Motion controller apparatus and method of operation therefor

A method of operation for motion controller apparatus configured for communication with a client workstation and electrical connection with a frame vendor's frame to set up a Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) system including a probe head and an interchangeable sensing apparatus for inspecting a part, the method of operation comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a frame configured to be fitted with a probe head, the frame having:
• i) X, Y, and Z motors for positioning the probe head along X, Y and Z frame axes,
• ii) X, Y and Z linear encoders for position feedback of the probe head along the X, Y and Y frame axes, and
• iii) X, Y and Z velocity feedback devices for velocity feedback of the probe head along the X, Y, and Z frame axes;
• b) providing sensing apparatus on the probe head;
• c) providing a client workstation installed with a Measurement Part Program Execution (MPPE) client software vendor's MPPE client software without I++ client software, the client workstation capable to run a MPPE part inspection program for inspecting the part,
• the MPPE client software having:
• i) a predetermined list of MPPE native motion controller commands for executing MPPE part inspection programs, and
• ii) a predetermined list of MPPE native motion controller feedback messages including motion controller command acknowledgements, I/O feedback messages and sensing apparatus feedback messages;
• d) providing a motion controller apparatus including:
• i) an interpretation module having:
• a predetermined list of motion controller commands corresponding to the predetermined list of MPPE native motion controller commands, and
• a predetermined list of motion controller feedback messages corresponding to the predetermined list of MPPE native motion controller feedback messages, and
• ii) a motion controller in communication with the interpretation module and including an electrical connection board for connecting to the frame;
• e) placing the part on the frame;
• f) running the MPPE part inspection program on the client workstation;
• g) interpreting the MPPE native motion controller commands to motion controller commands;
• h) sending the motion controller commands from the interpretation module to the motion controller;
• i) sending motion controller feedback messages from the motion controller to the interpretation module;
• j) interpreting the motion controller feedback messages to MPPE native motion controller feedback messages;
• and
• k) sending the MPPE native motion controller feedback messages from the interpretation module to the client workstation, thereby enabling execution of the MPPE part inspection program on the part irrespective of the frame vendor.