Finding the distance between two features

[[Ro...]]

Hello,

I need, easy help considering my crowd, with creating a distance program. It has just two plane features, sitting vertical from each other (II). The program needs to show the distance between the two features.

My question: which characteristic is best to use when just finding the distance between two features, in this case planes?

Simple distance, caliper distance, point distance etc.

The CMM is a Contura.

[[Ma...]]

I would use Cartesian distance, since it's not dependant on alignment.
But sometimes you would need to use two Cartesian distances since they are not prefectly parallel.

• 1. for plane1 to plane2
• 2. for plane2 to plane1

Using Caliper distance you can get Min/Max/Mid distance value, but it's alignment dependant.

[[Ro...]]

Thank you, Martin.

I will try the two cartesian distance. Appreciate your input.

[[ST...]]

I recently started using the Constructions 'Minimum Coordinate' and 'Maximum Coordinate'. Set up these pointing to one of the planes, perhaps the smaller or non-datum one. Then request Cartesian Distances with the Min or Max Coordinate called out first then the opposite plane.

The specifications for one of our customers direct us to do it this way. Seems to yield sensible results.

As much as possible verify with alternate means, eg Gage Blocks. It doesn't take much time, and it will put you on much more solid ground if measurements are ever questioned.