## Using the Probe Readout window

The View | Other Windows | Probe Readouts menu option allows you to access a readout of the current CMM position and other useful information. When this option is selected, PC-DMIS will display the Probe Readout window.

Sample Probe Window | Explanation
Probe Readout window |

1. Feature ID (CIR1) and Feature type (CIRCLE)

2. Current XYZ probe position

3. The form error

4. XYZ position of the last hit

5. Total deviation value

6. Distance to next location shown in out of tolerance dimension colors

7. Error of last measured feature

8. Rotary table angle

9. Screen Counters showing mouse location using the CAD model's coordinate system

10. Screen Counters showing mouse location using the current part coordinate system

11. Number of hits taken
    AB axis angles appear below the number of hits taken if you have an active wrist probe (such as a PHS or CW43 Light etc.).

12. Probe Readout comments. This comes from the Probe Readout comment type. See the "Inserting Programmer Comments" in the "Inserting Report Commands" section.

The Probe Readout window contains information from the table below depending on the options selected from the Probe Readout Setup dialog box (see "Setting Up the Readout Window" in the "Setting your Preferences" section).

Tip: You can access the Probe Readout Setup dialog box by right-clicking on the Probe Readout window and clicking Setup.

Sizing the Probe Readout Window

You can alter the size of this window in two ways:

- Simply by ‘dragging’ any of the window borders until the desired size is reached.

- Right-click anywhere inside the Probe Readout window to display the Probe Readout menu. Select the Large option to display the Probe Readout window maximized and centered to 95% of the screen nearest to PC-DMIS window. Select the Normal option to display the Probe Readout window in the previous size prior to maximizing. Click anywhere outside the menu to close it.

Probe Readout menu

To close the Probe Readout window, click on the X button in the upper right hand corner.

Note: Each time the location or size of the Probe Readout window is altered, PC-DMIS will update the proper registry setting. The next time the option is accessed, the window will be displayed precisely as it was in the previous viewing.

On machines with an external DRO, this option is not available.

Docking or Floating the Probe Readout Window

You can dock the Probe Readout window to the sides of the screen or against other windows by right-clicking on the title bar, and from the Probe Readout menu (shown above), select the Docking option. To make the window float on top of other windows again, choose the Floating option from the same menu. You may need to drag the window out on top of the Graphics Display window if the title bar is not visible.

You can also hold down the CTRL key while dragging the window to prevent it from docking.

Multiple Arm Mode and the Probe Readout Window

If you have more than one arm measuring your part, PC-DMIS displays the probe readout information for each additional arm in a new column.

Example of the Probe Readout window showing multiple arms in two columns

You can right-click on this window to display a shortcut menu that allows you to show or hide information about a particular probe.

If the menu item displays a check mark next to it, its information appears in the Probe Readout window.