System modes
The system modes for calibrating probes include the following:
Manual mode requires you to take all hits manually even if the CMM has DCC capability.
DCC CMMs use DCC mode. It automatically takes all hits unless the qualification tool has been moved. In that case, you must take the first hit manually.
Man+DCC mode is a hybrid between Manual and DCC modes. This mode helps with calibrating odd probe configurations that aren't easy to model. In most cases, Man+DCC behaves like DCC mode with the following differences:
You must always take the first hit manually for each tip, even if the qualification tool hasn't moved. All remaining hits for that tip will then be taken automatically in DCC mode.
None of the pre-measurement clearance moves for each tip are performed since all first hits are performed manually.
Once PC-DMIS completes the sphere measurement for a given tip, depending on the type of wrist you have, it may or may not perform the final retract moves.
If you have a moveable wrist like a PH9, PH10, PHS, etc., PC-DMIS performs the final retract moves as it would in regular DCC mode. It proceeds without prompting you thereby ensuring that the probe has sufficient clearance to move to the next tip's AB angles, and to perform the next AB move.
If you do not have a moveable wrist, PC-DMIS doesn't perform the final retract moves. Instead, PC-DMIS proceeds directly to the prompt for the manual hit for the next tip.
DCC+DCC mode functions like the MAN+DCC mode except that instead of taking the first hit manually for each tip, PC-DMIS instead takes DCC sampling hits to locate the sphere. You may find this mode useful if you want to fully automate the calibration process. However, be aware that the MAN+DCC mode may give more accurate results.