QC10 Ballbar

Hints and tips on using the QC10 ballbar and accessories

Generating ballbar part programs automatically: For some ballbar users, preparing a part program for use on an unfamiliar CNC controller can be a daunting task. However, with the introduction of the part program generator in Ballbar 5 "HPS", this task suddenly became a lot easier. To generate a part program, simply click on the button marked "G02" in the test set-up screen and follow the prompts. You will need to select a controller definition from the drop down list (e.g. Fanuc) to match the control fitted to the machine you want to test. Don't worry if there is not an exact match, by clicking on the wrench icon, you can easily configure your own custom control definition and add it to the list. Once the part program has been generated, you can save it to disc or memory card for transfer to the control or simply display it on screen and enter it manually into the control.

What is the difference between Quick Check, Advanced and Operator modes in Ballbar 5? One of the key reasons why the ballbar has been such a success over the years is the speed with which it can evaluate all of the errors in a machine tool in one simple test. It is therefore not surprising that many ballbar users gravitate towards the "Quick Check" mode whenever they run a ballbar test. However, you may surprised to learn that use of the "Advanced" and "Operator" modes could make your routine testing even faster. Here's a summary of the different modes:

Quick Check - Use for one of f checks on machines that you are not likely to test again in the near future. Each test requires the operator to step through the entire set-up procedure. Test data is then stored in a generic "Quick Check" folder.

Advanced Mode - The first time you test a machine using advanced mode, the software will prompt you to create a machine folder that will be used to store all documents and data relating to that particular machine. Once the folder has been created, the test proceeds step by step just as it would in the "Quick Check" mode. Once the test set-up is complete, all the settings you have made are saved as a template and stored in the newly created machine folder along with the test results. However, the real time savings occur the next time you want to test that machine. Simply open the machine folder, select the test template and run the test.

All the test setting are stored in the template, so there is no need to go through the set-up procedure every time you test that machine. A further benefit, is that each test you carry out is identical and can then be added to the machine history, enabling you to see how this particular machine has changed over time. The History feature can be a powerful tool in any preventative maintenance program.

Operator mode - While Advanced mode allows you to set-up machine folders and create and run test templates, Operator mode simply allows the ballbar user to run a test using a template previously created in Advanced mode. The operator cannot change the test settings in this mode. This is a very useful feature when a number of machines are regularly tested by different people as it ensures that each test is performed using exactly the same settings.

Using the Z-Axis accessory kit (lathe kit) to simplify testing in the XZ and YZ planes. A little while ago we started referring to the ballbar lathe accessory kit as the "Z-axis kit". Why? Because not only does it make ballbar testing on a lathe a breeze, it also makes it very easy to set-up your ballbar for testing in XZ and YZ planes. The adjacent picture shows a typical set up.

Adding your logo to Ballbar 5 plots and reports. Would you like to personalize the appearance of your ballbar plots and diagnostic reports? Thought so! The good news is that it is quite easy to add your own logo or graphic to these pages. Here's how:

First, prepare the graphic you want to use. Ideally, it should be no more than about 200 pixels wide and is best saved in JPEG or bitmap format. For example "C:\My Documents\mylogo.bmp". Now open up Windows Explorer and browse to "C:\Program Files\Renishaw Ballbar 5\Framework" and look for a file called "AnalysisCatalog.xml". Open this file in Notepad. The second line of the file should read "<ANALYSIS_CATALOG>". To add your logo, edit this line to "<ANALYSIS_CATALOG LOGO = "C:\My Documents\mylogo.bmp">". Save the file and exit the editor. Next time you view the results of a ballbar test, you will be able to admire your handy work!