Configuring RevWorks for FARO USB Digitizers

 

FARO USB digitizers require no hardware configuration for use. When RevWorks first attempts to communicate with a FARO USB device, RevWorks automatically initializes the communications parameters to default values. You can modify several default options to customize the behavior of your FARO device.

To Configure RevWorks for a FARO USB Digitizer

1. From the RevWorks toolbar, select ,
   or select Options… from the RevWorks menu.

The Options dialog appears.

2. Select the Current Devices tab.

3. From the Current Device drop-down list box, select Faro USB if it is not already selected.

The Options tab automatically reflects configuration options for the FARO USB device.

Note: If the Faro USB selection does not appear, RevWorks did not find a supported version of the FARO support drivers on your computer or the FARO device was not selected for installation with RevWorks. FARO-supplied software is required to communicate with the FARO USB device.

4. Select the Options tab.

If your FARO USB device is on and properly connected the Serial Number, Calibration Date, and Firmware Version are displayed.

5. Select Arm Options to configure FARO USB arm characteristics.

6. Select Temperature to view the arm’s operating temperature.

7. Select Diagnostics to view live information from the FARO USB device.

8. Within the Mouse Action group, select Use arm as mouse when not digitizing if you want to activate the ability of the FARO USB device to act as a mouse when not collecting point data.

9. In the Feature Offset Tracking group, change the default value for the Probe Approach Tolerance if you wish to change probe motion sensitivity.

Note: The Probe Approach Tolerance must minimally be set larger than twice the inherent accuracy of the device.

10. Select OK to accept the specified options.

Your FARO USB digitizer is now ready to start.

Note: If your FARO USB device was turned off or not connected at the time that you viewed the Options page the Connect button is enabled and all others are disabled. To get access to the other buttons, connect your device, turn it on and press the Connect button. If RevWorks successfully connects to your device the Options page display is refreshed, the Connect button is disabled and the other buttons are enabled.

Probe Approach Tolerance

RevWorks tracks probe movement to assist in determining the proper offset direction for features measured with a ball probe. The sensitivity for probe movement may be adjusted by changing the Probe Approach Tolerance. The Probe Approach Tolerance specifies how much the probe must move before that movement registers as probe motion for the sake of determining the offset direction. The default value of 2 millimeters should be adequate for most measurements. If you are measuring features, such as a bore with a ball probe that is nearly the size of the bore, you may want to reduce the Probe Approach Tolerance, if the probe cannot be moved at least the specified amount before the first point is taken. RevWorks may not be able to determine the correct offset direction unless you approach the first point of the feature by at least the distance specified by the Probe Approach Tolerance. If RevWorks seems to be randomly offsetting in the wrong direction, the value for Probe Approach Tolerance may be too small.

Note: RevWorks displays measurements in the same units as the currently active part or assembly document. You can enter values in any other supported unit of measure by adding the recognized abbreviation after the value you enter.