MicroScribe G2 with Mastercam

a spatial measuring tool

• MicroScribe G2 is a computer tool for a designer or engineer to measure the location of points in three-dimensional space or on the surface of an object. It is a precision mechanical arm based on optical encoders at each of five joints, embedded processor, foot switch, USB (or serial) connection to the users computer and a software application interface - MicroScribe Utility Software (MUS) . Using the hand-held probe and foot switch the user selects a point or sketches a curve (a set of points). Calculated digitized XYZ coordinates are directly inserted into a selected function in the users active Windows software design, analysis or control application.
  
  
• MicroScribe G2 is compatible with
  ... Rhino
  ... AutoCAD
  ... DesignCAD
  ... BobCAD-CAM
  ... CADKEY
  ... ProEngineer
  ... SolidWorks
  ... Mastercam
  ... Excel
  ... Notepad
  
  all software application functions accepting keyboard entry.
  

setup

• at rear of base
  connect USB (or serial) cable from host
  power is provided by USB - red light (or power supply to +5V DC)
  connect dual pedal foot switch to accessory
  place probe tip in home position (in holder)
  push home button to calibrate, test and connect digitizer - green light (normal)
  
  
• open MicroScribe Utility Software (MUS) (or download, install and open)
  review welcome window or click OK to display digitizing window
  move probe tip around, notice display of XYZ coordinates
  
  
• select format strings button
  select Mastercam %.4f,%.4f,%.4f\n
  
  
• select configuration button
  select standard (inches)
  use comma as decimal (un-checked)
  beep on plot (checked)
  use scaling factor (un-checked)
  use custom tip delta (un-checked)
  
  
• select reference frame button select custom to define a user coordinate system
  mark origin, X-axis, Y-axis on desktop (a drafting square is helpful)
  digitize origin (right foot pedal switch)
  digitize point on X-axis
  digitize point on Y-axis
  Z-axis is calculated at origin perpendicular to XY plane
  OK
  
  
• open Mastercam set Cplane 3D (main menu, click Cplane and 3D at top of menu)
  set Gview Isometric (button at top or left) select Create from Main Menu
  select Line, Endpoints
  notice Sketch highlighted and prompt at lower left digitize origin and point on X-axis to construct line
  digitize origin and point on Y-axis to construct line
  digitize origin and point on Z-axis to construct line
  click Fit button to fit axes lines to screen
  from main menu select Analyze, Point & select orign to confirm ~ 0,0,0
  repeat for points on the X, Y, & Z axis
  
  
• assure Cplane 3D & Gview Isometric
  select create from main menu
  select arc, circle 3 points (sketch)
  digitize 3 points to form a circle
  digitize a few more circles at different orientations in space
  select fit to display circle
  select
  select Main Menu, Delete, All, Lines, Arcs to clear screen
  
  
• from main menu - create, point, position (sketch)
  digitize 3 points to define a circle
  esc to end command
  from main menu - create, arc, circle 3 points (sketch)
  select points using mouse
  esc to end command
  
  using a similar procedure create points for a set of splines
  create spline, manual and using mouse to connect points
  loft a surface defined by splines
  ....create, surface, loft - define contour 1, 2, 3, etc., done, do it ...
  ... Screen-Surface Disp-Shading
  ... Gview (Dynamic) to rotate view to examine the surface
  
  
• summary - points may be digitized directly into Mastercam functions supporting keyboard entry (sketch)