Here are some suggested naming conventions for stylus systems in Calypso.
Whatever method you choose, document your own company’s pattern that you will keep consistent for the sake of everyone’s sanity!
You also may want to supplement your stylus system names with marked-up photos for each one, to describe all the styli and extensions used.
Fixed Head (VAST XT, Duramax, O-Inspect)
Simple Z probes
[category prefix] _ [stylus diameter] x [stylus overall length] + [extension length]
Z_3.0x50+60 (Single -Z probe, 3mm x 50 stylus with 60mm extension)
Z_0.5x20+40 (Single -Z probe, 0.5mm x 20 stylus with 40mm extension)
D_30+60 (30mm disc probe with 60mm extension)
Star probes
S3_135_2-1.5-1.5 (3-way star probe, using tips #1, 3, 5, with diameters of 2mm, 1.5mm and 1.5mm)
X2_3-3 (Star probe with styli in +X and -X directions, with diameters of 3mm each)
Star 01, Star 02, etc. (with saved pictures describing the configuration)
Styli names:
[stylus diameter] [probe direction]
3mm +Y
It is generally better to name star styli according to their probe direction, like “-X” instead of “Left”, and “+Y” instead of “Back”. The Front/Back designation can be confusing, depending on your perspective of the CMM.
Rotating Head (RDS VAST XXT)
Stylus System name:
[stylus diameter] x [stylus overall length] + [extension length]
2.0x30+40
Styli names:
If you qualify each RDS angle as a separate stylus, the first 5 indexes should always correspond to the common star probe sequence. All other angles after that can be in any order, identified by the A/B angles.
#1 -Z (or A0 B0)
#2 +Y (or A90 B-90)
#3 +X (or A0 B90)
#4 -Y (or A90 B90)
#5 -X (or A0 B-90)
#6 A0 B45 (or any other angles)
#7 etc.
If you use the CAA mode to qualify all the RDS angles, simply name the stylus system and stylus with the same name, describing the stylus diameter, length and extension.
To rename an individual stylus, right-click on the stylus name and select Modify, as shown below.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to rename stylus systems. You have to delete the old one and create a new one.
If you have a mess of stylus system names with no specific naming pattern, you can slowly implement an organized system. When you make a new CMM program or edit one, set up a stylus system with your new naming convention and delete the old one.
To delete an old stylus system, first load a stylus system that is not the same as the one you want to delete. Then go to the Stylus System window – Stylus system management, select the Stylus System name in the list on the left, then right-click and select Delete.
Beware that if existing programs call for that deleted stylus system, you will need to re-assign the features in those programs to the new stylus system. This can be done in the Measurement Plan Editor under Stylus System.
Whenever you create a new stylus system, carefully name it right the first time. A little bit of organization goes a long way!
Bad Stylus System Names
Star (too generic)
3mm Long (not very specific, but would be fine if you keep photos of the setup)
10052 Housing Probe (stylus system name should not be assigned to a specific part, unless it is very customized)
ABC Company Probe (stylus system name should not be assigned to a customer name)