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Creating a Feature Control Frame Dimension

The following procedure shows you how to create a Feature Control Frame (FCF) dimension:

1. Create the features that will be datum features. These can be measured features, auto features, or constructed features.

2. Select Insert | Dimension | Datum Definition. The Datum Definition dialog box appears.

3. Use the dialog box to select the datum features and associate them with datum letters. See "Defining Datums" for information on how to do this.

4. When finished defining datums, close the dialog box.

5. Make sure the Insert | Dimension | Use Legacy Dimensions menu option does not display a check mark. If it does, select the menu item to clear this check mark.

6. Select the appropriate dimension from the Insert | Dimension submenu. The GD&T dialog box for that dimension appears.

7. In the dialog box, select the Feature Control Frame tab.

8. Use this tab to select the features to dimension and to construct your FCF. See "Feature Control Frame Tab" for information on the available options in this tab.

9. Select the Advanced tab.

10. Select the appropriate options from this tab to define how the dimension information should be displayed. See "Advanced Tab" for information on the available options in this tab.

11. Click Create. PC-DMIS inserts a FCF command into the part program and a FCF graphic appears in the Graphics Display window. The graphic will have a transparent background. You can click and drag the FCF to a new location as needed.

FCF Creation Conditions

In order for PC-DMIS to properly create a FCF dimension, it must meet the appropriate conditions for the type of dimension you want to create. Consult the following table as needed:

Dimension Type | Conditions to Meet
Form dimensions: | No datums. No material conditions. No projected zones.
Profile dimensions: | May or may not have datums. No material conditions. No projected zones.
Orientation dimensions: | Must have datums. May have material conditions. May have projected zones.
Runout dimensions: | Must have datums. No material conditions. No projected zones.
Position dimensions: | May have datums. May have material conditions. May have projected zones.
Other location dimensions (these include symmetry concentricity, coaxiality): | Must have datums. No material conditions. No projected zones.