ACU-RITE VUE User manual

VUE R EADOUTS
REFERENCE MANUAL
SALES & SERVICE:
A Tech Authority, Inc.
13745 Stockton Ave.
Chino CA 91710
909-614-4522
[email protected]

VUE iii
VUE Key Layout
VUE Key Layout
VUE Soft keys
There are two pages of soft key functions to select from the operating
modes. Use the LEFT/RIGHT arrow keys to cursor through each page.
The page indicator in the Status Bar will show the page orientation.
The darkened page indicates the page you are currently on
1
1
1
2
1
3
1
4
1
5
1
6
1
7
1
8
1
9
1Display Aera
2Soft keys
3Page Indicator light
4UP/DOWN arrow keys are also used to adjust the screen contrast
5Axis Keys
6Numeric Keypad
7ENTER key
8CLEAR key
9Hard function keys
1
1
1
2
1Page Indicator
2Set Zero Indicator
Soft Key function Soft key
Opens on-screen Help Instructions.
Toggles between Inch, and Millimeter units
(see "Units" on page 5).
This soft key toggles between radius and
diameter displays. This function is for Turning
applications only (see "Diameter Axes" on page
6).
Toggles between Set/Zero functions. Used
with individual axis keys (see "Set/Zero Soft
Key" on page 7).
Opens the Job Setup menu and provides
access to the Installation Setup soft key (see
"Job Setup Parameters" on page 5).

iv
VUE Soft keys
Soft Key function Soft key
Press when ready to identify a reference mark
(see "ENABLE/DISABLE REF function" on page
4).
Opens the Tool Table. See "Tool Table" on page
8 for Milling. See "Tool Table" on page 22 for
Turning. The tool key is a soft key for the one
axis readout only.
Opens the Datum form to set the datum for
each axis. See "Datum Setting" on page 10 for
Milling. See "Datum Setting" on page 24 for
Turning. The datum key is a soft key for the
one axis readout only.

VUE v
Readout Parameter Access Code
Readout Parameter Access Code
An access code must be entered before machine-related installation
parameters can be set or changed. This prevents inadvertent
adjustments to the installation setup parameters.
Access to Machine Parameter Operations
Refer to the Setup section also.
Begin by pressing the SETUP soft key.
Press the soft key INSTALLATION SETUP.
Press the access code numbers 8891 using the numeric key pad.
Press the ENTER key
The readout is now ready for machine parameter setting operations
IMPORTANT!
The access code is 8891.
IMPORTANT!
Supervisors may wish to remove this page from the
Reference Manual after initially setting up the readout
system. Retain in a safe place for future use.

vi
Readout Parameter Access Code

VUE vii
Introduction
Introduction
Software Version
The software version is shown on the initial power up screen.
VUE
DRO axis availability.
Symbols within Notes
Every note is marked with a symbol on the left indicating to the
operator the type and/or potential severity of the note.
VUE Fonts
The following shows how the soft, and hard keys are represented
within the text of this manual:
Soft keys - SETUP soft key
Hard keys - ENTER hard key
This User's Manual covers the functions of the VUE for
both milling and turning applications. Operational
information is arranged in three sections: General
Operations, Mill Specific Operations and Turn Specific
Operations.
The VUE DRO is available in one, two, and three axis
form. The 3 axis VUE DRO is used through out this
manual for illustration and description of function keys.
General Information
e.g. on the behavior of the VUE.
Warning
e.g. when a special tool is required for a function.
Caution - Risk of electric shock
e.g. when opening a housing.

viii
VUE Fonts

VUE ix
Hassle-Free Warranty
ACU-RITE is proud to offer the 3-Year Hassle-Free Warranty for all digital readout systems, vision readout systems, and
precision glass scales. This warranty will cover all of the ACU-RITE repair and replacement costs for any readout or precision
glass scale returned during the three (3) year warranty period. ACU-RITE will repair or replace the damaged components -
regardless of the product’s condition absolutely free, no questions asked. This warranty covers both materials, and factory
labor. In addition, authorized ACU-RITE service representatives will provide service labor (field service) for a period of one (1)
year at no charge. Notice of the claimed defect must be received by ACU-RITE within the warranty period.
This warranty applies only to products and accessories installed and operated in accordance with this reference manual. ACU-
RITE shall have no obligation, with respect to any defect, or other condition caused in whole or part by the customer’s incorrect
use, improper maintenance modification of the equipment, or by the repair, or maintenance of the product by any person except
those deemed qualified by ACU-RITE.
Responsibility for loss of operation, or diminished performance due to conditions beyond ACU-RITE’s control cannot be
accepted by ACU-RITE.
The foregoing warranty obligations are in lieu of all expressed or implied warranties. ACU-RITE Companies, Inc. shall not be
liable under any circumstances for consequential damages.

x

VUE xi
Table of Contents
VUE Key Layout
Front Panel Layout...................................................................................................iii
VUE Soft keys
Soft Key Functions...................................................................................................iii
Readout Parameter Access Code
Access to Machine Parameter Operations ...............................................................v
Introduction
Software Version ....................................................................................................vii
VUE Axis availability................................................................................................vii
Symbols within Notes.............................................................................................vii
VUE Fonts...............................................................................................................vii
Hassle-Free Warranty
Warranty ..................................................................................................................ix
I – 1 Introduction to VUE
Layout of Screen...................................................................................................... 1
VUE Hard Keys ........................................................................................................ 2
Operating Modes..................................................................................................... 3
Reference Mark Evaluation...................................................................................... 3
Working without reference mark evaluation....................................................... 4
ENABLE/DISABLE REF function......................................................................... 4
Job Setup Parameters ............................................................................................. 5
Units.................................................................................................................... 5
Scale Factor ........................................................................................................ 5
Mirror .................................................................................................................. 5
Diameter Axes .................................................................................................... 6
Near Zero Warning.............................................................................................. 6
Status Bar Settings ............................................................................................. 6
Job Clock ............................................................................................................ 6
Console Adjustment ........................................................................................... 7
Language ............................................................................................................ 7
Import/Export...................................................................................................... 7
Set/Zero Soft Key................................................................................................ 7

xii
I – 2 Milling Specific Operations
Key Functions Detailed............................................................................................ 8
Tool Hard Key ..................................................................................................... 8
Tool Table ........................................................................................................... 8
Tool Compensation............................................................................................. 8
Sign for the length difference ΔL........................................................................ 9
Calling the Tool from the Tool Table ................................................................... 9
Datum Setting................................................................................................... 10
Datum Setting with a Tool ................................................................................ 11
Presets.............................................................................................................. 12
Absolute Distance Preset ................................................................................. 12
Preparation:....................................................................................................... 13
Incremental Distance Preset ............................................................................ 14
1/2 Hard Key ..................................................................................................... 15
Circle, and Linear Pattern................................................................................. 15
Functions for milling pattern soft keys ............................................................. 15
Circle pattern .................................................................................................... 16
Linear Pattern ................................................................................................... 17
Incline & Arc Milling.......................................................................................... 17
Incline Milling.................................................................................................... 18
Arc Milling......................................................................................................... 20
I – 3 Turning Specific Operations
Tool Table ......................................................................................................... 22
Tool Display Icon............................................................................................... 22
Setting Tool Offsets with Tool/Set ................................................................... 22
Setting Tool Offsets with Lock Axis Function .................................................. 23
Calling a Tool from the Tool Table .................................................................... 23
Datum Setting................................................................................................... 24
Setting Datums using LOCK AXIS Function ..................................................... 25
Taper Calculator Hard Key ................................................................................ 26
Presets.............................................................................................................. 27
Vectoring........................................................................................................... 28

VUE xiii
II – 1 Installation Setup
Installation Setup Parameters................................................................................ 29
Encoder Setup ....................................................................................................... 29
Display Configuration............................................................................................. 30
Coupling................................................................................................................. 30
Z Coupling (turning applications only) .................................................................... 31
Enabling Z Coupling .......................................................................................... 31
Disabling Z Coupling ......................................................................................... 31
Error Compensation............................................................................................... 32
Linear Error Compensation ............................................................................... 32
Non-Linear Error Compensation........................................................................ 33
Starting a Non-linear Error Compensation Table............................................... 33
Configuring the Compensation Table................................................................ 33
Reading the Graph ............................................................................................ 33
Viewing the Compensation Table ..................................................................... 34
Exporting the Current Compensation Table...................................................... 34
Importing a New Compensation Table ............................................................. 34
Backlash Compensation ........................................................................................ 34
Counter Settings.................................................................................................... 35
Diagnostics ............................................................................................................ 35
Keypad Test ...................................................................................................... 35
Display Test ...................................................................................................... 35
II – 2 Installation and Electrical Connections
Installation.............................................................................................................. 36
Electrical requirements ..................................................................................... 36
Environmental................................................................................................... 36
Preventative maintenance ................................................................................ 36
II – 3 Dimensions
Overview ............................................................................................................... 37
Accessory ID Number....................................................................................... 37

xiv

VUE 1
I – 1 Introduction to VUE
I – 1 Introduction to VUE
Layout of Screen
Status Bar Symbols:
ACU-RITE’s VUE readout provides application-specific features that
allows the most productivity from a manual machine tool.
Status Bar - This displays the current datum tool, feed rate, job
clock time, unit of measure, operating mode status, page indicator,
and set/zero. See Job Setup for details on setting up the Status Bar
parameters.
Display Area - Indicates the current position of each axis. Also
shows forms fields instruction boxes, error messages, and help
topics.
Axis Labels - Indicates axis for corresponding axis key.
Ref Symbols - Indicates current reference mark status.
Soft key Labels - Indicates the various milling, or turning functions.
1Datum
2Tool
3Feed Rate
4Job Clock
5Unit of Measure
6Operating Modes
7Page Indicator
8Set/Zero
9Axis Labels
10 Reference Symbol
11 Soft key Labels
12 Display Area
13 Near Zero Warning (In Distance-To-Go mode only)
9
10
4
5
1
6
7
8
2
1
11
12
13
3

2 I
I – 1 Introduction to VUE
VUE Hard Keys
Hard keys on the VUE readouts vary depending on the number of axis
the readout includes. A one axis readout will only have the first three
hard keys shown below. A two, or three axis readout will have all the
hard keys shown below.
The last two keys are specific to a VUE readout that is either for
milling, or turning. The first symbol applies to a milling readout, and the
second symbol applies to a turning readout.
Hard Key function Hard Key
Symbol
Switches display between operating modes:
Distance-To-Go (Incremental) / Actual Value
(Absolute) (see page 3).
Used to divide the current position by two (see
page 15).
The CALC hard key opens the Calculator
functions for standard math, trigonometry,
RPM, and Taper (Turning only) functions (see
page 26).
The DATUM hard key opens the Datum form to
set the datum for each axis (for Milling see
page 10, for Turning see page 24).
The TOOL hard key opens the Tool Table (for
Milling see page 8, for Turning see page 22).
The CIRCLE PATTERN hard key (Mill only)
opens the Circle Pattern form. This calculates
the hole positions (see page 15).
The LINEAR PATTERN hard key (Mill only)
opens the Linear Pattern form. This calculates
the hole positions (see page 15).
The INCLINE MILLING hard key (Mill) /
VECTORING hard key (Turn) opens the Incline
milling forms (see page 18), or the Vectoring
form (see page 28).
The ARC MILLING hard key (Mill) / TAPER
CALC hard key (Turn) opens the Arc milling
forms (see page 17), or the Taper Calc form
(see page 26).

VUE 3
I – 1 Introduction to VUE
Operating Modes
The VUE has two operating modes: Distance-To-Go (incremental),
and Actual Value (absolute). The Distance-To-Go feature enables an
approach to nominal positions by traversing to display value zero.
When working within the incremental mode, enter nominal
coordinates as either incremental, or absolute dimensions. The Actual
Value feature always displays the current actual position of the tool,
relative to the active datum. In this mode, all moves are made by
traveling until the display matches the nominal position that is
required.
While in the absolute (Actual Value) mode, if the VUE is configured for
Milling applications, only the tool length offsets are active. Both the
diameter, and length offsets are used in the incremental (Distance-To-
Go) mode to calculate the amount of “distance-to-go” required to get
to the desired nominal position relative to the edge of the tool that will
be doing the cutting.
If the VUE is configured for turning, all tool offsets are used in both the
absolute, and incremental modes.
UPress the ABS/INC hard key to toggle between these two modes.
To view other soft key functions in either absolute, or incremental
mode, use the LEFT/RIGHT arrow keys.
The turning application provides a quick method for coupling the Z
axes position on a 3 axis system. For more information, see "Coupling"
on page 30.
Reference Mark Evaluation
The VUE reference mark evaluation feature automatically re-
establishes the relationship between axis slide positions, and display
values that were last defined by setting the datum.
For each axis with an encoder that has reference marks, the REF
indicator will flash for that axis. After crossing over the reference
marks, the indicator will stop flashing, and change to a non-flashing
“REF”.

4 I
I – 1 Introduction to VUE
Working without reference mark evaluation
The VUE can also be used without crossing over the reference marks.
UPress the NO REF soft key to exit the reference mark evaluation
routine, and continue.
The reference marks can still be crossed over at a later time if it
becomes necessary to define a datum that can be re-established after
a power interruption.
UPress the ENABLE REF soft key to activate the position recovery
routine.
ENABLE/DISABLE REF function
The ENABLE/DISABLE soft key, that is present during the position
recovery routine, allows the operator to select a specific reference
mark on an encoder. This is important when using encoders with Fixed
Reference Marks (instead of ones with Position-Trac™ feature). When
the DISABLE REF soft key is pressed, the recovery routine is paused,
and any reference marks that are crossed during encoder movement
are ignored. When the ENABLE REF soft key is then pressed, the
recovery routine once again becomes active, and the next crossed
reference mark will be selected.
Only cross over the reference marks of all the encoders that are
needed.
UOnce reference marks for all desired axes are established, press NO
REF soft key to cancel out of routine. If all reference marks have
been found, the VUE will return to the DRO display screen
automatically.
If an encoder is setup without reference marks, then the
REF indicator will not be displayed, and a datum set from
any axis will be lost once power is turned off.

VUE 5
I – 1 Introduction to VUE
Job Setup Parameters
UTo view, and change Job Setup parameters, first press the SETUP
soft key.
UUse the UP/DOWN arrow keys to highlight the parameters of
interest.
Upress the Enter key.
Units
The Units form is used to specify the preferred display units, and
format. The unit of measure can also be selected by pressing the
INCH/MM soft key in either Actual Value, or Distance-To-Go mode.
Scale Factor
The scale factor may be used to scale the part up, or down. A scale
factor of 1.0 creates a part with the exact size as dimensioned on the
print. A scale factor >1 “grows” the part, and <1 “shrinks” the part.
UThe numeric keys are used to enter a number greater than zero. The
number range is 0.1000 to 10.000. A negative value may also be
entered.
UThe scale factor settings will be retained on a power cycle.
UWhen the scale factor is a value other than 1, the scaling symbol
is shown on the axis display.
UThe ON/OFF soft key is used to disable the current scale factors.
Mirror
A scale factor of -1.00 will produce a mirror image of the
part. A part can be both mirror, and scaled at the same
time.

6 I
I – 1 Introduction to VUE
Diameter Axes
Select Diameter Axes to set which axes can be displayed in either
radius, or diameter values. ON indicates that the axis position will be
displayed as a diameter value. When OFF, the Radius/Diameter
feature does not apply. for turning applications see page 27 for the
Radius/Diameter feature.
UCursor to Diameter Axes, and press ENTER.
UThe Cursor will be in the X axis field. Depending on the parameter
needed for that axis press ON/OFF soft key to turn feature on, or off.
UPress ENTER.
Near Zero Warning
The Near Zero Warning form is used to configure the bar graph that is
shown below the axes’ display in Distance-To-Go mode. Each axis has
its own range.
UPress the ON/OFF soft key to enable, or simply begin entering
values using the numeric keys. The current position box will begin
moving when the position is within range.
Status Bar Settings
The Status Bar is the segmented bar at the top of the screen which
displays current datum, tool, feed rate, job clock, and page indicator.
UPress the ON/OFF soft key for each setting to be displayed.
Job Clock
The job clock shows the hours (h), minutes (m), seconds (s). It
operates like a stop watch showing elapsed time. (The clock starts
timing from 0:00:00).
The elapsed time field shows the total accumulated time from each
interval.
UPress the START/STOP soft key. The status field will read
RUNNING. Press it again to stop time from elapsing.
UPress RESET to reset the elapsed time. Resetting will stop the clock
if it is running.
Pressing the DECIMAL KEY while in operating mode, will
also stop, and start the clock. Pressing the ZERO KEY will
reset the clock.