Renishaw's New OMV Software

Optional multi-axis module includes new auto-orient function to eliminate manual probe orientation

Renishaw is introducing a new version of its OMV Pro software that includes more advanced co-ordinate measuring machine (CMM) style capabilities with an extended range of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) functionality, plus the ability to work with multiple alignments in a single program, an advantage in working with multi-axis machine tools.

Now supporting Microsoft Windows Vista, the new OMV Pro 2.02 allows users of machine tool touch probes to quickly verify the accuracy of freeform and prismatic parts without removing the part from the machine.

The software includes simulation capability, an intuitive graphical interface and crystal-clear reporting format that make it accessible to shop-floor staff. By enabling users to see exactly what was cut, OMV Pro allows corrections to be made before the part leaves the machine.

Enhanced Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T)

New features in OMV Pro 2.02 enhance the software’s geometric measurement capabilities, which already include a "constructed features" function that allows users to construct entities from other previously measured features, making it faster to measure components with a large number of prismatic features or perform complex prismatic measurements.

The new version of OMV Pro has been improved with GD&T functionality for perpendicularity, parallelism, angularity, linear dimension, surface profile, line profile and concentricity.

OMV Pro's GD&T measurement wizard helps users create standardized report elements based on internationally recognized symbols, allowing operators to compare part measurement results on the machine with those on the manufacturing drawing.

Upgrades For Multi-Axis Machining

Measured alignment, used by OMV Pro to guarantee accurate measurement results, has been upgraded to use two or more alignments in a program, a significant benefit to users working with multi-axis machines or with large or flexible components.

The optional multi-axis module of OMV Pro also now includes an ‘Auto Orient’ function that allows the touch probe to be automatically oriented into a suitable measuring position, without requiring the user to manually input the required angle. The multi-axis module performs full machine simulation of touch-probe routines, an advantage when developing programs for complex geometries, common in multi-axis machining environments. The software quickly simulates and detects collisions involving the part, machine, or probe, before running the program, avoiding costly breakages and machine downtime.

Configurable Measurement Reports

Graphical and numerical reports are configurable, allowing feature parameters to be toleranced and displayed. Graphical reports can display values using color-coded surface "confetti" points, call-out labels or in-place values. Labels can now be positioned manually and their orientation is user-configurable, while a "Screen shot" function has been improved to allow the size of the resulting image to be configured.

For more information visit www.renishaw.com

Reference Lab for the Nanometer Range

Carl Zeiss repeatedly redefines the limits of contact and optical measuring technology

OBERKOCHEN/Germany – April 14, 2009.Carl Zeiss recently opened a special, new measuring lab with state-of-the-art equipment in Oberkochen where it will measure micrometers and nanometers with maximum precision. As a reference lab, it is used to calibrate ZEISS measuring machines and standards, and for measurements on behalf of customers. It is also a demo room for high-end measuring technology. Under very special conditions, the specialists there work with the best measuring machines Carl Zeiss has to offer. The air temperature of the lab with its own air conditioning system must not deviate from the standard temperature of 20 degrees Celsius by more than 0.1 degree Celsius. The entire measuring lab from Carl Zeiss has been accredited by the German Calibration Service as a linear measuring center for many years.

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Bowes Uses Delcam Software for Airbus Interiors

BIRMINGHAM, UK, Mar 19, 2009 - Delcam’s CADCAM software has been used by Bowes Design and Development in most projects it has undertaken for the last 15 years, including two projects within the development of the cabin interiors for the Airbus A380. The first project was to develop a concept interior; the second to manufacture replica cabin linings for climate-control testing.




The interior project, which was undertaken in association with a team of design consultants, involved the development of the complete cabin, including the seating, lighting and a bar, within 20 weeks. To complete the work to deadline, the cabin was divided into a number of sections that were manufactured, checked and finished with the Delcam software before being shipped to Toulouse for assembly.




Some of the aircraft interiors developed by Bowes with Delcam software
The cabin linings had to be delivered to the Airbus engineering division in Hamburg with an even shorter deadline of 16 weeks. Unlike mock-ups for sales and marketing, the engineering prototypes had to perform under real-life conditions and be subjected to the full range of environmental conditions that could be experienced in the cabin. The replica cabin met and exceeded customer expectations, in both temperature and humidity testing, and so provided an important contribution to the development of the A380.

While this type of work may provide some of Bowes’ most high-profile projects, it only makes up half of the company’s business. The remainder comes from the automotive, marine and other industries. The range of processes used is equally diverse, including direct machining, reaction injection molding, vacuum casting, resin transfer molding, thermoforming, and carbon fibre-reinforced plastics molding and hand lay-up.


This diversity is an important part of the company’s success according to Director Dave Thompson. “Most of our clients provide a CAD model that needs to be turned into a physical prototype,” he explained. “With our range of processes, we can choose the route that is most cost-effective and that will also meet the customer’s quality requirements.”


To provide all these services, Bowes has thirteen CNC machines, six of which are five-axis. These are used to give a very fast, accurate turn around. The largest is a CMS router that is 4.8 x 2.4 x 1.2 meters. “We use the different machines for different materials and applications,” said Mr. Thompson. “For example, our newest piece of equipment is a DMG DMU 100 that we chose for machining aluminum injection moulds for short-run production. This is a growing part of our business and the results from the new machine have been very impressive.”
In contrast, in its18 years of using CADCAM, Bowes has always stuck with Delcam software.

The company now uses the PowerSHAPE modeling software to design all its different types of tooling from the CAD models supplied by its customers. Delcam’s PowerMILL CAM system is used for all the machining, whether it is the direct production of finished parts or the manufacture of tooling. Similarly, all inspection is carried out with the PowerINSPECT inspection software, both on a conventional coordinate measuring machine and on a portable FARO inspection arm.


Paul Beckett, who has been using the Delcam software for fifteen years and is now Managing Director, said “Delcam is established as the leading system for toolmaking and cutter-path generation. Now it is even more dominant. Our Delcam software always does the job. It is extremely flexible, which is essential for our variety of processes, and gets faster with every release, which we need when customers want projects completed the day before they place the order. Over the years, we’ve looked at other systems but we’ve never felt any need to change from Delcam.”

For more information on coordinate measuring machines go to http://www.cmmquarterly.com/

CAD Modeling The Basics

By Mark Boucher, CMM Quarterly

I want to cover some basics about CAD models that might help us understand what is happening with some model features when you program from a CAD model using your coordinate measuring machine. By understanding surfaces we can better evaluate any anomalies we may encounter when we import a model into our CAD base CMM software.
There are several model types and we will cover two of the most common ones you would come across today, solid models and surface models. To be more accurate, they are parametric models and freeform surface models.

Parametric Models

Parametric models are created from features that are defined by parameters, or dimensions. These dimensions can be changed and the feature moves with the change. Prior to parametric modeling if a change was made then the feature was recreated, extruded, trimmed, etc…, in the new position and the old feature was deleted. Parametric modeling maintains the relationship of part creation, assembly, to output of the blueprint and a change anywhere along that process will update the model at every level.

Parametric models are referred to as a solid model, as opposed to a wireframe model. A wireframe model is made up of lines that represent the part but have no surfaces on them and makes 3d viewing somewhat tedious.

Parametric modeling revolutionized the CAD industry and allowed more affordable CAD software to become available to anyone. You can now pick up parametric CAD programming software up at your local Best Buy right off the shelf.

Freeform Surface Models

The second model type I want to cover is the surface model. With surface models curves are used to define the surface area and surfaces are applied between the curves then they are trimmed and merged, to make a solid. The problem with this method is to make sure all the voids between the surfaces are filled in. The surface definition changes as the need requires. Let’s say, you have a plane that requires basically four lines to define the boundary of the plane. A chamfer merging into a radius requires a greater amount of defining to create this type of feature. While creating the surfaces you may end up with a small void as you try to fill in the feature. Point placement from your CMM program will be dependant on where it sees the plane boundaries and a void will not be inclusive in this plane so the boundaries are redefined not giving you a true representation of the surface. In parametric modeling these types of transitions are automatically resolved.Some CMM CAD based software have a ‘healing’ or ‘repair’ functionality that will mend some of these errors. It is always advisable to use healing when using this type of model. If your software does not include this functionality there are third party softwares that do the job for you.SurfacesCreation of surfaces begins with a spline, aka curve. Splines are single lines that make up the shape of the surface. Imagine points that make up the shape of your surface and spline will fit through these points. These splines are then used to create the surface through a method known as ‘swept’ (using the curves as a guide rail) or meshed (lofted) through. A ‘swept’ surface follows the shape of the curve line. If you had a helical curve the swept surface will follow that helical shape as it extrudes the surface.

If your engineering department does any sort of reverse engineering they will ask for a series of curve files that they can import into their CAD system. The curve files are then used to ‘mesh’ or ‘loft’ the surfaces. The density or frequency of the curve lines along the surface will depend on the complexity of the surface being scanned. For flat planes only several are needed but scanning the chamfer to radius transition we discussed before would require a greater amount of curves to define the feature.

Another method is direct creation of the surface with manipulation of the surface control points. Points are created along the curves that can be grabbed and drawn in any direction to create a new surface shape. This inherently will create new surfaces to fit the new configuration.

It is important to note that the majority of CMM software in the market today do not have true CAD functionality and thus do not have the ability to manipulate surfaces as described above but it is important to know what is happening during model creation.


This article is copyrighted. For permission to reprint this article please contact Mark Boucher at info@cmmquarterly.com