To Create a Patch Scan

  1. Ensure that you have a Laser probe enabled.

  2. Place PC-DMIS into DCC mode.

  3. Select the Insert | Scan | Patch menu item. The Scan dialog box appears with the Patch Scan option already selected in the Scan type list.

  4. Set the values for Increment and Increment 2. These determine the spacing of the points if you select the Generate or Spline buttons or the New Line check box to define the scan. Increment defines the spacing between each point on a scan line and Increment 2 defines the spacing between scan lines.

  5. If your scan traverses multiple surfaces, consider selecting surfaces as discussed in the "CAD Controls" topic.

  6. If you are going to use the boundary points to help define the scan path, add the 1 point (starting point), the D point (the direction to begin scanning), the 2 point (the end point of the first line), the 3 point (to generate a minimum area), and, if desired, the 4 point (to form a square or rectangular area). This will select an area that you wish to scan. Pick these points by following the appropriate procedure discussed in the "Boundary Points” topic.

  7. Make any changes to the vectors in the Vectors list. To do this, double-click on the vector, make any changes to the Edit Scan Item dialog box, and then click OK to return to the Scan dialog box.

  8. Type the name of the scan in the ID box.

  9. Mark the Measure check box if you want to execute the scan and measure it at creation time.

  10. Select the Generate button to generate a preview of the scan on the CAD model in the Graphic Display window. When you generate the scan, PC-DMIS starts the scan at the start point and follows the chosen direction until it reaches the boundary point. The scan then moves back and forth scanning in rows along the chosen area and at the specified increment value until it finishes the process.

  11. If needed, you can delete individual points. To delete them, select them one at a time in the Theoretical Path area and press the Delete key on your keyboard.

  12. If needed, make additional modifications to your scan.

  13. In the Pointcloud reference feature box, type the ID of the pointcloud object that will receive the surface data.

  14. In the Hit Type list, you can select Surface Point in case you want to convert scan data into Surface Point laser commands. PC-DMIS inserts these commands into the Edit window when you click the Create button.

WARNING: Once you mark the Measure check box, and click Create, you must keep clear of the machine. The software starts the measurement routine and the machine will move. Injury may result if you are not clear of the machine.

  1. Click the Create button. PC-DMIS inserts the scan into the Edit window if the Create only points check box is cleared.

More:

Using the Simulate Pointcloud Function