To calibrate the probe

Determine the location and dimensions of the probe.

Calibration enables PowerInspect to calculate the effective stylus diameter and to apply compensation to measurements.

Calibrating the probe head on a CNC/DCC-controlled measuring device

Connect to your measuring device, then click Calibrate in the Probe head area to open the Probe Head Calibration Wizard. Follow the instructions in the wizard to calibrate the head.

When you are using a:

• Fixed head, retract the probe to a safe distance after probing the first point. PowerInspect then drives the device to probe the sphere and performs the remainder of the calibration.
• Indexable head, the calibration wizard prompts you to select the probe head orientations with which you want to probe the calibration sphere. You can choose from:
  • A=0, B=0; A=90, B=0; and A=90, B=90
  • A=0, B=0; A=90, B=90; and A=90, B=180
  • A=0, B=0; A=90, B=-90; and A=90, B=0
  • A=0, B=0; A=90, B=180; and A=90, B=-90

  You are then prompted to probe the calibration sphere with the probe head at each of the orientations. If you are using a:

  • Motorised head, move the probe head to a safe position before starting automatic calibration.
  • Manual head, change the orientation of the probe when prompted.

Calibrating probes on a portable measuring device

A probe on a portable device, such as an articulated arm, may be pre-calibrated or have a specific method of calibration. Refer to the manufacturer's documentation for more information.

Calibrating probes using the I++ protocol

When you connect to the measuring device using the I++ protocol, you cannot calibrate the probes using PowerInspect. Instead, you must specify and calibrate the probes in the I++ Server and then link them to the corresponding probes in the Machine tab.

If you use the same names for the probes in PowerInspect and the I++ Server, PowerInspect automatically links the probes when you connect the document to the measuring device. If you have used different names, or want to use a different probe from that specified in PowerInspect, link the probes using the Synchronise Probe Databases button.