Probe Geometry strategy

The Probe Geometry strategy creates a probing operation to measure and verify critical features, such as holes, bosses, surfaces, walls, channels, and corners. The strategy supports two types of inspection method:

• Probing cycles (macros), which are predefined routines on the CNC machine.

• Probe paths, which are user-defined and enable the inspection of cylindrical and planar surfaces in various orientations not possible with probing cycles. They involve fitting geometric shapes, such as circles, cylinders, and planes to the features being inspected, a process known as geometric fitting.

Inspection results can be imported from a machine-generated results file or imported in real-time using a live connection between Fusion and the machine.

Example of a Probe Geometry operation for a circular boss using a probing cycle.

You can use the strategy to check features against specified tolerances to help catch any variations and perform actions based on the results. If measurements exceed the acceptable tolerances, the CNC machine can be instructed to stop with a message.

Probing cycles

If using a probing cycle, the tool wear stored in the machine-tool controller can be updated to compensate for tool deflection and reduced diameter to improve the accuracy of future machining operations.

Probe paths

If using a probe path instead of a probing cycle, the strategy provides the ability to fit circles, cylinders, and planes to determine their circularity, cylindricity, and flatness. When fitting geometric features, you can set feature tolerances specific to the selected fitting type.

For circular fitting, you can set the following tolerances:

• Position defines the allowable deviation of the circle’s center from its intended position.
• Upper diameter and lower diameter define an acceptable range for the circle’s diameter.
• Form (circularity) defines the acceptable deviation of the actual shape of the circle from a perfect circle.

For cylindrical fitting, you can set the following tolerances:

• Upper diameter and lower diameter define an acceptable range for the cylindrical surface's diameter.
• Form (cylindricity) defines the acceptable deviation of the actual shape of the cylinder from a perfect cylinder.
• Axis defines the acceptable deviation in the alignment of the cylindrical surface from its intended axis.

For planar fitting, you can set the following tolerances:

• Normal defines the maximum allowable tilt or angle deviation of the surface from being perfectly perpendicular.
• Form (flatness) defines the acceptable deviation in the overall flatness of the surface.