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QC-CALC Related Frequently Asked Questions
How automatic is QC-CALC?
For most equipment, installation is all that is required. However some
equipment may require up to five system settings to export stats to QC-CALC.
Once stats are exported, QC-CALC is fully automatic. Users need only to start
their inspection equipment and run QC-CALC. QC-CALC will automatically learn
the inspection features, nominals, and tolerances and save the data. If the
user switches between inspection programs, QC-CALC will automatically switch to
the appropriate database. (NO KEYSTROKES IN QC-CALC ARE NEEDED!)
What if I am installing the evaluation on a PC not connected
to an inspection machine?
No problem. There is a fake data generation tool that is installed
with QC-CALC called the Training CMM. This tool will assist you in
creating random data for trying out all the functionality in QC-CALC.
Here is an article on How to Use the Training
CMM tool.
Are you adding more machines to the list of compatibility?
We are always adding new machines and would be happy to discuss any
possibilities with you. We are always willing to work with customers and
welcome input from customers and manufacturers. First check our
Supported Machines page to see if your machine is listed. If not,
please open a support ticket. We can often
add machine drivers within a couple of days.
Exactly how user friendly is QC-CALC?
QC-CALC is extremely user friendly. It features
an easy to use graphical user interface and there are very few machines
that require more steps. And even if there are more steps required,
they are simple to get through. To obtain the exact steps for the machine
you are considering, please download and install an evaluation of QC-CALC. Once installed, go
to Help > Machine Specific. The help
file is grouped by CMM machine type. To obtain an evaluation copy
of our software, click on the product you wish to evaluate (on the
left side of this screen) and click the Download button from the product
screen.
What is the difference between QC-CALC Real-Time, QC-CALC SPC and QC-CALC
Enterprise?
QC-CALC Enterprise is a full package that is split into 2 halves; QC-CALC
Real-Time for data collection and QC-CALC SPC for analysis and reporting.
We did this because many of our users are on a network and want to run their
reports from an office separate from the shop floor where the data collection
occurs. Rather than forcing them to purchase 2 copies of Enterprise, we
split the product allowing them to buy 1 copy of Real-Time for the shop floor
data collection and 1 copy of SPC for remote analysis.
I have a previous version of QC-CALC. Will it work with the newest
version?
QC-CALC can work with files created by any previous version of QC-CALC.
The first time you open a .QCC file from a previous version, QC-CALC will
automatically convert the older file to the new format. In addition,
we provide a free tool that is installed with QC-CALC called Convert
3.0. This tool will convert any version of a QC-CALC database to any
other version. Previous versions of QC-CALC are not compatible with the
latest version because major enhancements were made to the database backend
that were not available at the time. If you would like to open a .QCC
file in an older version of QC-CALC, simply convert it to the previous version
using the Convert 3.0 utility.
What is the difference between QC-Gage and QC-CALC?
QC-Gage receives and parses gage data before
sending to QC-CALC. QC-Gage interfaces directly to
electronic gages and shows pictures and descriptions/instructions of
the features being measured. It also organizes measurements by
part type into a spec plan which leads the operator
through measurement steps before export to
QC-CALC. Once the plan is complete, the data is sent
directly to QC-CALC. QC-Gage does not provide data storage or
reports.
QC-CALC provides data storage and statistical
analysis. You can enter data in QC-CALC but QC-CALC does not
interface directly to electronic gages.
For more information, please
visit our Product Comparison page.
QC-Gage Related Frequently Asked Questions
How hard is it to collect data from two different gages?
It's easy. QC-Gage lets you define a "Spec Plan" (short for "Specification
Plan" or "Inspection Plan"), a description of all the features you want to
measure on a part, the gage that should measure that feature, the nominal and
tolerance of the feature, and even an optional picture for the operator. You
can use as many gages as the serial ports on the computer will allow. You can
measure a few features with one gage, a few with the next gage, and go back to
the first gage.
Do I need QC-CALC to use QC-Gage?
No. You can use the Audit Files to save the data QC-Gage collects, and any
spreadsheet or database program can import the data. Using QC-CALC does not
disable the Audit Files, so you can have your data in QC-CALC and in your
favorite spreadsheet. QC-CALC can also export data in ASCII format so you can
keep most of your data in QC-CALC and only put data into spreadsheets when you
need a special function.
What gages are supported?
See Supported Gages for the current list, and check
this site often for additions. This link also contains connection notes for
various gages. PLEASE NOTE: We can support any gage with an RS232 serial
output. In addition, QC-Gage accepts hand entered values for gages that
do not have any output capability.
How do I add new gages?
Gages are described in external files, so you can add gages without an upgrade.
You can download gage
definitions from this web site at no charge. You can also tell us about your
gage and we may be able to interface to it.
Does QC-Gage work on a network?
A network is recommended but not required.
How many readings can QC-Gage hold?
Data is collected in groups. When a full group is received it is sent to a disk
file or to the central QC-CALC storage analysis computer. The database in
QC-CALC can store millions of readings. Groups can be up to 500 readings long
with 500 features. Partial groups can be saved and consecutive readings from
the same spec plan are placed in the same database. Groups only define how many
readings are shown on the screen simultaneously.
I installed and registered QC-Gage on one computer, can I
transfer it to a different computer or directory?
Yes, you can transfer the software to a different directory or a different
computer. To transfer QC-Gage, install it in the new computer or new directory,
then start the old copy and go to the license screen by pressing enter when the
splash screen (the firstscreen you see when you start QC-Gage) is displayed. In
the license screen select the License menu and pick Transfer to directory or
Transfer out to another computer and follow the directions on the screen.
How do I find out what UART chip I have?
One quick way to find out is to look in the "MSD.EXE" file in your Windows
directory. This file shows all of your system's settings. Look under the "COM
PORTS" menu for the necessary information. For more information on UART chips,
consult the QC-GAGE Technical Support page under General RS232 Questions.
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