Planar Profile

<Alt + Shift + B>	Analysis→Feature Profiler
Keyboard	Main Menu	Toolbar

The Planar Profiler offers the user a visual display of the data points used in the measurement of a plane. The Profiler can be used during the capturing of the data, or used as a tool to review the data points after a plane has been measured.

The resulting display shows the relationship of the data points localized to the measured plane, or absolute to the Part Coordinate System.

To view the results of the calculated plane while capturing data points, start the Planar Profiler, then start the Plane function. It is suggested that you start the plane function with a large number of data point such as 999. As you capture data points, the display will update and the plane results will be displayed.

When you have captured sufficient data points, press the Terminate function key <F5>.

If you start capturing data points with showing the Planar Profiler, press <Alt + Shift + B> and the profiler will appear with the data points already captured.

You can review the profile of a previously measured plane by highlighting the plane in the report area and then choose one of two activation methods. In the first method, right click and from the sub menu that appears, choose "Feature Profiler". The second method uses the main drop down menus, locate [Analysis→Feature Profiler].

figure 1, Planar Profiler Display

The Planar Profiler Display shows the relative relationship of the captured data points that were used to fit the reported Plane feature. In figure 1, we have 8 data points shown in a  circular pattern. Each data point is displayed with a identifying symbol which is described in the Symbol Legend.

During the actual capturing of the data points, the display will update with the recalculated information about the plane. The display will resize automatically to ensure all data points can be seen.

It is possible to view the Part Coordinate XYZ position of an individual data point. To perform this operation, right click over the data point symbol and a popup box will appear that reports the position, see figure 2. In this example, we right-clicked while positioning the mouse pointer over the data point.

figure 2, Data Point Information

There are four viewing modes:

Feature Normal

The display of the data while orientating to the calculated plane normal. This mode is the most common mode and illustrates the high and low areas of the plane. This view would closely illustrate a plane's flatness.

View From PCS +X, +Y and +Z

These views offer a view that is constrained by the current Part Coordinate System. The application would closely resemble the location of the data points in a profile band referenced off the Part Coordinate System, see figure 3.

figure 3, Planar Profiler Viewed from the PCS

In figure 1, we have all data points within the designated profile of +/- 0.0001. This differs from the data point display in figure 3 where it shows all data points beyond the profile band limit.

In figure 1, we are evaluating the individual data points directly against the localized area of the plane simulating a dial indicator moving over the plane with its zero set at a point within the measured area. Each data point is then compared to that zero point without regard to the actual reported position on the current Part Coordinate System. This process is comparable to the inspection technique used to measure flatness.

in figure 2, we perform a similar test on each data point also using a dial indicator concept. In this view we set the zero of the indicator where it crosses the reported axis of the Part Coordinate System. Then move the indicator over to the individual data points and record the change in reading. This process would be comparable to the inspection technique used to measure the profile.

There are basic display controls that change the look of the data being reported.

Symbol Size

As it describes, this slider will scale the symbols being displayed for better viewing. Symbol Size is available in all views.

Tail

This check box is available only when viewing from a PCS axis. By placing a check here, the display will show the profile limits and exaggerated whiskers for each data point.

Tail Length

This slider is available only when viewing from a PCS axis. This will change the exaggeration of the tails with regard to the profile limits.

Show Order

When checked, all data points will be displayed with a number corresponding to the order it was captured during measurement.

There are 4 drop down menu titles available in the Planar Profiler. These control the behavior of the printing and displaying of data.

Print...

This command prints the current display on demand.

Page Setup

Used to control the printer characteristics.

1-Up

Sets the preference for the displayed feature to print one view per page.

2-Up

Sets the preference for the displayed feature to print two views per page as defined in the Planar Profiler setup. This mode is helpful when you want to view the feature normal and one PCS axis view on a single sheet of paper.

Set Colors

You can set colors for the six individual point-type definitions.

Print Heavy Lines

This informs the profiler to print with 2x heavy lines. This is helpful when printing from high resolution printers where the printing of a 1 pixel wide line appears faint or hard to see.

Print All Data Points

By selecting this option, all data points will be printed when a complete inspection report is requested. The printout will include the deviation distance to the plane and its XYZ location in the Part Coordinate System.

View 1 - Upper

Choose the view to be printed in the first position of the 2-Up or 1-Up report.

View 2 - Lower

Choose the view to be printed in the second position of a 2-Up report.

Not activated.

The Attach Print Step will append a program step to your Inspection Report that will print the Planar Profile report during the execution of the inspection program. Do to the graphical nature of the report, we suggest these program statements be placed near the bottom of the inspection report. Most printers will slow down when printing in graphic mode.

Related Procedures:

Data Point Report, Plane, Planar Profile Tutorial