EZ Launch Menu System

Introduction

The EZ Launch Menu System provides a simple, Touch Screen compatible user interface for your Coordinate Measuring Machine in production environments. Most CMM applications, including standard Geomet, requires that the operator navigates the file storage system in Windows to locate the desired inspection program. Some applications offer a limited single touch system, or single application button system.

We listened to our customers who have submitted suggestions on how to make inspection program access even better.

The EZ Launch Menu System

There are two modes of operation for the EZ Launch menu System. One mode requires the interaction by an operator to choose the inspection programs to run. The other mode is a automated polling system that looks for the presence of a script file or a digital I/O interface with PLCs, via the USB port.

Manual Mode

In this mode, the operator interacts with the EZ Launch Menu System to select and execute inspection files assigned to various cradles in the fixture.

Each Cradle can have one or more inspection programs assigned to it. One example might be inspection programs written for the operations of a production part. We will use OP10, OP20 and OP30 representing 3 different, and progressive, operations completed during the manufacturing of a part as our example used below.

When a Cradle has just one inspection file assigned to it, left-clicking on the Cradle button changes it between selected and not selected mode.

When a Cradle has mode than one inspection file, you will be presented with a selection box, see figure at right. In this example, all inspection programs have been selected.

To remove one inspection program from the execution queue, left-click on the file name as shown here. Here we unselected inspection file #2.

When you have selected all required inspection programs, press the <OK> button. Repeat this process for all Cradles that contain production parts.

Executing all Selected Inspection Programs - Manual Mode

In our example, we have selected Cradles #1 and #4 for inspection.

Press the <Execute Selected> control button and Geomet will queue all inspection programs and commence inspection.

Under normal operations, each inspection has a unique Report Header that pauses execution allowing the operator to update any information. When launching programs from the EZ Launch Menu System, the report header does not pause allowing the inspections to proceed.

Execute All - Manual Mode

The command <Execute All> will queue all inspection programs assigned in the Fixture and commence executing the inspection programs. If you are running repeated inspections always using a common fixture layout with all active and assigned cradles, the <Execute All> command eliminates any further operator involvement. Just load and go!

Polling Service

A very powerful feature of the EZ Launch Menu System is the ability to accept program instructions from an outside source. One example is the loading and unloading of production parts into the cradles by a robot. Interacting with the PLC, Geomet will receive the inspection requirements through the use of a I/O instruction set.

Another polling service utilizes a script file to pass the inspection instructions to the EZ Launch Menu System. This allows the operator to load the Cradles, then drop a predefined script file that instructs The EZ Launch Menu System to queue several inspection programs for continuous, and unattended, inspections.

Setting Up The Polling Service

The activate the Polling Service there are several steps required. These are:

• Fixture Base Definitions
• Cradle Definitions
• Polling Service Setup
• Building a File Name Index Table

How the Polling Service Works

The EZ Launch Menu System will monitor the specified location for a script file. The script file is placed there by a operator, or generated from a customer designed front end. How the file gets there is unlimited, Geomet only looks for the presence.

When the file appears, Geomet opens the file and reads in all data. The script file is an ASCII text file that contains three columns of data. Each column is separated by a comma. This is referred to as Comma Delimited.

Column 1 contains the Cradle ID where the part has been placed.

Column 2 contains a serial number that will be inserted into the Program Header. The serial number is also used in the SPC data export file if that is being used.

Column 3 contains the index number that identifies the inspection program to run.

Only column 2 can be omitted. Columns 1 and 3 must be present for operations to proceed. If the serial number is to be omitted, then the actual data text line would look like:

1, , 3

The line would be read as having a part locate in Cradle #1 and the inspection program has an index of 3. You must include the trailing comma after the serial number column even if there is no serial number is use.

The script file can contain unlimited lines of instructions. One very powerful feature is the ability to stack inspection programs on the same part. For example; Cradle #1 contains a production part that has all machining operations through OP30 completed. The inspection requires that Op10, OP20 and OP30 be completed for the full inspection. The script file for the single part would look like:

1, 0012a-RH, 1
1, 0012a-RH, 2
1, 0012a-RH, 3

Where the File Name Index Table maps 1 to OP10, 2 to OP20 and 3 to OP30.

When all inspection programs in the queue have been completed, Geomet will delete the script file which indicates all inspections have been completed.

Temporary Suspending the Polling Service

There are two methods to suspend the polling service. One method is automatic when you switch to another Fixture Definition, either by left-clicking on another description or using the <Up>, <Down> arrows, the polling service will be suspended until returning to Fixture Definition #1.

While the Polling Service is active, all buttons on the menu are disabled. Should you want to perform a manual inspection, or use one of the User Defined buttons, Press the button labeled <Polling System Active – Manual Override>.

This will suspend the polling service and the button will be change its label to <Polling Service Suspended - Restart>. At any time you can resume the Polling Service by pressing this button.