Metric – simple to use!
Measurement software shouldn’t result in the user losing time. The Metric measurement software is an alternative to other available programs, which are often complicated to use.
Why Metric?
The fact that Metric can measure in the live image saves an enormous amount of time, given that images need not be saved first and subsequently retrieved again. Through the use of our USB 2.0 camera, the software can be installed on as many computers as desired. Metric is enabled wherever the camera is connected. On the one hand, this removes the need for the troublesome USB dongle, and on the other, it is extremely practical for mobile systems such as the Cellcheck Series, given that everyone who wants to share a microscope already has the software installed on their computer. Metric can be switched between 35 different languages, a feature which has led to the program being used all over the world. This is not only of interest to international clients. In large companies with staff from many different nations, software training is made much easier.
Updates for Metric measurement software from the nine-digit serial number are generally free of charge. With the corresponding serial number, the user is immediately taken to the correct version in our download area. This saves time-consuming update contracts and ensures that users can always keep their systems up to date. It is always possible to carry out an upgrade from Metric PE Standard to Metric MT at the original update price. Your old version will not lose its value. Of course, we cannot forget the telephonic support: The Metric header bar contains our normal telephone number, not the Nirvana hotline.
Versions:
Metric is available in three configurations. Metric BE is intended only to display and save images and generate cross-hairs for positioning. The DoubleCheck function enables two live images with cross-hairs to be automatically launched beside each other when two cameras are used. Metric PE contains basic measuring functions, such as distance, radius and circular measurements, angle measurements and some other basic measuring functions. For users who prefer to allocate functions to hot keys, Metric PE has the option of creating hot keys. Metric MT generally contains all measuring functions: special circular measurements, measuring functions for the PCB area, thickness measurements, DFX overlay, focus calculation and many other special functions. It would take too long to list all the functions here. Metric MT has two additional functional levels: The buttons located in the left column activate the measurements point, line, circle and circle segment. The three buttons below are intended for the distance, angle and best-fit line. With the four upper measuring functions, all relevant objects or measuring points are marked. Afterwards, measurements can be linked in the computer window (button with PC).
The second function level includes the readout of X, Y and Z values. Metric MT can generally be combined with practically every measurement system. Regardless of whether the measuring tables are from Märzhäuser, Uhl, Prior, Steinmeyer or others, the XY axis are read and calculated in Metric MT. If no direct USB or RS-232 connection is possible, it may be necessary to transfer data via a suitable interface. Data from measuring spindles such as Mitutoyo, Sylvac, Heidenhain or integrated measuring systems, for instance from Schneeberger, on or in guidance systems is also processed. The X, Y and Z values are permanently displayed in an additional window in Metric. Below is a list of the measuring systems which can currently be read out.
Automatic measurement with the Metric MT
Metric MT also has many special measurement functions for tool measurements (drills, milers, thread cutters and indexable inserts). New image processing functions for diameter, radii, distances and angles offer even quicker and reproducable measurements. With a good contrast, the user only needs to pull up one box with the mouse and the result is displayed automatically. All Metric measuring functions can also be used with the automatic edge selection. If a specific measuring function which you require for your company is not included in Metric: we would be happy to program a special measuring function for you.
DXF overlay function
The Metric MT contains the DXF overlay function. This function can be used to overlay a DXF, DWG or vectorized PDF. When the measurement system is changed (detent zoom with multiple magnifications), the overlay is automatically adjusted to the changed, calibrated magnification. A preview window facilitates the search for a specific element to be displayed in the center. Optionally, the original colors as well as names and labels can be displayed. New from June 2023 is the possibility to mirror and rotate the DXF. In addition to further setting and adjustment options, it is possible to move the overlays together with a measuring system if this is combined with the Metric measuring software (e.g. cross measuring tables or measuring systems in a grinding machine).
Adapting the functionalities
If you do not require some of the functions you can at any time deactivate or completely hide them. This way the program can be completely adapted to your requirements.
Calibration log
Together with the measurement software a calibration scale is supplied with a DAkkS log. The calibration data is recorded in a log which offers the following information:
• Date of last calibration
• Device recognition
• Operator
• Calibration standard
• Camera size
• Monitor size
• Next calibration
• Program version
• Measuring systems
• Pixel size
• Magnification on screen
• Datum of new calibration
• Automatic display after calibration has been run when program is started
CAQ connection
Another important subject these days is the transfer of measurement data into a CAQ system. Besides an interface for QDAS/QSTAT, from July 2017 we are again offering the DC-HI-NET from Steinwald with the appropriate drive software for Metric. The connection of the DC-HI-NET to CAQ-/SPC programs is supported by the following manufacturers (among others):
AHP, Babtec, Böhme & Weihs, CAQ, CAT, Consic, COSMINO, Eilebrecht SSE, Freudenberg IT, Gewatec, GUARDUS, GRP, Hekatec, Hommel-Etamic/JENOPTIK, IBS, IBS-Sinic, IB-Seteq, IDOS QMS, InQu, IQ'S, Jessen Lenz, Kronion, L&W, Mitutoyo, MPDV, KITOTEC GmbH, Promess, Pickert & Partner, Q-DAS, QSC, QUIPSY, SAP, SCIIL, Siemens (SISW), Solvtec, SYNCOS, Wonderware, X-Team, Zeiss IMT.
Interested? If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call us. Alternatively, the navigation bar for Metric PE and Metric MT contains a comprehensive help menu with a large number of screenshots and the corresponding detailed explanations of all functions.
Controls
The controls listed here for motorised measurement tables are bundled with the Metric MT:
• Tango, Märzhäuser
• CNC-Axis Board, Metronic Heidenhain
• MCU-28, Zeiss
• WCB DCDCDrive 6, Winecke & Sinske
• Pro Scan 2, Prior
• L-Step, Lang
• SMC Series (Corvus, Pollux, Basic), ITK Dr. Cassen
• Motor Driver, Navitar Inc.
Interfaces
The interfaces listed here for reading off measure-ment systems are bundled with the Metric MT:
• IK-220, Heidenhain
• IM BUS, all common signals, IBR
• Sylvac via RS-232 or USB
• Digimatic DMX-1, via RS-232 or USB Mitutoyo
• Digimatic DMX-2, via RS-232 or USB Mitutoyo
• Digimatic DMX-3, via RS-232 or USB Mitutoyo
• S-Box 25 MUX/USB Bobe/ Mitutoyo
• B-Box 3, via RS-232 or USB Bobe/ Mitutoyo
• AK-1 and IK-2, Winecke & Sinske
• QC-100, QC-200, QC-300, QC-5000, Metronic, Heidenhain
• SCD 2-channel, 3-channel, Märzhäuser
• I-Counter, Hitec
• USB-302, Carmar
• SC-212, Nikon
• KA-Counter, Mitutoyo
• DC-HI-NET, Steinwald Datentechnik
• DEVA0001, Deva Electronics Controls
• Multiplexer, Brecht Elektronik
• SMMX, SM-Motion Control
All standard measurement transducers can be operated with the aforementioned interfaces and read in in Metric MT. Other signals can be integrated at any time upon request.
Machine controls
The measurement systems can be read off from the following machine controls (connection via Ethernet):
- Sodick: Project implementation by Sodick only
- SM Motioncontrol: SMMX
- Heidenhain: Anilam i-Series, ATEK M, CNC Pilot 4290, CNCPilot 6xx, GRINDplus IT, GRINDplus 640, iTNC 530, MANUALplus 620, MillPlus SP, MillPlus IT DP, MillPlus IT V6xx, TNC 128, TNC 6xx, TNC 320 PDF download: installation instructions
Transducers via OPC-UA - Metric MT and "Open Platform Communication
What is OPC (UA)? Since 1996, the https://opcfoundation.org has been pursuing the unification of a communication standard between machines in production processes. This standard should unify the various protocols such as Modbus or Profibus. In a first step, OPC Classic was limited to the Windows world. Since 2008, the OPC Foundation has been working on the architecture to be able to integrate all machines - even those outside the Windows world. This is how OPC Unified Architecture, or OPC- UA for short, came into being. All original OPC Classic specifications were mapped to OPC UA.
Communication between the individual systems within the OPC-UA universe is encrypted and thus meets high and future-proof standards. Details on the architecture, standards, certificates, training, software, white papers, members and much more, as well as a community that provides help and tips on creating servers and clients, can be found at https://opcfoundation.org.
Server or client
A data acquisition system, a motor control or another machine equipped with OPC UA makes its data available as a server. A programme that retrieves, displays and manages this data acts as a client. On the server side, the structure of the data and access is specified. From the outside, it can be requested which information is generally available. In addition, users can be set up with specific user rights, which can be given corresponding levels of access, e.g. to view more sensitive data or to change data. In this respect, the server provides an interface similar to that known, for example, from operating systems with users and passwords. A client logs on to the server either anonymously or with user name and password, and receives the rights provided for logging on.
The server then sends the desired data (monitored items, subscription) to the client as soon as the data is updated. So you don't have to keep asking if something has changed. In the following illustration, the Metric MT basically acts as a client.
Setting up the interface - selecting the information:
The UAExpert software must be installed on the PC. Download e.g. here: https://www.unified-automation.com/products/development-tools/uaexpert.html
At the top left of the "Project" window you will find the connection to the server. Below in the window "Address Space" you can search for the desired data and then drag it into the middle window "Data access view". The data is automatically updated here as soon as new content is available. You can see at any time which data was sent at which time, so that you are constantly informed about the validity of the data. As soon as the desired data are summarised, one saves the configuration into the project. UAExpert creates its own file with the extension uap, which contains all information in plain text. NOTE: Passwords are not saved in the file.
Acceptance of data by Metric MT
The Metric MT programme can read in the UAP files (any password required is not in the file). With the information, the Metric MT logs on to the OPC UA server as a client and sets up the data to be monitored. The Metric MT then updates itself as usual and can read in and evaluate the sensors accordingly.
USB cameras which work in Metric in live-picture mode
- IDS uEye, all versions (drivers up to 2.40 for older board revisions, 64bit-drivers only from version 3.50) (For IDS cameras which have not been purchased from us, Metric must be enabled with a dongle)
- ABS UK, all versions (drivers provided exclusively by us, 64bit drivers included automatically) (For ABS cameras which have not been purchased from us, Metric must be enabled with a dongle)
- Sentech, only with older Metric version 9.03 (When using Sentech cameras Metric must always be enabled with a dongle)
- Imaging Source - only camera DFK 33UX265 - other cameras on request. Cameras that are not purchased from us must be unlocked with a HASP dongle from us.
- HIK Robotics. Cameras that are not purchased from us must be unlocked with a HASP dongle from us.
Supported operating systems
- Windows 7 Professional (only up to version 9.03)
- Windows 8.1 Professional (only up to version 9.03)
- Windows 10 Professional
- Windows 11 Professional
Technical data sheets, download of drivers and download of updates for the measuring software can be found under Update - Driver - Notes.
