#### Custom Probe Builder Utility - Component Builder Tab

The Custom Probe Builder Utility Component Builder tab allows the user to create custom probe components.

Custom Probe Builder Utility dialog box - Component Builder tab

To begin building a probe component using the Component Builder tab, enter or select an existing name from the Name drop-down list for the component being created.

Select the corresponding Element Type from the radio buttons.

The radio buttons define the Element Type available. The types are exclusive in that only a tip, extension or polygon can be created. You cannot create an extension and add a tip onto it from this tab.

In the following example, an extension is being created with the name "tip". The user enters a diameter and height and then clicks on the Create button. The resulting item is displayed in the graphics window. Click the Remove Last button at any time to remove the most recent section from the component being built. Repeatedly clicking this button will remove each successive section until the view is empty.

The image in the graphics area can be zoomed and rotated similar to the PC-DMIS graphics window area. For example, you can press Ctrl + Z keys to re-draw the image to fit entirely within the graphics area.

Custom Probe Builder Utility dialog box - Component Builder tab with an Extension created

A cut cylinder can be created by selecting the Cylinder option from the Extension section of the Component Builder tab. Once selected, the Connect Angle button is enabled. Click the button to display the Connection Angle dialog box which can be used to specify the angle at which the cylinder will be cut. Only vector entries are supported.

Connection Angle dialog box

To create a cut cylinder:

1. Click the Cylinder radio button in the Extension area of the Component Builder tab to enable the Connect Angle button in the Element Properties area

2. Click the Connect Angle button and enter the above vector values as shown in the Connection Angle dialog image (or the vector values needed) then click the OK button

3. Enter the Diameter and Height Element Properties as shown in the Components Builder tab dialog image below (or the cylinder property values needed)

4. Enter the name of the component in the Component name field

5. Click the Create button to display the cut cylinder

6. Click the Save button to store the new component for use in a part program

Custom Probe Builder Utility dialog box - Component Builder tab showing an example of a Cut Cylinder

All items added will continue to build upon the previous item until a new item is started. The terminating section of the probe will be displayed in red to show that no other sections can be appended. Terminating sections are the Sphere and Disk. Non-terminating sections (Cylinder and Cone) are displayed in gray.

In the example shown below, extensions are added by:

1. Selecting the appropriate radio button from the Element Type area

2. Enter the appropriate information in the Element Properties area

3. Click the Create button

An example would be to change the diameter and height, then click the Create button.

Once an item has been created, the Clear button will discard it. If the item has not been saved, it is permanently lost. Make sure to save any completed item before clearing it before starting on a new item. Click the Save button before clearing out an item to prevent the loss of your work.

Once an item is saved, the Clear button can be used to activate the other component types. A unique name is needed for each custom probe, otherwise existing items may be over written.

In the picture below, a tip has been create using a Cylinder, Cone, and Sphere.

Custom Probe Builder Utility dialog box - Component Builder tab with a Tip created

The Element Properties section changes depending on the Element Type selected. All elements allow the connection type to be specified.

- Cylinders and disks have the properties Diameter and Height

- A sphere has the property Diameter

- A cone has the properties Diameter, Height, and Minor Diameter

- A polygon has the properties Number of Edges, Height, and Edge Length

An example of a Polygon is shown below.

Custom Probe Builder Utility dialog box - Component Builder tab with a Polygon created