## Using Multiple Arm Mode: Introduction

The Multiple Arm mode was created to drive multiple arm CMMs. The Multiple Arm mode is available as an add-on package. Currently, this version only supports a multiple arm mode of two arms. The two arms must be connected to separate computers with a version of PC-DMIS and a portlock on each computer. These arms will share a common alignment.

Later versions of PC-DMIS, will allow you to drive up to four machine arms from one version of PC-DMIS, using any combination of one to four computers.

While the measurement process for multiple arms is comparable to single arm units, PC-DMIS must be able to distinguish the arm that is taking the measurement when using a multiple arm system. The topics in this section will explain how to do this.

The main topics in this section describe how to setup a Multiple Arm CMM, how to create part programs using multiple arms, and how to share the part program among the participating arms. These topics are:

- Setting up a Multiple Arm CMM

- Creating a Part Program Using Multiple Arm Mode

- Running the Arm1 Part Program on Arm2

- Dialog and Message Boxes in Multiple Arm Mode

Note: PC-DMIS must be installed on all systems prior to running in multiple arm mode.