CAD-Based Inspection Software

Delcam says the 2010 version of its PowerInspect inspection software offers easy inspection of parts, tooling and prototypes against CAD data. The hardware-independent inspection software is suited for users of virtually all types of metrology equipment, including manual and CNC CMMs, inspection arms and optical devices.

 

To improve the creation and editing of inspection sequences, extra points or features can be inserted anywhere within the sequence. This is especially useful for creating inspection sequences with large numbers of measurements, the company says. This feature is also said to make it easier to update complex sequences during long production runs, or when process or design changes require modifications to the inspection routine.

The inspection software features an extended “simple measures” functionality and an improved, simplified DG&T Wizard. It also features an increased range of pre-defined inspection sequences for both common measurement patterns and simple alignments. Users can select features from the CAD view, with item types shown by an icon for easier selection.

Improved simulation capabilities facilitate on-machine verification or checking CNC CMM sequences before running them. Collision checking is flexible and easy to use, the company says. It includes options to stop the sequence automatically once a collision is detected and to continue the simulation until the next problem is found.

Users can also reuse measurement results. The new “point source” feature allows users to define these relationships offline. This improves consistency for batch measurement, by enabling measurements to be reused in the same way for every component.

 

Finally, labels for reporting purposes can be attached to selected points within point clouds generated by laser scanners. For example, the user can highlight the points that are furthest out of tolerance and identify critical points in the design for detailed reporting.