Creating an Auto Angle Point

Auto Angle Point button

The Angle Point auto option enables you to define a point measurement that is the intersection of two measured lines. This measurement type allows you to measure the intersection of two lines without measuring the lines separately and constructing an intersection point. Six hits are needed to accurately measure an angle point.

To access the Angle Point option, select Insert | Feature | Auto | Point | Angle to open the Auto Feature dialog box for an Angle Point.

Auto Feature dialog box - Angle Point

With the dialog box open, use one of these methods to create the feature.

Using Surface Data on the Screen

To generate an angle point using surface data:

1. From the Graphic Modes toolbar, click the Surface Mode icon ().

2. Click once near (but not on) the angled edge in the Graphic Display window. PC-DMIS highlights the selected surface.

3. Verify that the correct surface has been selected. The dialog box displays the value of the selected angle point and vector once the point has been indicated. The direction of the surface normal vector is determined by the side of the part that is accessible to the probe. If both sides of the part are equally accessible, the normal from the CAD data is used. The Flip Vector icon () on the dialog box lets you change the direction of the approach.

4. Click Create to insert the feature into the measurement routine. If additional mouse clicks are detected before you click the Create button, PC-DMIS overwrites the previous information with the new data. If an additional touch is necessary, click on the opposite surface of the angled edge.

Using Surface Data with the CMM

To generate an angle point using surface data with the CMM, touch once on each side of the angle edge. If the CAD angle point is not found, PC-DMIS displays the closest point and asks you to take the additional hits.

Using Wireframe Data on the Screen

You can also use wireframe CAD data to generate an angle point.

To generate the point:

1. Click once near (but not on) the angled edge. PC-DMIS highlights the selected surface.

2. Verify that the correct surface has been selected. The dialog box displays the value of the selected angle point and vector once the point has been indicated. The software determines the direction of the surface normal vector by the side of the part that is accessible to the probe. If both sides of the part are equally accessible, the software uses the normal from the CAD data. The Flip Vector icon () on the dialog box lets you change the direction of the approach.

3. Click Create to insert the feature into the measurement routine. If additional mouse clicks are detected before you click the Create button, PC-DMIS overwrites the previous information with the new data. If an additional touch is necessary, click on the opposite surface of the angled edge.

Using Wireframe Data with the CMM to Create the Feature

To generate an angle point using wireframe data with the CMM, touch once on each side of the angle edge. If the CAD angle point is not found, PC-DMIS displays the closest point and asks you to take the additional hits.

Without Using CAD Data

If the angle point is to be generated without the use of CAD data, touch three times on each surface to find the two planes. The displayed angle point is at the first hit location.

Typing the Data

This method allows you to type the desired X, Y, Z, I, J, K values for the angle point.

1. Type the desired X, Y, Z, I, J, K values for the feature into the dialog box.

2. Click Create to insert the feature into the measurement routine.