## Using the ClearanceCube

Warning: If you are running in Manual Mode and DCC motion is initiated while the probe is still within the ClearanceCube volume, the CMM will move directly to the next commanded position without moving to any ClearanceCube face. To avoid potential collisions you should first manually jog the position of the probe outside of the ClearanceCube volume before entering DCC motion. Please account for this behavior in your part programs.

The ClearanceCube is a three-dimensional box displayed in the Graphics Display window that represents a protective envelope that surrounds the CAD model. During part program execution, the probe moves to the offset distance of the ClearanceCube to avoid colliding with the part. By default, ClearanceCube motion is disabled.

Sample ClearanceCube Surrounding the CAD Model

Important: ClearanceCube only functions with single arm part programs. If your part program uses Multiple Arm Mode, it will not support both arms and will only work with arm 1.

Differences from Clearance Planes

While this may have some similarities with clearance planes, it actually behaves quite differently and offers some advantages not available to clearance planes.

- First, clearance planes are based on the part coordinate system, and if the part coordinate system changes, the clearance planes do not adjust accordingly. For example, if a Z+ clearance plane is set for 20 mm above the current Z=0 location, and you create a new part coordinate system by moving Z down by 30 mm, the clearance plane will not move, but will now be at Z=50. However, if you use ClearanceCube, that box remains at the same relative distance from the CAD model, regardless of changes made to the part coordinate system.

- Second, clearance planes rely on MOVE/CLEARPLANE commands being placed between features to move the probe to the defined clearance plane. Forgetting one of these move commands could result in an unintended collision with the part. The ClearanceCube functionality doesn't use clearance planes and so doesn't require move commands between features. In its simplest form, once you enable the ClearanceCube functionality, newly created features will automatically cause the probe to move to the ClearanceCube before and after they are measured.

Using the ClearanceCube

Note: When running, if the probe starts inside the ClearanceCube, a message will be displayed stating "Probe is currently located inside ClearanceCube. Move probe outside ClearanceCube and press OK to continue".

To use the ClearanceCube,

1. Choose Operation | Graphics Display Window | ClearanceCube or click the Clearance Cube Definition button from the ClearanceCube toolbar. This opens the ClearanceCube Definition dialog box. This dialog box initially opens with a simple interface. See "(Simple) ClearanceCube Definition" for detailed information.

ClearanceCube Definition dialog box

2. Mark Activate ClearanceCube motion or click the Activate ClearanceCube Motion icon on the ClearanceCube toolbar. This mode disables clearance planes and causes the part program to use the ClearanceCube motion instead. See the warning below.

3. Mark Show ClearanceCube or click the Show ClearanceCube icon on the ClearanceCube toolbar. This shows the ClearanceCube on the screen.

4. Define an offset distance in the Offset value box. Alternately, you can mark Resize ClearanceCube or click the Resize ClearanceCube icon on the ClearanceCube toolbar to place the ClearanceCube in resize mode. When in resize mode and the ClearanceCube is visible, you can click and drag a face of the ClearanceCube and set offset distances per axis that way. A reddish highlight indicates the face to drag.

5. If needed, set any advanced options by clicking Advanced and then use the desired tabs to customize the ClearanceCube to your liking (see the topics below).

6. Click OK.

7. Add features into the part program as usual.

Warning: If you activate ClearanceCube motion, it acts as a global setting to that part program. This means all clearance planes functionality for your part program will be disabled, even if individual features are specifically set to not use the ClearanceCube. ClearanceCube motion and clearance planes cannot coexist in the same part program. Be sure to check for collisions before executing your program. See the "Detecting Collisions" topic.

More:

(Simple) ClearanceCube Definition

(Advanced) ClearanceCube Definition - Offsets tab

(Advanced) ClearanceCube Definition - Constraints tab

(Advanced) ClearanceCube Definition - Status tab