Scan line and return Z-values every 10 mm.

[[Je...]]

Instead of measuring 6 points in a row, I want to scan a line and extract 6 Z-(point)values.
For example, a 50 mm line, the first Z-value at the start of the line, and then every 10 mm.
Is that possible?

[[DW...]]

This seems like the hardest way to accomplish this task - any reason for this method?

[[Ke...]]

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I agree with Devin, “Why” seems like a very important question to better understand what you are looking for. However, it should be possible through 2 different methods. The easiest is to simply create the line in question, and in the strategy set your step width to 10mm, without activating the “single points” box. This will record data only every 10mm (you’ll need to go to feature settings and turn off automatic point masking to make it start exactly at the beginning of the line), however this may yield slight deviations in the position of the points, say 25.002mm instead of 25.000. This line can then be used as is, or those points can be recalled by number if needed using a feature recall. The other way of doing this, which takes more programming work but ensures exact values along the line, is to create the line, scan it with a high point density (same statement about turning off auto masking applies to make the data start at the very beginning), and then creating theoretical lines at the exact 10mm coordinate spacing you want, and intersecting them with your line, making sure that the x/y values of the 2 lines align so there is actually a mathematical intersection. This will yield points at the exact coordinates desired, which can then be used for whatever you wish to do.

[[Je...]]

"Why?" indeed...

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To expand on your suggestion of the 2d-line method. Minor correction is needed but the concept is the same. This will give the intersection at the 2d-line calculated from the points rather than the point itself. Measuring as a 2D CURVE and intersecting with a perpendicular plane at the specified intervals will give more accurate results. If the point is not at the exact 10mm interval, the average from the pre/post point spline will intersect the plane. Can simplify the routine by patterning/looping the plane/intersection to occur at 10mm intervals if the application requires performing the intersection at a quantity that would be labor intensive to do manually.

[[Je...]]

OK. Why?
I measure products with 2 rows every week. These rows consist of 11 separate point measurements in the Z-axis with which I determine a distance to a plane.
The 11 points are equidistant from each other.
Instead of touching 22 individual points, I want to scan 2 lines and extract the 11 + 11 individual Z points and calculate the distance relative to the plane.
So why? Scanning two rows is calmer and nicer than touching 22 individual points 😉

[[Ri...]]

Would "Straightness Ref" give you what you need?

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[[Je...]]

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Jeroen,

This is a valid and reasonable task. I often use scanning as a collection tool for points. These can then be evaluated at specific locations.

There are a few ways to approach this. I think the reason others were asking why is because the approach will be determined by the end use.

If I only need graphical evaluation, I use a screenshot from the CAD window. I also export points as a dxf or text file. Characteristics for these points can be evaluated in Calypso/PiWeb, and if you are exporting to 3rd party stats software, that is possible as well.

For a particular job, one of our engineers wrote a visual basic script that looks at points in a .dxf and then segregates a point every 2.25 inches.


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[[Je...]]

OK. I don't have a CAD model, but I have attached a picture and the results.
Plane1, Plane2 and Plane3 are combined into 1 plane that is 26.55 mm lower than points 2 to 12 and 13 to 22.
I scanned a (purple) line at the position where points 2 to 12 are located. Now I want to get 11 Z points from that line and measure the distance relative to the combined plane. See picture with results. I hope it's clearer now. 🙂

Translation Dutch -> English
Vlak = Plane
Punt = Point
2D-Rechte = 2D-Line
Calypso 7.6.12

C1_results.JPGC1.JPG

[[Ma...]]

If you have a little time to test, you can try to recall points - set evaluation to plane-point to get X and Y correctly.
If you set high density points, you can recall points with box selection ( you can make coordinates from base alignment instead of from view )
Or i think curve can be used too - if you make 2D line with strategy and it's not with actuals, then recall that into new 3D curve to obtain nominals.

[[Je...]]

Well, I've tried many of the above suggestions but haven't gotten any good results yet.
For now I have to leave it at that because I'm going on holiday. Then I'll pick it up again.
Anyway, thanks so far.

P.s.
By the way, I'm having major problems getting into this forum. Very often 504 Gateway Timeout.