## Getting Started

These topics will help you get started using PC-DMIS NC Gage. Before you begin, your NC machine should be powered on, your NC Gage software should be installed, and your software should have been configured.

These steps include:

- Step 1: Starting and Connecting the Software

- Step 2: Setting NC Gage Parameters

- Step 3: Creating a New Probe

- Step 4: Selecting a Probe

- Step 5: Calibrating your Probe

- Step 6: Defining a Work Offset

- Step 7: Defining a Clearance Plane

About Systems Messages

As you work through these steps, pay attention to information in the System Messages area.

Sample System Messages area

Messages displayed in red text indicate a required procedure that has not been done yet or some other problem. The Warning message will tell you what needs to be done next before you can start measuring your part. When you complete a required step that item in the System Messages area will be displayed in blue text.

Once you complete the above steps, NC Gage can be used to create and execute a part program.

Navigation Bar Soft Keys for this Screen:

The soft keys available to the main screen's navigation bar are listed in the table below. Touching any of these soft keys from the Navigation Bar will open the function screen associated with that soft key or perform the specified action.

Terminology Note: A soft key is a touchable button on the bottom of the controller screen that is mapped to different functions on each screen. Some screens have multiple "pages" of soft keys. You can navigate through those pages of soft keys by using the Backward or Forward soft keys.

| Backward When enabled, this soft key scrolls back to any additional buttons available on the first page for this screen. |  | Setup This soft key opens the ‘Setup’ screen, allowing you to define NC Gage program settings.
| Probe This soft key shows probe related soft keys on the bottom toolbar allowing you to create a probe, select a probe, or calibrate a probe. |  | Move This soft key opens the Move screen for clearance points and planes.
| Select Work Offset - First Page This soft key lets you choose a work offset from the 'Select Work Offset' screen to use in the NC Gage program. This routine is then added and saved with the program. |  | Measure This soft key opens the Measure screen and will provide access to all the features types that can be measured.
| Execute Program This soft key opens the 'Program' screen so you can execute the part program. |  | File Manager This soft key opens the File Manager screen, allowing you to work with available part programs and save, load, create new, and delete programs.
| Report This soft key enters the Report screen, letting you view measurement reports for your part program and save or print them. |  | Help This soft key accesses the NC Gage help file.
| Exit This exits NC Gage. A Yes / No message will appear. Press Exit Program to continue exiting or press Back to Main Screen to return to NC Gage. |  | Program This soft key opens the Program screen which is used to execute or edit programs.
| Direct Connect Mode This soft key opens the Direct Connect Mode screen. This lets you run an NC Gage program directly from a cutting macro as if the NC Gage program were a subroutine. |  | Set Work Offsets - Second Page This option updates the work offset on the controller by measuring a selection of features. This routine does not get added to a program.
| Information Manager - Second Page This soft key shows messages pertaining to the connection of NC Gage to the controller and any error messages that NC Gage encounters. |  | Forward When enabled, this soft key scrolls forward to any additional soft keys available on the second page for this screen.