Defining The ClearanceCube

You can define the ClearanceCube in a measurement routine with or without a CAD model.

Measurement Routine with CAD

To define a ClearanceCube in a measurement routine with a CAD model, follow these steps:

1. Select Operation | Graphic Display Window | ClearanceCube, or from the ClearanceCube toolbar, click the Clearance Cube Definition icon . This opens the ClearanceCube Definition dialog box.



ClearanceCube Definition dialog box

Offset around CAD boundary - Type an offset value in this box or use the up and down arrows to increase or decrease the current value by one. Based on this value, PC-DMIS draws the ClearanceCube around the CAD model the current distance away from the part on all six sides. PC-DMIS uses the same units of measurement as the measurement routine.

Advanced - This button expands the dialog box from a single-tab to a multi-tabbed dialog box. The tabs on the advanced dialog box include: Size and Constraints. This button then changes to read Simple. Click the button again to display the simple dialog box.

You can use the advanced area to:

• Customize the ClearanceCube offset along each axis.

• Define a ClearanceCube for a measurement routine that does not use a CAD model.

• Set the constraints for the ClearanceCube.

If you use the Advanced tab to customize the size, the offset box in the simple definition dialog box displays "N/A" routine.

OK - This button defines and activates the ClearanceCube.

Cancel - This closes the dialog box without saving the changes.

2. Type an offset value in the Offset around CAD boundary box.

3. Click the Advanced button to customize the size and constraints for the ClearanceCube.

4. Click OK to close the dialog box.

Measurement Routine without CAD

To define a ClearanceCube in a measurement routine without a CAD model, follow these steps:

Prerequisites

1. Create an alignment that controls all six degrees of freedom of the part.

2. Set CAD = Part (Operation | Graphic Display Window | CAD Equals Part).

You must create an alignment and then set CAD Equals Part even though you do not have a CAD model in your measurement routine.

If you don't complete the prerequisite steps before you define the ClearanceCube, PC-DMIS displays an error that informs you to complete the required steps.

Define ClearanceCube

1. Select Operation | Graphic Display Window | ClearanceCube, or from the ClearanceCube toolbar, click the Clearance Cube Definition icon . This opens the ClearanceCube Definition dialog box.

ClearanceCube Definition dialog box

2. Click Advanced to open the Size and Constraints tabs on the ClearanceCube Definition dialog box.

ClearanceCube Definition dialog box - Advanced

3. In the Size tab, from the Select Part Alignment list, select the part alignment in which you want to define ClearanceCube.

4. In the Minimum and Maximum area, type the location values for the ClearanceCube in the Minimum XYZ and Maximum XYZ boxes relative to the selected alignment.

You must make sure that the minimum value of each axis is smaller than the maximum value of the corresponding axis.

5. Click OK to close the dialog box. If you want to define a ClearanceCube and continue to modify its definition, click Apply.

You cannot define a ClearanceCube from the STARTUP alignment. PC-DMIS does not display this alignment in the STARTUP alignment list.

Re-import a CAD in a Measurement Routine with ClearanceCube

When you re-import a CAD model into a measurement routine with a pre-defined ClearanceCube, you must consider these factors:

• ClearanceCube is defined using CAD

When you re-import a CAD model into a measurement routine, PC-DMIS redefines the ClearanceCube automatically. PC-DMIS uses the same offset boundary for each side as defined in the original CAD model.

• ClearanceCube is defined using Part Alignment

PC-DMIS redefines the ClearanceCube by default with a 10 mm offset to the CAD model's boundary.

• ClearanceCube was created using Part Alignment in previous versions

PC-DMIS 2023.2 and later versions do not allow you to define a ClearanceCube with part alignment if a CAD model is available. PC-DMIS redefines the ClearanceCube and displays a message to inform you of the new ClearanceCube settings.