Delcam launches upgraded inspection software

The automatic surface inspection methods for CNC CMMs and machine tools use raster strategies taken from Delcam's award-winning machining software. The user can set the distance between each point to be measured and the stepover between each line of measurements to develop the grid of data to be taken. Each of these two key values can be set for each individual surface within the model, for groups of surfaces or for the whole model. This allows a greater density of data to be collected from more critical areas of the component. The ability to extract GD&T data from CATIA models will allow designers to ensure that the correct design intent is measured in any prototype or production component. The designer can specify the required tolerances as the design develops and also specify the datums to be used for the inspection routine. The PowerINSPECT user can extract this information and use it as the basis for his quality control routines. Inspection based on point clouds collected by laser scanners has been a development priority for PowerINSPECT for several releases and this trend has continued in the latest version. The software now has the ability to align regions of the point cloud to specific, more critical, areas of the model, rather than simply applying a best-fit routine over the whole part. The changes to the PowerINSPECT interface will make it easier to create inspection routines, especially for users of inspection arms and manual CMMs.