Need a real world training from Proliner expert

[intellistone]

Hello all,

Long time forum reader, and finally I became a member.

We have been using LT2D3D for digital template, and earlier this year, we decided to try out Proliner as many SFA members has spoken highly about its accuracy.
We bought a brand new unit (version 7), and we got the training via webinar.
Well, when I took it to the job site for template, I struggled a lot as some dimensions on the screen didn't match with actual measurements that I got with my measuring tape.
After speaking with tech support at Prodim, I realized that the direction of measuring caused the discrepancies.
Instead of trying to learn how to use Proliner properly, I kept going back to LT2D3D as it still works good AND we were super busy.
I feel like an old dog, who doesn't want to learn a new trick any more...

I would greatly appreciate if any of SFA members allow me to follow around your templator a day or two so I can see how it's used in a real world. I am not asking for free, I will gladly compensate for your valuable time and service.

[Alex DiPietro]

Hey Kevin,

I'd suggest joining up here and posting this in the members area. I think you'll get more responses.

Using the pro-liner is strange until it clicks and it's second nature. The best analogy I've heard is if you're using left hand compensation pretend the pointer is a matchbox car driving around the kitchen and you're sticking your hand out of the left side of the car. You always want your hand (sticking out of the window) to be hitting the what you're measuring. If you find the passenger side of the car is closest to what you're measuring then you're going the wrong way.

If you use right hand compensation then the analogy is the same but using the right (passenger) side of the matchbox car.

[Dave.Scott]

Fkn A Alex.
U B A stud.

[GuyboR]

Long time forum reader, and finally I became a member.

I just updated your account so you now can get into the members area.

Here is a post on this exact subject. Not much different than what Alex said....except no kids toys used in the examples.
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=9289&p=96070

[BReynolds]

You need to get into your setting and check to see what your unit is currently set at for comp - left, right, or none. To get accurate measurements you need it set to either left or right ( I prefer left but it is equally accurate either left or right) then as others have said make sure the Proliner is set somewhere sturdy, if on tripod make sure not to bump it. Then the first three points define your "plane" after that use the car analogy for the direction of compensation.

Setting comp to none will measure to the center of the "ball" on the end of the pen, doing it this way the measurements will always be off half the diameter of the "ball." I know some guys do it this way because it doesn't matter the direction you shoot in, but it will not give you a accurate drawing.

If you have it set on left hand comp but go around to the right then the drawing will be off the full diameter of the ball.

In settings somewhere you can also turn on a line that shows you the center of the ball and the line that it drew for compensation. This might be helpful at first so you can see what direction the machine is offsetting the line.

[Mark Lauzon]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYNa5OTiswA

This might help a little

[intellistone]

Thank you Alex and Brandon for detailed explanation!
Alex, "Driving a matchbox car with your left hand out" really helps me to understand how Proliner works.
Brandon, "Turn on a line that shows the center of the ball and the line that it drew for compensation". This setting will be very helpful. I couldn't find the setting, but I will call Prodim tech support for help.

Thank you Mark for Youtube video!
After watching it, I went to Prodim website to watch more videos.
And, I also found out that they will have a seminar in Virginia in October.
I will definitely be there.

My biggest challenge is to stop using LT2D3D and start using Proliner...
Maybe, I need to start with simple kitchen that is easy to measure.

Someday, I hope to see Proliner with cordless pen with sharp point (not round ball point).

Have a great weekend!

[Curtis R. Marburger]

when i was templating with proliner i carried a laptop with cad program downloaded file from proliner and double checked cross checked all dimensions before leaving jobsite.
never trusted or assumed anything.. nothing got passed the ole school tape measure checked against cad program dimensions..

[KKelough]

Come on down to GA and we can give you the once over. PM me and we can set something up

[intellistone]

PM sent.
Look forward to meeting you soon.
Thank you, Chris!

[ThomasGraniteTopsIRE]

We have three Proliners (looking at purchasing our fourth at marmomacc) and if you need any help, tips or advice, send me a message and I'll do my best to help.

For direction (compensation) I have told all my guys that imagine your standing in front of the line you need to measure, then go left to right (We use left compensation). Worked a treat and all my guys can use the Proliner without issues.

Each proliner for us measures up to 5 kitchens per day (depending on locations) and we use the CT software to fully finish drawings on site to send back to our factory.

Here's a link from one year ago: https://www.prodim-systems.com/en-en/Ne ... -tops.html
Since then we've added our third proliner and now produce between 40-50 countertops per week.

[Alex DiPietro]

What's the CT software?

[ThomasGraniteTopsIRE]

What's the CT software?
[

The software CT Stone that comes on the Proliner 7cs

https://www.prodim-systems.com/en-en/Pr ... re/ct.html

I've heard of people who only use the Proliner to take base unit, wall measurements and sink and hob positions then edit everything back in their office. We prefer to finish everything on site.

[Alex DiPietro]

Oh ok. We have that software. We prefer to do all offsets onsite but clean up the drawings in cad at the office.

[ThomasGraniteTopsIRE]

Just a picture showing how we finish our drawings for our factory, complete with dxf file for the saw and cnc

Sorry getting off topic now. New to all this

[Alex DiPietro]

That pic didn't show up can you post it again?

[ThomasGraniteTopsIRE]

[Alex DiPietro]

Nice drawing. You guys do all that editing on the proliner? Including two different dxf for saw and cnc? I just got back form europe today, how do you guys handle all the drain grooves? What kind of tools?

[ThomasGraniteTopsIRE]

Nice drawing. You guys do all that editing on the proliner? Including two different dxf for saw and cnc? I just got back form europe today, how do you guys handle all the drain grooves? What kind of tools?
[

Yes all this on the Proliner. The exploded view you see is enough to be used on our Denver Tecnika saw (Using Logotag) and then my CNC Guy only has to take that, delete the parts he doesn't need and drop in the sink needed for the job.

In regards to drain grooves, we have two Prussiani Golden Plus CNC's (with a Silver 3000 on the way), one with 'Gearboxes' with grooving wheels and the second with normal grooving bits. 3 wheels or 3 bits. We take them off and use fine grit sandpapers to really smooth out the lines and bring up the shine (we hand finish every piece of stone that comes off our line polisher and CNC's for that finer detail), then heat them, apply wax, heat again and clean the grooves and if it's granite apply another coat of sealer to them.

Are you attending Marmomac this year?

[Clyde Kingry]

we use right compensation.

Imagine a fence line is your target. With right compensation, walk forward "along the fence", from point A to point B, keeping the "fence" on your right side at all times. This is everything you are digitizing,.... walls, cabinets, sinks, etc.

If left compensation, keep the "fence" on your left as you move forward.