum C will be used as the tertiary datum. This datum will set by the measurement of a
point.
This point can then be used to set the X origin.

8 YDT0053_B1 Manual Alignment without CAD

 Plane Line Point Alignment

1. Create a basic inspection program as described in the Create Basic Program (see
"Create Basic Inspection" on page 5) section. A suggested name for this program is
"Training_Alignment_PlaneLinePoint". Do not select a CAD model.
2. Set the primary axis and origin from the inspection of a plane, shown as datum A in the
drawing above. To do this navigate to the Tactile tab, and select Plane from the 3D
Features section. This plane will control the Z-axis and Z origin.

3. Using the CMM handbox, take 3 points on the plane of the part. When taking points,
ensure points are taken over a large area of the entire plane to reduce any misalignments
caused by local deformities. Suggested touch points are highlighted in red on the model
below.The points will appear in the program window.

4. Select the plane in the Program window. Navigate to the Properties window and change
the plane name to something appropriate such as "Datum_A_Manual".

Manual Alignment without CAD YDT0053_B1 9

Plane Line Point Alignment

5. Add the code to the program by pressing the Apply button in the ribbon toolbar.

6. Navigate to the Alignment tab and select 3-2-1 Alignment from the Basic section. In the
Create Datum dialog box that appears set the axis alignment and origin for
"Datum_A_Manual" as shown in the window below.
Set datum label to "Man-Pri" as this datum contains only the primary feature.
Set the primary label to "Man_A" and feature to "Datum_A_Manual", which you just
created.
Set the axis of the feature to +Z and origin to Z.
Ensure the Secondary and Tertiary features are disabled.
Click OK.

7. Set the secondary axis and origin from the inspection of a line, shown as datum B in the
drawing above. Navigate to the Tactile tab and select Line from the 2D Features section.
This line will be used to set the X-axis and Y origin.

10 YDT0053_B1 Manual Alignment without CAD

 Plane Line Point Alignment

8. Using the CMM handbox, take 2 points for a line on the secondary axis. The first point
will set the origin of the line, and the second point will set the direction, so the order is
important. Suggested touch points and their order are numbered on the model below.The
points will appear in the program window.

9. Select the line in the Program window. Navigate to the Properties window to change the
line name to something more appropriate such as "Datum_B_Manual".
10. Add the code to the program by pressing the Apply button in the ribbon toolbar.

Manual Alignment without CAD YDT0053_B1 11

Plane Line Point Alignment

11. Repeat the alignment and origin for the plane using "Datum_B_Manual" to set the X axis
and Y origin.
Set the datum name to "Man-Sec"
Set the primary datum point as before.
Set the secondary label to "Man_B", and feature to "Datum_B_Manual".
Set the secondary axis to +X and origin to Y.
Ensure the Tertiary feature is disabled.
Click OK.

12. Set the tertiary origin from the inspection of a point, shown as datum C on the drawing
above. Navigate to the Tactile tab and select Point from the 2D Features section. This
point will control the X-axis origin.

12 YDT0053_B1 Manual Alignment without CAD

 Plane Line Point Alignment

13. Using the CMM handbox take a point on the front face of the part as suggested below.
The point will appear in the Program window.

14. Select the point in the Program window. Navigate to the Properties window and change
the plane name to something more memorable such as "Datum_C_Manual".
15. Add the code to the program by pressing the Apply button in the ribbon toolbar.

16. Repeat the alignment and origin for all three axis, using:
Set the datum name to "Man-Ter"
Set the primary and secondary datum point as before.
Set the tertiary label to "Man_C" and feature to "Datum_C_Manual".
Set the tertiary origin to X.
Click OK.

Manual Alignment without CAD YDT0053_B1 13

Plane Line Point Alignment

17. Your plane line point alignment is now complete. The part axis will be drawn in the model
window relative to your three features as shown below.

14 YDT0053_B1 Manual Alignment without CAD

5 Cylinder Plane Circle Alignment
This guide will take you through the steps required to create a manual Cylinder/Plane/Circle
alignment, without a CAD model.

The drawing below shows a part marked with the Datum’s A, B and C.
Datum A will be used as the primary datum. This datum can be set by the measurement of a
cylinder.
This cylinder can then be used to control the X and Z axis rotation, and the X and Z origin.
Datum B will be used as the secondary datum. This datum will be set by the construction of a
line between the cylinder (Datum A) and circle (Datum C).
This line can then be used to control the Y axis rotation.
Datum C will be used as the tertiary datum. This datum will set by the measurement of plane.
This plane can then be used to set the Y origin.

1. Create a basic inspection program as described in the Create Basic Program (see
"Create Basic Inspection" on page 5) section. A suggested name for the program is
"Training_Alignment_CylinderPlaneCircle". Do not use a CAD model.
2. Set the approach and retract distance to 1mm and A90.0_B90.0_TP20_2x20 as the
sensor.

Manual Alignment without CAD YDT0053_B1 15

Cylinder Plane Circle Alignment

3. Set the primary axis and origin from the inspection of a cylinder, shown as datum A in the
drawing above. To do this navigate to the Tactile tab and select Cylinder from the 3D
Features section.

4. Take 5 points inside the cylinder in a circle, at a depth of at least the probe tip radius.
Take a further 5 touches in the same manner further down the cylinder, ensuring the
probe body doesn't crash into the part. These points will appear in the Program window.

5. Select the cylinder in the Program window. Navigate to the Properties window to change
the name from CYL001 to something more appropriate such as "Datum_A_Manual".
6. Ensure that the direction is set to -Y. To change the direction select the Direction row in
the Properties window and click the button marked with an ellipsis. In the dialog box that
opens, select -Y and accept by clicking the green check mark.

16 YDT0053_B1 Manual Alignment without CAD

 Cylinder Plane Circle Alignment

7. Add the code to the program by pressing the Apply button in the ribbon toolbar.

8. Navigate to the Alignment tab and select 3-2-1 Alignment from the Basic section. In the
Create Datum window that appears set the axis alignment and origin for
"Datum_A_Manual" as shown in the window below.
Set datum label to "Man-Pri" as this datum contains only the primary feature.
Set the primary label to "Man_A" and feature to "Datum_A_Manual", which you just
created.
Set the axis of the feature to -Y and origin to X and Z.
Ensure the Secondary and Tertiary features are disabled.

9. Set the Y origin from the inspection of a plane. Navigate to the Tactile tab and select
Plane from the 3D Features section.

Manual Alignment without CAD YDT0053_B1 17

Cylinder Plane Circle Alignment

10. Take 3 points on the primary plane using the CMM handbox. When taking points, ensure
points are taken over a large area of the entire plane to reduce any misalignments
caused by local deformities. A suggested spread of points is shown on the CAD model
below.

11. These points will be added to the Program window as before. Navigate to the Program
window and select the plane then navigate to the Properties window. Change the feature
name to something appropriate such as "Datum_B_Manual". Apply the code.
12. Repeat the alignment and origin for the plane using "Datum_C_Manual" to set the Y
origin.
Set the datum name to "Man-Sec"
Set the primary datum point as before.
Set the secondary label to "Man_C", and feature to "Datum_C_Manual".
Set the secondary axis to None and origin to Y.
Ensure the Tertiary feature is disabled.
Click OK.

18 YDT0053_B1 Manual Alignment without CAD

 Cylinder Plane Circle Alignment

13. Set the secondary axis from a line constructed from the cylinder and a circle. This line will
set the Z axis. Navigate to the Tactile tab and select Circle from the 2D Features section.

Take 3 points on the inside of the circle C1, shown on the drawing at the start of this
guide. Ensure that points are being taken from a depth of at least the probe's radius, so
the outermost edge of the ruby is coming into contact with the circle to be measured.
14. Set the circle name to something memorable such as "Man-Circle", and add the code to
the program by pressing Apply.
15. Navigate to the Construct tab and select Line from the 2D Features section. The
construction wizard will open. From the explorer window, drag "Datum_A_Manual" into
the construction wizard, then "Man-Circle". These features must be added in this order,
as the cylinder gives the origin of the line, and circle gives the direction of the line.

In the properties window, rename the line to "Datum_B_Constructed". Ensure the line
style is Best Fit and press the green check mark to construct the line.

Manual Alignment without CAD YDT0053_B1 19

Cylinder Plane Circle Alignment

16. Repeat the alignment and origin for the plane using "Datum_B_Constructed" to set the Y
origin.
Set the datum name to "Man-Ter"
Set the primary datum point as before.
Set the secondary datum label to C and feature to Datum_B_Constructed.
Set the secondary axis alignment to +Z and deselect any origin.
Set the teriary datum label to B and Feature to Datum_C_Manual.
Set the tertiary origin to +Y.

Your Cylinder Plane Circle alignment is now complete. The CAD reference axis is shown
in the centre of the cylinder as shown below.

20 YDT0053_B1 Manual Alignment without CAD

6 Three Plane Alignment Wizard
This guide will take you through the steps required to manually create a 3 plane alignment
using the 3 Planes Wizards and a CAD model.

The drawing below shows a part marked with the Datum’s A, B and C.
Each datum will be measured as a plane to set the X, Y & Z axis.

1. Create a new program as described in Create Basic Program (see "Create Basic
Inspection" on page 5). A suggested name for this program is
"Training_Alignment_3Planes". Do not use a CAD model.
2. Navigate to the Tactile tab, and select 3 Planes from the Alignment section.

Manual Alignment without CAD YDT0053_B1 21

Three Plane Alignment Wizard

3. When the 3 planes wizard is opened, 3 planes will be created, centered on the CAD
origin

4. Navigate to the Program window, select the first plane, labeled [A]. Take three points on
the Z-plane denoted by datum A. When taking points, ensure points are taken over a
large area of the entire plane to reduce any misalignments caused by local deformities.
Suggested touch points are highlighted in red on the CAD model below.

22 YDT0053_B1 Manual Alignment without CAD

 Three Plane Alignment Wizard

5. Reselect the plane in the Program window. Navigate to the Properties window and
rename the plane to "Datum_A_Manual".

6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 for datum B (PLN002) and C (PLN003).

7. Add the code to the program by pressing the Apply button in the ribbon toolbar.

Manual Alignment without CAD YDT0053_B1 23

Three Plane Alignment Wizard

8. After all points have been taken the DMIS code for each feature measurement and
alignment will automatically be added to the program. The alignment is now complete.
The CAD reference axis will be aligned to your three planes as shown below.

24 YDT0053_B1 Manual Alignment without CAD

 Copyright Nikon Metrology NV 2017. All rights reserved. The materials presented here are summary in nature and intended for general information only.

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