Introduction

This manual provides a comprehensive and detailed guide for VISUAL DMIS users.

Main Contents
There are nine chapters to cover related background knowledge and all functionalities. The
nine chapters are arranged in three categories as follows:
Chapter 1: Introduce the functionalities and operation procedures to facilitate better
understanding and proficient use of the software; specify system requirements; guide through
system installation; define the terms and regulations used in this manual.
Chapter 2: Introduce the user interface and functionality modules including menu, toolbar,
database and all other visible areas.
Chapters 3-9: These chapters mainly explain in details how to use software functions such as
measurement, construction, tolerance.
It is recommended that Visual DMIS users should carefully read entire contents in this
manual. However, here are some suggestions for those who only have interest in particular topics:
If you just want to briefly know VISUAL DMIS, Chapter 1 should be enough;
If you have never touched any CMM software before as a user, you should carefully read
through all the chapters. Especially, the operation procedure in Chapter 1 will greatly help you to
understand the whole system and save your time in the future.
If you have previously used CMM software and now want to perform Visual DMIS functions,
we recommend you to read the Overview of User Interface in Section 2.1 and the following
chapters. Of course, you may skip to Chapters 3-9 to learn the system functions.
Requirements for Users:
In addition to background knowledge, Visual DMIS users shall have basic experience in
software operation, such as how to save and read a file, how to change input method. Moreover,
the users shall have fundamental knowledge about a coordinate measuring machine (CMM) and
common abbreviations such as CMM. These requirements for expertise go beyond the scope of
this manual.
Manual Structure:
The contents of this manual are organized into 4 levels:
Chapter: Expressed by Chapter X, such as Chapter 2
Section: Expressed by X.X. or X.X.X: 1.1 or 1.1.1
Level 1 Title: Expressed by black square label + text: ■ text
Level 2 Title: Expressed by dovetail label + text: text
Level 3 Title: Expressed by asterisk label + text: text
Level 4 Title: Expressed by colour label + text: text

1
INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................................................... 1
CHAPTER I OVERVIEW................................................................................................................5
1.1 SOFTWARE FUNCTIONALITY......................................................................................................... 5
1.2 SYSTEM REQUIREMENT AND SOFTWARE CONFIGURATION FOR VISUAL DMIS...................... 5
1.3 SOFTWARE INSTALLATION............................................................................................................5
1.4 GLOSSARY AND DESCRIPTIONS...................................................................................................6
1.5 START PROCEDURE.................................................................................................................... 10
CHAPTER II DESCRIPTION OF MEASUREMENT INTERFACE............................................13
2.1 OVERVIEW OF MEASUREMENT INTERFACE................................................................................ 13
2.2 SYSTEM MAIN MENU................................................................................................................... 14
2.3 MAIN TOOLBAR........................................................................................................................... 45
2.4 GRAPHICS WINDOW.................................................................................................................... 46
2.5 REPORT WINDOW........................................................................................................................ 61
2.6 DATABASE FIELD........................................................................................................................ 61
2.7 FIELD 1 OF SYSTEM STATUS IS AS SHOWN ON FIG. 2-73:.......................................................77
2.8 FIELD 2 OF SYSTME STATUS...................................................................................................... 78
2.9 MEASUREMENT RESULT DATA DISPLAY FIELD.......................................................................... 80
2.10 DMIS PROGRAM DIVISION.......................................................................................................... 81
CHAPTER III SENSOR ASSEMBLING AND OPERATION......................................................83
3.1 SENSOR ASSEMBLING................................................................................................................ 83
3.2 IDENTIFY SENSOR........................................................................................................................87
3.3 SENSOR INSTALLATION AND CALIBRATION............................................................................... 90
3.4 SENSOR CALIBRATION................................................................................................................90
3.5 SENSOR MEASUREMENT PARAMETERS SETTING...................................................................... 93
3.6 RTP20 CALIBRATION................................................................................................................. 95
3.7 BATCH DEFINITION...................................................................................................................... 96
CHAPTER IV FEATURE MEASUREMENT................................................................................. 97
4.1 FEATURE MEASUREMENT........................................................................................................... 97
4.2 POINT FEATURE........................................................................................................................ 101
4.3 LINE FEATURE...........................................................................................................................103
4.4 PLANE FEATURE....................................................................................................................... 104
4.5 CIRCLE FEATURE...................................................................................................................... 105
4.6 CYLINDER FEATURE..................................................................................................................106
4.7 CYLINDER FEATURE..................................................................................................................107
4.8 SPHERE FEATURE.....................................................................................................................108
4.9 ELLIPSE FEATURE.....................................................................................................................109
4.10 ARC FEATURE........................................................................................................................... 110
4.11 ROUND SLOT FEATURE.............................................................................................................111
4.12 SQUARE SLOT FEATURE...........................................................................................................112
4.13 CURVE FEATURE.......................................................................................................................113
4.14 SURFACE FEATURE...................................................................................................................114

2
4.15 HOW TO MEASURE FEATURES................................................................................................. 114
CHAPTER V. FEATURE CONSTRUCTION................................................................................. 116
5.1 PROJECTION............................................................................................................................. 118
5.2 INTERSECTION...........................................................................................................................121
5.3 MIDPOINT.................................................................................................................................. 123
5.4 FITTING......................................................................................................................................128
5.5 TANGENCY................................................................................................................................ 131
5.6 PICKUP...................................................................................................................................... 138
5.7 PARALLELISM........................................................................................................................... 139
5.8 PERPENDICULARITY..................................................................................................................141
5.9 MOVEMENT................................................................................................................................142
5.10 OFFSET PLANE..........................................................................................................................143
5.11 IMAGE........................................................................................................................................ 144
5.12 ROTATION................................................................................................................................. 146
5.13 LIMITATION................................................................................................................................ 148
5.14 ARRAY.......................................................................................................................................148
5.15 FEATURE TRANSFER.................................................................................................................149
5.16 FEATURE TERMINAL..................................................................................................................150
5.17 HOW TO CONDUCT FEATURE CONSTRUCTION.........................................................................151
CHAPTER VI. COORDINATE SYSTEM........................................................................................152
6.1 3-2-1 CREATE COORDINATE SYSTEM......................................................................................152
6.2 TRANSLATE COORDINATE SYSTEM.......................................................................................... 155
6.3 ROTATE COORDINATE SYSTEM................................................................................................ 157
6.4 TWO-POINT OFFSET COORDINATE SYSTEM............................................................................. 160
6.5 THREE-POINT OFFSET COORDINATE SYSTEM..........................................................................161
6.6 FITTING COORDINATE SYSTEM................................................................................................. 163
6.7 COMBINATION COORDINATE SYSTEM...................................................................................... 165
6.8 CREATION PROCESS OF COORDINATE SYSTEM...................................................................... 166
CHAPTER VII. TOLERANCE EVALUATION............................................................................... 167
7.1 DISTANCE..................................................................................................................................169
7.2 ANGLE....................................................................................................................................... 173
7.3 PARALLELISM........................................................................................................................... 174
7.4 PERPENDICULARITY..................................................................................................................175
7.5 ANGULARITY............................................................................................................................. 176
7.6 STRAIGHTNESS......................................................................................................................... 177
7.7 PLANENESS...............................................................................................................................177
7.8 CIRCULARITY.............................................................................................................................178
7.9 CYLINDRICITY............................................................................................................................178
7.10 RADIUS...................................................................................................................................... 179
7.11 DIAMETER................................................................................................................................. 180
7.12 CONE ANGLE.............................................................................................................................181
7.13 COORDINATE SYSTEM TOLERANCE......................................................................................... 181
7.14 CIRCLE RUN-OUT...................................................................................................................... 182
7.15 FULL RUN-OUT.......................................................................................................................... 183
3
7.16 COAXIALITY (CONCENTRICITY).................................................................................................184
7.17 SYMMETRY................................................................................................................................ 184
7.18 WIDTH (LENGTH).......................................................................................................................185
7.19 DISPLACEMENT......................................................................................................................... 186
7.20 POINT PROFILE TOLERANCE.................................................................................................... 187
7.21 LINE PROFILE TOLERANCE....................................................................................................... 188
7.22 SURFACE PROFILE TOLERANCE...............................................................................................188
7.23 HOW TO CONDUCT TOLERANCE EVALUATION.........................................................................189
CHAPTER VIII REPOT OUTPUT....................................................................................................190
8.1 REPORT WINDOW......................................................................................................................190
8.2 REPORT TOOLBAR.................................................................................................................... 190
8.3 DATA OUTPUT........................................................................................................................... 194
8.4 GRAPHIC REPORT OUTPUT.......................................................................................................195
8.5 FEATURE ERROR ANALYSIS OUTPUT....................................................................................... 197
CHAPTER IX DMIS SELF-LEARNING FUNCTION APPLICATION........................................198
9.1 DMIS PROGRAM EDIT TOOLBAR..............................................................................................198
9.2 MEASUREMENT PROCEDURE................................................................................................... 201
9.3 PROGRAM RUN, DEBUGGING TOOLBAR...................................................................................202
9.4 RIGHT CLICK MENU...................................................................................................................205

4
Chapter I Overview
This chapter introduces Visual DMIS basics such as software functions, configuration
requirements and installations.
1.1 Software functionality
It mainly has the following functions:
 Sensor Management: Including assembly and calibration, the sensor can be graphically
configured and built with great flexibility by a user to make virtual sensor consistent
with the actual sensor.
 Measurement of Geometric Features: Functions to measure features specified by
international CMMA and directly display the following features in graphics window:
point, line, plane, circle, cylinder, cone, sphere, arc, ellipse, slot, etc.
 Construction of Geometric Features: Construct required geometric features using the
current features and automatically display them on the display, such as projection,
intersection, midpoint, fitting, parallelism, perpendicularity, tangency, translation,
rotation.
 Geometric Tolerances: Calculate and obtain geometric tolerances as per ISO Standards,
such as straightness, planeness, angle, circularity, cylindricality, sphericity, conicity,
parallelism, perpendicularity, angularity, symmetry, positionality (2D and 3D),
concentricity, coaxility.
 Workpiece Coordinate System Management: Create, save, recall and delete part
coordinate systems. The machine coordinate system is automatically created and can not
be deleted.
 DMIS program input, output and editing.
 Export measurement data into a file as “IGES” format for data exchange with CAD
software packages.
 The self-study measurement function is mainly used to repeat measurements of identical
workpieces.
1.2 System requirement and software configuration for VISUAL DMIS
 The minimum hardware requirements are:
 Pentium 4 1.8GHz (or higher) processor;
 Minimum 1GB DDR memory;
 Minimum 128 MB graphics card: 512 MB VGA card or higher is recommended;
 Monitor resolution: 1024×768 or higher;
 500GB hard disk, 20G available space;
 Recommend 40GB, 7200rpm or higher, 8M buffer;
 Windows compatible mouse (wheel 3-button mouse), 104 standard keyboard;
 COM port: 1 COM port available;
 PCI slot: 1 slot;
 USB port for software protection dongle.
 VISUAL DMIS supports the following operating systems:
 Windows 7
 Windows XP Professional™ Service Pack 1
 Windows XP Professional™ Service Pack 2
1.3 Software installation

5
 VISUAL DMIS has been installed prior to shipment. For user who needs to upgrade the
software, our service engineer will guide through its installation. If a user wants to install VISUAL
DMIS by himself/herself, please refer to VISUAL DMIS Installation Guide. The installation guide
in electronic version can be found in VISUAL DMIS installation CD.
1.4 Glossary and Descriptions
To ensure consistency in glossary, concept and interface descriptions used in this manual, the
keyboard, mouse, labels and controls are defined and explained in this section. Some particular
cases will be described in relevant chapters.
1.4.1 Keyboard
 Single button
Some buttons with different functions in VISUAL DMIS are described as follows:
 ENTER
 ENTER
It may be named Enter or Return. Possibly different names suggest the same
function definition in VISUAL DMIS, which means Confirmation.
 DELETE
 DELETE
The button deletes selected objects such as character, file and picture.
 TAB
 TAB
TAB button controls the cursor to switch between different areas in a window.
 SHIFT
 SHIFT
In the software, the button Shift fulfills the function of key combination.
 Numerical Keypad keys
There is a numerical keypad at the right-hand side of most computer keyboards to
facilitate user inputting numbers. NUM LOCK key manages buttons in the keypad.
If NUM light is ON, it means the keypad is activated so you can input numbers.
 Arrow keys (←↑→↓)
The system supports translating graphics by arrow keys. All the cursor keys
(←↑→↓) in four directions can be used.
 Hot key
VISUAL DMIS provides frequently-used combination hot keys (usually ALT +
Letter, indicating that ALT and Letter keys are pressed simultaneously). To use a
hot key, you hold ALT key down first and then hit the Letter key. For instance, you
press ALT + S keys simultaneously, “Setup” drop-down men will pop up .
 Shortcut key
Some function label names in a window or menu option include an underlined
letter. When a window or menu with the label is activated, the system supports
quickly calling the corresponding function, input box or other control for the label
by a single-button operation. Such a key is called Shortcut key. As show by
“System Setup (S)” in the figure, press “S” key and “System Setup’ dialogue box
will pop up.
 Combination key

6
 The combination key is specially used for graphic operation. The combination keys
are:
SHIFT+CTRL+MOUSE L-BUTTON: When graphics field is in View status, hold
SHIFT, CTRL and MOUSE LEFT BUTTON and move the mouse simultaneously
to zoom in/out features and the machine model in graphics window.
CTRL+MOUSE L-BUTTON: When graphics field is in View status, hold CTRL
button and MOUSE LEFT button simultaneously to move the mouse so as to move
feature and the machine model in the graphics window.
1.4.2 Mouse
VISUAL DMIS supports both wheel mouse and 3-button mouse. Some relevant concepts are
described as follows:
 Basic Concept of Mouse

Wheel

Right Button
Left Button

Fig. 1-1

When using a mouse, you can select and single click an item, locate the cursor in a file or
drag the item. Single click mouse R-button to display task or option menu which varies with
single-click position. The menu is very helpful to quickly finish a task. Single clicking on mouse
R-button is called “Single Click on Right Button”.
Now most mice have a wheel which facilities your scrolling through a file. Moreover, the
wheel can also work as a third button. Mouse structure is as shown on Fig. 1-1.
 The below command is based on the assumption that VISUAL DMIS has been in
graphic view status. The cursor in graphics field looks like a rotating arrow. Specific
operation is as indicated on:
 Single Click
Point to an object on the screen, then quickly press mouse L-button or mouse
R-button.
 Double Click
Please point to an object on the screen, then quickly press the mouse L-button
twice and release it. If there is any difficulty in double-click, usually you can single
click the object by mouse R-button, then single click one option on the menu to
execute the same task.
 Drag

7
 Also called drag-drop, it means moving mouse pointer onto an object on the screen.
Single click mouse L-button to move the mouse to a new position. At this time, you
can see the object move with the mouse; release the mouse L-button and the
dragged object will move to the target position.
 Graphic Motion: Hold CTRL or SHIFT key and move mouse L-button to perform
graphic motion.
 Graphic Rotation: Hold mouse L-button and move the mouse to achieve graphic
rotation.
 Graphic Scaling: Hold SHIFT, CTRL keys and move mouse L-button to perform
graphic scaling.
 Use of Wheel Mouse
Mouse wheel has different function if moved to different operating positions on the
software interface.
 Graphic Translation
When operating on graphics window, hold the mouse wheel and move the mouse to
move the graphic.
 Scaling
When operating on graphic window, scroll the mouse wheel or CTRL + WHEEL
(Hold) to scale in/out the graphic.
 Viewing
Scroll the mouse wheel in report output window, DMIS program window or
database field to quickly finish data viewing.
1.4.3 Use of control
The section only introduces common controls, with special controls introduced in the
following chapters.

 Label
Red box in the above figure is a label. The red box itself is non-existent in the software
interface and only a label here. Label usually checks a displayed static text message in a
window and is often used with other controls. Label text indicates other controls have
equal function, property, etc.; label content is taken as the name of its bound control. For
example, the right input box in the above graphic indicates the model and its name is the
model name. Label in the window is expressed as a static text.

 Scrollbar
There are two type scrollbars: Horizontal scrollbar and vertical scrollbar, with the
vertical scrollbar as shown on the above figure. Both ends of scrollbar have a button
usually bound with other controls for use so that users easily view control content. Users
can change the displayed control content by clicking an arrow button or dragging mouse.
If content in DMIS program division cannot be displayed completely in a line, single
click right and left arrows or drag the middle block by mouse L-button to display the
hidden content.
 Count scrollbar

8
 The scrollbar controls text of a control and text often related to quantity. For example,
measurement window displays measured points setting and other contents, as shown on
the right figure. Operate the scrollbar to change the value in the right input box. The
value is 1 in this example.
 Checkbox
Checkbox and control such as label are combined to indicate whether a status or

function is active. User can click the box: The label suggests having been selected,

indicating a status or function activated; on the other hand, means otherwise, i.e.

deactivated. Name of the check box is often what is contained in the static text before or
after the box, indicating the function or operation fulfilled by the box.

 Input box
Input box is used to input and display content. White input box is operable, but grey

unoperable . Please note, inputting in some input boxes is

performed by toolbar control, such as measuring points setting and other contents as

shown on the right figure: . Content in the right input box is set by
scrollbar. The input box may support one or more operations as the box represents
different objects. Its name is the content of the static text before it, indicating nature of
the object(s). Content of an input box often indicates a certain object in the system.
Especially, object in VISUAL DMIS is expressed by label + text (object type and name).
The system usually has the following objects: Feature, tolerance, sensor, coordinate
system.

For example, the left figure is an input box named

PL1； output box represents plane feature called PL1.
 Button
The manual divides buttons into 4 types according to their functions. In VISUAL DMIS,

buttons have 2 forms: graphic , text . The text directly indicates

function of the button and the same rule applies to the graphic button. If the mouse
remains on either button for long, a label will appear to explain its function. Button
definition is introduced in chapter or section concerning interface. The section mainly
tells button types.
 Window button
Click the button and a relevant window will pop up. Toolbar button is a typical window

button (toolbar is made up of buttons), such as in construction toolbar. Click the

button and projection construct window will pop up. Move the mouse to the button and
invert colour will appear on the edge of the button, retain several seconds and a label

9
 will be shown to explain the button’s function. The right figure indicates the
button is a projection tool.
 Menu button
Click the button and a set of menus will appear below or above the button for users to
select, as shown on Fig. 1-2:

Fig. 1-2
 Float button
The button changes its colour/shape to indicate selecting or not selecting a function.
As a rule, its background or text colour deepens, button sinks or a black box occurs,
indicating selected status; otherwise, it indicates unselected status.
 Confirm button
Click the button to indicate that client confirms certain status or operation. Typically,

Confirm button is Enter button or Cancel button in a

common window. For example, click Confirm button in Tolerance window to
confirm the user’s operates creates tolerance and adds it to tolerance database;
however, if you click Cancel button to ignore the user’s operation, tolerance will not
be generated.

 Drop-down box
Click triangle label in the drop-down box and an option list will pop up for you to
select, as shown on the right figure: The blue part means the current option selected

by user. It will appear in the drop-down box, such as whose name is

the content of the static text before it.
1.5 Start procedure
To help user read the manual, this section summarizes the easy system operation procedure
graphically. The below operation flowchart 1-4 is a simplified introduction to the system
operation sequence. You can find all relevant sections as references for the black boxs in the
chart. The red part gives notes of the operation. Please note that:

 After normal startup, click the shortcut label on the desktop or start the
application in “Start/All Programs/Visual DMIS” the login window will pop up, as
shown on Fig. 1-3. Input the company name in the input box after “Company Name”,
input the client name in the input box after “Client Name”, then click “Enter” key to

10
 enter Measurement Software interface and click “Cancel” to cancel the login.

Fig. 1-3
 Refer to Field 1 in 2.7 System status for HOME operation and online operation.
 See the Menu in 2.2.1 for file input and output.
 See Sensor assembling and application in Chapter 3 for sensor operation.
 Refer to Feature measurement in Chapter 4 for feature measurement.
 See relevant section in Chapter 5 for feature construction.
 Refer to the relevant section in Chapter 6 for coordinate system operation.
 See Tolerance evaluation in Chapter 7 for feature tolerance operation.
 See the relevant section in Chapter 8 for report output.
 Refer to the section of DMIS program division in Chapter 9 for DMIS operation.

11
 Start the system

HOME operation

DMIS operation Files are item file,

CAD MM, report

File input

Sensor operation

Feature measurement
Coordinate system
falls into online
operation
measurement and
offline measurement.

Feature measurement
and construction

Feature tolerance
calculation operation

File output

Exit the system

Fig. 1-4

Note: You can skip operation under the dash arrow. DMIS programming status is subject to ending
at anytime.

12
Chapter II Description of Measurement Interface
This chapter introduces the system measurement interface, including such functions as
toolbar, menu, system status, DMIS program, database.
2.1 Overview of measurement interface
VISUAL DMIS is an application which operates in Windows operating system such as
Windows 2000/XP and the system interface is a typical single-file Windows user interface.
VISUAL DMIS system interface falls into 8 fields as shown on Fig. 2-1:

Main toolbar Field 1 of system

System main menu Graphic field
status

DMIS program Database field

Data display
division
Field 2 of system status
Fig. 2-1

 System main menu;

 Main toolbars: Measurement toolbar, construction toolbar, tolerance toolbar, probe
toolbar, coordinate system toolbar;
 DMIS program division;
 Graphics field;
 Database field;
 Data display field;

13
  Field 1 of system status;
 Field 2 of system status;
2.2 System main menu
System tool menu has 4 options: “File (F), Setup (S), Display (V), Help (H)”. Each option is

drop-down type, as shown on: . So, the letters after their names
can be dropped down by mouse L-button/ALT button and the letter after drop-down menu names.
For instance, you can open file drop-down menu by ALT+F and there are several methods
available to select option in a drop-down menu.
 Single click mouse L-button.
 Move to the desired menu option by Arrow key and the menion option will be displayed
in reverse colour, then run menu command by ENTER key.
 Use Shortcut key. Once a menu is activated, you can use the Shortcut key on its menu.
For example, you can select N letter key to create a new item.
2.2.1 File (F)
The section mainly introduces file drop-down menu. Its hot keys are ALT+F. The menu
controls those files that constitute the test environment, including:
An item file is a work folder composed of CMM, sensor, workpiece and other information.
When you back up a item file, each file has a complete directory structure. It is important to back
up all the folders for the item, including item information. As a picture file, CAD file contains
information of a workpiece for measurement and use. Letter in brackets of a submenu indicates
the corresponding Shortcut key. See Fig. 2-2 for the file menu in the system:

Fig. 2-2
 Create new project (N)

14
 Its shortcut key is N. After you select a new option, a window will pop up to require you
to set environment parameters for the new project. The window is as shown on Fig. 2-3:

Fig. 2-3

 How to input file name in the box:

1. Input file name via keyboard;
2. Click drop-down arrow to select the pop-up option, which is a created project
name.
 Save path input box to verify the position of saving the item and input method.
1. Input path name via keyboard;
2. Select path by the button. Click Select Path button and a browser window will
pop up to create the path of new project as shown on Fig. 2-3: In default mode, the
“Current Database” field at the bottom of the new window only preserves the
currently used probe information. If you want to preserve other data information,
please check the option; otherwise, new project will clear information of the
unchecked data item.

 Open item (O)

Shortcut key of the option is O. When you select Open option, file open window of the
system will pop up, as shown on Fig. 2-4. In initial status, the default option of the

15
 drop-down box of file type is item file (*.vsproj). In other statements, only the file with
the extension “vsproj” is visible. Click open button on the window and the system will
load the assigned item data and display data on database field, including: Sensor data,
feature data, coordinate system, tolerance and DMIS data.

Fig. 2-4
 Save Project (S)
Its shortcut key is S. When selecting Save option, Save As window will pop up if the
system operates for the first time; otherwise it will save the current project.
 Save As (A)
Its shortcut key is A. When you select Save option, Save As window will pop up as
shown in Fig. 2-5. Save As window will also pop up even if you select Save option in
the drop-down menu on condition that the system operates for the first time.

16
 Fig. 2-5

 Input CAD file

If the software has licensed CAD function
module, the opened CAD file window will pop up
when you select “Input CAD file”. The window is
the same as the Open File window. See Fig.2-6
for the Open File window. Please note: Click Save
as Type drop-down box on the window and an option list will be displayed. The list is
composed of CAD mode formats which the system supports. CAD file can be downloaded
from the assigned directory. After selecting some CAD file format, file management dialogue
box will display all these files for user to select.
Despite DMIS support for IGES, STEP, BREP, CSFDB, CSF, STL, WRL, etc., client
shall load such file and convert it to DMIS format by VISUAL DMIS converter.
In file management dialogue box, the default format is RLE. RLE file contains
precision data of the loaded geometry model. However, the system cannot correctly display
the RLE model if there is no WRL file correlated to the opened RLE file. The system
correctly display a WRL file, with low modelling precision.
 Input feature (F)
Its shortcut key is F. When you select Open option, file “Open” window of the system
will pop up to select the desired item and input the Feature in the item.
 Input Tolerance (T)
Its shortcut key is T. When you select Open option, file “Open” window of the system
will pop up to select the desired item and input the Tolerance in the item.
 Input Coordinate System (C)
Its shortcut key is C. When you select Open option, file “Open” window of the system
will pop up to select the desired item and input the Coordinate System in the item.

17
 Input Sensor
Its shortcut key is S. When you select Open option, file “Open” window of the system
will pop up to select the desired item and import the Probe Definition in the item.
 Import Point Cloud (L)
Its shortcut key is S. When you select Open option, file “Open” window of the system
will pop up to select the cloud file (.TXT).
 Export CAD File (Export)
Its shortcut key is E. Its function is to acquire parts geometry information established in
testing and convert it to IGES file. In this way, CMM process can become a parts design
process by reverse engineering.
 Recent File (I)
Its shortcut key is I. When selecting Open option, the cascading menu will be as shown
on Fig. 2-6. If you select one of recently used CAD files that you want to open, the
mathematical model (MM for short)_ can be imported quickly.

Fig. 2-6
 Recent item (J)
Its shortcut key is I. When selecting Open option, the cascading menu will be as shown
on Fig. 2-7. If you select one of item files that you want to open or such file used recently,
the item can be imported quickly.

Fig. 2-7
 Exit (X)
Its shortcut key is X. Select the option and VISUAL DMIS system window will be
closed. Before exit, a “prompt” window will pop up to prompt the user whether to exit the
current item, as shown on the right figure.

Note: Once the window of the application system is closed, any data which fail to be
saved immediately will be lost.
18
 If you start the system and don’t select any existing item, another “prompt” window of
the system will pop up, as shown on the right figure when exiting the system and operating
the previous prompt window: The window prompts the user whether to save the item file
(Save it by Yes (Y) key and not save it by “N (No)” key).

2.2.2 Setup (S)

Set up the application environment for drop-down menu so that CMM operates under
the system setup parameters. Its hot keys are ALT+S. Select the drop-down menu and menu
list will pop up, as shown on the right figure in software interface:

2.2.2.1 System Setup (S)

Select the option and system setup window composed of setup pages will pop up, as
shown on Fig. 2-8. The setup page includes system, warning and name. After modifying the
“System Setup”, you need to select “Application” or “OK” at the setup window and open the
window so that you can continue to modify the system setup.

19
 Fig. 2-8
 System
 Fitting algorithm: Set up the algorithm which evaluates feature “circle”, click right
drop-down arrow to select circle evaluation algorithm as shown on Fig. 2-12:
 Sensor database: If the checkbox is checked, the previous sensor data will be
loaded after entering measurement interface every time. Otherwise, there is only
one default sensor data in the database. So, it need be re-selected to define the
sensor. See Chapter 3 “Sensor Assembling and Application” for sensor assembling
and definition.
 File save: Click Browse button to select the desired save directory or directly input
the place such as “F:/visual” in the input box after “Save Directory:”.
 If you check “Create Folder for Each User”checkbox, a folder will be created
for each user under the directory.
 If you check “Save the Interval of Auto Recovery Information”, the software
will prompt “To recover the unsaved data” when you reopening the software
after abnormal close, as shown on Fig. 2-9:

20
 Fig. 2-9
 Advanced option:
 Click the drop-down arrow to the right of “Language” to select language type
for the software interface.
 Click the drop-down arrow to the right of “MCC Model” to select the machine
model corresponding to the material object.
 Click the drop-down arrow to the right of “Controller Link” to the controller
drive in line with the machine controller as shown on Fig. 2-11:

Fig. 2-10 Fig. 2-11

 Warning
 Warning window is as shown on Fig. 2-12:

21
 Fig. 2-12
 MCC overrange: Each CMM has a measurement range. It may give “Open”,
“Close”, “Buzzer” or selectable sound if going beyond the range. A prompt window
will appear if it exceeds the range when you select “Open” option; no prompt will
appear when you select “Close”. And the computer buzzer will make a prompt tone
when you select the “Buzzer”. If connected with soundbox, it will make the
selected sound if other sound is selected; otherwise no prompt tone will sound.
 Probe triggering, Key Prompt: When you measure a feature, a point will be
recorded by DMIS once measured; however, whether the point is valid can be
verified by observing the measurement window. It is usually set as “Buzzer” to
prompt the user to note the point has been picked up. If connected to soundbox, it
will make the selected sound effect (better effect) when you select another music
file. Key Prompt is to set the prompt tone for pressing the handle.
 Use theoretical probe: If you use an uncalibrated probe, it only has theory value.
Confirm whether there is prompt according to the setup, refer to“MCC Overrange”
setup.
 Use expired sensor: If its validity is set as a definite number of days and the setup
is “Activated”, prompt interface will appear to prompt you to refer to “MCC
Overrange” setup when you perform feature measurement once again after
expiration.

22
  MCC calibration form out of tolerance: If the form of probe calibration data is
greater than “max calibration form” and the setup is “opened”, prompt interface
will pop up to prompt you to refer to “MCC Overrange” setup.
 Program mode switching: When the machine is switched from Manual mode to
Programor Auto mode and the setting is “opened” during DMIS running, prompt
interface will be as shown on Fig. 2-13, then you can move the machine to a safe
position.

Fig. 2-13
Click “OK” button to continue the program or click “Cancel” to end the program.
 Sensor validity: It may be 1-7 days or permanently valid according to drop-down
list box after it. For example, it means the calibrated sensor exceeds the validity
period if number under “Dia.” in Sensor Database turns red when you start the
program next day. Moreover, a prompt dialogue box will pop up, shown as “You
Are Performing Measurement by an Expired Sensor” during feature measurement.
 Tolerance range of probe calibration: Input the form tolerance range in the input
box after it; if the form exceeds the value, it will prop up a form prompt dialogue
box.
 Graphics
 The window is as shown on Fig. 2-14:

23
 Fig. 2-14
 Graphics Colour: You can select various characteristic colours on the graphic
window, such as background colour, CAD model import colour, “dynamic feature
colour” features of the checked option are displayed in different colours).
 Feature Vector: Check the checkbox before the feature to display its vector on the
graphics window so that you can determine position and vector of the machine
auto-location. See DMIS programming introduction in Chapter 9 for the machine
running mode.
 Graphic Offset: Input different values in 3 input boxes to guarantee location of the
machine model is consistent with the real object as much as possible to avoid
measurement results hidden by machine model.
 Picture Output:
 When “Open Picture Editor” is checked to output the picture report, the
following editing window will pop up, as shown on Fig. 2-15: It can operate
boundary control point in the graphics field to control size and content of the
picture to be exported. You can perform picture imaging, rotating, etc. by
Right buttons.

24
 Fig. 2-15
 The output effect of unchecking “Auto Select Picture Content” is as shown on
Fig. 2-16; the output effect of checking “Auto Select Graphics Content” is as
shown on Fig. 2-17; the exported picture content will be adjusted
automatically.

Fig. 2-16
25
 Fig. 2-17
 Name
 The window is as shown on Fig. 2-18:

Fig. 2-18

26
 “Name” describes the default name prefix in the feature measurement interface
and database, which can be modified into the character desired by the user, with the
following feature no. generated automatically. If you set default name of circle as
“Circle”, the measurement interface will show the following change as shown on
Fig. 2-19, with modification other names same as this.

Fig. 2-19
 When you check “Always Use Lower Limit under the Name”, features of each
type are numbered from the smallest serial no. in the feature database. For
example, when you measure 5 circles per set, you find #2 circle unwanted and
delete it; then, you first find there was no #2 circle when checking the smallest
circle measurement no. in subsequent measurement. As a result, the newly
measured circles will be numbered from “#2 circle”, skipping “#3-5 circles” in
the database and the subsequent circle measurement will be numbered from
“#6 circle”. If you don’t check it, it is directly numbered from “#6 circle”.
 Measurement point
 The window is as shown on Fig. 2-20:

27
 Fig. 2-20
 In the input box, input ordinary feature points for the user (number in the front
brackets is the default points): When the software is started, the points on the
feature measurement interface will be put under initialization control as per number
in the input box. In other statements, the points are controlled as per the setting, as
shown on Fig. 2-21:

The number of point is

consistent with that in
setup option

Fig. 2-21
28
The number of point is consistent with that in setup option.

 MCC
 The window is as shown on Fig. 2-22:

Fig. 2-22
 Speed and Acceleration: Here you can set up movement speed, measurement speed,
scanning speed, movement acceleration and measurement acceleration: Usually
measurement speed set within 10mm/s, acceleration to speed ratio over 3:1 (large
ratio) may result in vibration, so we recommend adjusting to the state that the
machine is in steady operation.
 Controller: Single click “Reset Controller” button to clear the errors produced by
the controller during machine operation to recover normal operation; single click
“MCC HOME” and you can operate machine HOME at any time; select “Allow
MCC to Continue Moving” checkbox and the machine can move the probe by the
default algorithm in the software. For instance, when measuring circle, the machine
can continue running smoothly according to the internal algorithm if there is no
manually added positioning point.
 Sensor installation
Display its installation direction and calibration time.

29
 Temperature
 The window is as shown on Fig. 2-23:

Fig. 2-23
 If the machine has temperature compensation function, you can check “Start Temp
Compensation” on the interface to control the temperature compensation
(valid/invalid); click “New” in the right input box and the following material
information dialogue boxwill pop up, as shown on Fig. 2-24:

Fig. 2-24
Input material name and thermal expansion coefficient, click “OK” key to finish
creation of the material parameters.
 Calibration gauge
 The window is as shown on Fig. 2-25:

30
 Fig. 2-25
 Here you can input name, diameter, offset and installation direction of the
calibration gauge. If it is vertically installed, the rod shall be in the vector I: 0.00, J:
0.00, K: 1.00. The rod shall be installed by the fundamental principle of producing
no abnormal bump in probe calibration. Given any value, click “Save” button to
save parameters of the calibration gauge when the standard sphere can be at
initially setpoint (X, Y, Z). In the subsequent probe calibration, actual position of
the calibration gauge will be updated. All the calibration gauges (MGAGE) can be
deleted except the default gauge of the measurement software. If you select
customized calibration gauge, Delete button is active.
 Equipment
 The window is as shown on Fig. 2-26:

31
 Fig. 2-26
 The checked checkbox after the feature controls feature outputs: X, Y, Z indicate
feature coordinates, I, J, K their actual vectors, I1, J1 K1 reference vectors and F
form.
 In Format field, check the needed checkbox according to different format
requirements for calling at a place that need them.
 Data precision: Control decimal digits of output data.
 Default equipment:
 As needed, select the desired output formats in Screen, Print and Report
drop-down boxes.
 Select “Add” or “Override” in Save drop-down selection box.
Add: Add newly measured or assessed output result of new measurement
or evaluation to the end of output file.
Override: Add output result of new measurement or evaluation to output
file at the beginning and the previous file is overrode by new output
result.
 Output
 It is as shown on Fig. 2-27:

32
 Fig. 2-27
 Default output equipment: When “Turn on Report Output Equipment” is checked,
save it as “//../report” and, the corresponding statement command will be generated
at the beginning section of the program when self-study is activated; when “Turn
on Screen” is checked, the measurement result will output evaluation result in
“Virtual Terminal-Screen” and when self-study is activated, the corresponding
command will be generated at the beginning section of the program.
 Equipment output: When “Output when generating geometric feature” is checked,
the relevant parameters will be output automatically at the report window after
feature measurement; when “Output when evaluating tolerance” is checked, click
“OK” key after the evaluation so that it will not only be saved in tolerance database,
but also output in report.
 Graphics output: When the option is checked, measured or constructed feature will
appear in real time on the graphic window.
 Program
 It is as shown on Fig. 2-28:

33
 Fig. 2-28
 In the above figure, DMIS program statement command is generated according to
the drop-down setup option and recorded in the beginning section of DMIS
program when self-study mode is activated:
 Work plane: It falls into Current, XYPLAN, YZPLAN and ZXPLAN. Usually
Current is selected as work plane used in measurement. Usually, the DMIS
interface is set as valid.
 Fly mode: With ON and OFF status, it indicates the optimized arc trajectory in
automatic running; otherwise straight line. It is generally set as ON.
 Length unit: It contains Current, cm, mm, inch. Here it is set as Curren.
Usually, the DMIS interface is set as valid.
 Radius compensation: With Current, ON and OFF status, it indicates whether
probe compensation is valid. Here Current is set as work plane used in
measurement, with the setup on measurement software interface as valid
status.
 Coordinate system: With Current and MCS status, here it is set as Current,
with the setup on measurement software interface as valid status.
 Temperature compensation: With ON and OFF status, it controls whether
temperature compensation is valid (for the machine with this function).
 Probe: With Current and Default status, set the default probe at the beginning
section of the program, with Current selected usually.

34
  Probe setup: With Current and No statuses, it controls whether probe
parameters are generated at the program header. If “Current” is selected, it
operates as per parameter in the program header when the program runs; if
“No” selected, probe parameter setup window controls probe movement when
the program runs.
 Speed: With Current and No status, it controls generation of speed in the
program header: If “Current” is selected, the program runs at the speed in the
program header; if “No” selected, the program runs at the speed set up in the
“system setup/machine”.
 Acceleration: With Current and No status, it controls generation of
acceleration in the program header: If “Current” is selected, the program runs
at the acceleration in the program header; if “No” selected, the program runs
at the acceleration set up in the “system setup/machine”.
 Program mode: It uses Auto, Program or Man mode (Manual mode usually
selected at the beginning section of the program).
 Feature calculation: With Current and No status, it is the parameter control
statement command generated at the beginning section of the program. If
“Current” is selected, the command is generated; if “No” is selected, no
command is not generated.
 Data precision: Perform data calculation according to the data digits set up
here.
 Output precision: With Current and No status, it controls generation of output
precision statement command in the beginning section of the program. When
“Current” is selected, output precision command is generated; if “No” selected,
no command is not generated.
 When “Enable setting initial line for the program running” is checked, the program
can run at the position assigned by user. However, you shall notice whether
equipment running environment and mode are consistent with the current
conditions, such as whether the proper probe and coordinate system are used;
otherwise, it will report an error or abnormal collision.
 Click “Restore default” key to restore the default status.
 “System Setup”function key
 OK (O): Click the key to activate the setting, and close “System Setup” window.
 Cancel (C): Click the key to disable the setting, and close the “System Setup”
window.
 Apply (A): Click the key to activate the setting, but not close the “System Setup”
window.

2.2.2.2 Sensor assembling (R)

Sensor installation will be detailed in Chapter 3 “Sensor Assembling and Application”.
2.2.2.3 Toolbar (T)
The menu option sets which tools are displayed on system main toolbar. As the user interface
35
has limited space, the system provides the option to setup tools directly displayed on the main
interface and those which shall be put in down-drop lists of their individual toolbars. Refer to 2.3
Main toolbar introduction for the function of main toolbar. Click the option and the toolbar setup
window will pop up, as shown on Fig. 2-29:

Fig. 2-29
The window displays:
 Select Toolbar drop-down box
It is used to select tool buttons on the main toolbar for display setup. Main toolbar falls
into five fields: Measurement, construction, tolerance, sensor and coordinate system.
 Select a specific button in toolbar and “Up” and “Down” keys will be active. Click
either key to adjust the button position on the toolbar then click “Apply” to activate it,
with reference to Fig. 2-32.
 Adjustment of number of displayed buttons on the toolbar: Click the lower scrollbar

Tune key to adjust the number of bottons directly displayed on the toolbar and
the other items displayed by the right bottom arrow of the toolbar, as shown on Fig.
2-32:

36
 Fig. 2-30
2.2.2.4 Remote keyboard (K)
Its setup is used to control key functions of external function keyboard (only for those
measurement systems equipped with the special keyboard). Operation interface is as shown
on Fig. 2-31:

Fig. 2-31
Double click the blue field to set the remote keys no. When operating the remote key, the
function will be activated in the measurement software, as shown on Fig. 2-32:

37
 Fig. 2-32

Single click key to activate the setting; single click key to

deactivate or cancel the setting.
2.2.3 Display (V)
This section mainly introduces contents of the drop-down menu to indicate its hot keys are
ALT+V, including 5 options introduced as Fig. 2-33:

Fig. 2-33

 Coordinate window (DRO) 1(1)

Display the position informa-
tion of the current probe in a ce
rtain coordinate system. It has a
function similar to but slightly di
fferent from probe coordinate dis
play field in field 2 of system st
atus. The probe coordinate displa
y block in system status field 2
is the position and status informa
38
tion of the probe in the current coordinate system, and the window displays its positi
on information in the selected coordinate system. Its shortcut key is 1. The window i
s as shown on the right figure:
The right button menu is as shown on Fig. 2-34:

Fig. 2-34
Right click the coordinate window and the right button menu will pop up, as shown on
Fig. 2-33. According to prompt, select the coordinate system you want to observe and the
probe coordinate system information will be displayed on the window.
 Coordinate window 2 (2)
Please refer to 1(1) of coordinate window as shown on Fig. 2-35:

Fig. 2-35
 Point Profile (P)
Point profile window is as shown on Fig. 2-36:

39
 Fig. 2-36
Point profile is mainly applied to digital-analog comparison measurement with CAD. In
measurement, first align CAD MM with the workpiece to be measured, select “point”
measurement in measurement toolbar and dialogue box will pop up, as shown on Fig. 2-37:

Bar Chart
Display Field

Fig. 2-37

Bar Chart Display Field

If point is directly measured on workpiece, point profile will be directly displayed on point
profile window. If the above window doesn’t appear, you can double click bar chart display
box and the window will pop up.
 Virtual Terminal (V)
Virtual Terminal window is as shown on Fig. 2-38:

Fig. 2-38
Open virtual terminal window and content of the report will be output as text from the virtual
terminal.
 Graphics processor (G)
Graphics processor window is as shown on Fig. 2-39:

40
 Fig. 2-39
In graphics processor window, drag the feature you want to analyze and its form will be
directly indicated, as shown on CIR 1(4) in Fig. 2-41. Left toolbar sets and controls display mode
and content, with detail as shown on Fig. 2-40:
Set up
Generate feature

Delete
Cancel

Display view

Measure path
View mode

Data window
Data window
Tolerance

Save as picture
Output to report
Select
Magnify error

Fig. 2-40

41
 Setup

Click Setup key and a dialogue box will pop up, as shown on Fig. 2-41:

Fig. 2-41
In this dialogue box, you can enter or select:
 Tolerance: Input control range.
 Display: Display number, mode, form and background colour of measurement
point.
 Output picture: Background colour and display range set when outputting report.

 Generate feature
Click setup key and a dialogue box will pop up. In the box, you can select unnecessary
points to re-generate a new identical feature by other pick-up points. Please see Delete pickup
point function on the measurement window for its deletion.

 Delete
Select the pickup point you don’t want by mouse, and the point will be in reverse
colour—press the key to delete it.

 Cancel
Click Setup key to recover the deleted point.

42
  Display view
You can switch between 3 reference planes as view is displayed in the reference plane
direction (active if pressed).

 Measure path
Display measurement path of the pick-up point and the Toggle key is active if pressed.

 View mode
Press Toggle key to switch between solid view and perspective view.

 Data window
Press Switching key and a small window for error of each pick-up point will pop up.

 Data window arrangement

Press function key and a small window for error of automatically arranged pick-up
points will pop up.
 Tolerance
Press Toggle key to display tolerance schematic line.

 Save as picture
Press the function key to pop up “Save as” dialogue box, and you can save it as a picture
by operating according to the dialogue box.

 Output to report
Single click the function key and the content of feature “graphics processor” will be
exported to report window.

 Select
Press the Toggle key to turn the mouse into an arrow which can check a pick-up point,
i.e. press the mouse L-button; then move the mouse and a select box will pop up to
select multiple pick-up points.

 Magnify error
Press the Toggle key and a scrollbar (up-down) will appear in the lower section so that
you can adjust size of error of window pick-up point.
2.2.4 Help (H)
This section mainly describes drop-down menu and
hot keys are ALT+H. When you move mouse to menu
option, the option will turn into a box bar in blue
background. The menu helps user to understand the system.
Its detail is indicated as below:
 Help file (H)

43
 Select the option and the Manual window will pop up, as shown on Fig. 2-42. Its shortcut key
is H.

Fig. 2-42

 Error information (E)

Select the option and the following Log Management window will pop up, as shown on Fig.
2-43:
Select

Fig. 2-43
The window is introduced as follows:
 Current information display field

44
 Display error description and time of the current system.
 File menu
File menu is as shown on the right figure:
Save: Save it in a position assigned by the user;
Clear: Clear the information display field;
Close: Close the dialogue box.
 On VISUAL DMIS (A)
A window will pop up, as shown on Fig. 2-44. The
window records the following version information of the system: Its shortcut key is A.

Fig. 2-44

2.3 Main toolbar

Measurement feature
tool section

Construction tool section

Tolerance tool section

Sensor tool section

Coordinate system tool section

Fig. 2-45
45
 Main toolbar covers common measurement functions. According to function division, see
specific functions in relevant chapters, as shown on Fig. 2-45:
 Measurement tool section: Is mainly used to directly measure various features, with
detail in Chapter 4;
 Construction tool section: Obtain feature made up of other measured features, with detail
in Chapter 5;
 Tolerance tool section: Mainly evaluate tolerance, with detail in Chapter 7;
 Sensor tool section: Is used for operation relevant to sensor definition, calibration, etc.,
with detail in Chapter 3;
 Coordinate system tool section: Is used to create workpiece coordinate system, with
detail in Chapter 6.
2.4 Graphics window
Graphics operation section in this field indicates machine model, workpiece model,
geometric picture and virtual measurement. Its graphic tool is used to execute the relevant
operations. Graphic field is as shown on Fig. 2-46:

View toolbar

View operation
field

Fig. 2-46

2.4.1 View scroll setup toolbar

46
 According to different functions of tools, the toolbar is made up of three constituents, as
shown on Fig. 2-47

Delete display Input CAD Create

object from model from a picture
graphics file report

Display Display/hide Align

system front geometric coordinate
view feature system

Select geometric Display/hide Move

feature from machine probe
graphics model

Set system Pick up point Manage

object on the MM by CAD MM
display/hide mouse
system

Fig. 2-47

The toolbar’s keys are a combination. When you select keys such as , , their

functions are directly used; cascading menu will pop up if you use keys such as as , ,

; a function window will pop up if you use keys .

Select geometric feature from graphics

Press the button and it will automatically display the feature vector when the mouse stops at a
defined or measured geometric feature, and display feature name
simultaneously. When mouse L-button is pressed for the feature,
the feature in the corresponding database will be selected with a
prompt label as shown on the right figure on the graphics
interface:

47
 Display system front view

Press the button and the view (machine model) will

recover default status. When the key is pressed, the
view will be as shown on the right figure: Actually, the
system default status is the status of its front view.
Please see the section of machine model operation tool
section for front view.

 Set system object display/hide

Press the drop-down key to change object display/hide in the view field, with menu
option as shown on Fig. 2-48: Click each option to switch between display and hide

modes. When appears before option, it indicates the object is displayed;

otherwise the object is hidden. Right button menu in graphics field also has this
function, as shown on Fig. 2-49:

Fig. 2-48

48
 Fig. 2-49

 Delete object displayed in graphics field

Press the drop-down key to delete a relevant object in graphics field, with menu option
as shown on Fig. 2-50: When clicking each option, you can delete object displayed in
the graphics field. However, it is different from display/hide function—the deleted
object cannot be re-displayed by display/hide function. To delete displayed object in
field doesn’t mean deleting the object in the database. Right button menu in graphics
field also has this function, as shown on Fig. 2-51:

Fig. 2-50

49
 Fig. 2-51

 Graphics toolbox

Select any key on the toolbox and the following graphics toolbox window of the system
will pop up, with key functions displayed as option pages for user to select operation
according to need. The window is as shown on Fig. 2-52:

50
 Page label

Number of
pickup point

Function
button

Fig. 2-52
 Page label

Graphics toolbox is made up of 5 pages: geometric feature display/hide,

machine model display/hide, mouse pick-up on the MM, input CAD model

from file, move probe. You can switch between different pages by clicking page
labels.
Functions of each option are introduced as follows:

 Display/hide machine model

Toolbox window is as shown on below:

The button is special as a window key. Click it and a graphics toolbox window will pop
up, as shown on Fig. 2-53:

51
 Fig. 2-53

 Model function button field

Any key in the field is a float type. Click it and it will indicate some part of the
model is displayed in graphics field if the press is sunk and background colour
turns deeper; however, it indicates some part of the model is hidden when the key is
floated and background colour lighter. The field has 9 display function keys
including machine table, machine coordinate system, probe.
 View function button field
Any in the field is a float type as described for the model function button field.
The field has 5 function keys such as front view, rear view. These keys are used to
change observation angles of the view. See the following for detail.
Front view
When the option is selected, machine model in graphics field will recover the
status with the front side facing user.
The front view is as shown on the right figure:

Top view
When the option is selected, machine model
in graphics field will recover the status with
the top side facing user.
The top view is as shown on the right figure:

52
 Left view
When the option is selected, machine model in graphics field will recover the
status with the left side facing user. The left view is as shown on the right
figure:

Right view
When the option is selected, machine model
in graphics field will recover the status with
the right side facing user. The right view is as
shown on the below figure:

Rear view
When the option is selected, machine model
in graphics field will recover the status with
the rear side facing user. The rear view is as
shown on the right figure:

 Pick up a point on the MM by mouse

Toolbox window is as shown on: The button is special as a window key. Click it and
toolboxwindow will pop up, as shown on Fig. 2-54:

53
 Fig. 2-54
The window is introduced as below:
 Number of pickup point:
Of course, when “Pickup” touch is pressed, it indicates how many points have been
picked on the mathematical model.
 Reverse
Reverse vector of a point picked up most recently.
 Reverse all
Reverse vectors of all the points.
 Delete
Delete the most recent point.
 Delete all
Delete all the points.
 DMIS
 DMIS
When opening feature measurement window, generate DMIS statement which may
run under programming mode: it must be generated feature by feature.
 Measure
First, select a point on the MM; then in the opened feature window, click
“Measure” key and the generated point will be saved to generate measurement
feature. And all the keys will be inoperable to indicate number of picked points in
the generated point display box.

54
  Pick up Feature

Press one of float keys under pickup feature label. If you

select “line”, you can select circle, arc, slot and other 2D features on the MM; if
you find the selection result wrong, please click the drop-down selection box to the
right of the feature under the button to select the feature you want to measure so as
to conduct forced selection, as shown on the slot in
the right figure. In a general case, it is in default
“Smart” option.

 Geometric feature display/hide

Toolbox window is displayed as below:

The key is special as a window key. Click it and a toolbox window will pop up, as
shown on Fig. 2-55:

Set actual
feature
Set theoretic display mode
feature display
mode

Field 2 of
measurement
feature
checkbox
Field 1 of
measurement
feature
Field 3 of
checkbox
measurement
feature
checkbox

Fig. 2-55 The Present Geometric Feature Display Page

 Drop-down box for theoretic graphics display mode setup .

The drop-down box has 2 options: Line and solid. If line is selected, the feature in
the view will be expressed as a picture; the line closing range of the feature picture
will be filled. The drop-box sets up the picture generated by theoretic data.

55
  Drop-down box for solid graphics display mode setup
The drop-down box sets up the picture generated by physical data. Its use is the
same as that of theoretic graphics display mode.
 Field 1 of measurement feature checkbox
When checkbox is selected, the feature’s theoretic graph will be displayed as
drop-down box setup; if not selected, it will not generate the theoretic graph.
 Field 2 of measurement feature checkbox
When checkbox is selected, the feature’s theoretic graph will be displayed as
drop-down box setup; if not selected, it will not generate the theoretic graph.
 Field 3 of measurement feature checkbox
The field has 2 checkboxes. Move path box indicates whether measurement trace is
displayed while measurement graph is being generated; increase feature checkbox
indicates whether there is a graph (theoretic graph or physical graph) while
measurement graph is being generated.

 Input CAD model from a file

Toolbox window is as shown on below: The key is special as a window key. Click it
and a toolbox window will pop up, as shown on Fig. 2-56:

Mathematical
model list
box

Function
button

Profile
input box

Fig. 2-56

 Mathematical model list box

The imported mathematical model will be displayed as
56
 a list shown in the right figure:
 Function key
The function field has all function keys for operating the MM, with the keys
separately introduced as:

Input

Click the key to open “Open” dialogue box and select the mathematical model

to be input. Its function is the same as “ ” in “File” menu.

Delete

Select the MM you want to delete, click the key to delete the selected MM in
the list box.

Hide and Display

Select MM in MM list box and click the key, then its function will be switched
between display and hide so that MM on graphics window will be displayed or
disappear.

Activate

Select MM in MM list box and click the key, then the MM will appear in the
center of the worktable and be operable.

Reset

Select MM in the list box and click the key, then the digital mode will be
aligned with machine coordinate system (MCS).

Picture Layer

Select MM in the list box and click the key to open Picture Layer Management
window as shown on Fig. 2-57. Select the picture layer to be processed and
then perform processing by the upper toolbar.

57
 Fig. 2-57

Align coordinate system

Click the button to perform alignment of the currently activated MM with the
current coordinate system.
※ Align coordinate system: Align workpiece coordinate system with
CAD MM coordinate system, with origins coincided. (Move CAD MM
to the current coordinate system.)
 Profile input box
Drag a plane into the input box to display its MM profile opposite to the direction of
the vector, as shown on Fig. 2-58:

Fig. 2-58

58
 Move probe

Toolbox window is as shown on: The key is special as a window key. Click it and a
toolbox window will pop up, as shown on Fig. 2-59:

Movement
drop-down
box
Parameter
input box

Fig. 2-59

 Movement mode drop-down box

The box is used to selects sensor movement mode. When
drop-down arrow is clicked, 6 options (relative, absolute, move
setpoint, probe vector, feature vector, manual will pop up, as
shown on the right figure:

 Parameter input box

Content of the field will vary with current option of the
movement drop-down box. When operating parameter
input box, probe position (graphics operation field) will
vary with data variation in the operation field. However,
movement is only active if “Move” key is clicked;
otherwise the probe position will remain the same when the window is closed. See
the following for detail:
When “Increment” is selected from the
movement drop-down box, parameter input
box is as indicated on the right figure. The 3
input boxes respectively recurrent movement
distances on axes X, Y and Z, which
59
respectively indicate the distances from the probe’s current positions to the
target positions.
When “Absolute” is selected from the
movement drop-down box, parameter input
box is as indicated on the right figure. The 3
input boxes respectively recurrent coordinates
of when moved from axes X, Y, Z to the target
positions in the current coordinate system.
When “Picked Vector” is selected from the
movement drop-down box, parameter input
box is as indicated on the right figure: D input
box indicates the movement distance. Type
drop-down box option indicates reference
(movement vector) of the drop-down box. The function must be fulfilled
when MM exists. When drop-down box arrow is clicked, you can see 3
options as shown on the right figure: Vector , Approach Vector , Position
Vector. Their differences are introduced here:
 Vec: Zero is the present location of the sensor,
when the “CHECK” is selected the sensor moves
the distance in D along a vector that is
orthogonal (parallel in all three axis) to the selected feature;
 ClrMove: Probe moves from the current point position (reference
position) to the target position over the distance (D) in the same
direction of the pickup point on the MM, with target point colinear
with the vector of the pickup point; the vector from the target position
to the pickup point is approach vector.
 PosVec: Zero is at the selected point, when the CHECK is selected
the sensor moves the distance in D along a vector that is orthogonal
(parallel in all three axis) to the selected feature..
When “Sensor Vector” movement is selected
from movement drop-down box, the operation
field will be as indicated on the right figure:
The input box indicates movement distance
which may be positive (along the probe vector)
or negative (against the probe vector).
When “feature vector” movement is selected
from movement drop-down box, the operation
field will be as indicated on the right figure: D
input box indicates movement distance. Type
input box indicates reference (movement vector). When drop-down box is
selected, you can see 3 options: Vector (Vec), Approach Vector (ClrMove),
Position Vector (PosVect). See “Setpoint movement” for their differences.

60
 When “Manual” movement is selected from
the drop-down box, operation field will be as
indicated on the right figure: The 3 input
boxes respectively recurrent target positions
of Dx, Dy, Dz on axes X, Y, Z. You can
directly enter the relative position parameters
and directly operate target positions by the
Dragger (as shown on the white label
correlated to probe head in the graphics field, hold it by left mouse key for
dragging operation and coordinates in input boxes Dx, Dy, Dz will vary
with changing Dragger positions, as shown on Fig. 2-60:

Fig. 2-60

 Move key
It is a function key. When the key is pressed, probe movement will be activated to
move to the assigned virtual position. If the key is not clicked but the window
closed, the probe position will not change.
 Create picture report
Single click the key and “graphics interface” will be switched to graphics report creation
mode, with detail as indicated on Chapter 8 Report Output.
2.5 Report window

ICON：
Single click the key and “graphics interface” will be switched to report output window,
with detail as indicated on Chapter 8 Report Output.
2.6 Database field
Database field displays item data interface and user maintenance item data interface.
61
VISUAL DMIS database mainly includes 4 data objects: Feature, tolerance, sensor and coordinate
system. Despite variations with differences in data objects, database field is roughly made up of
three constituents, as shown on Fig. 2-61:

Database
The current
selection toolbar
database’s title

Data display
field

Fig. 2-61

 Database selection toolbar

The toolbar selects database which needs to be operated. Single click the toolbar so that
database data will be indicated in the data display field. The toolbar falls into 4 tools:

Feature , tolerance , sensor , coordinate system .

 Database type

The field displays data type of the current data display field by label.
 Data display field
The field displays database data by tree structure and provides various shortcut menus
according to different databases. Please see the the following sections on different
databases for database operation.
2.6.1 Measurement feature database
The database saves measurement feature data, with user interface database field displayed
as Fig. 2-62:

62
 Fig. 2-62
Switch to measurement feature database interface by Select key on the database interface.
The feature is composed of theoretic feature and measured feature.
 Data display field
 Theoretic feature
Theoretic features, namely values defined by design, may be input or generated by CAD
model. Theoretic features reflect deviation of geometric object by comparing with
measured value. When a program is created by VISUAL DMIS and CMM, describe
theoretic feature creation. When a program is created not by CAD nominal geometric
data and self-study mode is ON, measured features and initial theoretic features will be
derived from these measurement features. The derived theoretic features may be
parametized. After the system has generated these theoretic features, you can edit their
values.
 Measured feature
Measured feature is a product of measurement or construction. VISUAL DMIS system
supports feature construction by theoretic features. Generally, it is automatically
processed by VISUAL DMIS. Special attention shall be given when a program is created
by VISUAL DMIS and CMM: When a program is constructed by CAD nominal
geometric data and self-study mode is ON, measured features and initial theoretic features
will be derived from these measurement features.
 Display field tree structure has the following root nodes:

 Root node as the leftmost node of the tree structure:

Most recently generated node : Feature under the node is most recently
generated. VISUAL DMIS saves most recently generated five features.

Point node : Feature under the node is point feature.

63
 Line node : Feature under the node is line feature.

Plane node : Feature under the node is plane feature.

Circle node : Feature under the node is circle feature.

Sphere node : Feature under the node is sphere feature.

Cylinder node : Feature under the node is cylinder feature.

Cone node : Feature under the node is cone feature.

Ellipse node : Feature under the node is ellipse feature.

Arc node : Feature under the node is arc feature.

Slot node : Feature under the node is slot feature.

Curve node : Feature under the node is curve feature.

Surface node : Feature under the node is surface feature.

Root node is composed of feature nodes. Selected feature node background will be in blue

. Light blue indicates the selected data and deep blue

inoperable part of the selected data. For example, you can drag database data to
other windows which need inputting data by mouse, light blue selected data and deep blue
unapplied part of the selected feature.
 Database operation
 Feature data selection
Click some feature node by mouse. It indicates the feature is selected if the node’s
background colour turns light blue.
 Feature data dragging
Features in the database can be dragged by mouse. When you need input
measurement features in some windows, you can input the features by dragging
feature data in the database. Please note node consists of theoretic feature and

measured feature. When you select different colours, light blue

indicates the dragged data and deep blue undragged data.

 Feature data double-click
Double click some feature in database to display information of the selected
feature in data display field. See Data display field in Section 2.9 for content of
data output field.

64
 Right button shortcut menu
Click mouse R-button in database display field and right button shortcut menu
window will pop up. The menu provides more database operations. When text in
menu option is in gray, it indicates the option is unselectable. Right button shortcut
menu window is as shown on Fig. 2-63 and each option described as below:

Fig. 2-63
 Display detailed information
Display detail of the selected feature. Select the option and the selected feature in
database will be displayed in data display field. See Data output field in Section 2.9
for content of data display field.
 Graphics display
Display graph of the selected feature in graphics field. Drag the feature in database
to graphics field and you can also achieve feature display.
 Graphics flashing
Flash (dynamically display) graph of the selected feature in graphics field. Drag the
feature in database to graphics field and you can also achieve feature display.
 Graphic measurement point
Indicate position and vector of measurement point of the selected feature by red
arrow in graphics operation field.
 Graphics location
65
 Dynamically display graph of the selected feature in graphics field, and finally the
feature is displayed in the center of the graphic window. Drag the feature in
database to graphics field and you can also achieve dynamic feature display. After
the display, feature will not be displayed on graphic window.
 Identify theoretic feature

On the selected feature, right or double click the key after the feature name
input box on the measurement window as shown on Fig. 2-64.

Feature vector
reverse button

Fig. 2-64
Feature name input box: Input the feature name you need to identify.
Feature property selection key: Single click the key and selection window
will pop up (Fig. 2-65): On this window, select the feature type you need
to identify.

Fig. 2-65
Feature parameter input field: In this field, input feature coordinates,
vectors, sizes and other parameters. Input content in this field will vary
with different feature types.
Feature definition/identification vector reverse key: Single click the key
once and the defined feature vector will be reversed once.
66
 Edit theoretic value
The option edits theoretic value of the selected feature. When you select the
option, the definition theoretic feature window will be displayed to indicate
property of the selected feature and property is editable. Please refer to its
introduction in theoretic feature definition for Identify theoretic feature window.
Its shortcut key is E.
 Rename feature
Right click the feature whose name you want to change and the following
dialogue box will pop up. Here you can rename feature in the feature base.
Enter a new name and “OK” key will be ON to indicate active function. Its
shortcut key is N.

 Delete feature
Delete the selected feature from database. Its shortcut key is D.
 Delete measured feature
Delete measured feature of selected feature from database. Its shortcut key is A.
 Delete all features
Delete all the features represented by selected root nodes.
Note: This option is selectable after the root node is selected.
 Manually measuring feature
Measure the selected feature by manual mode.
 Auto measure feature
Measure the selected feature by auto mode as per software-defined algorithm.
The function option is active when you right click the feature subject to
automatic measurement, such as point, circle.
 Generate measurement path
Click the function option and measurement path window will pop up, click
preview after generation, as shown on Fig. 2-66:

67
 Fig. 2-66
Number of point: Number of point used to measure the feature.
Position: Measure initial position of the feature, click right-side
drop-down key and “Probe”, “Axis X” options will appear. Probe
indicates the position nearest to the current position is initial position; axis
X indicates its positive vector of the machine coordinate system is initial
position.
Layer: For 3D features such as cylinder, cone and sphere, you can
measure them via controlling number of layers by the parameter.
Height: Height of measured feature: If the height is greater than probe
length, you must note equipment running safety and guarantee no
triggering of point pickup at abnormal position during measurement.
Range: In this input box, input measurement range on the circle, such as
120.
Translation: Translate the points in feature vector, as shown on Fig. 2-67:

68
 Fig. 2-67
Rotation: By rotation function, use parameters in “range” input box to
control start and end positions of points, as shown on Fig. 2-68:

Fig. 2-68
Function key:

 Generate : Generate measurement path according to setup

parameters.

 Preview : Press the key and the equipment will simulate

measurement process as per the generated path.

 Execute : Press the key and the equipment will measure the
feature as per the path.

 DMIS : Press the key and it will generate DMIS measurement

statement when self-study is active.
 Generate scan path

69
 Please refer to measurement path generation for each key function on scan path
generation interface and scan function is mainly valid for 2D features such as curve,
circle, straight line.
 Output measuring point
Pop “Save as” dialogue box and the point(s) will be saved as text format in the
position assigned by user.
 Output CAD file
Geometric feature output” dialogue box pops up, as shown on Fig. 2-69:

Fig. 2-69
The current feature is output as IGS format. You can assign Save position, modify
file name and perform output selection.
2.6.2 Tolerance database
The database saves feature tolerance data. Its display in user interface database field is as
shown on Fig. 2-70:

70
 Fig. 2-70
Switch to feature tolerance database interface by database Select key on the database
interface. Features in tolerance feature base have 2 types: Theoretic data and measured data.
 Data display field
 Theoretic tolerance
Theoretic tolerance is defined value, including theoretic value, upper/lower
tolerance.
 Measured tolerance
Measured tolerance is the result obtaining by calculating measured data of the
feature. In Tolerance evaluation, at least one feature is measured.
 Root node of root structure in display field:

Cone angle node : Feature under the node is cone angle tolerance.

Radius node : Feature under the node is radius tolerance.

Diameter node : Feature under the node is diameter tolerance.

Distance node : Feature under the node is distance tolerance.

Angle node : Feature under the node is angle tolerance.

Circularity node : Feature under the node is circularity tolerance.

Planeness node : Feature under the node is planeness tolerance.

Straightness node : Feature under the node is cone angle tolerance.

Cylindricity node : Feature under the node is cylindricity tolerance.

71
 Coordinate system node : Feature under the node is coordinate system
tolerance.

Circular run-out node : Feature under the node is circular run-out tolerance.

Total run-out node : Feature under the node is total run-out tolerance.

Angularity node : Feature under the node is angularity tolerance.

Perpendicularity node : Feature under the node is Perpendicularity tolerance.

Parallelism node : Feature under the node is parallelism e tolerance.

Positionality node : Feature under the node is positionality tolerance.

Coaxility node : Feature under the node is coaxility tolerance.

Symmetry node : Feature under the node is symmetry tolerance.

Point profile node : Feature under the node is point profile tolerance.

Line profile node : Feature under the node is line profile tolerance.

Plane profile node : Feature under the node is plane profile tolerance.
Width node : Feature under the node is width tolerance.
Root node is composed of tolerance nodes. Selected tolerance node background will be in

blue . Light blue indicates the selected data and deep

blue inoperable data. For example, you can drag database data to other windows

which need inputting data by mouse, light blue selected data and deep blue unapplied part of the
selected feature.
 Database operation
 Select tolerance data
Click some feature node by mouse. It indicates the feature is selected if the node’s
background colour turns blue.
 Drag tolerance data
Features in the database can be dragged by mouse. When you need input
measurement features in some windows, you can input the tolerance data by
dragging tolerance data in the database. Please note node consists of theoretic
tolerance and measured tolerance in different colours.
 Double-click tolerance data
Double click some tolerance in database to display information of the selected
feature in data display field. See Data display field in Section 2.9 for content of
72
 data output field.
 Right button shortcut menu
Click mouse R-button in database display field and
right button shortcut menu window will pop up.
The menu provides more database operations.
Gray menu option is unselectable. Right button
shortcut menu window is as shown on the right
figure and the option described as below. Please
note the letter in the bracket in menu option name
indicates its shortcut key.
 Display detailed information (O)
Display detail of the selected tolerance. Select the option and detail of the selected
tolerance will be displayed in data display field. Its shortcut key is O. See Data
output field in Section 2.9 for content of data display field.
 Define tolerance (N)
Define tolerance. At this time, the generated feature tolerance only has theoretic
value rather than measured value. Select the option and Define theoretic tolerance
window will pop up. The window will be introduced in Chapter 7 Tolerance
evaluation. Please note the option is selectable when the root node is selected. Its
shortcut key is N.
 Edit theoretic value (E)
Edit theoretic value. When the option is selected, Define tolerance dialogue box of
the system will pop up. In the box, you can modify theoretic value and evaluation
mode. Its shortcut key is E.
 Delete tolerance (D)
Delete the selected tolerance from the database. Its shortcut key is D.
 Delete measured tolerance
Delete measured tolerance of the selected feature from the database.
 Delete all tolerances
Right click the root node of each tolerance type in the database and the function is
valid, then delete non-default tolerance of the selected root node.
2.6.3 Sensor database
Through database selection tool bar of the database interface to switch to the interface of
sensor database. This database is used to store the sensors' data. As is shown in figure
2-71:

73
 Fig. 2-71
 Data display field
 Sensor Name

This filed shows that sensors' name which has been defined.The red icon
stands that sensor has not been checked or unqualiffied.On the contrary,the green
icon stands the sensor has been checked and qualified.
Non working sensor node ：the elements in this node are non working sensors.
Working sensor node ：the elements in this node are working sensors.
 Angle Filed
It is used to show the sensors' properties of angle .
 Database operation
 Select sensors' data
Use mouse to click a sensor data and the background of this row will be
blue,this indicate the sensor has been chosen.Double click will active the sensor
which has been chosen and its icon will change to ,and the label font will

change to blue and bold .

 Move sensors' data

The sensors which are represented by nodes in database can be dragged by a
mouse.When any windows need sensor.When any windows need sensors'
data, drag the sensor with mouse from database to these windows to achieve the
sensor input.If you need to call the sensor in DMIS window,drag the sensor that is
going to be used into the DMIS window,and it will realize the sensor calls when
the program is running.
 Double click sensors' data

74
 Double click any sensors in database and the sensor which is clicked will
change to current working sensor.And current working sensor's information will
display in Field 2 of systme status.
 Right button shortcut menu
Right click with mouse in Data Display Filed and the shortcut menu will pop
up.This menu provides more functions for database operation.Gray menu option is
unselectable. Right button shortcut menu window is as shown on the right figure
and the option described as below.

 Active sensor(A)
Set the currently selected sensor for working sensor. Its shortcut key is A.
 Manual calibrate sensor(M)
Calibrate current sensor in manual mode.When the option is selected, manual
calibrate sensor window will pop up. Its shortcut key is M.See Sensor calibration
for content of data display field.
 Auto calibrate sensor (O)
Calibrate current sensor in auto mode.When the option is selected, the system
will perform internal calibration procedures to complete the automatic calibration
of the sensor.
 Delete sensor(D)
Delete currently selected sensor from database.Its shortcut key is D.
 Define sensor(I)
Create a new sensor. Selecting this option will display the defined sensor
window. Its shortcut key is I. See Sensor Assembling and Operation for content of
data display field.
 Batch define sensor(M)
Create a batch of sensors,this batch sensors have a certain relationship. When
the option is selected, the batch defination sensor window will pop up. Its shortcut
key is M.See Sensor Assembling and Operation for content of data display field.
2.6.4 Sensor database
Through database selection tool bar of the database interface to switch to the interface
75
 of coordinate system database. This database is used to store the coordinate data. As is
shown in figure 2-72:

Fig. 2-72

 Data display field

Root node of root structure in display field:
Non working coodinate system node ： This node is non working coordinate
system.
Current working coodinate system node ：This node is current working system .
The text on the right side of coordinate system icon is the coordinate name, it's
important to note that the tree has a root node called the MCS, the node represents the
machine coordinate system,there are child coordinate systems below it represent the
coordinate systems are existing and can be active of the current system.
 Database operation
 Coordinate data selection
Click any coordinate system with mouse.The coordinate system has been
chosen when clicking coordinates and its background color is blue.
 Coodinate system movement
In the database, the coordinate system which is represented by nodes can be
dragged with mouse. When some window need input coordinate system, can
through the coordinate system of the drag operation in database to realize the
coordinate system input. As in the DMIS window of probe in the call, in the study
of open cases, probe into going to use to DMIS window, when running the program,
realize the measuring head calls.
 Double click coordinate system's data
Double click any coordinate system in database,it will change to current
working coordinate system,and the current working system's information will
display on the Field 2 of systme status.
 Right button shortcut menu
Right click with mouse in Data Display Filed and the shortcut menu will pop
up.This menu provides more functions for database operation.Gray menu option is
unselectable. Right button shortcut menu window is as shown on the right figure
and the option described as below.

76
  Active coordinate system(A)
Set the currently selected coordinate system as the working coordinate
system. Its shortcut key is A.
 Delete coordinate system(D)
Delete currently selected coordinate system. Its shortcut key is D.
 3-2-1 Create coordinate system(C)
Use two or more features of data to establish a coordinate system. Its shortcut
key is C.When the option is selected, 3-2-1 create coordinate system window will
pop up.See Coodinate system for content of create coordinate system.
 Translate coordinate system(M)
Move the selected coordinate system with the given numerical to establish a
coordinate system. Its shortcut key is M. When the option is selected, translate
coordinate system window will pop up.See Coodinate system for content of
translate coordinate system.
 Rotate coordinate system(R)
rotate the selected coordinate system with the given numerical to establish a
coordinate system. Its shortcut key is R. When the option is selected, rotate
coordinate system window will pop up.See Coodinate system for content of rotate
coordinate system.
2.7 Field 1 of system status is as shown on Fig. 2-73:

System Self-study
status box mode box

SPC
analysis box

77
 Fig. 2-73

2.7.1 System status box

The box indicates system status such as online status.
You can fulfill system setup functions by right button
menu. Right click the button and a menu will pop up as
shown on the right figure: There are 6 options: Online (L)
/Offline (U), HOME (H), Emerg Stop (S), Resetting (R),
Controller Panel (W) and Compensation Management.
The last 2 options not closely related to user application
are not introduced here. Round label on the interface button indicates whether it is online:

Online , offline .

 Online (L) or Offline (U)

The option indicates whether the current online status changes. If it is online , the

first option of the menu is Offline option (U); if Offline , it becomes Online option
(L). You can directly click the label on status box to change online status.
HOME (H)
System HOME means CMM moves probe to a preset position. The position is often
considered zero point of the equipment. After system startup, the system status box is as

shown on the right figure: . First, perform HOME

operation, click its label . For CMM manual measurement, HOME operation will
take the current probe position as zero point. Generally the left bottom is the HOME
position of CMM.
2.7.2 Self-study mode

Self-study has 2 modes: ON , OFF . You can click the button to

switch between the 2 modes with changes of button names. When self-study is in ON
status, some user operations will be converted to DMIS programs and saved, performing
many repeated measurements of identical workpieces.
2.8 Field 2 of systme status
The field displays information of working probe, coordinate system type, working plane,
unit, etc., as shown on Fig. 2-74. Please see Chapter 3 Sensor Assembling and Operation
and see Chapter 6 Coordinate System for coordinate system operation.

78
 Fig. 2-74
 Probe coordinate display field
The field indicates working probe’s position in the current coordinate system. You can
view probe position information by system tool menu.

 Probe model display field

It indicates effect picture of working probe.
 Compensate probe checkbox
If selected, the box indicates probe compensation is enabled; if not, it indicates the
function is disabled. Coordinates on the measurement software interface is that of the
current probe center rather than position of measured feature. You can define parameters
of the measured feature by setting up the option.
 Probe information display field
The field falls into properties such as working probe’s name, angle A, angle B,
compensation diameter (divided by horizontal lines) from top to down.
 Select working plane button
Text indicated by the key is the current work plane. Click the menu and a working plane
menu will pop up, as shown on the right figure: Tick before the option indicates the
current work plane. You can change it by clicking the option.
 Toggle button for coordinate system type
It is used to switch between different coordinate system types. Click it between
rectangular coordinate system and polar angle coordinate system and the text indicated
by the button will vary accordingly.
 Select button for the currently applied coordinate system
The button is used to select the current working coordinate
system. Text indicated by the button is the current working plane.
Click the button and a coordinate system menu will pop up, as shown on the right figure:
Tick before the option indicates it is the current working coordinate system. You can
change it by clicking the option.
 Select button for linear units
Text indicated by the button is the current linear unit. Click the
button and linear unit menu will pop up, as shown on the right
figure: There are 3 options (cm, mm, inch). Tick before the

79
 option indicates it is the current working linear unit. You can change it by clicking the
option.
 Select button for angular units
Text indicated by the button is the current angular unit. Click
the button and angular unit menu will pop up, as shown on the
right figure: There are 3 options (radian, angle,
degree/min/sec). Tick before the option indicates it is the current working linear unit.
You can change it by clicking the option.
2.9 Measurement result data display field
The field displays or operates feature properties as shown on Fig. 2-75:

Fig. 2-75
 Introduction to measurement result interface
The field displays feature or tolerance properties by table. Each time only a feature or
another object can be displayed. Left vertical box indicates property name and its top
horizontal box the parameter name. Each horizontal box indicates parameters of the
same property and each vertical box the same parameter of various properties.
Out-of-tolerance parameter is indicated by number in OTO box. If within the tolerance,

the box will be displayed as , with the arrow indicating

deviation of measured value from theoretic value. On the other hand, if out of tolerance,
it will indicate specific out-of-tolerance value in red, such as .
 Operation
 Display
To indicate some feature property in the display field, you have 2 methods:
 Double click the feature you want to indicate in feature database or feature
tolerance database display field.
 Click the right button in feature database or feature tolerance database display
field and you can select “Display Detail” option in the pop-up shortcut menu.
 Modify parameter
Theoretic value, upper tolerance, lower tolerance in the display field are editable.
Double click the part you want to modify and it will enter Edit status, click other
field of the interface or move mouse into graphics operation field to cancel Edit
status. After you modify the theoretic feature, feature database will be updated.
When self-study is ON, the modified feature will be re-defined. See database field
in 2.6 for other methods of modifying theoretic feature.

80
  Right button menu
The menu selects property indication as shown on the right figure: Please note the
menu will pop up only if you click the leftmost box in the display field by mouse.
Don’t check the unwanted parameter.

 Toggle output mode

Click the button and the data display field will be toggled between data display and
measuring point statistical graph, with interface toggling as shown on Fig. 2-76:

Fig. 2-76

 Save tolerance

Save the tolerance of modified feature in tolerance database and take it as the
default value for next measurement.
 Reverse
Click the button and upper and lower feature display data options are interchanged
for observation, with display interface switching as shown on Fig. 2-77:

Fig. 2-77
2.10 DMIS program division
As shown on Fig. 2-78, VISUAL DMIS can create a workpiece program when the system is
in Study mode (study mode of system status 1 field is ON). The program can be displayed in
DMIS program division and subject to relevant operation. Please see 2.7 Field 1 of system
status for study mode. And detail of DMIS program field will be introduced in detail in
Chapter 9.

81
Fig. 2-78

82
Chapter III Sensor Assembling and Operation
Before workpiece measurement, you shall determine the probe and its measurement angle.
This chapter will focus on the process.
3.1 Sensor assembling
Select “Set/Sensor Assembling” in menu bar and a sensor assembling window will pop up, as
shown on Fig. 3-1: In the dialogue window, you can perform sensor assembling.

Fig. 3-1
 Assemble new sensor
Click “Assemble new sensor” and the window will pop up, as shown on Fig. 3-2:

83
 Fig.3-2
In this window, user can select the probe type in “Name” box which is consistent with
the machine’s physical configuration, such as PH10T, then double click the key or click

the lightened as shown on Fig. 3-3:

Fig. 3-3

If it disagrees with user’s machine base, please click button to remove the virtual

84
 base and return to the previous window so as to reselect user’s machine base. Likewise,
continuously select extension rod or probe under the name box, such as TP20, then a
window will be as shown on Fig. 3-4.

Fig. 3-4

Also, you can add and remove the structural part by , respectively. Then,
continuously select the force module such as TP20 SF standard force module, as shown on Fig.
3-5:

85
 Fig. 3-5
Here, select the probe you want to use, such as PS17R (PS no.) or A-5000-4161 (name). After
selecting End, the window will be automatically switched to Initial interface as shown on Fig. 3-6.

Fig. 3-6
Now the “Reinstall sensor” button is ON, you can single click the button to cancel the current
probe assembly if the probe differs from physical configuration. It will be switched to probe
assembling interface and you can reselect the probe to be applied. After return to Initial interface,
the cursor will flash in “probe name” input box. Enter probe name in input box and save it for use.
It is recommended the name here should contain physical configuration information text (such as
PH10T+TP20+PS17R) or probe information (such as PH10T+TP20+φ4×12). After saving it, the
defined probe will appear in the list box after “Reinstall sensor”, as shown on Fig. 3-7:

86
 Fig. 3-7
Select a sensor in “Assemble sensor” list box, “Activate sensor” button will be ON (if the
selected sensor is not activated), you can select Delete or Activate. If you want to use activated
sensor as default sensor, please click “Replace default sensor” button to replace it.
 Reinstall sensor

Single click button to cancel the lastly assembled sensor and

return to Install Sensor interface.
 Close

Single click button to close Assemble sensor dialogue box.

3.2 Identify sensor

ICON：

Identify sensor function is used to manually define sensor operating angle. Click “Define

sensor” button in “Sensor Tool section” or click the right button in sensor database field to
pop up shortcut key menu and select “Define sensor” option (see database section for detail),
Define Sensor window will pop up in the system interface, as shown on Fig. 3-8. Here introduce
each component of the window:

87
 Sensor
property input
and display
field

Fig. 3-8

Select Angle
display
 Probe name input box

It is used to input the

name of sensor to be
created. For the input
box, the system
automatically
produces theoretic
probe name (probe
name=prefix+digit,
red sensor graph
indicates theoretically defined sensor and green calibrated probe), which are generated in
order from lowest value to highest value. For example, when SN2 is generated, then it will
not check whether SN2 is available but generate the next name SN3. You can enter the
values by keyboard rather than drag in tolerance from database field like window tolerance.
When input name exists, a window as the right figure will pop up, indicating VISUAL allows
no renaming.

 Sensor property input and display field as shown on Fig. 3-9:

88
 Angle A
input box

Root probe
Angle B
drop-down
input box
box

Fig. 3-9

The field contains: Angle A input box, angle B input box, rod length input box, probe
diameter input box, root probe drop-down box.

It is introduced as below:

 Angle A/B input box

It is used to define probe angle. You can enter it by keyboard or select it in angle
selection and display field. When it is selected, angle selected in angle increment
drop-down box indicates the measurement angle position can be defined or directly
input. Angle unit is set up in field 2 of system status.

 Extension rod length display box

It is used to display rod length related to sensor assembling. The length unit is set
up in system status field.

 Probe diameter display box

It is used to indicate probe diameter related to sensor assembling. The length unit is
set up in system status field.

 Root probe drop-down box

It is used to define root probe of the sensor. Click

the arrow in drop-down box and drop-down
option will appear. Select (No) option and the
box will display all the defined probes as shown
on the right figure:

89
 Select angle display field

Select probe angle. Angle A (0° to 90°) or angle B (-180° to 180°) can only increase/decrease
by times of 15°or 7.5°. In the field, a set of concentric circles and a series of diverging rays
from the center of the circles. Concentric circles represent angle A, with angles increasing
15°or 7.5°gradually from inside to outside; the rays indicate angle B (0° in Y axis negative
vector, anticlockwise gradually increase by 15°, 180° in Y axis positive vector, or clockwise
gradually decrease 15° to negative angle, and -180°) in Y axis positive vector. In the display
field, blue circle, ray and crossed red point represent the current angle. Move mouse from
display field to the intersection point between circle and ray and the system will indicate its
angle, and then intersection point will turn blue and simultaneously display angles A, B as
shown on the right figure:

 Function keys

 OK
Click the key and it will generate defined sensor and close the window (if checkbox is
checked).
 Cancel
Click the key and it will close the tolerance window when the sensor is not generated (if
checkbox is checked).
3.3 Sensor installation and calibration

ICON：
The function is not described here for it is unrelated to user operation.
3.4 Sensor calibration

ICON：
Calibrate probe window is used to calibrate the currently working probe. Click “Calibrate

tool” in “Sensor Tool section” or click right button pop-up shortcut key in sensor
database field, the Calibrate sensor window will pop up in system interface, as shown on
Fig. 3-10. Here each component of the window is introduced. See 2.3 Main toolbar for the
tools. See 2.6.3 Sensor database for right button shortcut key menu.

90
 Fig. 3-10

 Probe name

Indicate name of the probe which is being calibrated.

 Current calibration parameter display field

 Calibration gauge drop-down box

Here select the defined calibration in system setup, as

shown on the right figure: Please see 2.2.2.1 System
setup (S)\Calibration gauge.

 Probe diameter display field

Here probe’s theoretic diameter and measured diameterare displayed. After general
calibration, measured probe diameter is smaller than theoretic value. This is
because pickup position of probe slightly differs from theoretic position in
calibration and measurement. Calibration just aims to compensate for the error
when probe deviates from measured position.

 Calibration date

91
 Display calibration data and time of the current probe.
 Close
Right click the button and the window will be closed.

 Sensor database right button menu

Single click mouse R-button in sensor database and a menu will pop up as shown on Fig.
3-11, with each menu option function introduced as below:

Fig. 3-11
 Activate probe (A)
Double click or right click the probe you want to use to select Probe Activation
option in right button menu options and the selected probe is active.
 Manually calibrate probe (M)
Select Manual Probe Calibration option in right button menu option and
calibration window will pop up. Manually evenly control the machine to generate
pick-up points on the calibration gauge to fulfill probe calibration.
 Auto calibrate probe (O)
Select Auto Probe Calibration option
and calibration window will not pop
up. Evenly pick up point(s) on the
calibration gauge to fulfill probe
calibration according to software prompt. Please note: The position of calibration
gauge shall be defined. If you want to move the gauge, you must use DEFAULT
probe. First manually calibrate DEFAULT probe and right click the upper gauge in
sensor database to click Recover option as shown on the right figure: Calibration
date in the property will vanish.
 Delete probe (D)
Delete the non-current sensor in sensor database. The current sensor cannot be
deleted.
 Delete calibrated probe (E)
Delete calibration data of calibrated probe, including measured probe size and

92
 position information.
 Identify sensor (I)
Refer to 3.2 Identify sensor.
 Batch identification
Please refer to 3.7 Batch identify probes.
3.5 Sensor measurement parameters setting

ICON：

Measurement parameters for machine running are set up here: Click the button
and the following parameter setup window will pop up, as shown on Fig. 3-12:

Fig. 3-12

Fig. 3-13

 Approach distance

93
 It indicates the distance that deviates from pick-up point vector to normal vector, i.e. the
distance from measuring point to the point which approaches it. Before it approaches the
setpoint, the machine moves at high speed, and moves at measured speed after
approaching the point to approach the measuring point. Single direction red arrow in Fig.
3-13 is approach vector and length indicates approach distance.

 Retract distance
 It indicates the distance that deviates from pick-up vector to normal vector, i.e. the
distance from pick-up point to the retracting setpoint. Before it reaches the setpoint, the
machine moves to the next approach setpoint at high speed, and moves at measured
speed after reaching the retract point to reach the approach setpoint, or stop at the
retracting point of the current point. Single direction yellow arrow in Fig. 3-13 is
approach vector and length indicates approach distance and length indicates approach
distance.
 Search distance

It indicates the distance that measuring point deviates from normalt vector to negative
vector. After reaching the point, the machine will continuously move along the normal
vector at measured speed till it contacts the workpiece or reaches the search distance but
doesn’t contact the workpiece, the machine will stop moving. Single direction pink
arrow in Fig. 3-13 is approach vector and length indicates approach distance and length
indicates search distance.

 Detection depth

For 2D feature, the position of selected theoretic feature perhaps cannot be measured
directly, such as circle. When a circle is selected at the mouth of round hole on the MM
and the position cannot be measure directly, you need to perform measurement inside
the hole. Now if you measure the circle by automatic mode, then measurement depth
shall be assigned. It indicates the distance that deviates from normal vector to measured
feature position. Double direction blue arrow in Fig. 3-13 is approach vector and length
indicates measurement depth, yellow circle theoretic feature and purple circle measured
feature.

 Reference feature

It is used to perform running safety setup under automatic mode. It is usually a plane
which may be theoretic feature or measured feature.

 Clearance distance

It is used to perform running safety setup under automatic mode. The distance indicates
the farthest distance of the machine which operates in normal vector on the basis of
reference feature. Double direction green arrow in Fig. 3-13 indicates clearance
distance.

94
  Scanning height

It indicates the retract distance from the probe to contact surface when the scanning is
triggered.

 Scanning depth

It indicates the search distance from the probe to contact surface when the scanning is
triggered..

 Scanning step

It indicates the distance between 2 pick-up points when the scanning is triggered.

3.6 RTP20 calibration

When RTP sensor base is used, please click the button and the following RTP20
calibration window will pop up, as shown on Fig. 3-14 if you need to change probe angle by
RTP20 pillar.

Fig. 3-14
The specific operation is introduced as: Use measurement ball at the top of probe pillar
(A0_B0). After measurement, the sensor database bottom will show a prompt as Fig. 3-15:

95
 Fig. 3-15
Right click the line with RTP20 and the right button menu option will pop up as the right

figure: If you select “Enable”, the probes will be replaced

automatically by the pillar when different probe angles are used; otherwise, manually replace
the probe when you need call a different probe.
3.7 Batch definition
Batch Define Probe window is used to define multiple probes at a time. Click “Batch”

probe definition tool in “Sensor Tool section” or click the right button in sensor
database to pop up the shortcut menu and select “Batch Probe Definition” option and a Batch
Probe Definition window will pop up, as shown on Fig. 3-16:

Fig. 3-16
Here each component of the window is introduced. Please see 2.3 main toolbar for tools.
See 2.7 Sensor database for right button shortcut key.

 Angle A drop-down box

It is used to select angle A of probe with drop-down box as shown

on the right figure: Angles in different options differ in an integral
multiple of 7.5. You can select angle A according to your need.

 Root probe drop-down box

It is used to select the reference probe for identifying sub-probe.

The drop-down box option is the root probe in sensor database.

96
  Length display field

It is used to display the length from reference installation point of sensor to probe.

 Probe diameter display field

It is used to display theoretic diameter of probe of defined sensor.

 Angle B range input box

It is used to determine angle B range of defined sensor. In the range, various probes are
generated with reference to values in angle increment input box. For example, angle B
varies from 0 to 90 with increment of 30. Then, the sensor B angles will be 0, 30, 60 and
90 respectively.

 Angle B increment input box

It is used to input the relation of angle B between sub-probes.

 Function key

 OK
Click the key and it will generate a set of probes and close the window.
 Cancel
Click the key and it won’t generate any probe and close the window.

Sensor assembling and calibration are basics for MMC operation. Furthermore, use of special
probes and batch probe definition are described in this chapter. Although this chapter is not
frequently used for some of you, you shall get a good command of it.

Chapter IV Feature Measurement

4.1 Feature measurement
 VISUAL DMIS supports measurement of 12 measures (first 7 of standard type):
 Point feature
 Line feature
 Plane feature
 Circle feature
 Cylinder feature
 Cone feature
 Sphere feature
 Ellipse feature
 Arc feature
 Slot feature

97
  Curve feature
 Plane feature
 To reduce commonness repetition of feature measurement interfaces, the commonness is
introduced here with circle feature measurement interface (Fig. 4-1) as example:

Fig. 4-1

 Feature name input box

Input name of the feature to be measured, you can input Chinese.

 Define button

Click the button and “Identify theoretic feature” window will pop up. See “Define
theoretic feature” in right button menu of feature database of Chapter 2.

 Generate button

When the measured point is greater than feature setpoint in “Setup/System

setup/Pick-up point”, the button will be lit up. If you click it, it will perform
measurement of the current feature.

 Measured Point display field

Display number of the measured points.

 Pick-up point shortcut setup box

It is used to set up pick-up points necessary to measure the feature. When pick-up

98
 points reach the setpoint, it will automatically perform measurement of the feature.
When you measure it by “Relative measurement/New vector”, its background will
be red. See “Relative Measurement” in this section for detail.

 Auto button

When probe label is in the center of the circle, click the button and it will
automatically measure the circle (relative to numerical control machine) according
to “Number of pick-up point shortcut setup box”. You can also automatically the
known cylinder, but guarantee no abnormal collision during measurement. So, be
cautious about using it for cylinder.

 Measuring path

Click the button and “Measuring path” dialogue box will pop up for planning and
measurement of know feature measuring pth. See “Generate measuring path”
function description in right button menu of feature database in Chapter 2.

 Scan button

Click the button and it will perform scanning of know circle and cylinder features.
When scanning the cylinder, please note the measurement range to avoid collision.

 Scanning path

Click the button and a path dialogue box will pop up: See “Measuring path”
dialogue box for each button and adjustment function, as shown on Fig. 4-2:

Fig. 4-2

99
 Scrollbar

Drag scrollbar slider or “Decrease/Increase” buttons at both ends to adjust feature

points in “Feature point shortcut setup box”.

 Measuring Point display toolbar

Display the measuring points as well as sensor replaced in measurement and

positioning point labels.

 Delete Point button

Directly click the button to delete the latest feature point; besides, you can select
the feature point you need to delete by mouse L-button, then single click it to delete
the selected point.

 Delete All button

Click the button to delete all the feature points.

 Feature Point Count graph window

Errors of each feature point are displayed as bar chart on the window. Select the
point to be deleted by mouse L-button and press “Delete Point” to delete it.

 Work Plane input box

In the input box, you can input feature as work plane (generally plane feature). You
can also click the right drop-down button to select the work plane.
※ Work plane mainly determines compensation vector of probe label for the
measured feature and feature vector. Compensation vector of measured
point is not only related to work plane, but also to the feature’s own
property. For example, circle vector depends on vector of work plane and
is parallel to work plane and perpendicular to the measured feature profile
lines. Work plane is mainly works for 2D feature and unrelated to 3D
feature. Compensation vector of 3D feature point is related to feature
properties such as plane, cylinder, cone, sphere, surface.

 Find Theory input box

In this input box, you can directly drag the used mathematical model or select it in
drop-down list.

 Project button

Press its and the measured feature will be projected onto work plane. After

100
 measurement, the projection feature will be generated simultaneously.

 Relatively Measure button

Toggle key. Press the button and its lower side will show the following
“Select”drop-down list box and “Feature” input box.

 Select “Feature” in “Select” drop-down list box, drag reference feature into
“Feature” input box, then perform feature measurement. Obtain the feature
which needs measurement at the input feature position, but actual position
deviates from measurement position and the feature vector consistent with
feature vector in feature input box.
 Select “Create vector” in “Select” drop-down list box and then above figure
will be switched to the below figure. Select the number of feature point for
new vector in “Number of Point” drop-down list box.

Under new vector measurement mode, value in “Number of feature point

shortcut setup box” will vary with selected number in “Number of point”
drop-down list box and the background will turn red, as shown on:

After vector point measurement, number of point on the

window will become the number required by feature measurement and the
background colour return to normal.
Various feature measurement interfaces and methods are introduced as below. For how
to learn and command measurement method, this manual recommends user shall receive the
special training courses provided by VISUAL DMIS dealer. The required skills can be
mastered only by this means.
 The measuring point can be obtained by either:
 Pick point on physical control to obtain the point information by online mode; or
 Pick point on digital workpiece model to obtain the point information by offline
mode.
4.2 Point feature

ICON：

For performing point measurement, first click Point measurement tool and Point
Measurement Window will pop up as shown on Fig. 4-3: Then generate point feature by the
pick-up point.

101
 Fig. 4-3
 Compensate probe
Measurement compensation: Its vector is the vector that the probe approaches. In
relative measurement, measurement compensation vector will be compensated for
according to feature vector if you measure the point by “New Vector” or “Feature” or
compensated for according to the selected axial vector if you use “Lock axis” option.
 Obtain point
In manual measurement,
operator operates the machine
to obtain data which will be
displayed on the point
measurement window. Please
note the point feature is
generated on the basis of all measuring points when many points are obtained. The
pick-up points will be saved in buffer field if no feature is generated; the points in
buffer field will be cleared away if it is generated. In some cases, measurement window
may be closed before not generating the feature. When you reopen the window, the
previous pick-up point information is still saved. At this time, a prompt window of the
system will pop up to ask whether to save, as shown on the right figure: If you need
information of these pick-up points, please select “Y” button on the window and the
information will be displayed on the window. Moreover, the system will generate the
feature by these point information.
 Generate point feature
 Generate point information by measurement window and pick-up point
information.
 Generate point feature by construction.

102
  Graphic display of point feature
The generated point feature will be displayed as the right figure
in the graphics operation field. Operate graphics display option
of the right button menu of feature database or directly drag the
feature from its database to graphics operation field to display it.
See Graphics field in Chapter 2 for more information about its
display.

4.3 Line feature

ICON：

In line measurement, first pop up Line Measurement window by the tool , as shown
on Fig. 4-4. Then generate line feature by the obtained points.

Fig. 4-4

 Compensate probe
Measurement compensation: Compensation vector is perpendicular to the normal
vector of work plane (including the vector obtained by relative measurement).
 Work plane
Its plane is used to determine probe compensation vector. When there is feature in
work plane input box, compensation vector is parallel with the current work plane and
line obtained by measurement parallel with work plane. When relative measurement is
used, compensation vector is perpendicular to normal vector of the selected reference
feature so that the line obtained by measurement is projected on the feature in input
box or the plane obtained by creating a vector. Locked axis is in the same vector of
work plane with the same effect as work plane.

103
  Obtain point
In manual measurement, operator operates the machine to obtain data or obtains data
from digital control model under offline mode. The data will be displayed on line
measurement window. Please note the generated line feature is parallel with work
plane or on reference plane. And measurement vectors of all the features are
perpendicular to reference vector.
 Graphics display of line feature
The generated line feature will be displayed as the right figure in
the graphics operation field. Operate graphics display option of
the right button menu of feature database or directly drag the
feature from its database to graphics operation field to display it.
See Graphics field in Chapter 2 for more information about the
feature display.

4.4 Plane feature

ICON：

In plane measurement, first pop up Plane Measurement window by the tool , as shown
on Fig. 4-5. Then generate plane feature by the obtained points.

Fig. 4-5
 Compensate probe
Probe compensation vector is related to approach vector. Specific pick-up point
compensation vector depends on algorithm. Please note the generated feature needn’t
be projected onto a certain plane.
 Work plane
You need no work plane in plane measurement, so projection function of the
104
 measurement window is inactive.
 Obtain point
In manual measurement, operator operates the machine to obtain data or obtains data
from digital control model under offline mode. The data will be displayed on plane
measurement window.
 Graphics display of plane feature
The generated plane feature will be displayed as the right figure in the
graphics operation field. Operate graphics display option of the right
button menu of feature database or directly drag the feature from its
database to graphics operation field to display it. See Graphics field in
Chapter 2 for more information about the feature display.

4.5 Circle feature

ICON：

In circle measurement, first pop up Circle Measurement window by the tool , as

shown on Fig. 4-6. Then generate circle feature by the obtained points.

Fig. 4-6
 Compensate probe
In manual measurement, its compensation vector is approach vector. Please note the
pick-up point for generating circle feature shall be calculated on parallelism with work
plane or reference plane.
 Work plane
Its plane is used to determine probe compensation vector. When there is feature in
work plane input box, compensation vector is parallel with the current work plane and

105
 line obtained by measurement parallel with work plane. When relative measurement is
used, compensation vector is perpendicular to normal vector of the selected reference
feature. See System status field 2 for information of the current work plane.
 Obtain point
In manual measurement, operator operates the machine to obtain data. The data will be
displayed on circle measurement window.
 Graphics display of circle feature
The generated circle feature will be displayed as the right figure in the
graphics operation field. Operate graphics display option of the right
button menu of feature database or directly drag the feature from its database to
graphics operation field to display it. See Graphics field in Chapter 2 for more
information about the feature display.
4.6 Cylinder feature

ICON：

In cylinder measurement, first pop up Cylinder Measurement window by the tool , as

shown on Fig. 4-7. Then generate cylinder feature by the obtained points.

Fig. 4-7
 Compensate probe
In manual measurement, its compensation vector is approach vector. Please note the
generated cylinder feature needn’t be projected onto a plane.
 Work plane
Cylinder depends on pick-up point information alone, so you need no work plane.
Projection function of the measurement window is invalid.
 Obtain point
106
 In manual measurement, operator operates the
machine to obtain data. The data will be displayed on
measurement window. Please note: More points you
measure, preciser the graph will be. Here recommend a
method of generating precise graph by measuring point:
Measure points circle by circle and it shall be as
axially long as possible, as shown on the right figure:

 Graphics display of cylinder feature

The generated cylinder feature will be displayed as the right figure in the graphics
operation field. Operate graphics display option of the right button
menu of feature database or directly drag the feature from its database
to graphics operation field to display it. See Graphics field in Chapter
2 for more information about the feature display.
4.7 Cylinder feature

ICON：

In cone measurement, first pop up Cone Measurement window by the tool , as shown
on Fig. 4-8. Then generate cone feature by the obtained points.

Fig. 4-8
 Compensate probe
In manual measurement, its compensation vector is approach vector. Please note the
generated cylinder feature needn’t be projected onto a plane.
 Work plane

107
 Cone depends on pick-up point information alone, so you need no work plane.
Projection function of the measurement window is invalid.
 Obtain point
In manual measurement, operator operates the machine to obtain data. The data will be
displayed on cone measurement window. Please note: More points you measure,
preciser the graph will be. Here recommend a method of generating precise graph by
pick-up point: Measure points circle by circle for higher precision and it shall be as
axially long as possible, as shown on the right figure:
 Graphics display of cone feature
The generated cone feature will be displayed as the right figure in
the graphics operation field. Operate graphics display option of the
right button menu of feature database or directly drag the feature
from its database to graphics operation field to display it. See
Graphics field in Chapter 2 for more information about the feature
display.

4.8 Sphere feature

ICON：

In sphere measurement, first pop up Sphere Measurement window by the tool , as

shown on Fig. 4-9. Then generate sphere feature by the obtained points.

Fig. 4-9
 Compensate probe
The compensation vector is approach vector.
 Work plane

108
 Sphere depends on pick-up point information alone, so you need no work plane.
Projection function of the measurement window is invalid.
 Obtain point
In manual measurement, operator operates the machine to obtain data. The data will be
displayed on measurement window. A point is picked up at the top point nearby the
probe vector and four (five-point probe) is measured at the profile between equatorial
plane where probe vector goes through the center of sphere and the sphere itself. Valid
feature range shall be large as much as possible and pick-up points distributed
uniformly as much as possible during measurement.
 Graphics display of sphere feature
The generated sphere feature will be displayed as the right figure in
the graphics operation field. Operate graphics display option of the
right button menu of feature database or directly drag the feature
from its database to graphics operation field to display it. See
Graphics field in Chapter 2 for more information about the feature display.

4.9 Ellipse feature

ICON：

In ellipse measurement, first pop up ellipse measurement window by the tool , as

shown on Fig. 4-10. Then generate ellipse feature by the obtained points.

Fig. 4-10
 Compensate probe
In manual measurement, its compensation vector is approach vector. Please refer to the
section of circle measurement.
 Compensate plane
109
 Please refer to the section of circle measurement.
 Obtain point
In manual measurement, operator operates the machine to obtain data. The data will be
displayed on ellipse measurement window.
 Graphics display of ellipse feature
The generated ellipse feature will be displayed as the right figure
in the graphics operation field. Operate graphics display option of
the right button menu of feature database or directly drag the
feature from its database to graphics operation field to display it.
See Graphics field in Chapter 2 for more information about the feature display.

4.10 Arc feature

ICON：

In arc measurement, first pop up Arc Measurement window by the tool , as shown on
Fig. 4-11. Then generate arc feature by the obtained points.

Fig. 4-11
 Compensate probe
In manual measurement, its compensation vector is approach vector. Please see the
section of circle measurement.
 Work plane
Please refer to the section of circle measurement.
 Obtain point
In manual measurement, operator operates the machine to obtain
data. The data will be displayed on ellipse measurement
110
 window.
 Graphics display of arc feature
The generated arc feature will be displayed as the right figure in the graphics operation
field. Operate graphics display option of the right button menu of feature database or
directly drag the feature from its database to graphics operation field to display it. See
Graphics field in Chapter 2 for more information about the feature display.

4.11 Round slot feature

ICON：
In round slot measurement, first pop up Round Slot Measurement window by the tool

, as shown on Fig. 4-12. Then generate round slot feature by the obtained points.

Fig. 4-12
 Compensate probe
In manual measurement, its compensation vector is approach vector. Please see the
section of circle measurement.
 Work plane
Please refer to the section of circle measurement.
 Obtain point
In manual measurement, operator operates the machine to obtain data. The data will be
displayed on measurement window. Please note at least 6 pick-up points are needed to
generate a round slot. The points are picked up as below: 2 points at either straight
edge of the slot and 1 point at either arc edge. Start with the straight edge and Measure
points anticlockwise.
 Graphics display of round slot feature
111
 The generated round slot feature will be displayed as the right figure on the graphics
operation field. Operate graphics display option of the right button menu of feature
database or directly drag the feature from its database to graphics operation field to
display it. See Graphics field in Chapter 2 for more information about the feature
display.
4.12 Square slot feature

ICON：
In square slot measurement, first pop up Square Slot Measurement window by the tool

, as shown on Fig. 4-13. Then generate square slot feature by the obtained points.

Fig. 4-13
 Compensate probe
In manual measurement, its compensation vector is approach vector. Please see the
section of circle measurement.
 Work plane
Please refer to the section of circle measurement.
 Obtain point
In manual measurement, operator operates the machine to obtain data. The data will be
displayed on measurement window. Please note 8 pick-up points are needed to
generate a square slot. The points are picked up as below: 2 points at either straight
edge (4 edges in all) of the slot. Start with the straight edge and measure points
anticlockwise.
 Graphics display of square slot feature
The generated square slot feature will be displayed as the right
figure on the graphics operation field. Operate graphics display

112
 option of the right button menu of feature database or directly drag the feature from its
database to graphics operation field to display it. See Graphics field in Chapter 2 for
more information about the feature display.
4.13 Curve feature

ICON：

In curve measurement, first pop up Curve Measurement window by the tool , as

shown on Fig. 4-14. Then generate curve feature by the obtained points.

Fig. 4-14
 Compensate probe
In manual measurement, its compensation vector is approach vector. Please see the
section of circle measurement.
 Work plane
Please refer to the section of circle measurement.
 Obtain point
In manual measurement, operator operates the machine to obtain data. The data will be
displayed on measurement window. Please note at least 4 measuring points are needed
to generate a round slot. The points are picked up as below: In single vector
measurement, no point order crossover is allowed here.
 Graphics display of curve feature
The generated curve feature will be displayed as the right figure in
the graphics operation field. Operate graphics display option of the
right button menu of feature database or directly drag the feature
from its database to graphics operation field to display it. See
Graphics field in Chapter 2 for more information about the feature display.

113
4.14 Surface feature

ICON：

In surface measurement, first pop up Surface Measurement window by the tool , as

shown on Fig. 4-15. Then generate surface feature by the obtained points.

Fig. 4-15
 Compensate probe
In manual measurement, its compensation vector is approach vector.
 Work plane
Sphere depends on pick-up point information alone, so you need no work plane.
Neither Projection function nor relative measurement of the measurement window is
valid.
 Obtain point
In manual measurement, operator operates the machine to obtain data. The data will be
displayed on measurement window. Please note at least 8 measuring points are
required to generate a surface.
 Graphics display of surface feature
The generated surface feature will be displayed as the right
figure in the graphics operation field. Operate graphics
display option of the right button menu of feature database or
directly drag the feature from its database to graphics
operation field to display it. See Graphics field in Chapter 2 for more information
about the feature display.
4.15 How to measure features
Feature Measurement function: Generate geometric feature by the measuring points.

114
Chapter 2 lets user understand how to use system function by system interface. Function
achievement across the chapters raises a problem: User understands function achievement
flow vaguely. This document mainly presents the problem and introduces basic feature
measurement flow.
 Open feature measurement window by measurement feature tool section in main
toolbar.
 Perform setup in Measurement Feature window prior to pick-up. As it mainly involves
work plane, you may use projection and relative measurement setup sometimes if
necessary. Please see this chapter for introduction to feature measurement window.
 Obtain measuring point by the following 2 methods:
 Under online mode, operator picks up the point on workpiece.
 Under offline mode, obtain the point from simulated workpiece in graphics field by
the system graphics function. Please see View Operation toolbar for point pick-up
in graphics field.
 In measurement feature window, perform other operations and generate measurement
feature(s).
Note: Steps 2 to 4 are cyclically operable when feature measurement window is not
closed.
The generated feature may be viewed, modified or printed out by feature database and
data display field. Please see measurement feature database and data output field for
database and data output field.

115
 Chapter V. Feature Construction
VISUAL DMIS system supports 16 kinds of construction, and provides the corresponding
tool to conduct feature creation, as shown in Figure 5-1:

Perpendic
Projection Midpoint Fitting ularity

Intersection Parallelism

Tangency Pickup

Movement Rotation

Image Feature

Offset plane Array

Limitation Terminal

Figure 5-1

Construction window will be popped by choosing any construction label in construction tool
field. Construction window may change according to different construction tools, and feature
input column area of the following figure has main changes, which will be introduced in details in
operation part. Construction window generally provides 5 message and control items and 3
function buttons, as shown in Figure 5-2:

116
 Generated
feature column Function
button

Feature
input field
Construction
Function feature property
button display field

Check
box
Figure 5-2

 Feature name input column

When opening construction window, VISUAL DMIS will generate a new feature name
automatically. VISUAL DMIS can combine a nonexistent feature name by using feature prefix
and increasing number. (Please see relative part in 2.2.2 settings for change feature prefix) input
column for feature name allows to input feature name by keyboard.
 Generated feature column
The feature generated in accordance with feature input field will be displayed in this
drop-down box. This column displays construction feature that can generate, not generated
construction feature, so the box only plays the role for selecting.
 Feature input field
Feature input field in construction window has many input columns, this will change
according to structural type, which describes detailed in relevant feature construction part of the
Chapter. It can drag feature to feature input field by feature database. There are some certain
requirements for feature input according to different construction purposes. When unmatched
feature is inputted, OK button will be disabled. Note that when features in feature input field are
theoretical value, the features that construction generated are only theoretical value; when features
in feature input field are not completely theoretical value, the features that construction generated
are theoretical value and actual value.
 Check box
When check box is selected, the window will not close automatically after clicking Enter
button, and vice versa. When construction generates many features, it can generate many
features by selecting check box, and then close the window.
 Function button
There are four function buttons in construction window, which are respectively vector turning
117
button, preview button, OK button and cancel button. It describes as follows:
 Vector turning
Click the button, the vector of current feature in generated feature column will reverse.
This can generate feature vector according to user.
 Preview
Click the button, which can observe whether the construction feature generated accords
with the one that user expected.
 Enter
When generated feature column has feature, the button is effective. It only generates the
feature that displayed currently in "generated feature box".
 Cancel
Click the button, which will close construction window.
 Display field for feature property
Display the feature property that displayed in generated feature column, which include
position and vector direction.
5.1 Projection

ICON：
Projection function is used to project designated feature to line or plane that determined by

reference feature, which get projection feature. Click tool projection , and projection
window will pop up, as shown in Figure 5-3. This section introduces contents of some
windows, for other parts of the window, please refer to relevant contents of construction
window in the Chapter.

Figure 5-3
 Feature input column
The input column is used to determine the feature to be projected. Input feature name

118
 by dragging operation and keyboard operation in feature database.
 Orientation input column
The input column is used to determine reference feature, that is to say which feature is
projected projection feature.
It divides into point set feature, line set feature, plane feature according to property of
feature in construction. It can generate point feature by point set feature; it can generate line
feature by line set feature; it can generate plane feature by plane set feature.
 Point set feature: including point feature, circle feature and sphere feature.
 Line set feature: including straight line feature, cylinder feature and circular cone
feature.
 Plane set feature: including plane feature, circle feature, ellipse feature, circle arc
feature and key slot feature.
When reference feature belongs to point set feature, which can not conduct projection
operation. Feature that generated from feature projection is as follows, notice that it can not
generate projection feature between same feature.
Feature
Reference feature is line set feature
projected
Point: the distance from point feature to generated point is equal to the
distance from point to line. The direction of generated point is the
Point reverse direction that point feature to vertical line of reference line . If
the point is on the reference feature, it can not generate projection
point.
Line No construction feature is generated.
Plane No construction feature is generated.
Point: the projection point from particle of circle feature to line set feature.
The direction that generated point is the direction from particle of circle
Circle
feature to line vertical line. If the point is on the reference feature, it
can not generate projection point.
Cylinder No construction feature generated.
Point: the projection point from particle of circular cone to line set feature.
Circular
The direction that generated point is the direction from particle of
cone
circular cone feature to line.
Point: the projection point from particle of sphere feature to line set feature.
Sphere The direction that generated point is the direction from particle of sphere
feature to line.
Point: the projection point from particle of ellipse feature to line feature. The
Ellipse direction that generated point is the direction from particle of ellipse
feature to line.
Point: the projection point from particle of circle arc feature to line feature.
Circle arc The direction that generated point is the direction from particle of circle
arc feature to line.
Key slot Point: the projection point from particle of key slot feature to line feature.

119
 The direction that generated point is the direction from particle of key
slot feature to line.

Feature Reference feature is plane set feature

projected
Point: the distance from point feature to generated point is equal to the
Point distance from point feature to plane feature. If the point is on the
reference feature, it can not generate projection point.
Point: when line feature is perpendicular to plane feature, point that generated
is the common point of line feature and plane feature, and the direction
is the direction of plane feature.
Line Line: angle between generated straight line and line feature is equal to the
angle of line feature and plane feature. If the line is in the reference
feature or perpendicular to plane set feature, it can not generate
projection straight line.
Plane No construction feature generated.
Point: the projection point that particle of circle to the plane, and the direction
that generated point is the vertical direction from particle of circle
Circle feature to plane set feature.
Circle: generate construction circle when the direction vector of circle is
parallel to the direction vector of plane feature.
Point: when cylinder feature is perpendicular to plane feature, the point
generated is the common point of cylinder feature and plane feature, and
the direction is the direction of plane feature.
Cylinder
Line: projection straight line that axis of cylinder feature to plane set feature,
if the line is in plane set feature or perpendicular to reference feature,
projection straight line can not generated.
Point: when circular cone feature is perpendicular to plane feature, the point
generated is the common point of circular cone feature and plane
Circular feature, and the direction is plane feature direction.
cone Line: projection straight line that circular cone feature is in plane set feature,
if line is in plane set feature or perpendicular to plane set feature,
projection straight line can not generated.
Point: the projection point that particle of sphere feature is in plane set
Sphere feature, and the direction of generated point is vertical direction that
particle of sphere feature to plane set feature.
Point: the projection point that particle of ellipse feature is in plane set
Ellipse feature, the direction that generated point is the direction of projection
point to the particle of ellipse feature.
Point: the projection point that the particle of circle arc is in plane set feature,
the direction that generated point is the direction of projection point to
Circle arc the particle of circle arc feature.
Circle: generated circle is on the plane set feature, and radius is the radius of
circle arc feature, and particle is the projection point that circle arc
120
 feature is on the plane set feature, the direction is the direction that
projection to circle arc to the particle of circle arc, and the direction of
start angle is the projection vector that projected circle arc to plane set
feature.
Circle arc: generated circle arc is on the plane set feature, the radius is the
radius of circle arc feature, and the particle is the projection point that
circle arc feature is on the plane set feature, and the direction is the
direction that projection point to the particle of circle arc feature.
Point: the particle of key slot feature is the project point on the plane set
Key slot feature, and the direction generated is the direction that projection point
to particle of key slot feature.
5.2 Intersection

ICON：
Intersection function is generated feature by intersecting two features, such as point, line
and circle and so on.

Click the tool “Inter Section” , then inter section window pops, as shown in Figure
5-4: this section introduces some contents of window, and for other parts of window, please
see the relevant contents of construction window in the Chapter.

Figure 5-4
 Feature 1 input column
The input column determines the feature 1 that entering into intersection construction.
 Feature 2 input column
This input column determines the feature 2 that entering into inter section construction.

When one feature in two intersection construction features belongs to point set feature, it can
not conduct construction operation. For the generated feature about each feature intersection

121
is described as follows:
Feature 1 Feature 2 is sphere feature
Line Point 1 and point 2: the common point of line feature and sphere feature.
Point: the only one common point of line feature and plane feature.
Surface Circle: the circle generated by line feature and the common point that plane
feature intersected.
Feature 1 Feature 2 is line set feature
Point No construction feature is generated.
Point 1: the midpoint of line feature and line set feature. When line and line set
feature are the same feature, no intersection feature generated.
Line
Point 2, point 3: the common point of line plane and cylinder plane of cylinder
feature.
Point: the common point of plane feature and line set feature.
Cylinder: when the direction vector of cylinder (cone) feature and plane feature
Plane
are in a certain parallelism range, circle generated by cylinder (cone)
feature the common point of plane feature.
Point 1: the common point of circle feature and line set feature.

Point 2: the common point of circle feature and line feature (cylinder feature).
Point 3, point 4: it is two points on the line when circle and line feature
Circle
(cylinder axis) are not paralleled.
Circle: when the direction vector of circular cone feature and circle feature is
in a certain parallelism range, circular cone feature and the common point
that circle on the plane generated circle.
Point 1: the midpoint of cylinder feature and line set feature. When cylinder
and line set feature are the same feature, no intersection feature is
Cylinder generated.
Point 2, point 3: the common point of line feature and cylinder plane of
cylinder feature.
Point: the midpoint of circular cone feature and line set feature. When cylinder
Circular
and line set feature are the same feature, no intersection feature is
cone
generated.
Sphere Point 1, point 2: the common point of sphere feature and line feature.
Ellipse No construction feature is generated.
Intersection of circle arc feature and line feature and the intersection of circle
Circle arc
feature and line feature.
Point: the midpoint of key slot feature and line set feature. The key slot is
Key slot regarded as the plane, circle con, cylinder are regarded as line represented
by axis.
Feature 1 Feature 2 is plane set feature
Point No construction feature is generated.
For intersection of line feature and plane feature, please see above table;
Line For intersection of line feature and circle feature, and circle arc feature, please
see the above intersection of line feature and circle feature;
122
 For intersection of line feature and key slot feature, please see the intersection
of line and line in above table.
Point: the common point of plane feature and key slot feature
Plane Line: the common point of plane that determined by plane feature and plane set
feature (plane feature, circle feature) generated line.
Point 1, point 2: the common point of circle feature and plane set feature
(circle feature, key slot feature).
Line: the common point of plane determined by circle feature and plane set
feature (plane feature) generated line; the line determined by the
intersection point of circle feature and circle feature, and the line direction
Circle
is perpendicular to the direction that the point to plane feature, the
generated particle is the midpoint of point 1 and point 2.
Plane: the direction of plane feature generated by circle feature and circle
feature is the direction of generated line feature, the particle of feature for
generated plane is the particle of generated line feature.
Point 1: the point that generated by cylinder feature intersects with line feature,
key slot feature is the common point of two features; the point that
generated by cylinder feature intersects with circle feature is the
intersection point of projection line that axis of cylinder feature
projected to the plane that circle feature located and circle feature.
Point 2: the point generated by cylinder feature and circle feature intersection
is the intersection point of projection line that axis of cylinder feature
Cylinder
projected to the plane that circle feature located and circle feature.
Point 3, point 4: generated point is on the axis of cylinder, the condition that
satisfied is: the projection point that generated point to the plane that
circle located is on the circle.
Circle: when the direction vector of cylinder feature and plane feature is in a
certain parallelism range, the common point of cylinder feature and plane
feature generated circle.
Point: the point generated by circular cone feature and plane feature, circle
feature intersection is the common point of circular cone axis and plane;
for intersection of circular cone feature and key slot feature, please refer
Circular
to the intersection of line and line.
cone
Circle: when the direction vector of circular cone feature and plane feature is in
a certain parallelism range, the common point of circular cone feature and
plane feature generated circle.
Sphere: the plane that plane set feature (plane feature, circle feature) located
Sphere
and the common point of sphere generated circle.
Ellipse No construction feature is generated.
Circle arc No construction feature is generated.
Point: the common point of long axis for key slot feature and the plane that
Key slot
plane set feature (plane feature, circle feature) located.
5.3 Midpoint

123
 ICON：
Midpoint function is used to generate the space midpoint, median or middle plane.

Click the tool “Midpoint” , and midpoint window will pop up, as shown in Figure 5-5:
the section introduces some contents of window. For other parts of window, please see the
relevant contents of construction window in the chapter.

Figure 5-5
 Feature 1 input column
The input column determines feature 1 entering into midpoint construction.
 Feature 2 input column
The input column determines feature 2 entering into midpoint construction.
The feature that each feature construction generated is described as follows:

Feature 1 Feature 2 is point set feature

Point: the distance from generated point to feature is equal to the distance from
generated point to point set feature.
Point Plane: the distance from point feature to generated plane is equal to the distance
from point set feature to generated plane, the direction that generated plane
is parallel to the direction from point feature to the particle of point feature.
Point: the middle point of the particle of pint set feature to vertical line of line
feature.
Line: the direction generated line is the direction of line feature, the distance
from point set feature to generated line is equal to the distance from
Line
generated line to line feature.
Plane: the direction generated plane is perpendicular to the direction of line, and
the distance from particle of point set feature to generated plane is equal to
the distance from line feature to generated plane.
Plane Point: the distance of generated point is equal to the distance from generated

124
 point to particle of point set feature.
Plane: the direction of generated plane is parallel to the direction of plane
feature, and the direction from point set feature to generated plane is equal
to the distance from plane feature to generated plane.
Point: the distance from generated point to circle is equal to the distance from
generated point to particle of point set.
Circle Plane: the direction of generated plane is parallel to the direction of circle
feature, and the distance from the particle of point set feature to generated
plane is equal to the distance from circle feature to generated plane.
Point: the generated point from particle of point set feature to the perpendicular
line of axis for cylinder feature.
Line: the direction of generated line is the direction of cylinder feature axis, and
the particle of generated line is determined by the particle of point set
Cylinder feature and particle of cylinder feature.
Plane: the direction of generated plane is parallel to the direction of cylinder
feature axis, and the distance from the particle of point set feature to
generated plane is equal to the distance from cylinder feature axis to
generated plane.
Point: the generated point of particle of circular cone and the particle of point set
feature.
Line: the direction of generated line is the direction of circular cone axis, and the
Circular particle of generated line is determined by the particle of point set feature
cone and the particle of circular cone.
Plane: the direction of generated plane is parallel to the direction of cylinder
feature axis, the distance from particle of point set feature is equal to the
distance from circular cone axis to generated plane.
Point: generating point of the particle of sphere feature and the particle of point
set feature.
Plane: the direction of generated plane is perpendicular to the direction from
Sphere
centre of sphere to the particle of point set, the distance from the particle of
sphere feature to generated plane is equal to the distance from the particle
of point set feature to generated plane.
Point: the middle point of the particle of ellipse feature and particle of point set
Ellipse
feature.
Point: the middle point of the particle of circle arc and the particle of point set
Circle arc
feature.
Point: the middle point of the projection point that the particle of point set
feature to long axis of key slot feature and the particle of point set feature.
Line: the direction of generated line is the direction of long axis of key slot
feature, and the distance from the particle of point set feature to generated
Key slot
line is equal to the distance from axis to generated line.
Plane: the direction of generated plane is perpendicular to the direction from the
particle of point set feature to the vertical line of long axis for key slot
feature. The distance from the particle of point set feature to generated

125
 plane is equal to the distance from long axis of key slot to generated plane.
Feature 2 is line set feature (cylinder and circular cone are regarded as the line
Feature 1
that axis represented)
Point It is described as above table.
Point: the middle point of common perpendicular line. The middle point of line
feature and line set feature (cylinder feature) is determined by particle of
two features.
Line 1 and line 2: generated line is angular bisector of line feature and line set
feature. The mass center of generated line is determined by the
Line
mass center of line feature and the mass center of line set feature.
Plane 1: the direction of generated plane is the direction of line 1, and the
particle generated plane is the particle of line 1.
Plane 2: the direction of generated plane is the direction of line 2, and the
particle of generated plane is the particle of line 2.
Point: generated point is determined by the particle of line set feature (circular
cone).
Line 1, line 2: generated line is angular bisector of projection straight line from
line feature (axis of cylinder feature) to plane feature and cylinder
feature. The mass center of generated line is determined by the
Plane
mass center of line feature and the mass center of line set feature.
Plane 1: the direction of generated plane is the direction of line 1, and the
particle of generated plane is the particle of line 1.
Plane 2: the direction of generated plane is direction of line 2, and the particle of
generated plane is the particle of line 2.
Point: the particle of generated point is determined by the particle of circle
feature and particle of line set feature.
Line: the direction of generated line is the direction of line set feature or
direction of angular bisection of line, and the particle of generated line is
determined by the particle of circle feature and particle of line set feature.
Circle
Plane 1, 2: the direction of generated plane is the direction of line, and the
particle of generated plane is determined by the particle of circle and
generated line.
Note: it only generated one plane for circle and circular cone, and the plane has
no intersection with the axis of circular cone feature.
Point: the particle of generated point is determined by the particle of cylinder
and the particle of line set feature.
Line 1, line 2: generated line is angular bisection of axis of cylinder feature and
line set feature.
Cylinder
Plane 1: the direction of generated plane is the direction of line 1, and the
particle of generated plane is the particle of line 1.
Plane 2: the direction of generated plane is the direction of line 2, and the
particle of generated plane is the particle of line 2.
Circular Point: the distance from generated point to line set feature (line feature, cylinder
cone feature) is equal to the distance from generated point to circular cone

126
 feature, the generated point of circular cone feature and line set feature
(circular feature) is the middle point of the particle for two circular cones.
Line 1, line 2: generated line is angular bisection of axis of circular cone feature
and line set feature.
Plane 1: the direction of generated plane is the direction of line 1, and the
particle of generated plane is the particle of line 1.
Plane 2: the direction of generated plane is the direction of line 2, and the
particle of generated plane is the particle of line 2.
Sphere It described as above table
Point: the distance of generated point to line is equal to the distance from
Ellipse
generated point to circular cone feature.
Point: the distance from generated point to line set feature is equal to the
distance from generated point to circular cone feature.
Line: the particle of generated line is middle point, and the direction of
Circle arc generated line is the same with the direction of the line.
Plane: the direction of generated plane is perpendicular to the direction of line,
and the distance from the particle of circle arc to generated plane is equal to
the distance from line feature to generated plane.
It is the same with the middle point of line and line. The key slot is regarded as
Key slot
the line that long axis represented.
Feature 1 Feature 2 is plane set feature
Point It is described as above table:
Line It is described as above table:
Point: the generated point of plane feature and circle feature (circle arc feature,
ellipse feature) is the middle point of projection point P that the particle of
circle feature (circle arc feature, ellipse feature) to plane feature and the
Plane particle of circle.
Plane 1, plane 2: the generated plane of plane feature and plane set feature
(circle feature, plane feature) is angular bisection plane. The middle point of
plane and key slot is the same with the middle point of plane and line.
Point: the generated point of plane feature and circle feature (circle arc, ellipse
feature) is the middle point of projection point P that the particle of circle
feature (circle arc, ellipse feature) to plane feature and the particle of
circle.
Circle
Plane 1, plane 2: the generated plane of circle feature and plane set feature
(circle feature, plane feature) is angular bisection plane.
The middle point of circle and key slot is the same with the middle point of
circle and line.
Cylinder It is described as above table:
Circular It is described as above table:
cone
Sphere It is described as above table:
Point: the distance from generated point to the particle of ellipse feature is equal
Ellipse
to the distance from generated point to plane set feature.
127
 Point: the distance from generated point to the particle of circle arc feature is
equal to the distance from generated point to the particle of plane set
feature (plane feature, circle feature, circle arc feature, ellipse feature).
Circle arc The distance from generated point to the particle of circle arc feature is
equal to the distance from generated point to long axis of key slot feature.
Plane: the particle on generated plane of circle arc and key slot is generated
middle point, and the direction is the plane direction that key slot located.
Key slot Please see above.
5.4 Fitting

ICON：
Fitting function generates new feature by given feature data.

Click the tool “Fitting” , then fitting window will pop up, as shown in Figure 5-6: the
section introduces some contents of window, and for other contents of window, please see
relevant contents in construction window.

Figure 5-6
 Buffer field for fitting area
The field is used to display what kinds of feature to fit. You can add feature in the area
by drag-and-drop operation in feature database.
 Operation button in buffer field
 Delete
It is used to delete the current selected feature in buffer field.
 Clear
It is used to clear all features in buffer field.
Fitting function is that construction new feature by using feature information in buffer field,
and related with generated algorithm of feature, fox example, the generation of ellipse may need
more than six points information, so it needs more than six mass points information of feature,
128
which can construct ellipse. It mainly introduces two features fitting in the section, and the
generated feature by each feature fitting construction is as follows:
Feature 1 Feature 2 is point set feature
Line: the direction of generated line is the particle of feature 1 directs to the
Point particle of feature 2, and the particle of generated line is the middle point
of point feature and point set feature.
Line: the direction of generated line the particle of feature 1 directs the particle
of feature 2, and the particle of generated line is the middle point of line
feature and point set feature.
Line
Plane: the direction of generated plane is the direction determined by
right-hand rule, the particle of generated plane is the middle point of line
feature and point set feature.
Line: the direction of generated line is the particle of feature 1 directs to the
Plane particle of feature 2, and the particle of generated line is the middle point
of plane feature and point set feature.
Line: the direction of generated line is the particle of feature 1 directs to the
Circle particle of feature 2, the particle of generated line is the middle point of
circle feature and point set feature.
Line: the direction of generated line is the particle of feature 1 directs to the
particle of feature 2, and the particle of generated line is the middle point
of cylinder feature and point set feature.
Cylinder
Plane: the direction of generated plane is the direction determined by
right-hand rule, and the particle of generated plane is the middle point of
the particle of cylinder feature and the particle of point set feature.
Line: the direction of generated line is the particle of feature 1 directs to the
particle of feature 2, and the particle of generated line is the middle point
Circular of cylinder feature and point set feature.
cone Plane: the direction of generated plane is the direction determined by
right-hand rule, and the particle of generated plane is the middle point of
particle of circular cone feature and the particle of point set feature.
Line: the direction of generated line is the particle of feature 1 directs to the
Sphere particle of feature 2, and the particle of generated plane is the middle
point of particle of sphere feature and the particle of point set feature.
Line: the direction of generated line is the particle of feature 1 directs to the
Ellipse particle of feature 2, and the particle of generated line is the middle point
of the particle of ellipse feature and the particle of point set feature.
Line: the direction of generated line is the particle of feature 1 directs to the
Circle arc particle of feature2, and the particle of generated line is the middle point
of the particle of circle arc feature and the particle of point set feature.
Line: the direction of generated line is the particle of feature 1 directs to the
Key slot particle of feature 2, and the particle of generated line is the middle point
of the particle of key slot feature and the particle of point set feature.
Feature 1 Feature 2 is line set feature
Point See above table.
129
 Line: the direction of generated line is the particle of line feature directs to the
particle of line set feature, and the particle of generated line is the middle
point of the particle of line feature and the particle of line set feature.
Line Plane 1, plane 2: the direction of generated plane is the direction determined
by right-hand rule, and the mass points of generated plane are
the particle of line feature and the particle of the line set feature
respectively.
Line: the direction of generated line is the particle of feature 1 directs to the
particle of feature 2, and the particle of generated line is the middle point
of the particle of feature 1 and the particle of feature 2.
Plane
Plane: the direction of generated plane is the direction determined by
right-hand rule, and the particle of generated plane is the particle of the
line set feature.
Line: the direction of generated line is the particle of feature 1 directs to the
particle of feature 2, and the particle of generated line is the middle point
of the particle of feature 1 and the particle of the feature 2.
Circle
Plane: the direction of generated plane is the direction determined by
right-hand rule, and the particle of generated plane is the particle of line
set feature.
Line: the direction of generated line is the particle of cylinder feature directs to
the particle of line set feature, and the particle of generated line is the
middle point of the particle of cylinder feature and the particle of line set
feature.
Cylinder
Plane 1, plane 2: the direction of generated plane is the direction determined
by right-hand rule, and the mass points of generated plane are
the particle of cylinder feature and the particle of line set
feature respectively.
Line: the direction of generated line is the particle of circular cone feature
directs to the particle of line set feature, and the particle of generated
line is the middle point of the particle of line feature and the particle of
Circular
line set feature.
cone
Plane 1, plane 2: the direction of generated plane is the direction determined
by right-hand rule, and the mass points of generated plane are the
particle of circular cone and the particle of line set feature.
See the fitting part that feature 1 is line set feature, and feature 2 is point set
Sphere
feature.
Ellipse Fitting of coplane and line set feature.
Circle arc Fitting of coplane and line set feature.
Key slot Fitting of coplane and line set feature.
Feature 1 Feature 2 is line set feature
See the fitting part that feature 1 is line set feature, and feature 2 is point set
Point
feature.
See the fitting part that feature 1 is plane set feature, and feature 2 is line set
Line
feature.
130
 Line: the direction of generated line is the particle of plane feature directs to
the particle of plane set feature, and the particle of generated line is the
Plane
middle point of particle of line feature and the particle of plane set
feature.
Line: the direction of generated line is the particle of circle feature directs to
the particle of plane set feature, and the particle of generated line is the
middle point of the particle of circle feature and the particle of the
plane set feature.
Circle Cylinder: the direction of generated cylinder is the particle of circle feature
directs to the particle of plane set feature (circle feature).
Circular cone: the direction of generated feature is the particle of circle feature
directs to the particle of plane set feature (circle feature), and the
particle of generated circular cone is the top point of circular cone.
See the fitting part of plane set feature for feature 1, and the fitting part of line
Cylinder
set feature for feature 2.
Circular See the fitting part of plane set feature for feature 1, and the fitting part of line
cone set feature for feature 2.
See the fitting part of plane set feature for feature 1, and the fitting part of line
Sphere
set feature for feature 2.
Line: the direction of generated line is the particle of ellipse feature directs to
the particle of plane set feature, and the particle of generated line is the
Ellipse
middle point of the particle of ellipse feature and the particle of the plane
set feature.
Line: the direction of generated line is the particle of the circle arc feature
directs to the particle of plane set feature, and the particle of generated
Circle arc
line is the middle point of the particle of circle arc feature and the particle
of the plane set feature.
Line: the direction of generated line is the particle of the key slot feature
directs to the particle of plane set feature, and the particle of generated
Key slot
line is the middle point of the particle of key slot feature and the particle
of the plane set feature.
5.5 Tangency

ICON：
Tangency function is that generate new feature by given feature tangency.

Click the tool “Tangency” , then pop tangency window, as shown in Figure 5-7: the
section introduces some contents of window, and for other contents of window, please see the
relevant contents of construction window in the chapter.

131
 Figure 5-7
 Tangency feature input column
The input column is used to determine tangency feature, and newly generated feature is
target to tangency feature.
 Construction feature input column
The input column is used to determine construction feature, normally, new feature
generated intersect the particle of construction feature with construction feature.
 Dimension input column
The input column is used to determine the dimension of generating feature, and
normally it determines the radius of circle. Note that not all generated feature need to
specify dimension.
The generated feature that each feature constructed is described as follows:
Constr Tangency is straight line
uction
featur
e
Circle 1, circle 2 and circle 3 are shown as follows:

Circle 3 Circle 2
Point
Circle 1

Figure 1

Circle 1, circle 2, circle 3, circle 4, circle 5, circle 6 and circle 7:

When construction feature is regarded as mass point, it can generate three circles
Line
at most, such as generated circle when construction feature is point feature.
Other four circles that may generate four circles are shown as follows:

132
 Circle 6

Circle 5 Circle 4

Circle 7

Plane None
Circle None
Cylind None
er
Circu None
lar
cone
Sphe It is same as the condition of tangency between point and line.
re
Ellips None
e
Circle None
arc
Key None
slot
Constr Tangent feature is plane
uction
featur
e
Point None
Line None
Cylinder 1 is shown in below figure:

Plane 1

Plane Plane 2

Cylinder 2, cylinder 3 and cylinder 4 are three cylinders of other space that cut
between plane and plane.
Circle None
Cylind None
er
133
Circul None
ar
cone
Sphere None
Ellips None
e
Circle None
arc
Key None
slot
Constr Tangency feature, circle feature
uction
featur
e

Line 1, line 2: generated line requires point is in the plane that circle feature
located, as shown in below figure:

Line 1

Geometric
Tangent circle
al feature
mass point
P Line 2
Figure 3

Plane 1, plane 2: the generation of generated plane is shown as follows:

Point

Plane 1 Tangent circle

Plane 2
Geometric
al feature
mass point
P
Figure 4

Circle 1, circle 2: generated circle requires the point is in the plane that circle
feature located, as shown in below figure:

134
 Circle 2
Geometric
al feature
Tangent circle
mass point Circle 1
P
Figure 5

Tangency between the projection point that the particle of line feature on the plane
Line
of circle feature and circle feature.
Plane None
Line 1, line 2, line 3, line 4, line 5 and line 6: generated line requires two circles
to parallel (including coplane), as shown in below figure:

Line 1
Line 5
Line 3

Tangent circle

Line 4
Line 6
Figure 12

Plane 1, plane 2: generated plane requires two circles to parallel (including

Circle
coplane), as shown in below figure:
Line 1

Circle (Via)
Tangent circle

Line 2
Figure 13

Circle 1, circle 2: the same point is target to circle.

Circle 3, circle 4, circle 5, circle 6 and circle 7: generated circle requires two circles
parallel (including coplane), as shown in below figure:

135
 Circle 5
C4

Circle Circle 3 Tangent circle

(via)

Circle 7 Circle 6

Figure 14

When the axis of cylinder is perpendicular to the plane that circle feature (tangency
feature) located, it is same condition with circle feature (construction feature) and
circle feature tangency (tangency feature). Circle feature is generated by intersection
Cylind of cylinder feature and circle feature (tangency feature).
er When the axis of cylinder is not perpendicular to the plane that circle feature
(tangency feature) located, it is same condition with point feature and circle feature
tangency. Point feature is determined by the particle of cylinder feature projected to
the plane that circle located.
When the axis of circular cone is perpendicular to the plane that circle feature
(tangency feature) located, it is same condition with circle feature (construction
feature) and circle feature tangency (tangency feature). Circle feature is generated
Circu
by intersection of circular cone feature and circle feature (tangency feature).
lar
When the axis of circular cone is not perpendicular to the plane that circle feature
cone
(tangency feature) located, it is same condition with point feature and circle feature
tangency. Point feature is determined by the particle of circular cone feature
projected to the plane that circle located.
Sphe The tangency condition of point feature (construction feature) is same with circle
re feature (tangency feature).
Ellips None
e
Circle None
arc
Key None
slot
Constr Tangency feature is cylinder feature
uction
featur
e
Line 1, line 2: the generated line requires point is on the plane PL (the particle
Point is P, and direction vector is V), if the particle of cylinder is P, and axis vector is V. it
shows as follows:

136
 Line 1
Point
Mass point
of cylinder Line 2

Figure 15

Plane 1, plane 2: the generated plane is showed as follows:

Plane 1

Point Plane 2
Mass point of cylinder

Figure 16

Circle 1, circle 2: generated circle requires the point is on the plane PL (particle
is P, and direction vector is V), if the particle of cylinder feature is P, and the axis
vector is V. It shows as follows:

Circle 2
Mass point of cylinder

Circle 1
Figure 17

Line None
Plane None
Please see the contents that tangency feature is circle feature. The particle of circle
feature (tangency feature) is the projection point that the particle of cylinder feature
Circle
is, and the direction is the direction of circle (construction feature), and the radius is
the radius of cylinder feature.
Cylind None
er
Circul None
ar
cone
Sphe Please see the contents that point feature is construction feature, and cylinder is
re tangency feature.
Ellips None
e
Circle None
137
 arc
Key None
slot
5.6 Pickup

ICON：
Pickup function generates new feature by some feature information.

Click the tool “Pickup” , and pickup window will pop up, as shown in Figure 5-8: the
section introduces some windows contents, and for other part of window, please see the relevant
contents of construction window in the chapter.

Figure 5-8
 Feature input column
The input column is used to determine the feature of extraction operation.
The generated feature of each feature extraction construction is described as follows:
Feature 1
Point None
Line Point: the particle of line feature.
Point: the particle of plane feature.
Plane Line: the particle of generated line is the particle of plane feature, and the
direction vector of generated line is the direction vector of plane feature.
Point: the particle of circle feature.
Line: the particle of generated line is the particle of the circle feature, and the
direction vector of generated line is the direction vector of circle feature.
Circle
Plane: the particle of generated plane is the particle of the circle feature, and
the direction vector of generated plane is the direction vector of plane that
circle feature located.
Point: the particle of cylinder.
Cylinder
Line: the particle of generated line is the particle of cylinder feature, and the

138
 direction vector of generated line is the direction vector of axis for
cylinder feature.
Point: the particle of circular cone.
Circular Line: the particle of generated line is the particle of circular feature, and the
cone direction vector of generated line is the direction vector of axis for
circular cone.
Sphere Point: the particle of sphere feature.
Point: the particle of ellipse.
Line: the particle of generated line is the particle of ellipse feature, and the
direction vector of generated line are the long axis direction vector of
Ellipse ellipse feature and short axis direction vector respectively.
Plane: the particle of generated plane is the particle of ellipse feature, and the
direction vector of generated plane is the direction vector of plane that
ellipse located.
Point: the particle of circle arc feature.
Line: the particle of generated line is the particle of plane feature, and the
direction vector of generated line is the direction vector from the particle
of circle arc feature to the starting point of circle arc and the direction
Circle arc
vector from the particle of circle arc to terminal point of circle arc feature.
Plane: the particle of generated plane is the particle of circle arc, and the
direction vector of generated plane is the direction vector of plane that
circle located.
Point: the particle of key slot feature.
Line: the particle of generated line is the particle of plane feature, and the
direction vector of generated line is the direction vector of two axes for
Key slot
key slot.
Plane: the particle of generated plane is the particle of key slot feature, and the
direction vector is the direction vector of plane that key slot located.
5.7 Parallelism

ICON：
Parallelism function constructs one parallel feature by two features, and makes it pass the
existing feature, and parallel to another existing feature.

Click the tool “Parallelism” , it will pop parallelism window, as shown in Figure 5-9:
the section introduces some contents of window, and for other parts of window, please see the
relevant contents of construction window in the chapter.

139
 Figure 5-9
 Parallel to feature input column
The feature to be constructed is parallel to the feature in the input column.
 Construction feature input column
The feature to be constructed is parallel to the particle of the feature.
The feature that each feature parallel construction generated is described as follows:
Parallel
Construction feature is geometrical feature
to feature
Point None
Line: the particle of generated line is the particle of construction feature, and the
Line
direction vector of generated line is the direction vector of line feature.
Plane: the particle of generated line is the particle of construction feature, and
Plane the direction vector of generated line is the direction vector of plane
feature.
Plane: the particle of generated line is the particle of construction feature, and
Circle the direction vector of generated line is the direction vector of circle
feature.
Line: the particle of generated line is the particle of construction feature, and the
Cylinder direction vector of generated line is the direction vector of cylinder feature.

Circular Line: the particle of generated line is the particle of construction feature, and the
cone direction vector of generated line is the direction vector of cylinder feature.
Sphere None
Plane: the particle of generated line is the particle of construction feature, and
Ellipse the direction vector of generated line is the direction vector of ellipse
feature.
Plane: the particle of generated line is the particle of construction feature, and
Circle arc the direction vector of generated line is the direction vector of circle arc
feature.

140
 Plane: the particle of generated line is the particle of construction feature, and
Key slot the direction vector of generated line is the direction vector of key slot
feature.
5.8 Perpendicularity

ICON：
Perpendicularity function constructes a perpendicular feature by two base features. It makes
the feature pass an existing base feature, and is perpendicular to another base feature.

Click the tool “Perpendicularity” , and perpendicularity window will pop up, as shown
in Figure 5-10: the section introduces some contents of window, and for other parts of window,
please see the contents of construction tool field in 2.3.2.

Figure 5-10
 Perpendicular to feature input column
The feature to be constructed has to be perpendicular to the feature in input column.
 Construction feature input column
The feature to be constructed has to pass the particle of column.
The feature generated by each feature perpendicular construction is described as follows:
Perpendi
cular to Construction feature is geometrical feature
feature
Point None
Line Line: the particle of generated line is the particle of construction feature, and the
direction vector is perpendicular to the direction vector of line feature.
Plane: the particle of generated line is the particle of construction feature, and
the direction vector is perpendicular to the direction vector of line feature.
Plane Line: the particle of generated line is the particle of construction feature, and the
direction vector is perpendicular to the direction vector of plane feature.
Circle Line: the particle of generated line is the particle of construction feature, and the

141
 direction vector is perpendicular to the direction vector of circle feature.
Cylinder Line: the particle of generated line is the particle of construction feature, and the
direction vector is perpendicular to the direction vector of cylinder
feature.
Plane: the particle of generated line is the particle of construction feature, and
the direction vector is perpendicular to the direction vector of cylinder
feature.
Circular Line: the particle of generated line is the particle of construction feature, and the
cone direction vector is perpendicular to the direction vector of cylinder
feature.
Plane: the particle of generated line is the particle of construction feature, and
the direction vector is perpendicular to the direction vector of cylinder
feature.
Sphere None
Ellipse Line: the particle of generated line is the particle of construction feature, and the
direction vector is perpendicular to the direction vector of ellipse feature.
Circle arc Line: the particle of generated line is the particle of construction feature, and the
direction vector is perpendicular to the direction vector of circle arc
feature.
Key slot Line: the particle of generated line is the particle of construction feature, and the
direction vector is perpendicular to the direction vector of key slot feature.
5.9 Movement

ICON：
Movement function moves geometrical feature along Cartesian coordinate system or
direction vector of initial feature to construct a new feature.

Click the tool “Movement” , and movement window will pop up, as shown in Figure
5-11: the section introduces some contents of window, and for other parts of widow, please
see the relevant contents of construction window in the chapter.

142
 Figure 5-11
 Feature input column
It is used to determine the movement feature.
 Movement parameter input column
The contents of the field vary with whether moving along vector direction. Determine
the relative movement distance on X, Y and Z or movement distance at vector
direction.
 When movement mode check box is selected,
the field will display vector direction movement
distance input column, as shown at right figure:
 When movement mode check box is not selected,
the field will display coordinate axis movement
distance input column, as shown at right figure:

 Movement mode check box

It is used to determine movement mode. When the check box is selected, the feature to
be moved will move definite distance along the direction determined by self direction
vector; when the check box is not selected, the feature to be moved will move the
given distance on X, Y and Z axis respectively.
5.10 Offset plane

ICON：
Offset plane function constructs a new plane by three features that can be simplified into
point.

Click the tool “Offset plane” , Offset plane window will pop up, as shown in Figure
5-12: the section introduces some contents of window, and for other parts of window, please see
the relevant contents of construction window in chapter.

143
 Figure 5-12
 Feature input filed
It is used to determine the feature for deviation required.
 Distance input field
Input column in the field means the distance from particle of the corresponding feature
at left feature input field to newly constructed feature.
5.11 Image

ICON：
Image function constructes an image feature by given feature.

Click the tool “Image” , and moving window will pop up, as shown in Figure 5-13: the
section introduces some content of window, and for other parts of window, please see the relevant
contents of construction window in the chapter.

Figure 5-13
 Figure input column
It is used to determine the feature imaged.
 Reference feature input column
It is used to determine base feature.
The generated feature of each feature construction is described as follows:
Feature Reference feature is point set feature
Point: generated point is symmetric with point feature in regard to point set
Point
feature.
Line: generated line is symmetric with line feature in regard to point set
Line
feature.
Plane: generated plane is symmetric with plane feature in regard to point set
Plane
feature.
Circle Circle: generated circle is symmetric with circle feature in regard to point set

144
 feature.
Cylinder: generated cylinder is symmetric with cylinder feature in regard to
Cylinder
point set feature.
Circular Circular cone: generated circular cone is symmetric with circular cone feature
cone in regard to point set feature.
Point: generated point is symmetric with sphere feature in regard to point set
Sphere
feature.
Ellipse: generated ellipse is symmetric with ellipse feature in regard to point
Ellipse
set feature.
Circle arc: generated circle arc is symmetric with circle arc feature in regard to
Circle arc
point set feature.
Key slot: generated key slot is symmetric with key slot feature in regard to
Key slot
point set feature.
Feature Reference feature is line se feature
Point: generated point is symmetric with point feature in regard to straight line.
Point The straight line is determined by the particle and direction of line set
feature.
Line: generated line is symmetric with line feature in regard to straight line.
Line The straight line is determined by the particle and direction of line set
feature.
Plane: generated plane is symmetric with plane feature in regard to straight
Plane line. The straight line is determined by the particle and direction of line
set feature.
Circle: generated circle is symmetric with circle feature in regard to straight
Circle line. The straight line is determined by the particle and direction of line
set feature.
Cylinder: generated cylinder is symmetric with cylinder feature in regard to
Cylinder straight line. The straight line is determined by the particle and
direction of line set feature.
Circular: generated circular cone is symmetric with circular feature in regard
Circular
to straight line. The straight line is determined by the particle and
cone
direction of line set feature.
Point: generated point is symmetric with point feature in regard to straight line.
Sphere The straight line is determined by the particle and direction of line set
feature.
Ellipse: generated ellipse is symmetric with ellipse feature in regard to straight
Ellipse line. The straight line is determined by the particle and direction of
line set feature.
Circle arc: generated circle arc is symmetric with circle arc feature in regard to
Circle arc straight line. The straight line is determined by the particle and
direction of line set feature.
Key slot: generated key slot is symmetric with key slot feature in regard to
Key slot straight line. The straight line is determined by the particle and
direction of line set feature.
145
 Feature Reference feature is plane set feature
Point: generated point is symmetric with point feature in regard to symmetry
Point plane. The symmetry plane is determined by the particle and direction of
plane set feature.
Line: generated line is symmetric with line feature in regard to symmetry
Line plane. The symmetry plane is determined by the particle and direction of
plane set feature.
Plane: generated plane is symmetric with plane feature in regard to symmetry
Plane plane. The symmetry plane is determined by the particle and direction of
plane set feature.
Circle: generated circle is symmetric with circle feature in regard to symmetry
Circle plane. The symmetry plane is determined by the particle and direction of
plane set feature.
Cylinder: generated cylinder is symmetric with cylinder feature in regard to
Cylinder symmetry plane. The symmetry plane is determined by the particle
and direction of plane set feature.
Circular cone: generated circular cone is symmetric with circular cone feature
Circular
in regard to symmetry plane. The symmetry plane is determined by
cone
the particle and direction of plane set feature.
Point: generated point is symmetric with sphere feature in regard to symmetry
Sphere plane. The symmetry plane is determined by the particle and direction of
plane set feature.
Ellipse: generated ellipse is symmetric with ellipse feature in regard to
Ellipse symmetry plane. The symmetry plane is determined by the particle
and direction of plane set feature.
Circle arc: generated circle arc is symmetric with circle arc feature in regard to
Circle arc symmetry plane. The symmetry plane is determined by the particle
and direction of plane set feature.
Key slot: generated key slot is symmetric with key slot feature in regard to
Key slot symmetry plane. The symmetry plane is determined by the particle
and direction of plane set feature.
5.12 Rotation

ICON：
Rotation function takes axis that a certain feature determined as center axis, and rotates
designated feature to generate new feature around center axis.

Click the tool “Rotation” , and rotation window will pop up, as shown in Figure 5-14:
the section introduces some contents of window, and for the other parts of window, please see the
relevant window of construction window in the chapter.

146
 Figure 5-14
 Feature input column
It is used to determine the feature to be rotated.
 Reference feature input column
It is used to determine which feature to rotate.
 Angle input column
It is used to determine the rotation angle.
The generated feature of each feature construction is described as follows:
Feature Reference feature is point set feature
Point: the line of generated point and particle of point feature is perpendicular
Point
to rotation axis that feature determined.
Line: the line of generated line and particle of line feature is perpendicular to
Line
rotation axis that feature determined.
Plane: the line of generated plane and particle of plane feature is perpendicular
Plane
to rotation axis that feature determined.
Circle: the line of generated circle and particle of circle feature is
Circle
perpendicular to rotation axis that feature determined.
Cylinder: the line of generated cylinder and particle of cylinder feature is
Cylinder
perpendicular to rotation axis that feature determined.
Circular Circular cone: the line of generated circular cone and particle of circular cone
cone feature is perpendicular to rotation axis that feature determined.
Point: the line of generated point and particle of sphere feature is perpendicular
Sphere
to rotation axis that feature determined.
Ellipse: the line of generated ellipse and particle of ellipse feature is
Ellipse
perpendicular to rotation axis that feature determined.
Circle arc: the line of generated circle arc and particle of circle arc feature is
Circle arc
perpendicular to rotation axis that feature determined.
Key slot Key slot: the line of generated key slot cone and particle of key slot feature is

147
 perpendicular to rotation axis that feature determined.
5.13 Limitation

ICON：
Limitation function is for measured feature, its parameter can not reach to evaluation
condition that tolerance required, it is limited to reach to evaluation condition of tolerance
by limitation function, for example, if it required cylinder to reach to certain length, then
extend the application of tolerance.

Click the tool “Limitation” , and limitation window will pop up, as shown in Figure
5-15: the section introduces some contents of window, and for the other parts of window,
please see the relevant window of construction window in the chapter.

Figure 5-15
 Feature input column
It is used to accept the limited feature.
 Boundary feature input column (range 1 and range 2)
It is used to limit the limited feature range, and plane is choosen normally.
5.14 Array

ICON：
Array function is the function that generate multi new feature according to ring type, linear
type or combinative type for the existing feature.

Click the tool “Array” , and array window will pop up, as shown in Figure 5-16: the
section introduces some contents of window, and for the other parts of window, please see the
relevant window of construction window in the chapter.

148
 Figure 5-16
 Feature input column
It is used to accept feature to be arrayed.
 Arrayed mode selection column
It is used to set array mode, and software provides three kinds of array modes, and it
introduces as follows:
 Straight line mode: it inputs array pitch and
quantity respectively in three axial direction of the
current coordinate system, and click “Enter”
button to generate array feature, and control and
input parameter are showed in figure at the right:
 Rotation mode: taking a certain coordinate axis of current coordinate system as
rotation axis, input array interval angle and
quantity, and click “Enter” button to generate
array feature, and control and input parameter are
shown in figure on the right:
 Rotation&straight line mode: taking a certain
coordinate axis of current coordinate system as
rotation axis, and input array interval angle and

quantity, parameter
here controls rotation array, and adjacent parameter at the bottom controls array on
the axial direction. Click “Enter” button to generate array feature, and control and
input parameter are shown in figure on the right:

5.15 Feature transfer

ICON：

149
 Feature transfer function transfers the existing feature into the same position from one
coordinate system to another coordinate system; that’s to say, the coordinate values of two
features are same in coordinate system.

Click the tool “Transfer” , and transfer window will pop up, as shown in Figure 5-17:
the section introduces some contents of window, and for the other parts of window, please
see the relevant window of construction window in the chapter.

Figure 5-17
 Feature input column
It is used to accept the feature to be transferred.
 Initial coordinate system input column
Drag in the coordinate system that transfer feature required in the column, normally the
coordinate system is current coordinate system.
 Destination coordinate system input column
Drag in that coordinate system that transfer feature required to use in the column. The
coordinate system may not be activated.
5.16 Feature terminal

ICON：
Feature terminal function creates new point feature by using existing feature on the profile
of the feature according to designated direction.

Click the toolbar feature , then rotation window will pop up, as shown in Figure
5-17: the section introduces some contents of window, and for the other parts of window,
please see the relevant window of construction window in the chapter.

150
 Figure 5-18
 Feature input column
It is used to accept the feature to be transferred.
 Mode selection column
Select the control direction that terminal generated in the column,
which is divided into three classes, as shown in figure at the right:
 Control according to feature normal;
 Control according to the current coordinate axis, then it is subdivided into X, Y and
Z;
 Generate according to setting direction, mainly setting control vector quantity.
 Position selection column
Choose the maximum or minimum in the column to control generation position of
new point.
5.17 How to conduct feature construction
Construction function: with the existing geometrical feature information, generate
geometrical feature information by satisfying certain requirement. Chapter II and Chapter IV
introduce system interface to make user know the use of system function, however, due to
realization of function involved the contents that spanning chapter, so it causes such kinds of
questions: user is not clear about operation procedure of function realization. The text mainly
explains this problem, and introduces the basic operation flow of feature construction:
 Open the window by the tool of construction tool field in main toolbar. For main
toolbar, please see the main toolbar part in 2.3.
 It conducts operation and generates feature in construction window. For the
introduction of construction window, please see the relevant contents in the chapter.
Feature that construction generated can be conducted to browse, modification and printout for
feature information by feature database and data output field.

151
Chapter VI. Coordinate system
Coordinate system is very important to coordinate measuring machine. Machine
movement and tolerance evaluation are related to coordinate system. Creation process and
method of coordinate system are described as follows:
6.1 3-2-1 Create coordinate system

ICON：

When 3-2-1 coordinate system is chosen to create the tool , and the corresponding
window will pop up, as shown in Figure 6-1:

Base feature
input box

Quick create
Figure 6-1 coordinate system
 Name input column button box

The input column is used to determine to the name of create coordinate system. The input
column can generate automatically coordinate system name (coordinate system name =
prefix+Arabic numerals, for modification of name prefix, please see the relevant contents in
setting menu of system tool menu) by system, and generate from small to large order. It can
input by keyboard, but can not like tolerance window drag in from database field. When
input name has existed, “New” function button will pop automatically, and click Enter button,
it will complete the modification of original coordinate system.

 Base feature input field

Determine coordinate system by using base feature, and the field totally includes three
reference feature input columns from top to bottom. In VISUAL DMIS, normally, the first
and second feature are plane features or cylinder features, or the features with controlling
coordinate axis direction, and the direction of the second axis is determined by projection
vector that normal of control feature in perpendicular direction of the first axis. The third
reference feature is not required, and only controls origin, not necessarily to input.
152
 Direction selection field
It is used to set that feature normal vector in base feature box determine to create the axis of
coordinate system. For example, when Z axis is slected, it makes generated Z axis of
coordinate system and normal vector of reference feature at left side in the same direction,
such as blue field drag-down selection box as above figure.
 Origin selection field
It is used to determine the origin of new coordinate system. For example, coordinate origin in
Z direction of generated coordinate system is determined by Z value of particle for plane PL;
X component of origin for generated coordinate system is determined by X value of particle
for circle CR2; Y component of origin for generated coordinate system is determined by Y
value of particle for circle CR2; when coordinate origin in certain direction of origin for
coordinate system to be created has not determined, then origin of new coordinate system
will not change in the direction of without checking origin of coordinate system.
 Quick create coordinate system button box
A group of tools that the field provided measure quickly feature to create coordinate system.
It required to generate new feature when creating coordinate system, the toolbar provides
shortcut. When clicking different buttons in the area, it will pop the corresponding
measurement window of coordinate system. When returning back to measurement window
with completing measurement, system adds automatically measurement feature to base
feature input field. the toolbar has three tools, which are respectively: plane-line-point,
plane-line-circle, plane-circle-circle. Measurement window of coordinate system will be
introduced in the following contents.

Click the first label in the field, and following measurement window will pop up, as
shown in Figure 6-2:

153
 Feature
measurement
field

Feature
list box

Graphic
display
field

Figure 6-2
 Feature measurement field
For the part, please see the relevant contents of measurement in Chapter III.
Feature measurement field will change according to the different flashing labels at
present in graphic display field.
 Graphic display field
The field prompts user that which feature will be measured by flashing feature
label, and the contents of feature measurement area will change accordingly
according to the type of measurement feature. For example, for displaying the
measuring line feature, feature measurement area will display the contents of line
measurement window. The measured feature will be displayed as purple, and
unmeasured feature will be displayed as blue. It prompts the measuring feature by
flashing feature label. The area supports mouse dragging operation to drag the
existing feature from feature database.
 Function button
 Enter: the button is not operable before all required measurement features are
measured. Click the button in operable condition, and coordinate system
window interface will be automatically returned back.
154
  Cancel: click the button to exit the window and return back to initial window
interface, and your operation does not work.
 Delete: the button is operable when there is feature in feature list box. Click the
button to delete selected feature in feature list box.
 Feature list box
When one feature is measured, the system will add to the list box. The list box
defines the input field of base feature after returning to the initial window.
 Self-closing check box
When the box is selected, it will close the measurement window and automatically
return back to initial window after completing all designated feature measurement.
When the box has not selected, it will not automatically return back to initial
window after completing all designated feature.

Other two shortcut buttons , also can be used to complete different

measurement functions and creation functions.
 Update theoretical value
In the process of creation for coordinate system, each create window has
an update theoretical value check box, as shown at right figure. When checking the option,
the theoretical value in original coordinate system will update to new coordinate system.
That is to say, in the same graphic window, the location of theoretical value has changed, but
the numerical value of theoretical value in original coordinate system and new coordinate
system remains unchanged.
 Function button
 Preview
Click the button to observe whether the direction and origin of coordinates for creating
coordinate system are correct in view field, after clicking the button, the creating
coordinate system will flash a few times in view area.
 OK
Click the button, it will generate coordinate system and close the window.
 Cancel
Click the button, and window will be closed with no coordinate system generated.
 New
Click the button to switch between down and release. When pressed down, it
means creating new coordinate system, when released, it means updating the
current coordinate system.
6.2 Translate coordinate system

ICON：

Select coordinate system translation tool , then the corresponding window will pop up,
155
as shown in Figure 6-3:

Movement
parameter
input field

Figure 6-3
 Coordinate system name input column

The input column is used to input the name of coordinate system to be created, or the name
of coordinate system to be moved (coordinate system name = prefix+Arabic numerals, for
modification of name prefix, please see the relevant contents in setting menu of system tool
menu), it is the current coordinate system name in default situation. When “New” button is
not pressed down, the input column means the coordinate system to be moved, and also
means the coordinate system after moving, that is the coordinate system movement fore and
aft is the same name. When pressing down “New” button, the input column is generated
automatically new coordinate system name by system (it generated according to from small
to large order for figure). The input column supports mouse drag-in operation. It can put in
the input column with dragging coordinate system in coordinate system database to realize
the input of coordinate system.

 Movement parameter input field

The input column in the field can input feature, and also can input value directly, as shown in
above figure.
 Update theoretical value
In the process of creation for coordinate system, each create window has an update
theoretical value check box, as shown at right figure. When checking the option, the
theoretical value in original coordinate system will update to new coordinate system. That is
to say, in the same graphic window, the location of theoretical value has changed, but the
numerical value of theoretical value in original coordinate system and new coordinate system
remains unchanged.
 Function button
 New
Click the button and keep down state, then the system will input automatically new coordinate
system name in input column of coordinate system name. The name with red asterisk means create
newly coordinate system, such as , it means new coordinate system, means the
existing coordinate system.
156
  Preview
Click the button to observe whether the direction and origin of coordinates for
creating coordinate system are correct in view field, after clicking the button, the
creating coordinate system will flash a few times in view area.
 OK
Click the button, and coordinate system will be generated and window will be
closed.
 Cancel
Click the button, the window will be closed without coordinate system generating.
6.3 Rotate coordinate system

ICON：

When selecting coordinate system rotating tool , and the corresponding window will
pop up, as shown in Figure 6-4:

Figure 6-4
 Coordinate system name input column

The input column is used to input the name of coordinate system to be newly created, or the
existing name of coordinate system. It is the current coordinate system name in default
situation. When “New” button is not pressed down, the input column means rotating
coordinate system, and also means the coordinate system after rotating, that is the coordinate
system rotation fore and aft is the same name. When “New” button is pressed down, the input
column will generate automatically new coordinate system name (generated from small to
large figure). The input column supports mouse drag-in operation. It can put in the input
column with dragging coordinate system in coordinate system database to realize the input of
coordinate system.

 Rotation axis drop-down box

Rotation effects will be different when the result for drop-down box is
different. There are two conditions, as shown in figure at the right:
157
 When the drag-down box selects axis, the interface is shown in Figure 6-4, drag control
feature in feature input column, and select the coordinate axis direction to control in
direction drop-down selection box, and control the direction of rotation axis by feature
normal entered. Click “OK” function button to complete the creation of coordinate
system.
 When the drag-down box selects other known axis, the rotation axis is used to determine
rotation direction. For example, the current option in drag-down box is Z axis, so the
current work coordinate system will rotate around Z axis. It is shown as Figure 6-5:
angle rotation check box becomes available.

Figure 6-5
 Angle rotation check box
When the option is selected, it will make the current work coordinate system rotate a
certain angle around designated rotation axis. When the check box is not selected,
feature input column and direction drag-down box will display in the window. Drag in
feature in feature input column, and select the direction to be controlled in direction
drag-down box, as shown in Figure 6-5. New coordinate system rotates to the direction
of feature characteristic point position, and the direction is served as X axis forward
direction. In this case, the input feature are point feature and sphere feature; otherwise,
control rotating direction by feature normal dragged or long axis direction of feature.
When the check box is selected, rotation angle input column will display in the window,
as shown in Figure 6-6:

158
 。
Figure 6-6
Input rotation angle in angle input column; moreover, it can

click the button to pop coordinate setting window, as

shown in right figure: input rotation coordinate value in the
dialog box, and software calculates automatically rotation
angle in angle input column, and the unit is angular unit.
 Rotation angle input column
Input rotation angle.
 Feature input column
It is used to determine which position or direction that the axis of direction drop-down box
rotate to. Note that when conducting rotation by feature, it can not generate rotation
coordinate system when normal vector of base feature is parallel to rotation axis that
drop-down box of rotation axis.
 Direction drop-down box
It is used to determine which axis rotate to the direction that base feature determined.
 Coordinate system schematic diagram
The schematic diagram is used to display that how the coordinate
system rotates. The rotation of coordinate system divides into
angle mode rotation and base feature mode rotation. When
rotating in angle mode, the schematic diagram is shown as right
figure: red part in the figure means rotation axis, and blue means
rotation direction;
 Update theoretical value
In the process of creation for coordinate system, each create window has
an update theoretical value check box, as shown at right figure. When checking the option,
the theoretical value in original coordinate system will update to new coordinate system.
That is to say, in the same graphic window, the location of theoretical value has changed, but
the numerical value of theoretical value in original coordinate system and new coordinate
system remains unchanged.
159
 Function button
 New
Click the button and keep down state, then the system will input automatically new
coordinate system name in input column of coordinate system name. The name with red

asterisk means create newly coordinate system, such as , it means new

coordinate system, means the existing coordinate system.

 Preview
Click the button to observe whether the direction and origin of coordinates for creating
coordinate system are correct in view field, after clicking the button, the creating
coordinate system will flash a few times in view area.
 OK
Click the button, and coordinate system will be generated and the window will be
closed.
 Cancel
Click the button, window will be closed without coordinate system generating.
6.4 Two-point offset coordinate system

ICON：

When two-point offset coordinate system tool is selected, and the corresponding
window will pop up, as shown in Figure 6-7:

Figure 6-7
 Coordinate name input column

The input column is used to input the name of coordinate system to be created, or the name
of coordinate system to be moved (coordinate system name = prefix+Arabic numerals, for
modification of name prefix, please see the relevant contents in setting menu of system tool
menu), it is the current coordinate system name in default situation. When “New” button is

160
 not pressed down, the input column means the coordinate system to be moved, and also
means the coordinate system after moving, that is the coordinate system movement fore and
aft is the same name. When “New” button is pressed down, the input column is generated
automatically new coordinate system name by system (generated from small to large figure).
The input column supports mouse drag-in operation. It can put in the input column with
dragging coordinate system in coordinate system database to realize the input of coordinate
system.

 Migration parameter input field

You can input feature at the input column at leftmost end in input column of the field, then
input value at right input column, as shown in Figure 6-7. Input measurement feature in input
column of feature, and select controlling axis in drop-down selection box of axis, and then
input the feature in input column adjacent lower coordinate of the corresponding control axis
to control the direction of coordinate axis, if choosing one single axis, so it controls the axial
direction, not control coordinate origin, when choosing two axes, one value that input in
input column below the second axis is used to control the origin of coordinate.
 Function button
 New
Click the button and keep down state, and the system will input automatically new
coordinate system name in input column of coordinate system name. The name with red
asterisk means create newly coordinate system, such as , it means new
coordinate system, means the existing coordinate system.
 Preview
Click the button to observe whether the direction and origin of coordinates for creating
coordinate system are correct in view field, after clicking the button, the creating
coordinate system will flash a few times in view area.
 OK
Click the button, coordinate system will be generated and the window will be closed.
 Cancel
Click the button, and window will be closed without coordinate system generating.
6.5 Three-point offset coordinate system

ICON：

When three-point offset coordinate system tool “ ” is selected, the corresponding

window will pop up, as shown in Figure 6-8:

161
 Figure 6-8
 Coordinate system name input column

The input column is used to input the name of coordinate system to be created, or the name
of coordinate system to be moved (coordinate system name = prefix+Arabic numerals, for
modification of name prefix, please see the relevant contents in setting menu of system tool
menu), it is the current coordinate system name in default situation. When “New” button is
not pressed down, the input column means the coordinate system to be moved, and also
means the coordinate system after moving, that is the coordinate system movement fore and
aft is the same name. When “New” button is pressed down, the input column is generated
automatically new coordinate system name by system (generated from small to large figure).
The input column supports mouse drag-in operation. It can put in the input column with
dragging coordinate system in coordinate system database to realize the input of coordinate
system.

 Axial drop-down selection box

Click down arrow in drop-down selection box, and choose the axial to be controlled, such as
X axis, Y axis or Z axis. Normally, the selected axial direction can not cause huge deviation
with creating axial direction.

 Migration parameter input field

Input column at the left most end in input column of the field can input feature, then input the
value in input column at the right box, as shown in Figure 6-8. Input measurement feature in
feature input column, and input the feature in next to right input column, and control the
direction of coordinate system by the corresponding control axis.
 Update theoretical value
In the process of creation for coordinate system, each create window has
an update theoretical value check box, as shown at right figure. When checking the option,
the theoretical value in original coordinate system will update to new coordinate system.
That is to say, in the same graphic window, the location of theoretical value has changed, but
the numerical value of theoretical value in original coordinate system and new coordinate
162
 system remains unchanged.
 Function button
 New
Click the button and keep down state, then the system will input automatically new
coordinate system name in input column of coordinate system name. The name with red
asterisk means create newly coordinate system, such as , it means new
coordinate system, means the existing coordinate system.
 Preview
Click the button, it can observe whether the direction and origin of coordinates for
creating coordinate system are correct in view field, after clicking the button, the
creating coordinate system will flash a few times in view area.
 OK
Click the button, and coordinate system will be generated and the window will be
closed.
 Cancel
Click the button, the window will be closed without coordinate system generating.
6.6 Fitting coordinate system

ICON：

When fitting coordinate system tool is selected, corresponding window will pop up,
as shown in Figure 6-9:

Figure 6-9
 Coordinate system name input column

The input column is used to input the name of coordinate system to be created, or the name
of coordinate system to be moved (coordinate system name = prefix+Arabic numerals, for
modification of name prefix, please see the relevant contents in setting menu of system tool
menu), it is the current coordinate system name in default situation. When “New” button is
163
 not pressed down, the input column means the coordinate system to be moved, and also
means the coordinate system after moving, that is the coordinate system movement fore and
aft is the same name. When “New” button is pressed down, the input column is generated
automatically new coordinate system name by system (generated from small to large figure).
The input column supports mouse drag-in operation. It can put in the input column with
dragging coordinate system in coordinate system database to realize the input of coordinate
system.

 Iteration check box

Click the check box, it will switch between selection or no selection. When selected, it will
participate iteration calculation if having mathematical model, otherwise, only complete
one fitting calculation, it is mainly used to multipoint fitting coordinate.

 Fitting data input field

The field can input the feature that can participate fitting calculation, which normally are the
feature that can simplify as point, such as point, circle and sphere etc., at present, it just
accepts 3 point and 6 point fitting coordinate system operation; if no mathematical model
participate calculation, that is to say theoretical value can not obtain from mathematical
model, it only measures the feature that is to be used for fitting calculation firstly, then
completes the modification of theoretical value by using “editing theoretical value” function
in right click menu of feature database, or double clicks the feature that required to be
modified, and modifies theoretical feature value in data display field; another method is
defining theoretical value firstly, then conducting measurement, and then conducting fitting
coordinate system calculation to complete coordinate system creation.
 Update theoretical value
In the process of creation for coordinate system, each create window has
an update theoretical value check box, as shown at right figure. When the option is checked,
the theoretical value in original coordinate system will update to new coordinate system.
That is to say, in the same graphic window, the location of theoretical value has changed, but
the numerical value of theoretical value in original coordinate system and new coordinate
system remains unchanged.
 Function button
 Delete
Click the button, it will delete the selected data in fitting data field.
 Clear
Click the button, it will delete all data in fitting data field.
 New
Click the button and keep down state, then the system will input automatically new
coordinate system name in input column of coordinate system name. The name with red
asterisk means create newly coordinate system, such as , it means new
coordinate system, means the existing coordinate system.
164
  Preview
Click the button, it can observe whether the direction and origin of coordinates for
creating coordinate system are correct in view field, after clicking the button, the
creating coordinate system will flash a few times in view area.
 OK
Click the button, and coordinate system will be generated and the window will be
closed.
 Cancel
Click the button, the window will be closed without coordinate system generating.
6.7 Combination coordinate system

ICON：

When the tool combination coordinate system is selected, the corresponding window
will pop up, as shown in Figure 6-10:

Figure 6-10
 Coordinate system name input column

The input column is used to input the name of coordinate system to be created, or the name
of coordinate system to be moved (coordinate system name = prefix+Arabic numerals, for
modification of name prefix, please see the relevant contents in setting menu of system tool
menu), it is the current coordinate system name in default situation. When “New” button is
not pressed down, the input column means the coordinate system to be moved, and also
means the coordinate system after moving, that is the coordinate system movement fore and
aft is the same name. When “New” button is pressed down, the input column is generated
automatically new coordinate system name by system (generated from small to large figure).
The input column supports mouse drag-in operation. It can put in the input column with
dragging coordinate system in coordinate system database to realize the input of coordinate
system.

 Coordinate system input field

165
 The input of the field can participate the coordinate system of coordinate system combination.
From top to bottom, the first coordinate system is in accordance with coordinate system of
model itself. The second coordinate system is based on mathematical model to create, the
third coordinate system is based on workpiece to create. When coordinate system is created,
all creation methods can be used. After "Enter" is clicked, the relation of created coordinate
system and workpiece is in accordance with the relation of the first coordinate system and
mathematical model. So measured feature completes the unification of coordinate value in
the same coordinate system.
 Update theoretical value
In the process of creation for coordinate system, each create window has
an update theoretical value check box, as shown at right figure. When the option is checked,
the theoretical value in original coordinate system will update to new coordinate system.
That is to say, in the same graphic window, the location of theoretical value has changed, but
the numerical value of theoretical value in original coordinate system and new coordinate
system remains unchanged.
 Function button
 New
Click the button and keep down state, then the system will input automatically new
coordinate system name in input column of coordinate system name. The name with red
asterisk means create newly coordinate system, such as , it means new
coordinate system, means the existing coordinate system.
 Preview
Click the button, it can observe whether the direction and origin of coordinates for
creating coordinate system are correct in view field, after clicking the button, the
creating coordinate system will flash a few times in view area.
 OK
Click the button, coordinate system will be generated and the window will be closed.
 Cancel
Click the button, the window will be closed without coordinate system generating.
6.8 Creation process of coordinate system
In use of three-coordinates measuring equipment, coordinate system is the premise and base
of conducting machine auto-location and auto-measurement, and also it is the base of some
error evaluation. Users shall select appropriate coordinate system creation method according
to the characteristic of measured workpiece.
 The feature required for measuring and creating coordinate system;
 Control two directions of coordinate axis for coordinate system by using the
measured feature;
 Control origin of coordinates by using the measured feature.

166
Chapter VII. Tolerance Evaluation
VISUAL DMIS system supports 22 kinds of tolerance, and provides the corresponding tool
to conduct feature tolerance measurement, as shown in Figure 7-1:

Coordinat tolerance
Circular runout

Profile of Line
Concentricity
Straightness
Parallelism

Angularity

Circularity

Diameter
Distance

Position
Angle

Perpendicularity

Radius

Cone angle
Cylindericity

Width
Flatness

Symmetry
Total runout

Point profile tolerance

Profile of surface
Figure 7-1

Choose any tolerance label from tolerance tool field, it will pop tolerance window. VISUAL
tolerance includes twenty-two tolerance such as distance, angle, parallelism, perpendicularity and
angularity, each tolerance window may different, but inclues some basic feature, and provides 6
information or control item and 3 function buttons, as shown in Figure 7-2, and we are going to
introduce commonness part.

Figure 7-2
 Tolerance name input column
When tolerance window is opened, VISUAL DMIS will generate automatically a new
167
tolerance name. VISUAL DMIS will combine a non-existing tolerance name by using prefix and
increasing figure. (For modify tolerance prefix, please see setting part in 2.2.2). It is allowed to
input tolerance name by keyboard. It also can drag-and-drop tolerance into tolerance name input
column from tolerance data field. The tolerance name in the box will display the grey to indicate
the existing the tolerance. When tolerance type that dragged in is not accordance with window
display type, the window will change into the window with drag-in tolerance type, for example, if
the window that displayed currently is parallelism tolerance window, the system will switch
automatically to perpendicular tolerance window interface and display the relevant property of
perpendicular tolerance to be dragged.
 Evaluation feature input column
The input column displays the feature to be evaluated. The box allows to input feature name
by keyboard. It also can drag-and-drop feature to evaluation input column from feature data
field. Note that the area that tolerance window required input feature normally is input actual
value.
 Tolerance zone/tolerance input column
In the input column, it is required to input upper deviation and lower deviation requirement
range normally those indicate dimension and position; and it required to input single
tolerance zone for those indicate shape.
 Reference feature input column
Evaluation feature normally needs reference to conduct tolerance evaluation. The input
column is used to input the base feature.
 Length input column
The input column is used to determine the length of to be evaluated. When the check box is
selected in input column, user can modify the length, when the check box is not selected, the
length is default length of system.
 “Close after determination” check box
When the check box is selected, the window will not close automatically and still display the
window by clicking Enter button, otherwise, it will close automatically. The selection of
check box allows user to generate multi tolerance value without reopening the window.
 Function button
There are 3 function buttons for tolerance window, which are respectively definition button,
enter button and cancel button. We are going to introduce as follows:
 Definition
Theoretical tolerance is a group value that predefined, which is used to conduct
deviation decision with actual measurement value. Drag defined theoretical tolerance in
tolerance window from tolerance database when evaluation is required, which conduct
simplified operation. When the button is pressed down, tolerance with theoretical value
only will be generated.
 OK
When definition theoretical tolerance button is not selected, click the button, tolerance
will be generated, the tolerance includes theoretical tolerance and actual value, and
168
 theoretical tolerance is equal to actual measurement value under off-line condition.
When definition theoretical tolerance button is selected, click the button, tolerance
included theoretical value only will be generated.
 Cancel
Click the button, operation will be ignored, and tolerance window will be closed.
 Tolerance property field
It is display the tolerance property that tolerance name input box represented. According to
the difference of tolerance type, the field may have something changed, but most part
tolerance windows include actual display box, deviation display box and result display box.
 Actual display box
It displays actual measurement value.
 Deviation display box
It displays the difference value of actual measurement value and theoretical value.
 Result display box
It displays whether actual deviation value is in required range. It will display INTOL in
required range, otherwise, it will display OUTOL.
7.1 Distance

ICON：
Distance tolerance means the distance between two features. It has different values when
distance along different direction to evaluation. Some feature size has maximum value,
minimum value and average value etc (such as circle).

Click the tool “Distance” , distance window will pop up, as shown in Figure 7-3. The
section introduces some contents of distance window. For other parts of window, please see
the commonness contents of tolerance tool field in the chapter.

169
 Distance
measurement
tool

Figure 7-3

 Feature input field

It is used to input the feature of calculation distance, and drag the feature
to be evaluated into feature 1, feature 2 input column respectively from
feature database.
 Evaluation mode selection box
Drop-down box is used to determine how to conduct distance calculation, and the drop-down
box has 7 options, as shown in right figure: the calculation of distance is divided into along
axis, along plane and along space by the drop-down box. It is described as follows:
 X axis: in current coordinate system, calculate the straight distance of two features along
X axis direction.
 Y axis: in current coordinate system, calculate the straight distance of two features along
Y axis direction.
 Z axis: in current coordinate system, calculate the straight distance of two features along
Z axis direction.
 Point to point: in current coordinate system, calculate the straight distance of space for
two features.
 XY plane: in current coordinate system, calculate the straight distance after two features
projected in XY plane direction.
170
  YZ plane: in current coordinate system, calculate the straight distance after two features
projected in YZ plane direction.
 ZX plane: in current coordinate system, calculate the straight distance after two features
projected in ZX plane direction.
 Type drop-down box
The drop-down box is also used to determine how to calculate distance,
some geometrical feature has size, such as length, width and radius etc.,
this exists the problem that which part to be calculated when calculating.
For example, the distance between circle and circle, which divide into the distance from point
to circle, the distance from point to circle border. The distance from point to circle border can
be divided into the maximum distance and minimum distance. So the calculation of distance
is divided into access point. The option of drag-down box is shown in right figure, totally
four options.
 NONE: generally, select the option for distance calculation between feature without
dimension (feature self). For example, the calculation between point and point. When
the feature calculated has size, the feature with size is normally regarded as the point
represented particle when selecting the option.
 Average: it is generally used to calculate the distance between particle of feature, and it
can exchange with NONE option under normal condition.
 Maximum: calculate the maximum distance between two features. The calculation point
selected may be boundary point or particle of feature, and the maximum distance is
unique in space, otherwise, it can not calculate.
 Minimum: calculate the minimum distance between two features. The calculation point
selected may be boundary point or particle of feature, and minimum distance is unique
in space, otherwise, it can not calculate.
 Distance measuring tool field
The tool provided by using tool field can measure quickly geometrical feature and calculate

distance. Geometric figure in the tool indicates which two features to measure. Such as ,
which indicate that the tool is used to measure point and straight line. Click the tool, it will
pop tolerance measurement window, and return back to tolerance evaluation window after
completing measurement. The system will fill in the contents of feature input field in
tolerance window according to measurement feature. The tool field has totally 10 tools.
 Tolerance measurement window, as shown in Figure 7-4:

171
 Feature
list field

Graphic
display
field

Figure 7-4
 Feature measurement field
For the part, please see the relevant contents of measurement in Chapter III. Feature
measurement area will change according to graphic display field. For example, when
point feature is measured, measurement feature tool field will display point
measurement window.
 Picture display field
The field prompts user that which feature will be measured by flashing feature label,
and the contents of feature measurement area will change accordingly according to the
type of measurement feature. For example, for displaying the measuring line feature,
feature measurement area will display the contents of line measurement window. The
measured feature will be displayed as purple, and unmeasured feature will be displayed
as green. The area supports mouse dragging operation to drag the existing feature from
feature database.
 Function button
 Enter: the button is not operable before all required measurement features are
measured. Click the button under operable condition, and coordinate system
window interface will be automatically returned back.
172
  Cancel: click the button to exit the window and return back to initial window
interface, and your operation does not work.
 Delete: the button is operable when there is feature in feature list box. Click the
button to delete the selected feature in feature list box.
 Feature list field
When one feature is measured, the system will add to the list box. The list box defines
the input field of tolerance feature after returning to the tolerance window.
 Self-determining check box
When the box is selected, it will close the measurement window and automatically
return back to tolerance window after completing all designated feature measurement.
When the box has not selected, it will not automatically return back to tolerance window
after completing all designated feature.
7.2 Angle

ICON：
Angle tolerance means the evaluation of angle for two features.

Click the tool “Intersection angle” , intersection angle window will pop up, as shown
in Figure 7-5. The section introduces some contents of intersection angle window, for other
parts of window, please see the contents of construction tool field in 2.3.2.

Angle
measurement
tool

Figure 7-5
 Feature input field
It is used to determine the feature of calculating angle, which can
accept drag-in by mouse from feature database.
173
  Feature 2 mode selection box
It is used to determine to how to calculate the feature type of angle, the drag-down box
has totally seven options, as shown in figure at the right:
The drag-down box has seven options totally, as shown in right figure:
 Feature: calculate the angle between feature by the feature in feature input column
2 and feature 1.
 X axis X: the angle between feature 1 and X axis.
 Y axis Y: the angle between feature 1 and Y axis.
 Z axis Z: the angle between feature 1 and Z axis.
 XY plane XY: the angle between feature 1 and XY plane.
 YZ plane YZ: the angle between feature 1 and YZ plane.
 ZX plane ZX: the angle between feature 1 and ZX plane.
 Angle measurement tool field
The tool provided by the tool field can measure quickly geometrical feature and
calculate distance. Geometric figure in the tool indicates which two features to measure.

Such as , which indicate that the tool is used to calculate the angle between
straight line and straight line. Click the tool, it will pop tolerance measurement window.
Return back to tolerance evaluation window after completing measurement. The
system will fill in the contents of feature input field in tolerance window according to
measurement feature. The tool field has totally 7 tools.
 Tolerance measurement window
Please see the introduction of tolerance measurement window in “Distance” tolerance
in section 7.1.
7.3 Parallelism

ICON：
Parallelism tolerance means that feature evaluated is parallel to reference maximum
variation range. Note that point set feature has no parallelism.

Click parallelism tool, parallelism window will pop up, as shown in Figure 7-6. The
section introduces some contents of parallelism window. For other parts of window, please
see the relevant contents of tolerance tool field in the chapter.

174
 Figure 7-6
 Feature input column
It is used to input the feature to be evaluated.
 Reference feature input column
It is used to input the base feature for parallelism evaluation.
 Length input column
It is used to determine the length to be evaluated. Evaluate parallelism by designated
length of evaluated feature. When the box in input box is selected, user can edit the
length. When it is not selected, the length is the size or length of evaluated feature.
 Tolerance input column
It is used to input the tolerance range of feature to be evaluated.
7.4 Perpendicularity

ICON：
Perpendicularity tolerance means that the maximum variation amount that the feature to be
evaluated is perpendicular to reference.

Click the tool “Perpendicularity” ,and perpendicularity window will pop up, as shown
in Figure 7-7. The section introduces some contents of perpendicularity window. For other
parts of window, please see the relevant contents of tolerance tool field in the Chapter.

Figure 7-7
175
  Feature input column
It is used to input the feature to be evaluated.
 Reference feature input column
It is used to input the base feature of perpendicularity evaluation.
 Length input column
It is used to the size or length of feature to be evaluated. Evaluate perpendicularity by
designated length of evaluated feature. When the box in input box is selected, user can
edit the length. When it is not selected, the length is the size or length of evaluated
feature.
 Tolerance input column
It is used to input the tolerance range of feature to be evaluated.
7.5 Angularity

ICON：
Angularity tolerance means field variation amount between two parallel planes that the
distance is tolerance value and form a given angle with base feature.

Click the tool “Angularity” , and angularity window will pop up, as shown in Figure
7-8. The section introduces some contents of angularity window. For other parts of window,
please see the contents of construction tool field in 2.4.2.

Figure 7-8
 Feature input column
It is used to input the feature to be evaluated.
 Reference feature input column
It is used to input feature served as reference.
 Length input column
It is used to determine the size or length of feature to be evaluated. When the box in
input column is selected, user can edit. When it is not selected, the length is the length
that the system specified.
 Angle input column

176
 It is used to input the theoretical angle that feature evaluated with respect to reference.
 Tolerance input column
It is used to input the tolerance range of feature to be evaluated.
7.6 Straightness

ICON：
Straightness tolerance means the maximum variation amount in designated direction of each
point on actual line to be measured for center straight line. It is only limited to line feature
in VISUAL DMIS.

Click the tool “Straightness” , and straightness window will pop up, as shown in
Figure 7-9. The section introduces some contents of straightness window. For other parts of
window, please see the relevant contents of tolerance tool field in the chapter.

Figure 7-9
 Feature input column
It is used to input the feature to be evaluated.
7.7 Planeness

ICON：
Planeness tolerance means the maximum variation amount that in designated direction of
each point on actual surface to be measured for center straight line. The object of planeness
typically involves plane feature.

Click the tool “Planeness” , and planeness window will pop up, as shown in Figure
7-10. The section introduces some contents of planeness window. For other parts of window,
please see the relevant contents of tolerance tool field in the chapter.

177
 Figure 7-10
 Feature input column
It is used to input the feature to be evaluated.
 Tolerance input column
It is used to input tolerance range of the feature to be evaluated.
7.8 Circularity

ICON：
Circularity tolerance means the minimum radius difference of a group of concentric circle
enveloped. The distance includes all actual measurement points of feature. It is only limited
to circle feature in VISUAL DMIS.

Click the tool “Circularity” , and circularity window will pop up, as shown in Figure
7-11. It introduces some contents of circularity window. For other parts of window, please
see the relevant contents of tolerance tool field in the chapter.

Figure 7-11
 Feature input column
It is used to input the feature to be evaluated.
 Tolerance input column
It is used to input the tolerance range of feature to be evaluated.
7.9 Cylindricity

178
 ICON：
Cylindricity tolerance means the minimum field that included in a group coaxial cylinder
plane, the group of coaxial cylinder plane includes each measurement point on the actual
plane to be measured. It is only limited to cylinder feature in VISUAL DMIS.

Click the tool “Cylindricity” , and cylindricity window will pop up, as shown in
Figure 7-12. The section introduces some contents of cylindricity window. For other parts of
window, please see the relevant contents of tolerance tool field in the chapter.

Figure 7-12
 Feature input column
It is used to input the feature to be evaluated.
 Tolerance input column
It is used to input the tolerance range of feature to be evaluated.
7.10 Radius

ICON：
Radius tolerance means the difference value between theoretical value and measurement
value of feature with radius property. In VISUAL DMIS, the features with radius property
have circle feature, sphere feature and cylinder feature.

Click the tool “Radius” , and radius error evaluation window will pop up, as shown in
Figure 7-13. The section introduces some contents of radius window. For other parts of
window, please see the relevant contents of tolerance tool field in the chapter.

179
 Figure 7-13
 Feature input column
It is used to input the feature to be evaluated.
7.11 Diameter

ICON：
Diameter tolerance means the differential value of theoretical value and measurement value
for feature with diameter property. In VISUAL DMIS, the features of radius property are
circle feature, sphere feature and cylinder feature.

Click the tool “Diameter” , and diameter window will pop up, as shown in Figure 7-14.
The section introduces some contents of diameter window. For other parts of window,
please see the relevant content of tolerance tool field in the chapter.

Figure 7-14
 Feature input column

180
 It is used to input the feature to be evaluated.
7.12 Cone angle

ICON：
one angle tolerance means the difference value of actual value and theoretical value for circle
cone feature.

Click the tool cone angle ,and cone angle deviation evaluation window will pop up, as
shown in Figure 7-15, the section introduces some contents of cone angle window. For other
parts of window, please see the relevant contents of tolerance tool field in the chapter.

Figure 7-15
 Feature input column
It is used to input the feature to be evaluated.
7.13 Coordinate system tolerance

ICON：
Coordinate system tolerance means the difference of theoretical value and actual value for
feature to be measured in current coordinate system.

Click the tool “Coordinate system” , and coordinate system window will pop up, as
shown in Figure 7-16. The section introduces some contents of coordinate system window.
For other parts of window, please see the relevant window of tolerance tool field in the
chapter.

181
 Figure 7-16

 Feature input column

It is used to input the feature to be evaluated.
 Type drop-down box
It is used to determine the direction of calculation. The drag-down box includes 5
options, as shown in right figure:
7.14 Circle run-out

ICON：
Circle run-out tolerance means the maximum variation amount of feature to be measured
rotating a circle in any measurement plane on the premise of which is no axial movement.
In VISUAL DIMS system, circle run-out is for circle feature, that is to say, calculate
variation amount of circle in measurement plane that circle located by taking the reference
axis determined by reference feature.

Click the tool “Circle run-out” , and circle run-out window will pop up, as shown in
Figure 7-17. The section introduces some contents of circle run-out window. For other parts
of window, please see the relevant window of tolerance tool field in the chapter.

182
 Figure 7-17
 Feature input column
It is used to input the feature to be evaluated.
 Reference feature input column
It is used to input the base feature that conduct circle run-out evaluation.
7.15 Full run-out

ICON：
Full run-out tolerance means that the maximum variation amount of feature to be measured
in the whole surface that rotates around reference axis on the premise of which is no axial
movement. Full run-out aims at cylinder feature in VISUAL DIMS system, that is to say
reference axis determined by reference feature calculates the maximum variation amount of
cylinder surface.

Click the tool “Full run-out” , and full run-out window will pop up, as shown in
Figure 7-18. The section introduces some contents of full run-out window. For other parts of
window, please see the relevant contents of tolerance tool field in the chapter.

Figure 7-18
 Feature input column
It is used to input the feature to be evaluated.
 Reference feature input column
183
 It is used to input base feature of full run-out evaluation.
7.16 Coaxiality (concentricity)

ICON：
Coaxiality (concentricity) tolerance means that calculate the maximum change amount of all
measurement points and reference axis or reference centre point according to reference axis
or reference centre point determined by one base feature. In VISUAL DIMS, coaxiality
means cylinder feature and circular cone; concentricity means circle feature. So it calculates
coaxiality when inputting cylinder feature or circular feature in input column of coaxiality
window; and it calculates concentricity when inputting circle in feature input column.

Click the tool “Coaxiality” (concentricity) ,and coaxiality window will pop up, as
shown in Figure 7-19. The section introduces some contents of coaxiality window. For other
parts of window, please see the relevant contents of tolerance tool field in the chapter.

Figure 7-19
 Feature input column
It is used to input the feature to be evaluated. When input feature is cylinder or circle
cone feature, coaxiality is obtained; when input feature is circle feature, concentricity is
obtained.
 Reference feature input column
It is used to input the base feature of coaxiality evaluation. When coaxiality is
evaluated, base feature must be cylinder feature; when concentricity is evaluated, base
feature must be circle feature.
7.17 Symmetry

ICON：
Symmetry tolerance means symmetry condition for two feature to be measured with respect
to reference central plane. It is suggested that point, line and plane feature are feature to be
evaluated, and reference feature is line or plane feature in the current version of VISUAL
DIMS.

Click the tool “Symmetry” , and symmetry window will pop up, as shown in Figure

184
 7-20. The section introduces some contents of symmetry window. For other parts of window,
please see the relevant contents of tolerance tool field in the chapter.

Figure 7-20
 Feature input field
It is used to input the feature 1 and feature 2 to be evaluated.
 Reference type drag-down box
It is used to determine that what object to refer to calculate
symmetry. It provides 7 options in VISUAL DIMS, as shown in
right figure:
 Feature: take a certain geometrical feature dragged as
symmetrical reference.
 X axis X: it determines symmetrical reference by X axis.
 Y axis Y: it determines symmetrical reference by Y axis.
 Z axis Z: it determines symmetrical reference by Z axis.
 XY plane XY: it determines symmetrical reference by XY plane.
 YZ plane YZ: it determines symmetrical reference by YZ plane.
 ZX plane ZX: it determines symmetrical reference by ZX plane.
7.18 Width (length)

ICON：

Width (length) tolerance means the difference between theoretical value and actual value of
geometrical feature with width or length property. The current version only limits key slot
feature in VISUAL DIMAS.

Click the tool “Width” (length) , and width window will pop up, as shown in Figure
7-21. The section introduces some contents of width window. For other parts of window,
please see the relevant contents of tolerance tool field in the chapter.

185
 Figure 7-21
 Feature input column
It is used to the feature to be evaluated.

 Type drag-down box

It is used to determine the type of calculation. The drag-down box
includes 2 options, as shown in right figure:
7.19 Displacement

ICON：
Displacement tolerance means the difference value between actual positional value and
theoretical value position of feature to be measured in reference plane or three reference
plane system. Displacement is only limited to circle feature and cylinder feature.

Click the tool “Displacement” ,and displacement window will pop up, as shown in
Figure 7-22. The section introduces some contents of displacement window. For other parts
of window, please see the relevant contents of tolerance tool field in the chapter.

186
 Figure 7-22
 Feature input column
It is used to input the feature to be evaluated.
 Type drop-down box
It is used to determine calculation type, and the drop-down box
has two options, as shown in right figure: two dimensions are
limited to circle feature evaluation, and three dimensions are limited to cylinder feature
evaluation.
 Base feature input field
It determines base feature. It determines error evaluation direction by reference feature.
For 2D, two reference features are plane features. For 3D, three reference features
system is determined by reference feature plane. Generally speaking, in the process of
measurement for one workpiece, create workpiece coordinate system in most cases,
and the feature that creating coordinate system required is the reference feature for
displacement evaluation. Therefore, in most cases, it does not have to input reference
feature in the input column. If no creating workpiece coordinate system in the process
of measurement, it can consider to drag in reference feature right now.
7.20 Point profile tolerance

ICON：
Point profile tolerance means the difference value between actual positional value and
theoretical value position. Point profile tolerance mainly for point feature.

Click the tool “Point profile tolerance” , and point profile tolerance window will pop
up, as shown in Figure 7-23. The section introduces some contents of point profile tolerance
window. For other parts of window, please see the relevant contents of tolerance tool field in
the chapter.

Figure 7-23
 Feature input column

187
 It is used to input the feature to be evaluated.
7.21 Line profile tolerance

ICON：
Line profile tolerance means the difference between actual shape and theoretical shape of
the feature to be measured. With the development of the computer technology, computer is
fully applied in design, manufacture and measurement fields, especially three-dimensional
mathematical model has developed rapidly in the aspect, the acquisition for theoretical line
is easier than before, so it makes possible for measurement of line profile in real
measurement.

Click the tool “Line profile tolerance” , and line profile tolerance window will pop up,
as shown in Figure 7-24. The section introduces some contents of line profile tolerance
window. For other parts of window, please see the relevant contents of tolerance tool field in
the chapter.

Figure 7-24
 Feature input column
It is used to input the feature to be evaluated.
 Type drop-down box
It is used to determine calculation type, the drag-down box has four
options, as shown in right figure: the shape of theoretical curve may
same with actual curve, but the position may misalign or rotate in the
plane that placed, resulting in line profile tolerance error is greater, type selective
options that provided here can reduce greater error value condition caused by position
or angle difference.
7.22 Surface profile tolerance

ICON：
Plane profile tolerance means the difference between actual shape and theoretical shape of
the feature to be measured. With the development of the computer technology, computer is

188
 fully applied in design, manufacture and measurement fields, especially three-dimensional
mathematical model has developed rapidly in the aspect, the acquisition for theoretical
plane is easier than before, so it makes possible for measurement of plane profile in real
measurement.

Click the tool “Plane profile tolerance” , and plane profile tolerance window will pop
up, as shown in Figure 7-25. The section introduces some contents of plane profile tolerance
window. For other parts of window, please see the relevant contents of tolerance tool field in
the chapter.

Figure 7-25
 Feature input column
It is used to input the feature to be evaluated.
7.23 How to conduct tolerance evaluation
 Firstly, measure the feature required to evaluate. If it is required reference feature,
obtain it is required also by measurement or creation;
 Drag evaluation object in feature input column, if necessary, drag reference feature in
reference feature input column;
 Input tolerance zone or input upper deviation and lower deviation in upper and lower
tolerance box, and upper and lower deviation signs are inputted as requirement, that is
to say, there is no need to input “+” for positive deviation, and input “-” in front of
number for negative deviation.
 Click “OK” to generate required tolerance evaluation. If check item “Output in error
evaluation” of check item “Setting\System Setting\Output\Equipment Output”, the
result for tolerance evaluation is not only save in tolerance database, but also output in
report.

189
Chapter VIII Repot Output Toolbar
8.1 Report window

Report
heading

Report
subject

Figure 8-1
 Toolbar

Except graphic button , other tools are introduced in the section of

database output field toolbar. Switch tool is used to switch report or graph in graphic

area. Click respectively button or button, graphic

operation area will switch between graphic window and report window.
 Report heading
It is used to display relevant information of report, including title, company name,
operator, data etc., and all edit bars can be double clicked to edit-modify.
 Report subject
Subject is composed of each feature table, for introduction of table, see the display
field in Figure 8-1. Table heading includes relevant property of feature. It is shown in
figure as follows:

8.2 Report toolbar

Report toolbar is shown in Figure 8-2:

Figure 8-2

 Report

The button is used to display report window. When report window is not opened, click

190
 the tool to switch to report window, and the window will replace graphic operation
field.

 Open

The button is used to open saved output document, and display the relevant data in
data output display field. The document that saved as default format of measurement
software can open, edit or print in the window.

 Save

The button is used to save the data in data output display field, and generate document.
When saving at the first time, it will pop “Save as” dialog box, and if saving again,
there is no any indication.

 Save as

The button is used to save the rename of data in data output display field, pop “Save
as” dialog box, and generate document.

 Close

Click the button, it can clear the data in data display field and save document
information.

 Setting

Click the button, and the following dialog box will pop up, as shown in Figure 8-3, it
can set for report output form.

191
 Figure 8-3

 Delete

Click the button to delete the data selected in data output display field.

 Delete all

Click the button, all data in data output display field can be cleared.

 Select all

Click the button, all data in data display field can be selected.

 Search

Click the button, the data in data output display area can be searched, then dialog box
will pop up as shown in Figure 8-4:

Figure 8-4

 Add text

Click the button, and text at tail of data output display field can be added, as shown the
192
 last line in Figure 8-5:

Figure 8-5

 Insert image

Click the button, image that user required in the tail of data output display field can be
inserted, such as graphic report.

 Property

Click the button, data contents in data output display field can be set, and operation
window is shown in Figure 8-6. Select the required output according to customer needs,

enter button means taking effective for current feature, enter

button means playing a part for the same type feature, such as circle feature in all data
output display field.

Figure 8-6

 Text output

Click the button in report window, and setting window as shown in Figure 8-7 will pop
up. It can appoint output path, document name and output document format. When
"Output" button is selected, it will generate the document by format and save location
of settings. When selecting "Cancel" button, the window will disappear. For text
storage path, please see the relevant parts of settings in 2.2.2.

193
 Figure 8-7

 Word output

The button makes measurement data output report as Word format. Click the tool, the
dialog box that similar to “Text output” will pop up, and can appoint output path,
document name and output document format. When "Output" button is selected, it will
generate the document by format and save location of settings. For text storage path,
please see the relevant parts of settings in 2.2.2.

 Excel output

The button makes measurement data output report as Excel format. Click the tool, the
dialog box that similar to “Text output” will pop up, and can appoint output path,
document name and output document format. When "Output" button is selected, it will
generate the document by format and save location of settings. For text storage path,
please see the relevant parts of settings in 2.2.2.

 Web page output

The button makes measurement data output report as html format. Click the tool, the
dialog box that similar to “Text output” will pop up, and can appoint output path,
document name and output document format. When "Output" button is selected, it will
generate the document as format and save location of settings. For text storage path,
please see the relevant parts of settings in 2.2.2.

 Print

The button is used to print the contents of display field.

 Right button shortcut menu
Click the right button of mouse in report area, it will pop
right button shortcut menu, which is shown in right figure:
the menu includes seven options, and for the functions,
please refer to the corresponding function in "8.2
Report toolbar".
8.3 Data output
Drag directly the feature that required to output in feature database into report window; the
194
 characteristic of other database can drag into report window directly, and complete data
output, as shown in Figure 8-8:

Figure 8-8
8.4 Graphic report output

When outputting graphic report, click graphic label firstly, switch report

window to graphic window, then click tool button switch at top-side next to graphic

window. The label has changed as in right figure: , and the

background color has changed.

 Close graphic repot

Click the button, graphic window recovers original background, and toolbar

turns into , which can not conduct graphic report treatment.

195
 Picture report property
Click the button, and graphic report dialog box will pop up, as shown in Figure 8-9:

Figure 8-9
In the dialog box, select the check box that required to display, and set display precision and
background color. After setting is completed, the feature dragged in graphic report window
will display feature parameter as item setting up, and it can adjust the position of feature
label, as shown in Figure 8-10.

196
 Figure 8-10

 Save picture report

Click the button, and “Save as” dialog box will pop up after completing operation in output
graphic interface according to indication, Hereon graphic report can be saved in form of
picture, as shown in Figure 8-10.

 Output picture report

Click the button, the picture in Figure 8-10 will be saved in default report window, and
outputted with report together after completing operation in output graphic interface
according to indication

 Permutation picture report

Click the button, feature labels arrange automatically prior to periphery, and then finely
adjust manually. It can improve work efficiency under more feature output condition.
8.5 Feature error analysis output
For feature error analysis output, please see “Display\feature processor” in 2.2.3 of Chapter
II.

197
Chapter IX DMIS Self-Learning Function Application
It can complete DMIS program creation effectively by using Visual DMIS self-learning
function for the measurement of workpiece or batch workpiece that can not complete
manually. DMIS editor window is shown as Figure 9-1 . The following introduces DMIS
program edit toolbar firstly, and then introduces creation process of measurement
program.

Program
operation, debug
toolbar

DMIS
program
display field

Program edit
toolbar

Figure 9-1

9.1 DMIS program edit toolbar

Click the label at the top right corner on the measurement software interface,
198
and the label has changed as right figure , which means in self-learning state

right now. Click the label button at most left side of graphic window toolbar to open

DMIS edit/operation window. Display and hide button to display and hide
program toolbar and DMIS program display field. The program edit toolbar is shown in the
following Figure 9-2.

Program mode
Set current working
plane
Move to designated
position d position
Delete current DMIS
program
Object definition statement
Feature measurement
Object output statement statement

Add/insert mode

Figure 9-2

 Program mode

Pop-up cascading menu is shown three modes in right figure, which is used to control
the operation mode of machine. It is described as follows:
 AUTO, PROG,MAN: complete internal
positioning movement of measurement and
measurement block according to internal definition
of measurement software.
 PROG,MAN: complete measurement and positioning movement according to
actual measurement point and setting positioning point of programming personnel
in the process of self-learning.
 MAN: customer controls the machine by using operating handle to complete
measurement and positioning movement;
MODE/AUTO,PROG, MAN
When selecting AUTO,PROG,MAN, it generates the following statement in DMIS
window:

199
 Set current working plane

WKPLAN/XYPLAN
Pop-up cascading menu, such as three reference planes at right figure, is used for
compensation calculation of sensor when two dimension
measurement measuring, that is to say, take selected working
plane as compensation calculation direction, and generate the
statement in DMIS window. When XY plane is selected, it
will generate the following statement:

 Move to designated position

GOTO/400.2334,300.7580,234.375
Function button generates positioning statement of DMIS. Move the machine to a
certain required position, and click the button, statement will be generated in DMIS
window:

 Delete the current DMIS program

Function button clears all DMIS statement in DMIS window.

 Object definition statement

F(point_51)=FEAT/POINT,CART,-32.4876,-332.4714,-11.6500,$-0.8778,0.4791,0.088
9
Accept the label. In DMIS standard, feature has to be defined, and then measured. Drag
the feature in database to “feature definition” label, and the software will generate
DMIS program statement that feature defined in DMIS program window. Such as point
definition statement:

 Object output statement

OUTPUT/FA(point_51)
Accept the label. Drag the feature in database to “feature definition” label, and the
software will generate DMIS program statement that feature defined in DMIS program
window. Such as point feature output statement:
MEAS/CIRCLE,F(CR2),4
ENDMES
Accept the label. Drag the feature in database to “feature definition” label, and the
software will generate DMIS program statement that feature defined in DMIS program
window. Such as circle feature measurement statement:
Measurement statement here is measurement statement that can operate in automation
mode, if operating in program mode, the program will report error, and prompt no
measurement point.

 Add/insert mode
200
 Switch button switches between down and release. It is in down state by default. When
it is in down state, the generated DMIS program will be added to program end; when it
is in releasing state, insert new generated DMIS program statement in the next line
that the current cursor located.
9.2 Measurement procedure
When inspecting workpiece by using coordinate measuring machine, firstly inspect whether
external environment meets requirement, such as air pressure of compressed air, voltage of
machine reaches to requirement or not; secondly, the machine homing, check the function of
controller, handing shank is normal or not, such as the rotation of automatic measuring head,
probe are normal or not. It enters into measurement process of workpiece measurement after
end. It introduces the process of measurement as follows:
 Determine measurement scheme according to workpiece and drawing, including the
selection of probe, clamping and fastening of workpiece, and make sure no sway and
no deformation, remove burr and oil stain that affect measurement result of workpiece
surface.
 Assembly and verification of probe: complete probe assembly according to
measurement scheme, and define the angle of measuring head during measurement and
verify the measuring head;
 Install workpiece to make sure the measurement range meet requirement after
measuring head rotates. It can not appear overrun phenomenon, besides, the placement
for workpiece is in accordance with measuring head direction as soon as possible to
collision phenomenon between probe and workpiece during measurement, which cause
abnormal measurement data or error;

 Click the label at top right corner at measurement software interface, then

switch to self-learning open mode . Click mode button in DMIS edit

toolbar, select manual mode, and then pop the following program head, feature
measurement for preparing to create coordinate system (note that measurement
parameter has to be set properly)
$$************************************************
$$ Visual DMIS
$$************************************************
DMISMN/'Visual DMIS build program','04.0'
UNITS/MM,ANGDEC $$ Service data unit
WKPLAN/XYPLAN $$ Working plane
MODE/AUTO,PROG,MAN $$ Working mode
FLY/ON $$ Fight mode: ON
PRCOMP/ON $$ Probe compensation: ON
GECOMP/ON $$ Geometrical compensation: ON
TECOMP/OFF $$ Temperature compensation: ON
GEOALG/CIRCLE,LSTSQR $$ Circle algorithm: least square
method

201
 FEDRAT/POSVEL,MMPS,73 $$ Positioning speed
FEDRAT/MESVEL,MMPS,6 $$ Measuring speed
SNSET/APPRCH,5 $$ Approach distance
SNSET/SEARCH,12 $$ Search distance
SNSET/DEPTH,3 $$ Measuring depth
SNSET/CLRSRF,20 $$ Safe distance
DID(REPORT)=DEVICE/STOR,$
'F:\visual\sheji4\VismsTmp.vsrpt'
$$ Definition equipment
OPEN/DID(REPORT),FDATA,V(FORMAT2),OUTPUT,APPEND
$$ Open equipment, when data is
outputted, add at the end of
document
RECALL/D(MCS) $$ Call the coordinate system of
machine
SNSLCT/S(SN15) $$ Call defined sensor
$$********************************************
$$ Above are program head
auto-generated after mode selection.
MODE/MAN $$ Operation mode that user set
 Measure the required feature when creating coordinate system, and create coordinate
system by using feature or “321 create coordinate system” to create coordinate system;
 For changing the operation mode for machine, such as program mode, firstly, move the
machine to a safe position, and make sure operate safely, then set measurement
parameter, measurement feature of measurement feature. Pay attention to add locating
point when measuring feature to ensure the machine operate safely. Complete feature
measurement as build blocks form, at last move the machine to safe position, all these
operations will generate DMIS statement;
 After measuring the required feature, complete tolerance evaluation according to
drawing requirement. The process will be automatically recorded in program window,
and outputted to output report window;
 Close self-learning function, and operate written program, and verify validity of the
program. Except that it required to measure manually the feature for creating
coordinate system, the machine will automatically complete other actions, note that the
order for measuring feature manually has to in accordance with creating program.
When verifying, the speed of machine can not too high, and pay attention to the usage
of speed knob and stop on the hand shank to ensure machine operate safely.
9.3 Program run, debugging toolbar
The toolbar is used to realize the access, debugging function of program. The function of
each tool button is described as follows:

 Open

It is used to load a DMIS program. Click the tool, it will pop the document. Open dialog
202
 box window, and select DMIS program to load in the window, and open in edit window.

 Save

It is used to save the DMIS program in DMIS program display field. Click the tool, and
document saving window will pop up to save the document.

 Edit program

It is used to edit DMIS program. Click the tool, the label is in down state, so the
program statement in program display field can be edited. It is shown in Figure 9-3, the
edit window is same with general text edit window, but it will not introduce here. The
tools in edit window have introduced in other parts of the section.

Figure 9-3

 Operation

It is used to operate DMIS program. Click the button, the program in display field will
be operated, which start from the position of yellow arrow indication line No.

 Operation in the block

Click the button, the program will run program block part from the initial position of the
defined block until block end.
One thing to note: the sensor, operation mode, approach, backspacing etc. that program
operation used must correct and effective, otherwise, it exists error in operation process.
It would be best to include relevant statement in defined program block.

203
 Single step run

It is a statement of program in operation display field. Click the tool, each statement in
program display field will be executed to search the error statement during operation.

 Stop or

In program operation period, the tool button lights up, click the button to stop the
running program.

 Pause

In program operation period, the tool button lights up, click the button to pause the
running program.

 Breaking point

It required suspended program position when setting program operation.

 Clear breaking point

Clear all setting program point.

 Booktag

It is used to set the breaking point of read or edit.

 Previous booktag

Cursor jumps to the last booktag position.

 Back booktag

Cursor jumps to the next booktag position.

 Booktag clear

Clear the booktags that all program set.

 Display and hide

It is used to display or hide DMIS operation, edit window.

 Definition program block

Select a section of program by mouse, then click definition program block button
to define as program block, and ground color turns into yellow from color prime white,
as shown in Figure 9-4:
204
 Figure 9-4

 Delete defined program block

Click directly the button, defined program block is cancelled, and ground color is
recovered.
9.4 Right click menu
Click the right mouse button in DMIS program field, and different menu functions as

different states for edit button of program will pop up. The detailed descriptions are as
follows:

 When it is in releasing state, the menu as shown in Figure 9-5 will pop up, except three
options such as Save as, Close option, other options function are the same with program
execution, debug toolbar function.
 Save as
Save the current DMIS program, then select the option, and “Save as” window will pop
up. When you don’t want to change original program, you can create a new document
by using the option.
 Clear program
Clear the program of current program area, the function is in accordance with clear
function in the program edit toolbar.

205
 Figure 9-5 Figure 9-6
 When it is in down state, and the menu as shown in Figure 9-6 will pop up, the function
is in accordance with regular text operation. It only introduces two menu items here:

 Annotation

Click the line that intend to annotate by left mouse button, or select multi-lines by

mouse, then click annotation button , two $$ symbols before original program

statement are appeared, and the program statement will not be executed. It also can
explain by program to read and understand.

 Cancel annotation

Select annotated DMIS program statement line, and click the option, annotation
mark $$ will disappear before selecting statement, and the line statement will be
executed when the grogram operating.

206