#### Custom Probe Builder Utility - CAD Components Tab

Custom Probe Builder Utility dialog box - CAD Components tab

Once a file has been opened or created, the individual tabs become active and the user will then be able to interact with the model and define connection points for other probe components.

The Master Connection section defines what the item can connect to. The supported connection types are shown below.

Custom Probe Builder Utility dialog box - CAD Components tab Master Connection Types menu

The image in the graphics area can be zoomed and rotated similar to the PC-DMIS graphics window area. The sliders along the bottom and left of the graphic window allows the model to be manipulated.

Other options:

- Import... - The Import button allows the user to import most of the formats PC-DMIS allows from the local or network drive location into the part program. Allowed file types are shown below.

- Clear - The Clear button will clear any unsaved work and the user can begin work on another item.

- Save IGES - The Save IGES button allows the user to save the imported model out to an IGES file. A standard save dialog will be displayed allowing the use to specify a name and location.

- Save - The Save button will write out what work the user has to the custom probe .dat file. This item does not close the dialog.

- Pressing the OK or Cancel buttons closes the dialog. These items do a save before closing.

Defining Connection Points

The user defines connection points by left-clicking a surface or feature on the CAD model with the mouse, similar to PC-DMIS.

1. The user first presses the Select button. The dialog is now in select mode and the Select button remains depressed until it is pressed a second time to leave select mode.

2. Select either a circle or plane feature based on which item is selected. The dropdown below the features allows you to select the type of connection.

3. The Create button does not become active until a feature is selected. Once the Create button is active, if it is pressed a second time, it goes back to the disabled state.

4. As connections are created, they are added to the lower list box as shown below.

Custom Probe Builder Utility dialog box - Connections section

5. The items can be selected and removed using the Delete button. The items can be selected individually or multi-selected by left-clicking each one to highlight them and then click the Delete button to delete all highlighted items.

Custom Probe File Format

All dat file entries are saved in the same form used by the probe.dat file. An example is shown below:

ITEM:5H003512 M5

cadgeom 0.000 0.000 0.000 1.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 1.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 1.000 -1 5 H003512.draw

connect -1.108 -27.715 -113.565 0.508 0.759 0.408 M5

connect 2.859 33.883 -112.237 0.479 -0.789 -0.384 M5