Delcam PowerInspect 2012 R2 includes digitised curves capability and quick probe calibration
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Delcam has released a 2012 R2 version of its PowerInspect software for inspection and reverse engineering. This includes enhancements to inspection and also continues the development of the reverse engineering capabilities introduced earlier this year. The main enhancement in the latter area has been an expansion of the Digitised Curves capabilities to create a powerful re-engineering and modelling tool.
Inspection improvements in Delcam PowerInspect 2012 R2 include a simplified procedure enabling users to quickly calibrate the probe assembly by probing a single point anywhere within the measuring envelope; a new offset-alignment method that aligns the part with the axes of the CMM while setting the position with a single point measurement; and new point-cloud options that make it easier to modify and re-use digitised curves and points, with options for editing, deleting and resuming measurement of the points and curves.
Automated section measurement, which was previously only available in the manual version of PowerInspect, is now available in both the OMV and CNC offline-programming versions. This strategy for creating probe paths along a section of the component provides quick and easy comparison of a cross-section against the CAD model. This type of section measurement is important for the measurement of blades and aerofoils, as well as for automotive inspection.
Options within Digitised Curves allow edges, holes and gaps to be identified as the part is being probed. Curves can also be created from CAD models within PowerInspect or they can be imported directly from other software packages. All these curves can be modified by rotation, translation, mirroring or scaling, or by editing individual points within the curve.
Once created, curves can be exported as polylines as well as to the previously-available NURBS format. This enhancement is part of a general increase in the ability to export surface and geometric items for use in modelling applications, with VDA export added to the existing IGES format.
The creation and editing options for curves can be used with a marking out feature for refining or completing clay models – a requirement for creating automotive and marine styling models. This utility enables curves created within PowerInspect to be used to guide a marking out tool on a measuring device or layout machine.
