Perceptron, Inc.

3D Calculator
Engineering Guide

April, 2014
Supports Vector Ver. 6.3
 INFORMATION NOTICE
The information presented herein provides general operating instructions, engineering data and maintenance procedures for
Perceptron equipment. Perceptron assumes no obligation or liability for the information presented herein or the use of the
same, all such information being utilized at the recipient's own risk.
In no event shall Perceptron be liable for any direct, consequential, incidental or other damages of any kind resulting from
the use of this information, including, but not limited to, loss of profits or revenues, loss of use of, or damage to, the
equipment, or other property damage or injuries to persons.
The availability, presentation and conveyance of such information by Perceptron to non-Perceptron personnel do not
constitute an explicit or implicit endorsement of, promotion of, or liability for such information. Except that which may be
expressly provided for in service manuals or other written instructions, the recipient is cautioned against unauthorized
attempts at maintenance of Perceptron equipment and related activities and that such actions could result in serious damage
to such equipment, the malfunction of such equipment, injury to persons or damage to property.
In the event that unauthorized maintenance, installation, service, disassembly, adjustments and/or repairs to such equipment
are conducted by anyone other than Perceptron personnel without prior written authorization from Perceptron, the warranty
provided by Perceptron with respect to the equipment shall be voided, and product performance may be adversely affected.
Perceptron makes no representations or guarantees that improvements, upgrades or changes will not occur. In the interest of
technical progress, the information in this manual is subject to change without notice. The examples and diagrams in this
document are included solely for illustrative purposes and may vary from those, which actually appear on your system.
Perceptron, TriCam, TriLite, VeriStar, DDM, OCF, LASAR, WheelWorks, IPNet, AutoGauge, AutoFit, AutoScan,
AutoSpect, AutoGuide, Contour Probe, OptiFlex, Visual Fixturing, and Sensing the Future are registered trademarks of
Perceptron, Inc., and ScanWorks, The Focus on Process and LinearStar are trademarks of Perceptron, Inc. The hardware,
software, and processes described herein may be protected under one or more of the following patents or patents pending:
US 4,541,721; US 4,645,348; US 4,647,208; US 4,666,303; US 4,745,469; US 4,841,460; US 4,862,598; US 4,899,218; US
5,006,721; US 5,078,496; US 5,748,505; US 6,078,846; US 6,092,419; US 6,128,081; US 6,128,585; US 6,134,507; US
6,166,811; US 6,180,939 B1; US 6,239,436; US 6,266,138 B1; US 6,285,959 B1; US 6,460,004 B2; US 6,462,813 B1; US
6,481,289 B2; US 6,593,587 B2; US 6,661,820; US 6,717,166; US 6,769,307 B1; US 9928413; US 60/423,065;
US/2004/0120568 A1; US 60/157769; US 60/185796; US 00/22739; US PCT/US02/01402; US 09/761128; CA 1,294,427;
CA 1,304,932; CA 2,038,924; CA 2,251,323; CA 2,252,552; CA 2,272,954; CA 2,272,996; CA 2,315,508; CA 2,318,626;
CA 2,322,367; CA 2,322,721; CA 2,382,394; EP 280941; EP 306731; EP 0543900; EP 97 918524.6; EP 97 949530.6; EP
97 951456.9; EP 09/620,496; EP 00121738.9; EP PCT/US00/22739/0107631; EP 99903145.3; EP 97920273.6; EP
117126.3; EP 00121807.2; EP 1914787.5; EP PCT/US 0107631; EP PCT/US 2204/013888; DE P3875984.5; DE
P3877655.0; ; JP 2049301; JP 2800832; JP 2002-557747; JP 2000-539964; JP 2000-312424; and JP 2001-568011.
Copyright © 2009 by PERCEPTRON, INC.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Printed in the United States of America. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, stored in a retrieval
system, or transmitted in any form or by any means by media now known or hereafter discovered, including, and without
limitation, print, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, electrocopying, recording or otherwise, as well as the right to
display and transmit this work publicly on-line without prior permission from Perceptron, Inc. This documentation contains
proprietary and confidential technical information. This document and the information in it are for the sole use of the
customer and facility to which it has been assigned. Transfer of this material to unauthorized personnel or business entities
is in violation of Perceptron’s rights under the United States Copyright Act.
Table of Contents
1. 3D Calculator 5
1.1 Creating a 3D Constructed Point - Procedure 5
1.1.1 3D Constructed Point Properties 6
1.2 Creating a 3D FreeForm Relationship - Procedure 10
1.2.1 3D FreeForm Relationship Properties 10
1.3 Creating an Angle or Distance Relationship - Procedure 13
1.3.1 Angle or Distance Relationship Properties 13
1.4 Equation Inputs/Outputs 14
1.5 Equations Overview 14
1.6 Measurement Results 15
1.7 3D Calculator Operations Descriptions 17
1.8 3D Calculator Operations for GD&T - Examples 22
1.8.1 Distance Examples 22
1.8.2 Co Planarity Example 42
1.8.3 Profile Surface Examples 48
1.8.4 RelativeTruePosition Examples 54

April, 2014 Table of Contents  iii

1. 3D Calculator
3D Relationships allow the creation of Construct Points and Free Form
Relationships using algorithm results (Points, Vectors and Scalars).
3D Construct Points behave like any Inspection Entities. They can be
fixtured, they can have offsets and limits. They cannot be used as input
to Visual Fixture.
3D Free Form Relationships allow computing measurements for
characteristics using algorithm results (Points, Vectors and Scalars).
They cannot be fixtured and they do not have offsets.

Purpose
This document is describing the functionalities of 3d Relationships
module. Its main purpose is to explain how to create and configure 3d
Construct Points and 3d Free Form Relationships using Plant Setup and
to describe the expected results when cycling.

1.1 Creating a 3D Constructed Point - Procedure

1. Select the New Inspection Entity Wizard.
2. Select Constructed for the Method and choose Next.
3. Select Equation Based then Next.
4. Choose or Create the appropriate feature (anyone except FreeForm,
Angle, Distance, and Relationship) and select Next.
Note: If more than one feature is selected, the wizard allows a suffix to
be entered on the following page which then completes the configuration
via the wizard. The Constructed Points' configuration is completed from
its' Properties.
5. Select the Inspection Entities to be used as inputs. Choose one or
more inputs and select Next.
Use the Filter section to narrow down the list to select from.
6. Configure the equation that will be used for this constructed point
and select Next.
7. Enter a Suffix (if applicable) and select Finish.

April, 2014 3D Calculator  5

1.1.1 3D Constructed Point Properties
Open the Properties sheet for your 3d Construct Point (at the part type
level).
The following tabs are available:
 General
 Limits
 Sensor Alarm
 Offset
 Feature
 Construct

1.1.1.1 3D Constructed Point Properties - General Tab

The General tab is similar to the one for a regular Inspection Entity.
There are a few differences:
 The status for a constructed point is always Active – Tested.
 It does not have the Tooling Fixture combo box. For a regular
Inspection Entity, this combo box allows the selection of which
Tooling Visual Fixture is used to generate Tooling Measurements.
Tooling measurements for a constructed point are computed using
tooling results from other inspection entities; it is not directly
fixtured by a Tooling Visual Fixture.
 The list of characteristics is dependent on the type of feature.

6  3D Calculator Engineering Guide

 In this example, the feature type is a Plane; a plane has a position, a
normal and some scalars.

1.1.1.2 3D Constructed Point Properties - Construct Tab

The Construct tab has the following sections:
 Inputs - allows the user to select the inputs used to compute the
outputs of the Construct Point from a list of available Inspection
Entities (this includes other Constructed Point entities but excludes
3D Relationship and Relationship Entities).
 Filter - allows filtering the list control using Feature Type and
Method.
The user selects one, or several inspection entities from the
Available Entities list control and pushes the >> button. The
selected entities are removed from the Available Entities list
control and added to the Assigned Entities tree control. Use the
<< button to remove an entity from the Assigned Entities tree.

April, 2014 3D Calculator  7

 Note: When added to the Assigned Entities tree, an Input Entity does not
have any Offsets, Tooling Limits or Part/Guide Limits in the tree. If you
right click on those items in the tree, a dialog allows you to add offsets
and limits. Added offsets and limits are then selectable in the Input
Variables section.
 Local Entities - allows the user to create local entities that are used
only by this constructed point. The Add button displays a dialog
allowing the user to select a type of entity and a name. The local
entity is added to the Locals tree control.
 Equation Builder - sets up the equations that are used to compute
Outputs of this constructed point and Items of local entities.
 Equation Output sub-section - allows selecting an Output or
Local Item.
The Output combo box is populated based on the type of feature.
For example, a Plane feature's, available outputs are Plane,
Position, Vector-Surface Normal and Scalar-3D Angle.
The Name combo box for Locals is populated with the list of Locals
added by the user in the Locals tree control.
The Variable combo box is populated by the list of items available
for a Local Entity.
 The Equation displayed in the Equation sub-section applies to
the Output or Locals selected in the Equation Output sub-
section. If the user modifies the text in the equation edit box, the
modified equation is applied when the user selects the Save
button.
When the user selects Save, the equation is parsed and verified.
If the equation is not valid, an error is displayed to the user and
the equation is not saved.
The equation in the Equation edit box can be modified manually. The
user can also use the Functions sub-section and the Input Variables
sub-section to insert functions and variables in the Equation edit box
using both Assign buttons. The Function combo box can be filtered by
Category (Construction, Math, Trig, and Vector). The Input
Variables can be filtered by Data Set (Actual and Nominal) and Type
(Position, Vector, Scalar, etc.), All the Assigned Entities and Locals
should be available in the Input Variables. If the Equation Output
selected is a Local, this Local is not available in the Input Variables.

8  3D Calculator Engineering Guide

  Equations Overview (on page 14) - view and verify the equation
configuration.

April, 2014 3D Calculator  9

1.2 Creating a 3D FreeForm Relationship -
Procedure
The following steps are for Shared Cell. It can be adapted easily for
Simple Cell.
1. Select the New Inspection Entity Wizard.
2. Select Constructed for the Method and choose Next.
3. Select Equation Based then Next.
4. Choose or Create the appropriate FreeForm feature and select
Next.
5. Select the appropriate Output Characteristic(s) to be used and
select Next.
Use the Filter section to narrow down the list to select from.
6. Select the Inspection Entities to be used as inputs. Choose one or
more inputs and select Next.
Use the Filter section to narrow down the list to select from.
7. Configure the Output Equations for this FreeForm point and
select Next.
8. Enter a Suffix (if applicable) and select Finish.

1.2.1 3D FreeForm Relationship Properties

Open the Properties sheet for your 3d Relationship (at the part type
level).
The following tabs are available:
 General
 Limits
 Sensor Alarm
 Construct

10  3D Calculator Engineering Guide

1.2.1.1 3D FreeForm Relationship Properties - General Tab
The General tab is similar to the one for a regular Inspection Entity.
There are a few differences:
 The status for a FreeForm Relationship is always Active – Tested.
 It does not have the Tooling Fixture combo box.
 The Visual Fixture section is replaced by a Reported In section.
3D FreeForm Relationship outputs are computed using Tooling
Fixture measurements. Results are available in Tooling and Raw
spaces. Results are also available in any visual fixture spaces added
to the Reported In list control.
 The list of characteristics are the ones added by the user in the New
Inspection Entity Wizard. This list can be modified from the
Construct tab.

April, 2014 3D Calculator  11

1.2.1.2 3D FreeForm Relationship Properties - Construct Tab
This page is very similar to the one for a 3D Constructed Point with a
few differences.
 The first difference is the presence of an Outputs section. The
Outputs section allows a user to select characteristics that are
computed by this Free Form Relationship. A filter allows filtering
characteristics by Type (Geometry, Scalar) and by Category
(Position, Vector, NTM, etc.). The user can add characteristics to the
Assigned Characteristics list control using the >> button and
can remove characteristics from the Assigned Characteristics
list control by using the << button.
 The second difference is the presence of an Available Fixtures list
control in the Inputs section. It allows a user to add a visual fixture
to the Assigned Entities tree.

12  3D Calculator Engineering Guide

1.3 Creating an Angle or Distance Relationship -
Procedure
1. Select the New Inspection Entity Wizard.
2. Select Constructed for the Method and choose Next.
3. Select Equation Based then Next.
4. Choose or Create the appropriate Angle or Distance feature and
select Next.
5. Choose the appropriate Reference and Secondary Entities
along with the correct Data Set settings and select Next.
6. Enter a Suffix (if applicable) and select Finish.

1.3.1 Angle or Distance Relationship Properties

Open the Properties... for your Angle or Distance Relationship (at the
part type level).
The following tabs are available:
 General
 Limits
 Sensor Alarm
 Construct

1.3.1.1 Angle or Distance Relationship Properties - Construct Tab

The Construct tab allows the user to select two entities (Reference
and Secondary). The distance between the positions of those two
entities or the angle between the main vectors of those two entities are
computed.
 Data Set - select which values should be used for each Entity.
Choices are Actual (measured value) or Nominal value.
Distance and Angle Relationships are configured when both Entities are
selected.

April, 2014 3D Calculator  13

1.4 Equation Inputs/Outputs
3D Relationships allow the creation of equations that use 3D features as
inputs and outputs. By comparison, legacy Relationships use only scalars
as inputs and outputs.
For example, in 3D Relationships it is possible to:
 compute a plane from three points, or
 compute the midpoint between two points, or
 compute the angle between two vectors.
The equation parser verifies the input and output types according to
what the functions are expecting.
 If trying to assign the result of MidPoint( ) to a scalar for
example, you will get an error; the result of MidPoint( ) is a
point.
 If you are trying to use something other than the two points as
arguments to the MidPoint( ), you will get an error.

1.5 Equations Overview

The Equations Overview button is used to:
 verify the Output Equation configuration and calculated
Nominal Value.
 This assumes the features used as Input Entities are built at
Nominal.
 Output Results - are the result of the equation using nominal
information for the Input Entities.
 verify the Input Variables, Items and Equation configuration.

14  3D Calculator Engineering Guide

  verify any Errors and resolve if necessary.

The Equations Overview button is located on the Construct tab

within Properties of the constructed point.

1.6 Measurement Results

3D Constructed Point
 Behaves like any other Inspection Entity. Instead of extracting
information (position, vectors, and scalars) from a scan line or a scan
set, the desired information is computed using equations.
 Generates deviations in Raw Space, Tooling Space and in any other
Spaces the user selected to fixture it into.
 Can have offsets and limits.
 Data is available from Reporting Client and Measurement Monitor.

April, 2014 3D Calculator  15

 Sequence:
For an Inspection Entity using a Tricam sensor, the algorithm will first
extract actual feature information from the scan line (Position, Radius,
Gap, Flush, etc.) in Raw Space.
The feature information is fixtured using a tooling Visual Fixture.
Characteristic results(X, Y, Z, radius, etc.) are computed using the
actual feature information in tooling space. Correlation offsets are
then added and nominal values subtracted to finally obtain
deviations.
 For a Guide Fixture, the actual feature information is fixtured
using a Guide Visual Fixture. Characteristic results(X, Y, Z,
radius, etc.) are computed using the actual feature information in
guide space. Nominal values are then subtracted to obtain
deviations.
 For a Part Fixture, the actual feature information (with
correlation offset) in Tooling Space is fixtured using a Part
Visual Fixture. Characteristic results(X, Y, Z, radius, etc.) are
computed using the actual feature information in part space.
Nominal values are then subtracted to obtain deviations.
For a 3D Constructed Point to behave similarly, it needs to:
 produce actual feature information in Raw Space.
 have nominal values for each characteristic that is produced.
The nominal values are computed using the equations entered by the
user with all the Actual Values replaced by Nominal Values.
If a 3D Constructed Point is using a Scan Point as input, the Constructed
Point is recomputed in the different visual fixture spaces if the Scan
Point is re-extracted in those spaces.

Angle and Distance

Angle and Distance entities are Constructed Points with predefined
Outputs and Equations. They behave exactly like Constructed Points.

3D Free Form Relationships

Inputs to 3D Free Form Relationships are actual feature information in
Tooling Space. Outputs are scalars. No offsets or nominal values are
added or subtracted. Outputs can be displayed in any spaces selected by
the user. However, the same value is displayed in all those spaces. The
Free Form Relationship is simply a calculator using actual feature
information in Tooling Space to compute Scalar results.

Offline Cell
Constructed Points and 3D Relationships can be created in offline cells.
When loading a file of cycles (using Data Input Task for example)
Constructed Points and 3D Relationships results are computed.

16  3D Calculator Engineering Guide

1.7 3D Calculator Operations Descriptions
Flatness(numPts, P1, P2,…, Pn)
Input:
 Error Measurements are discarded. At least 4 valid points must be
present.
 P1 .. Pn can be Point/Position, Patch, Hole or Slot
Computation:
 Compute a Plane (least square approach) using P1 .. Pn.
 Calculate signed distances for P1 .. Pn to Plane.
Output:
 Flatness = mmax(d1..dn) – mmin(d1..dn)

ProfileSurface(numPts, P1, P2,…, Pn)

Input:
 Error Measurements are discarded. At least 1 valid points must be
present.
 P1 .. Pn can be Patch, Hole or Slot
Computation:
 Calculate NTM distances for P1 .. Pn.
 Create Plane with Nominal Position and Nominal Surface
Vector.
 Calculate distance for Actual Position to Plane (absolute
distance).
Output:
 ProfileSurface = mmax(d1..dn)

AngularityPlane(numPts, P1, P2,…, Pn)

Input:
 Error Measurements are discarded. At least 1 valid points must be
present.
 P1 .. Pn can be Patch, Hole or Slot
Computation:
 Calculate NTM signed distances for P1 .. Pn.
 Create Plane with Nominal Position and Nominal Surface
Vector.
 Calculate signed distance for Actual Position to Plane.

April, 2014 3D Calculator  17

 Output:
 AngularityPlane = mmax(d1..dn) – mmin(d1..dn)

AngularityLine(Vector, numPts, P1, P2,…, Pn)

Input:
 Error Measurement for P1..Pn are discarded. At least 1 valid points
must be present.
 Vector is a vector.
 P1 .. Pn can be Point or Position
Computation:
 Create a Point (Pc) at centroid of P1..Pn.
 Create a Line with Pc and Vector.
 Calculate distances for P1..Pn to Line.
Output:
 AngularityLine = 2*mmax(d1..dn)

PerpendicularityPlane(numPts, P1, P2,…, Pn)

Parallelism(numPts, P1, P2,…, Pn)

Same as AngularityPlane

PerpendicularityLine(Vector, numPts, P1, P2,…, Pn)

Same as AngularityLine

HoleFit(numPts, P1, P2,…Pn)

Input:
 Error Measurements are discarded. At least 3 valid points must be
present.
 P1 .. Pn can be Point/Position or Hole
Computation:
 Compute a Plane (least square approach) using P1 .. Pn.
 Compute a Circle (least square approach) assuming that the
computed Plane normal is the circle normal and using P1 .. Pn
Output:
 Hole (center position, surface normal, radius)

Cos, Sin, Tan

 Input is a scalar (angle in degree)
 Output is a scalar

18  3D Calculator Engineering Guide

 Atan, Asin, Acos
 Input is a scalar (angle in degree)
 Output is a scalar

Sqr, Sqrt, DegToRad, RadToDeg, Min, Max, Abs

 Input is a scalar (angle in degree)
 Output is a scalar

Round(number, number of digit)

 Rounds a number to a specified number of digits
 Inputs are 2 scalars
 Output is a scalar

Trunc(number, number of digit)

 Removes the decimal part of a number to a set number of digits
 Inputs are 2 scalars
 Output is a scalar

Ceiling(number, significance)
 Rounds up, away from zero, to the nearest multiple of significance
 Inputs are 2 scalars
 Output is a scalar

Floor(number, significance)
 Rounds number down, toward zero, to the nearest multiple of
significance
 Inputs are 2 scalars
 Output is a scalar

MultiMin(N,val1,val2,..,valn), MultiMax(N,val1,val2,..,valn)
 Inputs are N+1 scalar
 Output is a Scalar

Angle(V1,V2)
 Inputs are 2 vectors
 Output is a scalars (angle in degree between V1 and V2)

AcuteAngle(V1,V2)
 Inputs are 2 vectors
 Output is a scalars (acute angle in degree between V1 and V2)

April, 2014 3D Calculator  19

 CrossProduct(V1,V2)
 Inputs are 2 vectors
 Output is a vectors (V1 X V2)

Point(X,Y,Z)
 Inputs are 3 scalars
 Ouput is a point

Vector(I,J,K)
 Inputs are 3 scalars
 Ouput is a vector

Line(Position, Vector)

Line(Position, Position)
 Inputs can be a Position and a Vector or 2 Positions
 Output is a line

MidPoint
 Inputs are 2 points
 Output is a point

Rotate3D(Vector, Axis, Angle)

 Inputs are a Vector, an axis of rotation (vector) and an angle in
degree (scalar)
 Output is a vector

Distance
 Inputs are one of the following pair: (Plane,Point), (Line,Point),
(Point,Plane), (Point,Line), (Point,Point)
 Output is a scalar

Intersect
 Inputs are one of the following pair: (Line,Line), (Plane,Plane),
(Line,Plane), (Plane,Line)
 Output is a Point, except for (Plane,Plane), then it is a Line

PlaneFromPoints(numPts,P1,P2,..,Pn)
 Inputs are one scalar (numPts) and n (at least 3) entities (Point,
Plane, Hole or Slot)
 Output is a Plane

20  3D Calculator Engineering Guide

 FrameFromOrigineVxVyVz(P, Vx,Vy,Vz)
 Inputs are a point and 3 vectors
 Output is a frame

InverseFrame
 Input is a frame
 Output is a frame
Additionally there are other operators available that follow Standard
Constructive Geometry Principles.
Examples:
 Plus
 Scalar+Scalar = Scalar
 Vector+Vector = Vector
 Point+Vector = Point
 Minus
 Scalar-Scalar = Scalar
 Vector-Vector = Vector
 Point-Point = Vector
 Point-Vector = Point
 Multiplier
 Scalar*Scalar = Scalar
 Vector*Scalar = Vector
 Scalar*Vector = Vector
 Vector*Vector = Scalar
 Frame*Frame = Frame
 Frame*Vector = Vector
 Frame*Point = Point
 Frame*Object(Line, Hole, etc) = Object(same type as the input
object)
 Divider
 Scalar/Scalar = Scalar
 Vector/Scalar = Vector

April, 2014 3D Calculator  21

1.8 3D Calculator Operations for GD&T - Examples
Examples of the more common GD&T functions/operations are included
in the following section.
 Distance
 Relative True Position
 Profile Surface
 Coplanarity

1.8.1 Distance Examples

 Distance between two points in 1D, 2D, and 3D
If interested in the 3D Distance between 2 points, it can be configured in
two ways:
 3D Distance Characteristic on Constructed Point Properties -
General tab
 Using the FreeForm Feature type.
Examples follow:

Figure 1 Distance between 2 Inspection Entities

 Distance between a point and a line
 Line can be constructed as a regular Inspection Entity or Local
Entity

Figure 2 Distance between 1 Inspection Entity and a line. A line can be constructed by 2 Inspection
Entities

22  3D Calculator Engineering Guide

  Distance between a point and a plane
 Point can be an Inspection Entity or Mid-Point of two Inspection
Entities
 Plane can be constructed as a regular Inspection Entity or a
Local Entity

Figure 3 Distance between 1 Inspection Entity and a plane. A plane can be constructed by 3
Inspection Entities

1.8.1.1 Distance Between Two Points

 Roof ditch distance (distance between roof top and body side top)
 Roof Ditch Width in Y direction

Configuration example:
1. Open the New Inspection Entity wizard
2. Follow the wizard to create a Constructed, Equation Based
feature
3. Use Distance for the Feature Type

April, 2014 3D Calculator  23

 4. From the Select Input Entities page, select the two Reference
Entities used for this calculation

5. Complete the configuration and Finish the setup

6. Right click the new Distance Entity from the Inspection Entity
folder and choose Properties...
7. From the General tab, select the appropriate Reporting
Characteristic. In this example it would be Y Distance
Note: If interested in the 3D distance between two points, use 3D
Distance Characteristic.

8. Choose OK and setup is now complete

24  3D Calculator Engineering Guide

1.8.1.2 Using FreeForm Feature for 3D Distance
If interested in the 3D Distance between 2 points, it can be configured in
two ways:
 3D Distance Characteristic on Constructed Point Properties -
General tab
 Using the Free Form Feature type.
FreeForm example follows:

Figure 4 3D Distance between two points on Shock Tower

Configuration example:
1. Open the New Inspection Entity wizard
2. Follow the wizard to create a Constructed, Equation Based
feature
3. Use FreeForm for the Feature Type

April, 2014 3D Calculator  25

 4. Select the Output Characteristic Distance

5. Select appropriate Input Entities

26  3D Calculator Engineering Guide

 6. Configure Output Equation:
 Select Distance Feature and Assign

 Select the first Entity Name, Variable choice and Assign

April, 2014 3D Calculator  27

  Move the Cursor in the Equation field to allow the second entity
selection.

 Select the second Entity Name, Variable choice and Assign

7. Save the completed Equation and choose Next

28  3D Calculator Engineering Guide

 8. Selecting Finish completes the setup

1.8.1.3 Other Examples of Distance Between Two Points

Windshield Opening

April, 2014 3D Calculator  29

 Liftgate Opening

1.8.1.4 Distance Between Point and Line

Distance between a point (on cowl top) and a line (constructed by two
front points). This example uses three Assigned Entities and one Local
Entity in the configuration of the equation.

Configuration example:
1. Open the New Inspection Entity wizard
2. Follow the wizard to create a Constructed, Equation Based
feature
 Use FreeForm for the Feature Type
3. Select the output characteristic Distance

30  3D Calculator Engineering Guide

 4. Select appropriate Input Entities

5. Select Next to configure the Output Equation

Because this example is using a Local Entity (Line between two
points), the configuration cannot be completed within the wizard.
6. Finish the wizard without configuring the Output Equation

April, 2014 3D Calculator  31

 7. Right click the new constructed point and choose Properties...

8. Select the Construct tab and finish the equation

9. Add a Local Entity
 Choose Line as the Type
 Enter a Name: and choose OK

10. Configure the Local Entity in the Equation Builder

 Select Local Entity, Name and Variable - in this example Line is
selected.
 Select appropriate Function, in this example Line is selected

32  3D Calculator Engineering Guide

  Choose Assign

The Function displays in the Equation field.

 Configure the Input Variables:

 Select the Entity Name, Variable and select Assign - in this
example, the left point is selected first and is using I2.A.P

The first entity is added to the equation.

April, 2014 3D Calculator  33

  In the Equation field, move the cursor past the first Variable
and comma
 Select the second Entity Name, Variable and choose Assign
- in this example, the right point is selected second and is using
I3.A.P

The second entity is added to the equation.

 Choose Save to complete the Local Entity input configuration -

Line(I2.A.P,I3.A.P)
11. Configure the Output Characteristic in the Equation Builder
 Select Output Characteristic and choose Distance (Scalar)

34  3D Calculator Engineering Guide

  Select appropriate Function, Distance in this example, and select
Assign

The Function displays in the Equation field.

 Configure the Input Variables:

 Select the Entity Name, Variable and select Assign - in this
example, the single cowl point is selected first and is using
I1.A.P

 Move the cursor past the first Variable and comma

April, 2014 3D Calculator  35

  Select the Entity Name, Variable and select Assign - in this
example, the Line Local Entity is selected and is using L1.A

 Choose Save to complete the output configuration

Distance(I1.A.P,L1.A)

12. Select OK to complete the setup

36  3D Calculator Engineering Guide

1.8.1.5 Distance Between Point and Plane
Distance between a point and a plane (constructed by three points). This
example uses four Assigned Entities and one Local Entity in the
configuration of the equation. The Local Entity is configured as a Plane.

Configuration example:
1. Open the New Inspection Entity wizard
2. Follow the wizard to create a Constructed, Equation Based
feature
 Use FreeForm for the Feature Type
3. Select the output characteristic Distance

April, 2014 3D Calculator  37

 4. Select appropriate Input Entities

5. Select Next to configure the Output Equation

Because this example is using a Local Entity, the configuration
cannot be completed within the wizard.
6. Finish the wizard without configuring the Output Equation
7. Right click the new constructed point and choose Properties...
8. Select the Construct tab and finish the equation
9. Add a Local Entity
 Choose Plane as the Type:
 Enter a Name: and choose OK

38  3D Calculator Engineering Guide

 10. Configure the Local Entity in the Equation Builder
 Select Local Entity, Name and Variable - in this example Plane
is selected
 Select appropriate Function, in this example PlaneFromPoints
is selected
 Choose Assign

The Function displays in the Equation field.

 Change the number of points from 1 to 3 and move the cursor past
the comma - this is the number of points used to develop the plane.
 Configure the Input Variables:
 Select the Entity Name, Variable and select Assign - in this
example, the first point is selected using I2.A.P

April, 2014 3D Calculator  39

  Add a comma and repeat for the next point using I3.A.P
 Add a comma and repeat for the next point using I4.A.P
 Choose Save to complete the Local Entity input configuration
- PlaneFromPoints(3,I2.A.P,I3.A.P,I4.A.P)

11. Configure the Output Characteristic in the Equation Builder

 Select Output Characteristic and choose Distance (Scalar)
 Select appropriate Function, Distance in this example, and select
Assign

The Function displays in the Equation field.

 Configure the Input Variables:

40  3D Calculator Engineering Guide

  Select the Entity Name, Variable and select Assign - in this
example, the single front point is selected first and is using
I1.A.P

 Move the cursor past the first Variable and comma

 Select the Entity Name, Variable and select Assign - in this
example, the Local Entity Plane is selected and is using L1.A

 Choose Save to complete the output configuration

Distance(I1.A.P,L1.A)

12. Select OK to complete the setup

April, 2014 3D Calculator  41

1.8.1.6 Distance Between Midpoint and Plane
Distance between midpoint (of 2 points) and a plane (4 points).

This example uses six points to configure two Local Entities and
determine the distance between them. This is similar to the configuration
of the Distance Between Point and Plane (on page 37) example with
these exceptions:
 In this example, when creating the local entity PlaneFromPoints,
use 4 points instead of 3 for the equation -
PlaneFromPoints(4,I1.A.P,I2.A.P,I3.A.P,I4.A.P)
 Create a second Local Entity, MidPoint, using the two front points
for the equation - MidPoint(I5.A.P,I6.A.P)
 The Output Characteristic configuration in this example uses the
Distance function between the MidPoint (L1) and
PlaneFromPoints (L2) local entities - Distance(L1.A.P,L2.A)

1.8.2 Co Planarity Example

This setup applies to:
 Multiple plane features measured with Patch Algorithm.
 All Feature Vectors are the same
 All Nominals in Feature Vector Direction are the same
 All the features must be on the same surface in the feature vector
direction.

42  3D Calculator Engineering Guide

  The Output Characteristic is Profile using the Flatness Function
 The user must create the Profile Characteristic before
configuring this equation.
 Rename one of the 10 Custom Scalars to Profile.

Configuration example:
1. From Plant Setup choose Tools menu and select Rename
Characteristics...
2. Scroll to an unused Custom Scalar, right click and choose
Rename
3. Name the characteristic to Profile for both New Name: and New
Short Name: fields
4. Select OK to accept the name change and OK to close
5. Open the New Inspection Entity wizard
6. Follow the wizard to create a Constructed, Equation Based
feature
 Use FreeForm for the Feature Type

April, 2014 3D Calculator  43

 7. Choose the output characteristic Profile and select Next

8. Select appropriate Input Entities

 Assign Patches as Inputs - in this example (12) patches are selected
 Select Next

44  3D Calculator Engineering Guide

 9. Configure Output Equation
 Select appropriate Function, in this example Flatness is selected
 Choose Assign
The Function displays in the Equation field.

 Change the number of points from the default (1) to the number of
points needed - in this example (12) is entered
 Move the cursor past the comma

April, 2014 3D Calculator  45

  Configure the Input Variables:
 Select the Entity Name, Variable and select Assign - in this
example, the first point is selected using I1.A

 Add a comma and repeat for the next point using I2.A
 Add a comma and repeat for the remaining points I3.A through
I12.A

46  3D Calculator Engineering Guide

  Choose Save to complete the Local Entity input configuration
Flatness(12,I1.A,I2.A,I3.A,I4.A,I5.A,I6.A,I7.A,I9.A,I10.A,I
11.A,I12.A)

10. Select Next to Finish the configuration

April, 2014 3D Calculator  47

 Figure 5 Completed example of CoPlanarity - Properties - Construct tab

1.8.3 Profile Surface Examples

This setup applies to:
 Multiple plane features measured with Patch Algorithm.
 The Output Characteristic is Profile using the ProfileSurface
Function
 The user must create the Profile Characteristic before
configuring this equation.
 Rename one of the 10 Custom Scalars to Profile.

48  3D Calculator Engineering Guide

 Configuration example:
1. From Plant Setup choose Tools menu and select Rename
Characteristics...
2. Scroll to an unused Custom Scalar, right click and choose
Rename
3. Name the characteristic to Profile for both New Name: and New
Short Name: fields
4. Select OK to accept the name change and OK to close
5. Open the New Inspection Entity wizard
6. Follow the wizard to create a Constructed, Equation Based
feature
 Use FreeForm for the Feature Type

April, 2014 3D Calculator  49

 7. Choose the output characteristic Profile and select Next

8. Select appropriate Input Entities

 Assign Patches as Inputs - in this example (4) patches are selected
 Select Next

50  3D Calculator Engineering Guide

 9. Configure Output Equation
 Select appropriate Function, in this example ProfileSurface is
selected
 Choose Assign
The Function displays in the Equation field.

 Change the number of points from the default (1) to the number of
points needed - in this example (4) is entered
 Move the cursor past the comma

April, 2014 3D Calculator  51

  Configure the Input Variables:
 Select the Entity Name, Variable and select Assign - in this
example, the first point is selected using I1.A

 Add a comma and repeat for the next point using I2.A
 Add a comma and repeat for the remaining points I3.A and I4.A
 Choose Save to complete the Local Entity input configuration
ProfileSurface(4,I1.A,I2.A,I3.A,I4.A)

52  3D Calculator Engineering Guide

 10. Select Next to Finish the configuration

April, 2014 3D Calculator  53

 Figure 6 Completed example of ProfileSurface - Properties - Construct tab

1.8.4 RelativeTruePosition Examples

This Setup Applies to:
 Datum Feature Is Hole, Slot or Cylinder
 Measured Feature Is Hole, Slot or Cylinder
 The Nominal Feature Vectors of Both Features are Parallel
 No Material Condition Modifier is considered
 The Output Characteristic is True Position using a combination of
Local Entities
 The user must create the True Position Characteristic before
configuring this equation.

54  3D Calculator Engineering Guide

  Rename the Diametrical Distance characteristic to True Position.

Configuration example:
1. From Plant Setup choose Tools menu and select Rename
Characteristics...
2. Scroll to Diametrical Distance, right click and choose Rename
3. Name the characteristic to True Position for both New Name:
and New Short Name: fields
There is an 11 character limit for the name field, Use an abbreviation
if necessary.
4. Select OK to accept the name change and OK to close
5. Open the New Inspection Entity wizard
6. Follow the wizard to create a Constructed, Equation Based
feature
 Use FreeForm for the Feature Type
7. Choose the output characteristic True Position and select Next
8. Select appropriate Input Entities
 Assign Datum Feature as Input (I1)
 Assign Measured Feature as Input (I2)
9. Select Next to configure the Output Equation
Because this example is using Local Entities, the configuration
cannot be completed within the wizard.
10. Finish the wizard without configuring the Output Equation
11. Right click the new constructed point and choose Properties...

April, 2014 3D Calculator  55

 12. Select the Construct tab and finish the equation
This example uses (3) Local Entities:
 Plane_Datum
 Line_Measured
 Point_Intersection

The remaining steps demonstrate creating and configuring each

Local Entity individually followed by the configuration of the
Output Characteristic.
13. Add a Local Entity
 Configure Type: (Plane) and Name: (Plane_Datum) then click OK
Plane_Datum - Plane(L1) is created as Measured Datum Plane
 In the Equation Builder:
 Set Local Entity: Name: to Plane_Datum - Plane (L1)
 Set Variable: to Position (L1.P)
 In the Input Variables:
 Select the Entity Name: to Datum Feature (I1)
 Set Variable: to Measured Datum Position (I1.A.P) and select
Assign
The Variable displays in the Equation field.

 Select Save
 In the Equation Builder:
 Set Local Entity: Name: to Plane_Datum - Plane (L1)
 Set Variable: to Surface Normal (L1.V1)

56  3D Calculator Engineering Guide

  In the Input Variables:
 Select the Entity Name: for Datum Feature (I1)
 Set Variable: to Measured Datum Feature Normal (I1.A.V1)
and select Assign
The Variable displays in the Equation field.

 Select Save
14. Add a Local Entity:
 Configure Type: (Line) and Name: (Line_Measured) then click
OK
Line_Measured - Line(L2) is created as Measured Feature Line
 In the Equation Builder:
 Set Local Entity: Name: to Line_Measured - Line (L2)
 Set Variable: to Position (L2.P)
 In the Input Variables:
 Select the Entity Name: for Measured Feature (I2)
 Set Variable: to Measured Feature Position (I2.A.P) and select
Assign
The Variable displays in the Equation field.

 Select Save
 In the Equation Builder:
 Set Local Entity: Name: to Line_Measured - Line (L2)
 Set Variable: to Tangent (L2.V1)

April, 2014 3D Calculator  57

  In the Input Variables:
 Select the Entity Name: for Measured Feature (I2)
 Set Variable: to Measured Datum Feature Normal (I1.A.V1)
and select Assign
The Variable displays in the Equation field.

 Select Save
15. Add a Local Entity:
 Configure Type: (Point) and Name: (Point_Intersection) then click
OK
Point_Intersection - Point(L3) is created as Measured Feature
Location on Measured Datum Plane (L1)
 In the Equation Builder:
 Set Local Entity: Name: to Point_Intersection -
Point(L3)
 Set Variable: to Point (L3)
 In Functions:
 Set the Function: to Intersect and choose Assign
 In the Input Variables:
 Set the Entity Name: to Plane_Datum - Plane(L1)
 Set Variable: to (L1.A) and select Assign
 Move the cursor past the comma
 Set the Entity Name: to Line_Measured - Line (L2)
 Set Variable: to (L2.A) and choose Assign
The Variables display in the Equation field.

58  3D Calculator Engineering Guide

  Select Save to complete the Local Entity input configuration -
Intersect(L1.A,L2.A)
16. Configure the Output Characteristic in the Equation Builder
Calculate the Distance between Measure Feature (L3) and Measured
Datum (I1), Subtract Nominal Distance, Get Absolute Difference,
and Multiply by 2 to Report as True Position.
 Select Output Characteristic and choose True Position
(Scalar)
 Type 2 in the equation field
 In Functions:
 Select the * (Multiply) button
 Choose Function: Abs and Assign
 Choose Function: Distance and Assign
 In the Input Variables:
 Set Entity Name: to Datum Feature (I1)
 Set Variable: to Measured Datum Position (I1.A.P) and choose
Assign
 Move the cursor past the comma
 Set Entity Name: to Point_Intersection - Point(L3)
 Set Variable: to Local Point Position (L3.A.P) and choose
Assign
 Move the cursor past the FIRST parenthesis set
 In Functions:
 Choose Function: Distance
 Select the - (Subtraction) button and Assign
 In the Input Variables:
 Set Entity Name: to Datum Feature (I1)
 Set Variable: to Datum Feature Nominal Position (I1.N.P) and
choose Assign
 Move the cursor past the comma
 Set Entity Name: to Point_Intersection - Point(L3)

April, 2014 3D Calculator  59

  Set Variable: to Local Point Nominal Position (L3.N.P) and
choose Assign

 Select Save to complete the equation -

2*Abs(Distance(I1.A.P,L3.A.P)-Distance(I1.N.P,L3.N.P))
 Choose OK to complete the configuration
17. Verify the Results
 Select the Equations Overview button to view the formula results

60  3D Calculator Engineering Guide