MUS 7.0 connects to MicroScribe i, MX, G2 and 3D products automatically. MicroScribe MX products can connect via USB only. MicroScribe G2 products can connect via the serial or USB ports of the host machine. MicroScribe 3D products only connect via the serial port of the host machine.
If you see the main MUS window and the XYZ coordinates display update to reflect movement of the MicroScribe probe, your MicroScribe is connected. If the MicroScribe is not connected to MUS, MicroScribe not connected. will be displayed in the toolbar message area above the XYZ coordinates.
Before you can begin the measurement process, be sure to follow these steps:
- Turn Standby off on the host machine to avoid losing connection to the MicroScribe device. Standby is a power saving option that affects the provision of power to USB ports and other system components during periods of perceived inactivity. If connecting to a USB hub, ensure that it is a powered hub.
- Plug the end of the hand switch or foot pedal cable into the MicroScribe device's "Accessory" port.
- Plug the appropriate end of the USB cable into the MicroScribe device's port labeled "USB". The other end should go in a free USB port on your computer.
- Connect the power supply from the "Power" port on the back of the MicroScribe device to a wall outlet. MicroScribe MX series devices use a 9 volt/2.5A power supply. Before attaching a power supply, confirm that it is the correct one for your system. Power supplies for some laptop computers and other devices have similarly configured power plugs and may provide higher voltages that will damage your MicroScribe MX device if inadvertently connected.
- Place the MicroScribe device in the home position (for more on this, see the MicroScribe MX hardware manual). Press the "Home" button on the back of the device.
- The MicroScribe device is ready to connect to MUS.
- If you are using a nonstandard probe, see the Custom Probe section for more information on start up procedures.
- The Device Status LED on the base will indicate why the MicroScribe device is not connecting to MUS:
- OFF - Off: The MicroScribe device is not powered through USB or the external power supply.
- RED (Flashing) - Powered: The MicroScribe device is not "homed" and not communicating with the PC.
- RED - Not Homed: The MicroScribe device is communicating with the PC, but has not been "homed."
- GREEN (Flashing) - Connection lost: The MicroScribe device has been "homed," but is not communicating with the PC.
- GREEN - Normal operation: the device has been "homed" and is communicating with the PC.
- RED or GREEN (Rapid Flashing) - Low battery or power: The voltage supply to the unit is low and should be replaced immediately
If the LED is red or flashing red, press the "Home" button on the back of the MicroScribe device's base to home the device and prepare it for digitizing.
Before you can begin the digitizing process, be sure to follow these steps:
- Turn Standby off on the host machine to avoid losing connection to the MicroScribe device. Standby is a power saving option that affects the provision of power to USB ports and other system components during periods of perceived inactivity. If connecting to a USB hub, ensure that it is a powered hub. Do not use both the power supply and the a powered USB port unless otherwise instructed, as it can cause intermittent connection issue.
- Plug the end of the foot pedal or hand switch cable into the MicroScribe device's "Accessory" port.
- Plug the appropriate end of the USB cable into the MicroScribe device port labeled "USB". The other end should go in a free USB port on your computer. You can also connect a MicroScribe G2 device using a serial cable, similarly to a MicroScribe 3D device described below. Do not connect both USB and serial cables at the same time. If you do, the serial connection is ignored.
- MicroScribe G2 series devices accept power through a powered USB connection or external power supply. If using the external power supply, connect the power supply from the "Power" port on the back of the MicroScribe device to a wall outlet. MicroScribe G2 series devices use a 5 v/2A power supply. Before attaching a power supply, confirm that it is the correct one for your system. Power supplies for external speakers often have similar sized power plugs and provide higher voltages that will damage your MicroScribe G2 device if inadvertently connected.
- The MicroScribe device is ready to connect to MUS.
- Place the MicroScribe device in the home position. Press the "Home" button on the back of the MicroScribe device. If using the World Frame in MUS, the angle of the arm when pressing the "Home" button is important. See the Using the World Frame section for more information.
- The Device Status LED on the base will indicate why the MicroScribe device is not connecting to MUS:
- OFF - Off: The MicroScribe device is not powered through USB or the external power supply.
- RED (Flashing) - Powered: The MicroScribe device is not "homed" and not communicating with the PC.
- RED - Not Homed: The MicroScribe device is communicating with the PC, but has not been "homed."
- GREEN (Flashing) - Connection lost: The MicroScribe device has been "homed," but is not communicating with the PC.
- GREEN - Normal operation: the device has been "homed" and is communicating with the PC.
If the LED is red or flashing red, press the "Home" button on the back of the MicroScribe device's base to home the device and prepare it for digitizing.
The MicroScribe 3D device is essentially seen by a computer as a standard serial port device and communicates via the RS-232 protocol.
The MicroScribe 3D device should be connected to an available serial port. Beware of shared resource conflicts caused by other installed serial devices, such as internal modems, personal digital assistants, uninterrupted power supplies, and tablets. Although the device may not be physically connected to the serial port, accompanying software or device drivers still may be tying up the port. If possible, install the MicroScribe device onto a previously unused COM port. For more on this subject please see the Possible Cause of Communication Problems section of this guide.
The following must be connected to the back of your MicroScribe device before you can begin the digitizing process:
- Plug the end of the hand switch or foot pedal cable into the MicroScribe device's "Accessory" port.
- Plug the appropriate end of the serial cable into the MicroScribe device's port labeled "Serial". The other end should go in a free serial port on your machine.
- Connect the power supply from the "Power" port on the back of the MicroScribe device to a wall outlet. MicroScribe 3D series devices use a 5 v/2A power supply. Before attaching a power supply, confirm that it is the correct one for your system. Power supplies for external speakers often have similar sized power plugs and provide higher voltages that will damage your MicroScribe 3D device if inadvertently connected.
- Place the MicroScribe device in the home position. Press the power switch on the back of the MicroScribe device into the "On" position. The MicroScribe 3D device is automatically homed. If using the World Frame in MUS, the angle of the arm when turning it on is important, see the Using the World Frame section for more information.
- The MicroScribe device is ready to connect to MUS.
- The Device Status LED on the base will indicate why the MicroScribe device is not connecting to MUS:
- OFF - Off: The MicroScribe device is not powered through the external power supply or the device power switch is in the off position.
- GREEN - The device has power and the automatic power-on homing procedure has been completed.
If the LED is off, flip the power switch into the "On" position to home the device and prepare it for digitizing.