Creating a Feature Control Frame Dimension

The following procedure shows you how to create a Feature Control Frame (FCF) dimension:

  1. Create the features that will be datum features. These can be measured features, auto features, or constructed features.

  2. Select Insert | Dimension | Datum Definition. The Datum Definition dialog box appears.

  3. Use the dialog box to select the datum features and associate them with datum letters. See "Defining Datums" for information on how to do this.

  4. When you have finished defining datums, close the dialog box.

  5. Make sure the Insert | Dimension | Use Legacy Dimensions menu option does not display a check mark. If it does, select the menu item to clear this check mark.

  6. Select the appropriate dimension from the Insert | Dimension submenu. The XactMeasure GD&T dialog box for that dimension appears.

  7. In the dialog box, select the Feature Control Frame tab.

  8. Use this tab to select the features to dimension and to construct your FCF. For information on the available options on this tab, see "Feature Control Frame Tab"

  9. Select the Reporting tab.

  10. Select the appropriate options from this tab to define how the dimension information should be displayed. See "Reporting Tab" for information on the available options on this tab.

  11. Select the Nominals tab.

  12. Select the appropriate options from this tab and type the nominal and tolerance values. For information on the available options on this tab, see "Nominals Tab".

  13. Click Create. PC-DMIS inserts an FCF command into the measurement routine. An FCF graphic appears in the Graphic Display window. The graphic will have a transparent background. You can click and drag the FCF to a new location as needed.

FCF Creation Conditions

For PC-DMIS to properly create an FCF dimension, it must meet the appropriate conditions for the type of dimension you want to create. Consult the following list as needed:

Form dimensions
No datums
No material conditions
No projected zones

Profile dimensions
May or may not have datums
No material conditions
No projected zones

Orientation dimensions
Must have datums
May have material conditions
May have projected zones

Runout dimensions
Must have datums
No material conditions
No projected zones

Position dimensions
May have datums
May have material conditions
May have projected zones

Other dimensions (these include symmetry, concentricity, coaxiality)
Must have datums
May have material conditions (concentricity and coaxiality ISO 1101 only)
May have projected tolerance zones (coaxiality only)