Point Cloud

[[To...]]

A customer has asked me to produce a point cloud of all of the data measured in a program. I've never produced a Point Cloud like this. I believe they want to analyze using SmartProfile but not sure just yet. I've asked them how the data should be formatted but have not heard a reply.

I ran the parts with both Measured Points and Export Points active, so I have lots of data.

Anyone familiar with the process?

[[Da...]]

I assume they are taking the data and best fitting it to the cad model and evaluating the deviations.

[[To...]]

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Yes. Apparently, the SmartProfile software allows you to load a model. Select the Datum Features, create GD&T, etc. Load a point file and have everything be analyzed.

I found out they only need the X, Y, Z and Vector info but I'm looking to get all of the point data from all of the features into 1 file.

[[Me...]]

SmartProfile can load the “zmp” file directly. If you decide the send the individual files created using the “Export Points” option, they will be able to import them simultaneously without much effort. One thing to keep in mind is that both of these methods will export every measured point, even though Calypso does not necessarily use them for evaluation. This has a tendency to cause issues when comparing data between software packages, since the data is unfiltered and will include any outliers.

If you need/want to send the same measured point data that is being used for evaluation within Calypso, then you’ll need to use the PCM function writeActualsToFile().

[[To...]]

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zmp sounds like the easiest way to go.

I will take a look at the PCM option

Thank you Phillip.

[[To...]]

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After reviewing the PCM help manual, I'm a bit confused on the syntax for the writeActualsToFile() command. I placed the command in a post setting parameter of a feature but get the error below.

Screenshot 2021-11-16 162048.jpg

[[Ma...]]

Did you just wrote filename into it?

[[To...]]

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Hi Martin, No but I realized this might be part of the problem yesterday. Will test this morning.

[[Me...]]

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The function must reference a characteristic and file path. I will generally make a "dummy" Form characteristic for each feature that I need to export point data from. This will also allow you to apply any filtering / outlier removal (if needed), and looping through the names is much easier if you have a large number of features needing to be exported.

Example from the PCM manual....

writeActualsToFile("diameter1",true,"c:\test.txt")

[[Ma...]]

Name of characteristic and True/False can be optional.

[[Ri...]]

You can create a Point Cloud feature and recall feature points of all features - then export points. It will be one file.

[[To...]]

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Like I mentioned earlier, I missed the file name because I was trying to avoid creating one for everyone of my characteristics.

[[To...]]

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I tried that but it didn't seem like it was collecting enough of the points. I will give that another try.

[[Me...]]

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Then the simplest way would be to just send them the zmp file, especially if they want it for SmartProfile. Combining them using the "Point Cloud" will produce a single file and you'll be able to target specific features, but it will be the same point information contained within the zmp file.