Current Help System: PC-DMIS CMM (View Core Help)

### Step 2: Define a Probe

The Probe Utilities dialog box, accessed by selecting Insert | Hardware Definition | Probe, allows you to select an existing probe or define a new probe. When you first create a new part program, PC-DMIS automatically brings up this dialog box. For more information, see "Defining Probes" in the "Setting Up and Using Probes" section.

The Probe Description area of the Probe Utilities dialog box allows you to define the probe, extensions and tip (s) that will be used in the part program. The Probe Description drop-down list displays the available probe options in alphabetical order.

To load your probe using the Probe Utilities dialog box:

1. In the Probe File box, type the name of the probe. Later, when you create other part programs, your probes will be available in this dialog box for selection.

2. Select the statement: "No Probe defined."

3. Select the desired probe head from the Probe Description drop-down list using the mouse cursor or highlighting it with the arrow keys and pressing ENTER.

4. Select the line "Empty Connection #1" and continue to select the necessary probe parts until your probe is built.

5. Click the OK button when finished. The Probe Utilities dialog box closes and PC-DMIS returns you to the main interface.

6. Verify that the created probe tip just defined is displayed as the active tip. (See the Probe Tips list located on the Settings toolbar.)

Note: Before you can use your built probe, you will need to calibrate your probe tip angle. For this tutorial, we will not cover the calibration process. It is discussed in depth, in the "Calibrating Probe Tips" topic in the "Setting Up and Using Probes" section.

At this point you will set up the views you will be using in the Graphics Display window. This is done using the View Setup icon from the Graphics Modes toolbar.

Hint: You can also click this icon from the Wizards toolbar to access the PC-DMIS's Probe Wizard. The Probe Wizard helps you easily define your probe. You can also use the Probe Utilities dialog box to define your probe as well.

Go to the next step: "Set the View".