FARO arm is a multiple axis articulated robot arm with a spherical work volume. It has got six degrees of freedom. If any of the degree of freedom is locked it will not collect the data this can be checked on controller box. Rotary transducers are fitted on each joint, which sends the signal through the controller cable.
The available types of FARO arm are
Handle Buttons
Two handle buttons are provided on the arm for data collecting. Front button, which is near probe, is for data collection and back button, which is near the handle, is for data acceptance.
Auxiliary Port
On the side of the probe handle opposite the handle buttons there is a six-pin connector, which allows two channels of analog input into the FARO arm signal processing board. This can be employed for any number of analog input options, such as a conductance based touch probe. Auxiliary input voltage for #1 and #2 are +/- 4.5 volts.
Probes
The probes are fitted at the end of the arm. During scanning, a probe touches the object. Different types of probes are supplied with the FARO arm. Each ball probe is stamped with the diameter of the ball (0.25", 6mm, 0.125", 3mm). The point of measurement is the center of the ball. With the help of software this radius of the ball probe is compensated. Point probes are only recommended when ball probe can not reach the desired point. Point probe will have an impact on measurement accuracy. The error depends on
If the part, which is going to be Reverse Engineered is made of such a material that it is getting deformed with the probe pressure then in that case Rennishaw probes should be used. Renishaw probes are basically touch probes. It collects the points with a touch of stylus to the part.
While using the touch probes the software configuration need some changes. In the software configuration the auxiliary port will need to be toggled ON. The rennishaw probes are very sensitive and can be adjusted with an allen wrench inserted into the end of a five way port. The probe will take a point if it is bumped or it will take multiple points if bounced off the object. The operator has to watch the red LED on the probe and listen to the controller box to ensure that only one point was taken. The LED will turn off and the controller box will sound when a point is collected. The back button is to be pressed to confirm the point. Touch probes are shown in Figure 2.4.
Precautions
This is a precision-measuring instrument, while ruggedized for shop use, proper care must be taken in operating environment and use of the FARO arm. Proper operation includes avoiding the following
