Stylus System Creator

[[Ch...]]

Greetings. I have what can likely be described as a no brainer question 🙄 but I'm going to ask anyways. Is there a way to export the SSC format files in a way that I can open them in Soldiworks? As I create inspection setups/fixtures in my CAD software, I'd like the ability to navigate around my work piece with my desired tooling configuration and make modifications where need be.

I've thought that maybe the short answer is no, due to Zeiss tooling being proprietary (stylus) so that would be a direct infringement upon said stylus geometry as I could make my own from their design. Am I answering my own question or is it possible? Is there a work around say having to import my setup into CALYPSO and use that to determine my clearance? Or do I have to do this long hand on napkin drawings and graph paper?

Thanks in advance! 😃
-CTB

[[Ri...]]

The SSC isn't a CAD file or anything like that. You can create an STL though that could potentially be used, but it isn't very high quality (choppy).

To create the STL, go to Properties - Options - Export - turn on Visualization (STL). When you save your SSC it will create the STL for you.

[[No...]]

For a small aha experience, make a backup copy of a SSC file, rename it to *.zip extension, double-click and marvel 🤣
The stylus geometry is contained in the archive file in a proprietary format (I think it's *.fct or so). By the way, the ACIS CAD core contains a custom function enabling Calypso to read *.fct files, but unfortunately there seems to be no corresponding save function, which means that creation of *.fct files is restricted to the Stylus Creator.

[[Ri...]]

Yeah - fct, and stl are essentially all the same in this context.

It isn't high quality at all. I was trying to use one to measure some dimensions to make a gage, and it wasn't very helpful. Lol.

[[No...]]

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I just checked a recent SSC file and it has a subfolder named "Shapes", containing *.vff files. I think this is the hi-res stylus data, but as with *.fct, only the Stylus Creator can save those. But seeing how fond Zeiss is of using ZIP for every other data file, I wouldn't be surprised if *.vff would be just another well-known 3D format coming in disguise.

[[Ri...]]

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This isn't too bad. It will work when I have to bring models together outside Calypso and watch for probe clearance issues.
Most of the choppiness is due to >0.01 CAD settings in Calypso.
Most diameters appear to be octagonal.

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