#### 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 user first presses the Select Face button from the Master Connection section. The dialog is now in select mode and the Select Face button remains depressed until it is pressed a second time to leave select mode.

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 to re-draw the image to fit entirely within the graphics area. The sliders along the bottom and left of the graphics window allow you to manipulate the model.

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 - The Save button will save any changes to the defined custom probe .dat file. The dialog will remain displayed for any further changes needed on the current tab or the user can click on another tab to edit if needed.

- Pressing the OK or Cancel button closes the dialog. Changes made are not automatically saved so make sure you click the Save button prior to clicking the OK or Cancel button to ensure all updates made are saved to the defined custom probe file.

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 Face button from the Sub Connections section. The dialog is now in select mode and the Select Face 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 drop-down 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 - Sub Connections section

Note: When you click the Create button, the lower list box becomes unavailable.

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 clicking 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