Sphere Offset Tool

figure 1, sub menu

Another very powerful feature available with the Sphere Analysis Tools is the ability to locate the diameter on the sphere at a specified height off a PCS Base Plane.

When you have measured the sphere, right-click on the sphere in the inspection report to activate the sub menu, see figure 1. From the submenu commands, choose [Sphere Offset]. You can also activate the command by highlighting the sphere and choose [Analysis→Sphere Analysis→Sphere Offset] from the Geomet main menu.

figure 2, Sphere Diameter Tool.

When the Sphere Offset Analysis Tool appears, it will default to the center height of the sphere and will choose the PCS Base Plane that is closest to the sphere. In our example above, the Sphere is 1.000" off the YZ PCS Base Plane. The valid offset range is 0.500" to 1.500". The valid range will be displayed in the group labeled "Valid Min / Max Range for the offset value". This range will update depending the which PCS Base Plane is selected.

To find the diameter on the sphere that has a the height of of 3.25" off the XY PCS Base Plane, start by entering 3.25" in the Diameter data entry field and left-click on the radio button "XY Base Plane".

 

figure 3, Sphere Diameter Tool.

When you select the XY PCS Base Plane, the valid Min / Max range of values will update. In our example, the Min / Max range is 2.500" to 3.500". The offset value you enter must be greater than 2.500" and less than 3.500", and can not be equal to either limit. Should the entered offset value fail the validation test a warning message will appear when you press the <Ok> button.

figure 4, Sphere Diameter Tool.

The solution reported is a 3D Circle. By default, the 3D Circle is reported as a diameter, should you require to switch it to a radius, right-click on the reported feature and select [Switch Dia./ Rad.] from the sub-menu.

figure 5, Sphere Diameter Solution.