VMA 11.6.2 AutoMeasure Manual

What Is NEXIV AutoMeasure?

NEXIV AutoMeasure is precision measurement software for vision-based coordinate measuring machines. It combines high-speed optical measurement with powerful analysis tools to inspect parts with sub-micron accuracy.

System Startup Sequence

Always follow this exact order. Getting it wrong can cause errors or damage.

Understanding the Interface

AutoMeasure operates in distinct modes. Each mode shows different tools and controls. You cannot access all features from every mode — this is by design to prevent accidents.

Teaching Mode — Create Recipes

In Teaching Mode, you manually navigate the stage, place measurement probes, measure features, and build a sequence of steps that can be replayed later.

What you can do:

• Create new measurement tools (circles, lines, distances, etc.)
• Set up coordinate systems and datums
• Define tolerances on output items
• Add comments and documentation to steps
• Configure illumination and magnification settings

Replay Mode — Automated Measurement

Replay Mode executes your saved teaching file automatically. The software moves the stage, switches probes, adjusts lighting, and collects data without human intervention.

Result View Mode — Review Your Data

After replay completes, switch to Result View Mode for data analysis and reporting.

Key capabilities:

• View results per sample or aggregated across a lot
• Export to CSV, Excel, or print reports
• See color-coded pass/fail indicators
• Calculate statistics: Cp, Cpk, mean, standard deviation

Machine Setup Mode — Calibration & Configuration

Calibrate the system and configure hardware settings.

Available settings:

• Vision processor calibration (magnification, parcentricity, camera alignment)
• Light amount calibration
• CNC speed settings
• Joystick sensitivity
• Fence limits (software travel limits)

Select Application Mode

If your facility has multiple NEXIV systems or different software configurations, this mode lets you choose which AutoMeasure application to launch.

The Recipe Creation Workflow

A "recipe" (teaching file) is a saved sequence of measurement steps. Here's the proven workflow:

Understanding the List Panel

The List Panel is your recipe. Each row represents one measurement step.

Setting Up Coordinate Systems

This is the most critical step in recipe creation. Get this wrong, and every measurement will be wrong.

Quick Coordinate Setup Methods

Two-Point Coordinate Axis: Pick two points to define your X or Y axis. First point becomes origin.

Line as Axis: Select an existing measured line element to serve as your axis.

Origin Point: Set just the origin (0,0) without changing axis orientation.

Rotation: Rotate your coordinate system by a specific angle.

Working with Teaching Comments

Every step can have a comment. Use them liberally.

Good comment examples:

• "Primary datum — used for all hole positions"
• "Mounting hole — 1/4-20 clearance"
• "Critical dimension per drawing A-1423"

Base elements are the fundamental geometric shapes you measure. Every complex measurement starts with these building blocks.

Common Controls (All Base Elements)

Circle

The most common measurement. Used for holes, pins, bosses, and cylindrical features.

Output: Center X, Y, Z | Diameter D (or Radius R) | True Position | Circularity E | BONUS tolerance

Line

Straight edges, flat surfaces, linear features.

Output: Angle N1 | Deviation E (straightness) | For 3D lines: Angle N

Plane

Flat surfaces. Essential for establishing datums and measuring flatness.

Input: 3+ points for least-squares, 4+ for minimum zone

Output: Normal vector angles | Flatness deviation

Arc

Partial circles — chamfers, radiused corners, partial slots.

Key difference from Circle: Includes start angle A1 and end angle A2.

Sphere

Spherical features like ball bearings, spherical mounts.

Input: 4+ points (3D fitting requires more data)

Ellipse

Oval holes, elongated features.

Input: 6+ measurement points

Output: Center X, Y, Z | Long Diameter LD | Short Diameter SD | Angle N1

Oblong (Rectangle)

Rectangular slots with sharp corners.

Input: 8+ points (2 per side minimum)

Oval (Straight Slot)

Similar to oblong but with semicircular ends — stadium shape.

Quick Reference: Points Required

AutoMeasure wizards automate repetitive measurements. They perform a "pre-measurement" during teaching to establish the feature's approximate location, then during replay they automatically distribute measurement points evenly.

AutoMeasure Circle

Automatically measures a circle by specifying start angle, end angle, and number of points.

Key parameters:

• Preliminary measure checkbox: Enable/disable pre-measurement during replay
• Start angle: -360.0 to 360.0 degrees
• End angle: -360.0 to 360.0 degrees
• Number of measuring points: 3 to 10,000

AutoMeasure Line

Automatically measures a line with evenly distributed points.

Key parameters: Number of measuring points (2–10,000)

AutoMeasure Plane

Automatically measures a plane with grid distribution.

Key parameters: Horizontal points × Vertical points (up to 10,000 total)

AutoMeasure Line Width

Measures width by automatically probing both edges with 180° rotation between them.

AutoMeasure Search

Searches for features that may be partially outside the field of view.

Use case: Large features that don't fit in a single camera view.

AutoMeasure Image

Captures images in various formats: EDF (Extended Depth of Field), Stitching, BMP, JPEG.

Distance measurements calculate the separation between geometric elements. These are derived measurements — they use existing elements rather than measuring new points.

Distance Between Two Points (Dist2P)

Simple distance between two point elements.

Output: Distance D | Delta X | Delta Y | Delta Z

Point-to-Line Distance (DistPL)

Perpendicular distance from a point to a line.

Input: 1 point element + 1 line element

Point-to-Plane Distance (DistPA)

Perpendicular distance from a point to a plane.

Input: 1 point element + 1 plane element

Point-to-Height Distance (DistPH)

Vertical distance from a point to a reference height.

Width Measurement

Measures width between two parallel edges or surfaces.

Minimum/Maximum Distance

Finds the minimum or maximum distance between elements.

Batch Distance (DistB)

Measures multiple distances in a single operation.

Use case: Measuring distances from one reference to multiple targets.

Coordinate systems define the reference frame for all measurements. Understanding coordinate systems is essential for accurate measurement.

Setting a Datum

A datum is a reference point, line, or plane from which measurements are made.

Common datum types:

• Point datum: Single reference point (origin)
• Line datum: Reference axis
• Plane datum: Reference plane for Z=0

Coordinate Rotation

Rotate the coordinate system by a specific angle or align it to a measured feature.

Methods:

• Rotate by angle: Enter specific rotation angle
• Rotate to line: Align coordinate system to a measured line
• Rotate to two points: Align axis through two points

Coordinate Translation

Shift the origin without changing rotation.

Use case: Move origin to a feature location while keeping alignment.

Coordinate Recall

Return to a previously saved coordinate system.

Use case: Switch between different coordinate setups in a single recipe.

Setting the Projection Plane

Determines which plane measurements are projected onto.

• XY plane: Top-down view (most common)
• YZ plane: Side view
• XZ plane: Front view

Geometric tolerancing measures how much a feature deviates from its ideal geometric form. These are critical for quality control and meeting engineering specifications.

Parallelism

Measures how parallel a surface or line is to a reference datum.

Input: Measured element + reference datum (line or plane)

Perpendicularity

Measures how perpendicular a surface or line is to a reference datum.

Input: Measured element + reference datum

Angularism

Measures angular deviation from a specified angle relative to a datum.

Position (Position 2D/3D)

Measures how far a feature's actual position deviates from its theoretical position.

Output: True position value | Bonus tolerance (with MMC)

Concentricity

Measures how concentric two circular features are (share the same center).

Input: Two circle or cylinder elements

Symmetry

Measures how symmetric features are about a center plane or axis.

Runout

Measures surface variation as a part rotates around an axis.

Types: Circular runout | Total runout

Surface Roughness

Measures surface texture and roughness parameters.

Calibration ensures measurement accuracy. Regular calibration compensates for mechanical wear, thermal drift, and optical variations.

Vision Processor Calibration

Calibrates the relationship between camera pixels and real-world coordinates.

Key calibrations:

• Magnification calibration: Pixel size at each zoom level
• Parcentricity: Image center vs. stage center alignment
• Camera calibration: Lens distortion correction

Camera Calibration

Corrects for lens distortion and optical aberrations.

Calibration types:

• Low magnification: For wide field of view
• High magnification: For detailed measurements

Light Amount Calibration

Ensures consistent illumination across the field of view.

When to calibrate:

• After changing light sources
• When lighting appears uneven
• Periodically as part of maintenance

Shading Calibration

Compensates for uneven illumination across the field of view.

Stroke Calibration

Calibrates stage position accuracy for dual-objective systems.

AF (Auto-Focus) Calibration

Calibrates height measurement accuracy for AF probes.

Magnification Calibration

Verifies and corrects the pixel-to-micron ratio at each magnification level.

Replay Mode executes your saved teaching file automatically. This is where you see the benefit of careful recipe creation.

Before Running Replay

Ensure the following:

• Part is clean and properly positioned
• Coordinate system is set (if needed)
• Teaching file is loaded
• Stage area is clear of obstructions

Replay Settings

Repeat count: Number of times to run the sequence

Lot number: Identifier for grouping samples

Error handling: What to do when errors occur

• Stop on error
• Skip and continue
• Prompt user

Initial Coordinate System

For parts that may not be positioned exactly the same as during teaching, set an initial coordinate system before running replay.

Methods:

• Manual alignment using datum features
• Automatic pattern recognition
• Fixture-based alignment

Running Multiple Samples

For batch measurement:

1. Set up the first part
2. Run replay
3. Replace the part
4. Run again (lot number increments automatically)

Result View Mode provides comprehensive data analysis and export capabilities.

Viewing Results

Per sample: Individual measurements for each part

Per lot: Aggregated statistics across all samples in a lot

Trend analysis: Track measurement changes over time

Statistical Analysis

Built-in SPC calculations:

• Mean: Average value
• Standard deviation: Spread of data
• Max/Min/Range: Extreme values
• Cp: Process capability
• Cpk: Process capability index

Export Options

• CSV: Spreadsheet-compatible format
• Excel: Direct Excel export with formatting
• Print: Formatted report
• Custom templates: User-defined report formats

Pass/Fail Indicators

Color-coded results for quick visual inspection:

• Green: Within tolerance
• Yellow: Warning zone (approaching limits)
• Red: Out of tolerance

Data Management

Save results: Export to database or file system

Compare samples: Side-by-side comparison

Historical tracking: Trend analysis over time

Common Problems & Solutions

Stage Won't Move

Possible causes:

• Emergency stop engaged
• Controller not powered on
• Software not connected to controller
• Fence limit reached

Measurements Are Inconsistent

Possible causes:

• Illumination not calibrated
• Magnification calibration needed
• Part not clean or stable
• Inconsistent probe placement

Replay Measurements Wrong Location

Solution: Set initial coordinate system before running replay. The part is positioned differently from when teaching was done.

AF Probe Not Working

Possible causes:

• AF probe not calibrated
• Surface too reflective or too dark
• Height range exceeded

Edge Detection Failing

Possible causes:

• Insufficient contrast
• Lighting too bright or too dim
• Edge outside search area

Software Running Slowly

Possible causes:

• Too many teaching steps
• Large image files loaded
• Computer needs restart

Error Messages

Common error codes and meanings: