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Created on: March 27, 2008
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PC-DMIS Version 4.3

Status: PC-DMIS Version 4.3 has been released!

View the readme.txt file (34 kb); it contains important information on this release (also included in the PC-DMIS 4.3 software).

To download version 4.3, please visit the Version 4.3 Software Download Page.

Contents:

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Product Overview

Wilcox Associates, Inc. is proud to bring you PC-DMIS version 4.3. This Enterprise Metrology Solutions platform brings together new aspects of PC-DMIS for the development of a complete manufacturing process control solution.

Available in this release are variations of PC-DMIS designed to assist with every aspect of the fabrication and quality control process. The newly created packages include PC-DMIS Laser, PC-DMIS Vision, PC-DMIS NC, as well as the established PC-DMIS Pro, PC-DMIS CAD, and PC-DMIS CAD++ platforms.

Also included with this release is PC-DMIS ONE, a simplified shop-floor DCC inspection package developed in cooperation with Brown & Sharpe.

Additionally, this release provides you with the optional module of PC-DMIS Inspection Planner, an evolutionary step that provides a paper-less, completely electronic inspection process.

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System Requirements

Minimum Requirements:

  • Windows XP 32-bit, Windows XP 64-bit (x64), Windows Vista 32-bit Operating System. Note that PC-DMIS 4.3 will NOT function on computers using any other operating system.
  • Pentium IV or higher processor is suggested.
  • 1 GHz or higher Intel processor.
  • 1 GB of RAM (but significantly more may be required if working with large CAD models).
  • 500 MB of free hard drive space minimum for the application.
  • SVGA graphics card capable of OpenGL shading. (We cannot specify the exact Graphics card because every user has varying needs). Note that Nvidia GeForce video cards are not recommended. These are defined as "gaming" cards according to Nvidia Engineering.
  • SVGA capable monitor.
  • Screen resolution of 1280 x 1024 or higher.
  • RTF file output requires Microsoft Word to be viewed.
  • Microsoft® .NET 2.0.
  • CD-ROM drive.
  • USB Port.

Recommended Minimums:

  • Windows XP 32-bit, Windows XP 64-bit (x64), Windows Vista 32-bit Operating System. Note that PC-DMIS 4.3 will NOT function on computers using any other operating system.
  • 2 GHz or higher Intel processor for improved performance. Pentium 4 or higher processor recommended.
  • 2 GB of RAM or higher. More RAM may be required if working with large CAD models. You should have RAM equal to 8 times the size of your largest CAD file. (For example, if you use an IGES model of 250 MB, then 2 GB RAM is recommended)
  • 1 GB of free hard drive space plus enough for allocated Virtual Memory equal to 8 times the largest CAD file used.
  • SVGA graphics card that supports OpenGL shading and that has WHQL (Microsoft Windows Hardware Quality Labs) certified drivers. (WHQL drivers can be downloaded automatically when using the Windows Update software.)
    On board video card memory should be based on the size of your largest CAD file.
    • For small CAD files (less than 50 MB), 32 MB video memory.
    • For medium CAD files (50-100 MB), 64 MB video memory.
    • For large CAD files (> 100 MB), 128+ MB video memory.
  • RTF file output requires Microsoft Word to be viewed.
  • Microsoft® .NET 2.0.
  • SVGA capable monitor.
  • Screen resolution of 1280 x 1024 or higher.
  • CD-ROM drive.
  • 2 USB Ports.

Depending on your specific needs, the recommended system specifications for this version of PC-DMIS may be much higher. A more substantial computer system may be required to accommodate part programs using Automation or complex Reporting objects. Be sure to consult with your PC-DMIS distributor to find out the type of computer system you will need in order to run this software at its optimum capability.

When using 3rd-party drivers you should contact your local Hexagon representative to ensure Operating Sytem compatibility.

 


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New Features & Enhancements

Several additional major enhancements also included in PC-DMIS 4.3 are described below:

PC-DMIS 4.3 also continues to support Enterprise Metrology Solutions that expand upon the already full-featured functionality of PC-DMIS Pro, CAD, and CAD++. Listed below are additional packages available since PC-DMIS 3.7.

PC-DMIS Pro

Established since version 3.5, this variation of PC-DMIS provides a simplified user interface designed for basic inspection but contains many available options for somewhat complex measuring needs.

View specifics

Back to Enhancements

PC-DMIS CAD

Established since version 3.5, this variation of PC-DMIS is designed for working with imported CAD models to increase the ease of creating inspection programs as well as analyzing complex geometries.

View specifics

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PC-DMIS CAD ++

Established since version 3.5, this variation is the most comprehensive version of PC-DMIS, containing the functionality of PC-DMIS CAD and Pro, along with Gear and Blade measuring package options.

View specifics

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PC-DMIS LASER

PC-DMIS can be used in combination with supported laser probes to measure features on a part or to collect data. Laser probes allow you to easily and rapidly collect millions of points of data (called clouds of points). These clouds of points are then used within PC-DMIS for surface contour maps, export to reverse engineering packages, and creation of constructed features.

Back to Enhancements

PC-DMIS VISION

Designed specifically for non-contact measuring applications, PC-DMIS Vision will function on these optical machines:

  • ROI Onyx
  • ROI Datastar
  • ROI OMIS/OMIS II
  • TESA VISIO 1
  • TESA VISIO 300 Manual
  • TESA VISIO 300 DCC
  • Mycrona Red Line
  • Mycrona Blue Line
  • Mycrona Silver Line
  • All standard PC-based OGP machines (e.g. Smartscope, Flash, Avant)
  • CMM-V video probe (if your CMM supports a laser probe it also supports the CMM-V)

View specifics

View the EMS Video where PC-DMIS Vision is discussed

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PC-DMIS NC

A true measuring package available for use on a computer controlled machining center for initial layout and setup inspections, first piece inspection, and even final inspection of machined parts.

View specifics

View the EMS Video where PC-DMIS NC is discussed

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PC-DMIS ONE

Integrates a Brown & Sharpe manufactured CMM inspection cell on the shop floor with a simplified but fully capable DCC touch screen interface.

View information about Brown and Sharpe ONE Machine

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PC-DMIS INSPECTION PLANNER

A cornerstone of the Enterprise Metrology Solutions suite, the PC-DMIS Inspection planner is an evolutionary step towards bottom line time savings for inspection.

PC-DMIS Inspection planner is integrated directly within the CAD system to allow the CAD engineer to create a definition of features to inspect, datums to use, and the proper GD&T to apply. This electronic inspection plan can then be used throughout the entire inspection process making it a truly paperless task.

blue_bullet View specifics

blue_bullet View the Inspection Planner Q and A

View the EMS Video where PC-DMIS Inspection Planner is discussed

Back to Enhancements

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Major Enhancements in Version 4.3

Auto Features

  • Circular moves for a Plane feature
  • Allow insertion of MOVE/CLEARPLANE or Stored Moves in between AutoFeature hit basics.
  • Ability to have Gap Only on by default
  • New "Read Vector from Machine" button for all features

Dimensioning

  • Selecting the "Auto" option in the Location Dimension dialog box, will indicate the automatic choices with greyed out checkboxes (503994).
  • New dimension for Length of spline (503736)
  • New True Position In-Between (503412)
  • Support for 'A' Axes and Angle Point Feature (502897)

Direct CAD Interfaces (DCI)

  • Allow multiple file selection for UG DCI import (503159)
  • DCI connection status indicator (500841)
  • Replace UG translator libraries with improved libraries (503894)
  • Replace Pro/E translator libraries with improved libraries (503895)
  • Replace Catia translator libraries with improved libraries (503896)
  • Replace Parasolid translator libraries with improved libraries (503900)

Graphics Display

  • CAD Info dialog allows you to show the distance between 2 features
  • Toolbar button to toggle the display of transparency
  • Display Symbols dialog box - allows you to alter parameters for display elements (radius,size, etc.)
  • Option to Auto Arrange Labels CAD Window Label (503743)
  • Hide labels during rotation (503741)
  • Tooltips functionality for features in the graphics display window
  • Animation for rotary tables
  • Collision detection function displays a dialog that tells you where the collision occurred
  • Features move on machine with fixture movement (503207)
  • Ability to show all features visible in view (503867)
  • Speed up path animation (503918)
  • Collision detection displayed dialog with list of collisions (503980)
  • Construct point from intersection of scan segment and plane or line

PC–DMIS Inspection Planner

  • Path Optimization accounts for the machine volume (503317)
  • IPD defaults – one thickness value for all features (503378)
  • Assembly Support (503577)
  • Remember last 10 tolerances for use in dimension dialogs (503630)
  • Support for 321 alignment (503731)
  • Double click on feature in tree view to edit (502733)
  • Add point density option for 3D scans (503816)
  • Enhance IP defaults file to support app PC-DMIS measurement methods (503899)

Languages

  • The PC-DMIS user interface now supports the following additional languages: Polish, Russian, and Turkish

PC-DMIS Portable

  • Ability to indicate if they are building or inspecting to points
  • Measured points display location for all axes.
  • Hidden Point construction capability
  • The Probe Readouts window can report the current feature based on the location of the probe/reflector when executing
  • Allow the user to control if the data is displayed as probe compensated or not
  • Color the deviations in the probe readout window according to the dimension tolerance color
  • Stable point probing for Leica trackers
  • Alignment that allows the user to specify which axes of the input feature to use during the alignment
  • Edge Point Mode allows for walk-up measurement of sheet metal features without using the auto features dialog box.
  • Auto-Inspect mode: Provides automated inspection of a sequence of points using a Leica tracker.

Probes

  • SP25 Probes use a new and improved algorithm in the CoScanning.dll file rather than the older CALRSP.dll.
  • TRAX or PMM calibration type for Leitz machines in Probe Calibration dlg
  • Disk Styli are now supported with the SP25 probe
  • A simplified partial calibration procedure is now available for an SP25 that has been fully calibrated at least once
  • The LSP-X1 family of analog scanning probes are now supported
  • Display inactive tool tips in “disabled” color (503811)

Reporting

  • Automation - New properties of a Report and Section that can be set by Automation (ER #502959)
  • Ability to report if a feature has been skipped during execution
  • Color ball on Label Layout Wizard should be able to show dim color for selected range of axes (ER #503646)
  • When editing CAD in the Report Window, the mouse's scroll wheel can zoom like in Graphics Window (ER #503025)
  • Show dimension labels for point cloud on report (ER #503373)
  • AudiDraw Converter - PLT(HPGL) file generation (ER #503632)
  • Ability to control the size of text in grid control object (ER#503828)
  • AUDI WBZ: Ability to scale the section cut object (ER#503856)
  • Transparency for the grid object control (ER#503830)
  • New report expression functions allowing the user to see the report-level OOT statistics (ER #504154)
  • New dat file control (EH#504269)
  • AudiDraw Converter - PPM file generation (ER #503632)
  • WEBASTO Utting: Duplicate page method to custom reporting (ER#504226)
  • AudiDraw Converter - New advanced property, Wireframe, for CadReportObject (ER #503632)
  • AUDIWZB: Shaded/unshaded as property to the CRO (ER#504282)
  • AudiDraw Converter - Show CAD layer on the CadReportingObject (ER #503632)
  • AudiDraw Converter - Mirror the CadReportingObject (ER #503632)
  • AudiDraw Converter - Make Leader Lines terminate at two features for distance and angle on CadReportObject of Custom Report
  • Ability to edit leader lines on the report (ER#502833)
  • Webasto-Schierling: In the DimensionColorKey object you can change the properties font and font size (ER#504381)
  • AudiDraw Converter - Expose objects on Custom Report (ER #503632)
  • Ability to re-order pages on Report Window (ER#503397)

For miscellaneous enhancements, fixes, and other updates, view the readme.txt file for this version.

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Latest Interfaces for Version 4.3

Occasionally files for supported machine interfaces are changed or added outside of the normal PC-DMIS version release parameters. Follow this link to download any updated or new interface files for PC-DMIS Version 4.3.

To install an interface file:

  1. Follow the link above and download the .dll file to a directory of your choice.
  2. Rename the DLL file to interfac.dll.
  3. Place interfac.dll file into the directory where you installed PC-DMIS.
  4. Use PC-DMIS as usual.

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