Transfer Points to model

[[To...]]

I'm working a family of parts that all have a 2" radius sphere on them. However, the sphere on each part has a different X, Y and Z origin relative to the BA. Currently, I manually place points in the strategy. I'd like to know if there is a way to transfer a set of points, i.e. a table of X and Y locations, projected onto the sphere.

[[Cl...]]

Do you have PCM?

[[To...]]

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I do, but my customer doesn't. How would it work using PCM?

[[Cl...]]

Even if they don't have PCM it will work. Create a .PARA file with Notepad.
Insert into the program folder. Right click in the desired feature coordinate
and choose the variable you need.

//Radius Size 1

X = 0.005
Y = 0.005
Z = 0.005

[[To...]]

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Unfortunately, you went from Point A to Point T..... 😃 😃 For every part, the X and Y values of each point on the sphere will be the same, but the Z and the vectors will vary due to the origin of the sphere.

sphere points.JPG

[[Ri...]]

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If I am understanding your question, you could do the following. (See images).
You want to transfer points from the sphere on the left to the Sphere on the right.

Capture1.PNGCapture2.PNG

[[To...]]

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Your idea works if the sphere's X and Y location were the same between the 2 spheres. Unfortunately, the exposed portion of the sphere is not at the same location. For clarification, the sketch below is view of XZ plane

Screenshot 2024-08-14 113155.jpg

[[Cl...]]

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I'm sorry Tom. Not enough info. Open notepad and give it a title (//Radius_1)

Then just below that in the example enter the XYZ / IJK coordinates for that radius. Place this para file in the program folder.
Just below. Right click in the Characteristic database and choose "Parameter".

Type what's below Starting at LN = and ending at "endSelect: in the "Presettings"

LN = getRecordHead("order")

Part_Size = inquireList("Which size radius would you like to run?", "Radius_1", "Radius_2")
selectCase Part_Size
case "Radius_1"
readPCMFile(dir + "\R_1.PARA")

case "Radius_2"
readPCMFile(dir + "\R_2.PARA")

endSelect

Save the .para files as R_1, R_2, etc.

Plan > Advanced > Parameter (a parameter input box opens) file open and go to the para file you created. Double click (open) the desired .para file. The para file is now loaded into the program. Now you can open the feature that has the coordinates that need changed. Right click in the feature axis you want to change and choose "Formula". Then click on the Function button. Open the Parameter List folder and choose the XY or Z axis variable and it will then populate that cell and turn it yellow. This is your new nominal.

I think this should work for you. It is difficult in writing without physically being there and walking you through it. There also might be a much simpler way of doing it that I'm missing. Maybe someone more knowledgeable than me will chime in and get you going.

[[To...]]

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I'm sorry you went through all of this. Unfortunately, when you extract a sphere, it has no useful vector info. The I and J are 0.000 and the K is 1.000.

[[Cl...]]

I don't mind helping if I can. I've received a lot of help from people on this forum. You as well.
What about picking space points on the sphere? Then for each size just increase the Z (radial)
in the .para files for each?

[[Ri...]]

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Any chance of getting a copy of your program? I am just not following the issue.

[[To...]]

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The sphere radius is the same on all parts. The origin of the sphere is not the same.

I was trying to create the same pattern of points from part to part. Manually adding space points is the same as what I am currently doing when I click my strategy points.

[[To...]]

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Not possible.

[[To...]]

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Rick,

You were on the right track with the Alignment with Keep Position. Imagine you only have a small window area on the sphere where your strategy is placed and this window is tied to the BA. If I copy the strategy to a new sphere with a different X, Y and Z using your method, the window where the strategy needs to be is not in the same because the strategy is tied to the sphere, not the base alignment. I would need to add some rotation to the secondary alignment to get the strategy back to the window. Poof*&#% I an idea just popped into my head. I wonder if I create a 3d line between the old sphere and the new sphere, maybe I can create the necessary rotation. Will need to prove out.

I just figured there must be a way to read a text file with X and Y locations, and project them along the Z axis onto the sphere. I was able to something similar by creating theoretical lines at the desired X/Y locations and intersections of the lines with the sphere but now I have get the Z locations into the strategy points.

[[Ke...]]

Tom,
You can put formulas into the rotation and offsets found in the Special Menu, could you potentially use a secondary alignment (likely blank so it inherits everything from the base alignment), set those offset and/or rotation fields to variables and then read the appropriate variables from a text file to move the alignment, and thus the feature, around?