## Creating an Auto Sphere

The Sphere sheet metal option allows you to define a sphere measurement. This measurement type is particularly useful when the sphere lies in a specific plane that is not parallel with any of the working planes. The minimum number of hits needed to measure an auto sphere is four.

To access the Sphere option, access the Auto Feature dialog box for a Sphere (Insert | Feature | Auto | Sphere).

Auto Feature dialog box - Sphere

With the dialog box open, depending on your situation, use one of these methods to create the feature:

Creating by Using Surface Data on the Screen

To generate a sphere using surface data:

1. Click on the Surface Mode icon .

2. Position the cursor in the Graphics Display window to indicate the desired sphere.

3. Click the left mouse button.

The dialog box will display the value of the selected sphere and vector once the points have been indicated.

Creating by Using Surface Data with the CMM

To generate a sphere using surface data with the CMM, touch the sphere in four locations using the probe.

If additional mouse clicks are detected before you select the Create button, PC-DMIS will find the best sphere near the measured points.

The Find Noms option should be selected from the Mode list for this measurement method. See the "Mode List" topic in the PC-DMIS Core documentation for additional information on nominals.

Creating by Using Wire Frame Data on the Screen

To generate a sphere using Wire frame CAD data:

1. Select the sphere to be measured. PC-DMIS will highlight the selected sphere, if it is available. (If another feature is selected, try taking two additional hits.)

2. Verify that the correct feature has been selected.

The dialog box will display the value of the selected DCC sphere and the vector once the sphere has been indicated.

Creating by Keying in the Data

This method allows you to key in the desired X, Y, Z, I, J, K values for the sphere.

1. Type in the desired X, Y, Z, I, J, K values for the feature into the dialog box.

2. Click Create to insert the feature into your part program.

See the "Mode List" topic in the PC-DMIS Core documentation for additional information on nominals.