Clearance/Sub Clearance?

[[Me...]]

I've successfully measured the "S" geometry with Curve but had some difficulty with Clearance...I eventually gave up trying to figure out what the distance & retract should be so I made Position Point Clearances in each Curve Feature to avoid crashing.

My question is what is the route any of you fine Sirs would take as far as clearance goes? Sub Clearance?

I would also like to be refreshed/trained on Sub Clearances and their purpose because it's been about 10 years since being trained.

[[De...]]

It really depends on where the start and stop points are for the curve.

Depending on the start and end points you might be able to just use retract - most likely you wouldn't want to use clearance distance with a curve because it will give you a move to the side of the curve.

If a retract along the nominal vector of the first and last point of the curve gets you clear, then this is the easiest method.

If that doesn't work, then IMO the next easiest method with no 'surprises' from Calypso is to just add in position points like you have.

I have used sub clearance planes in some instances and maybe its just me, but it seems like they are pretty clunky and seldom worth the trouble. I am interested to hear what others think.

[[Cl...]]

You may want to turn Arc motion mode to "OFF" If its not off currently it should tighten movement up a bit.

Arc Motion Mode.PNG

[[Ra...]]

I'm with Derek. Sub-clearances are seldom a better option than position points. Clunky is a good description.

[[Me...]]

I had no idea about Arc Motion Mode. That sounds like something I will definitely be using in the future.

Thanks fellas and have a great Memorial weekend!

[[Cl...]]

With it on the probe arcs to and from the feature being measured, and can cause collisions in tight spaces.

[[No...]]

Sub clearance planes are used when the probe has to travel a long way from the main clearance plane into a deep part and back. To save time you can then create a clearance group and an additional sub clearance plane that is closer to the features measured, but far enough to be reached from every feature in the group.

[[Aa...]]

Norbert is right on the money. The OP's situation is not what Sub Clearance is designed for. Trying to use Sub Clearance for something other than what it's designed for will make it feel clunky.

As a rule, Sub Clearance shouldn't be used to make something work that wouldn't work without Sub Clearance. It's only for reducing run time by cutting out some additional travel distance. It's not intended for avoiding collisions.