Note that you only need to save the alignment using the following procedure if the alignment is going to be recalled into a different measurement routine. All alignments are automatically saved when used within a measurement routine.
To save an alignment:
Select Insert | Alignment | Save. The Save Alignment As dialog appears.
Type an alignment name (maximum ten characters) in the File name box.
Select either the Inches or Millimeters option to save the alignment as either inches or millimeters, respectively. The default unit of measurement for any alignment will be the same unit of measurement used by the measurement routine for which the alignment was created. To use an alignment in a different measurement routine, it is not necessary that the alignment's units of measurement be saved in the units type of the new measurement routine. The alignment will automatically convert to the same units as the new measurement routine (For information on recalling an alignment, see "Recalling an Existing Alignment").
Select either the Machine to Parts or Both option. Select Both to store both the machine-to-parts and the CAD-to-parts transformation matrices. Select Machine to Parts to store only the machine-to-parts transformation.
Click the Save button.
You must provide a file name in order to save. The only file name extension permitted is ".aln". If you don't type a valid name for the alignment file, clicking Save will not close the dialog box.
The alignment can be saved to any directory. However, to use the saved alignment file in a measurement routine, it must be saved the same directory as the measurement routine or in the user-specified Recall Directory.
Whether you choose the Machine to Parts option or the Both option depends on the following:
If the part alignment origin matches the CAD origin, then it is not necessary to include the CAD to Part transform. Either option will work.
If the part alignment origin differs from the CAD origin in either location or orientation, it is necessary to include the CAD to Part transform. Choose Both.
If the measurement routine does not include a CAD model, there is no need to include the CAD
The
Edit window command line for this option reads:
SAVE /ALIGNMENT,filename, TOG1
TOG1
This toggle field switches between BOTH
and MACHINETOPARTS. Select BOTH
to store both the machine to parts and the CAD to parts transformation
matrices. Select MACHINETOPARTS to
store only the machine to parts transformation.