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

## Creating and Positioning Fixture Columns in PC-DMIS

Once you have defined your Flexible Fixturing system and the type of column to use, you can create and then position your fixture columns in PC-DMIS.

The
Insert | Hardware Definition | Fixture menu option opens the Create / Modify Fixtures dialog box.

Create / Modify Fixture dialog box

The Create/Modify Fixture dialog box allows you to create and correctly position the columns so that they connect with the part. If you click OK or Apply after loading or creating a fixture, PC-DMIS inserts a LOADFIXTURE command into your part program. This command loads and uses the selected fixture definition.

For a description of flexible fixturing and for information on setting fixturing preferences, see the "Fixturing System Setup" topic.

Before creating and positioning a fixture in PC-DMIS, you must first define a probe that matches what will be on the machine where you will use the fixture. Once the LOADPROBE and TIP commands are in the Edit window, you can create fixtures.

The Fixture Points tab allows you fully define and deploy a fixture. With this tab you can create and manage fixture definitions and position fixture columns so they can be used to properly hold your part for proper measurement.

A standard fixture definition contains this information:

- Fixture Name

- Fixture contact point locations (XYZ and IJX values)

- Feature Type

- Module offset type and information

- Column Name

- Fixture creation and modification date and author information

- Machine orientation

Use this dialog box to perform the procedures in the topics below:

The following procedure is used to edit the parameters for each fixture point. Left click to select point and then Right click anywhere on the highlighted line to get the properties for the selected point.

Properties for fixture points:

- Find vector with modification preview dialog/info

- Flip vector

- Show in CAD

- Select/Remove for reposition, (F3) toggle

- Delete point

- Module properties

Important: You must have the System V option programmed in your portlock to work with DCC Fixturing systems and the 5 Unique option programmed to work with Manual Fixturing systems.

More:

To Create a New Fixture Definition

To Specify Fixture Points

To View or Modify an Existing Fixture Definition

To Delete a Fixture Definition

To Verify a Fixture Definition

To Position Fixture Elements on the Part

Graphics Display for Flexible Fixturing

Troubleshooting Column Placement

Recovering Fixture Columns