Inspection Report Header

The Program Header displays when Geomet is first started, a new file has been requested or when opening a file. The program header provides the necessary fields to update the report header for the inspection.

figure 1, Geomet Report Header Dialog

The Header Dialog automatically displays when starting Geomet or when starting a new part inspection. Displaying the Header Dialog during the part inspection can be accomplished by choosing the command [Report Controls→Report Header] from the drop down menus, double clicking in the report header area of the displayed inspection.

The Header Dialog provides access to the Drawing Number, Part Name, Serial Number, Operator, Date and optional Notes. The Date field will report the current time and date when starting a new report. The time and date can be edited by entering a new value or updated with the <Update> button.

When starting a new inspection report, the previous values will be carried forward with the exception of the time and date which will report the starting value. This is especially helpful when repeating a part inspection.

The <Accept> button closes the Header Dialog and attaches the data fields to the inspection report.

The <Recover File> button is available when returning to the previous inspection that might have closed inadvertently. Geomet maintains a companion file when teaching a part inspection. Should a condition arise, such as a program crash caused by events such as a power failure, the Recover File operation will read in the previous completed steps and the inspection can continue.

There are some limitations to a recover operation that affect the success of a recover. For example, not all manual CMMs have a repeatable home position and when you recover, see Setting the Home Position. If the CMM did not have a repeatable Home position, the recovered XYZ values will not match the XYZ values when the inspection was first done. To overcome this condition, perform the recover file operation and then Run the file to rebuild the coordinate systems and feature actual values.

On DCC CMMs, the home position is repeatable and after a recover operation, you can continue building your part inspection.

The recover file operation is only available when the "Save Recover Mode" is active. By default Geomet saves the recover file. You can elect to turn off the feature by placing a 'Yes' next to Turn off Inspection Recovery Mode in System Options.

As the name sounds, the command will prompt you to load a part program. Should you have a part program opened, you will be prompted to save you current inspection.

This command will commence running the part program currently open. This is the same command as [File→Run] from the main drop down menus.

The Header Dialog maintains a record of the last 5 inspections opened. To provides fast access to one of these files, select from the drop down list the inspection program and select <Load Last>, see figure 2.

figure 2, Load Last Selection

When a new inspection is created, the data and time is written into the record and does not change when the program is opened or edited. To override the data and time, press the <Update> button and the Date: field will update.

Pressing this Information / Help button, Geomet will attempt to connect to the Internet and display the help page associated with the Inspection Header tool.

Geomet allows the tracking of up to 3 unique inspection identifiers for a part being inspected. We call these identifiers “Fixture Usage” from the original purpose where a fixture ID was added to the inspection report.

figure 3, Assigning Fixture Data

An example on using these Fixture fields would be to identify what machining center a production part was manufactured on. The manufacturing department may have many machining centers all making the same part. We had one company that used over 50 machining centers all making the same part! When it came time to measure, the operator would type in the note section of the header the machining center ID.

Unfortunately the notes section of the header does not provide any sorting capabilities. The Fixture Usage fields do. When inspecting the production, enter the machining center ID in the Fixture Usage fields and then sorting can be done to group all production inspected on the machining center it was produced on. This is helpful when performing SPC on production.

By default, Fixture Tracking is not active. To activate fixture support navigate to System Options and change to 'Yes' next to Use the fixture data fields in the program Header.

Geomet allows the tracking of up to 3 unique inspection identifiers for a part being inspected. We call these identifiers “Fixture Usage” from the original purpose where a fixture ID was added to the inspection report.

An example on using these Fixture fields would be to identify what machining center a production part was manufactured on. The manufacturing department may have many machining centers all making the same part. We had one company that used over 50 machining centers all making the same part! When it came time to measure, the operator would type in the note section of the header the machining center ID.

Unfortunately the notes section of the header does not provide any sorting capabilities. The Fixture Usage fields do. When inspecting the production, enter the machining center ID in the Fixture Usage fields and then sorting can be done to group all production inspected on the machining center it was produced on. This is helpful when performing SPC on production.