Romer Absolut Arms Tutorial (Probing)

Scanning probes are a family of tools used to make images of surfaces and structures

They use a scan probe to scan back and forth over the surface of a sample

During this scanning process, a computer gathers data that are used to generate an image of the surface

Applications: (1) Part inspection, (2) Part measurement, (3) 3D Scanning

Romer Absolute Arms come with three Probes:

A 15mm probe (For center reference, not for scanning)

A 3mm probe (For scanning)

A 1.5mm probe (For probing)

Align the probe to the scanner

Turn the switch to lock the probe. You may need to apply some strength to lock the probe

Make sure that the probe is aligned to the ARM when turning the lock switch

Avoid touching the tip of the probe

After the probe is locked, turn the switch on the back of the ARM to the left. This will switch the scanner to probe mode

See the figure for more detail on the instruction

Geomagic Design X software is used for operating the probe

To use the probe select LiveModel under Menu

There are 4 modes for using the probe

LiveCapture for creating mesh/point cloud data

LiveAlign for parts alignment

LiveGeometry for creating reference geometries

LiveModel for creating surface bodies, solid bodies, sketches, and 3D sketches

For each mode, select Probing under operation (See Figure)

Push the red button on the handle to generate the points

Use the button on the right to delete scanned points

Use the button on the left to accept scanned points

This method is working for all of the probing modes shown in the previous step. You can try these on the next step (Step 5)

Set the scan mode as LifeCapture to create Mesh/Point Cloud data

Scan multiple points in 3D space by using the probe

By accepting the scan results, the points will be transform into point cloud data

Set the scan mode as LiveGeometry

Four types of reference geometries can be created:

Reference plane => Scan 3 points to form a reference plane

Reference vector => Scan 3 points to form a reference vector

Reference polyline => Scan 3 points to form a reference polyline

Reference points => Scan 3 points to generate a reference point at the center of the 3 points

Set the scan mode as LiveModel

Set feature type as Surface Bodies

Five types of surface bodies can be created:

Planes => Scan 3 points to form a plane

Cylinders => Scan 7 points to form a cylinder surface

Cones => Scan 8 points to form a cone surface

Spheres => Scan 4 points to form a sphere surface

Tori => Scan 8 points to form a tori surface

Set the scan mode as LiveModel

Set Feature Type as Solid Bodies

Four types of solid bodies can be created:

Cylinders => Scan 7 points to form a cylinder

Cones => Scan 8 points to form a cone surface

Spheres => Scan 4 points to form a cylinder

Tori => Scan 8 points to form a tori surface

Set the scan mode as LiveModel

Set Feature Type as Sketches

Five types of sketches can be created:

Lines => Scan 2 points to form a line

Rectangles => Scan 6 points to form a rectangle

Circles => Scan 3 points to form a circle

Points => Scan 3 points to generate a point at the center of those 3 points

Slots => Scan 6 points to form a slot

The probe can be run in combination with the 3D scanner

1st, use the scanner to get a 3D scan of the object

2nd, switch to the probing mode and scan a few points

Use the scanned points to form sketches or solid bodies

Use smart dimension to perform part measurement