A computer-assisted method for determining dimensional properties of a measurement object using a coordinate measuring machine. An image representation of the measurement object is shown to a user and the user selects a first geometric element of the measurement object, resulting in the display of eligible test features for the selected first geometric element. The eligible test features are automatically determined from a plurality of typical test features stored in a database, by the selected first geometric element being assigned to one of a plurality of predefined measurement elements stored in the database. A defined measurement sequence is generated in a computer-assisted manner based on the test feature selected by the user. Individual measured values are recorded on the first geometric element using the defined measurement sequence. A numerical value based on the individual measured values is determined, which represents a dimensional property of the first geometric element corresponding to the selected test feature.

A system is provided for programming workpiece feature inspection operations for a coordinate measuring machine (CMM), including a user interface that comprises a workpiece inspection program simulation portion configurable to display a 3-D view of a workpiece; an editing user interface portion comprising an editable plan representation of a current workpiece feature inspection plan for the workpiece; and an editable alignment program plan representation for the workpiece. The system is configured with the editable alignment program plan representation being automatically responsive to editing operations, regardless of whether the editing operations are performed in the 3-D view or the editable plan representation. The editing operations include deleting or adding at least one workpiece feature to or from the editable alignment program plan representation.

An industrial control design and testing system supports emulation of a 2D representation of control system wiring between an industrial controller and field hardware. The design and testing system can simulate wiring diagrams to virtually confirm connectivity between the controller and the I/O devices in the field. This approach can also confirm wiring connections that do not pass through the controller, including emergency stop pushbuttons or other electrical connections that do not feed back into the controller.

A method for software-based planning of a dimensional measurement of a measurement object includes receiving an input command for selecting at least one measurement element of the measurement object that is to be measured during the measurement. The method includes determining a selection of measurable test features of the at least one selected measurement element. Each of the test features includes a dimensionally measurable measurand of the at least one selected measurement element. The method includes determining a reduced subset of the selection of measurable test features depending on a view currently chosen on a display. The method includes visualizing the test features contained in the reduced subset by generating a graphical representation of each of the test features contained in the reduced subset on the display.

A computer-assisted method for determining dimensional properties of a measurement object using a coordinate measuring machine. An image representation of the measurement object is shown to a user and the user selects a first geometric element of the measurement object, resulting in the display of eligible test features for the selected first geometric element. The eligible test features are automatically determined from a plurality of typical test features stored in a database, by the selected first geometric element being assigned to one of a plurality of predefined measurement elements stored in the database. A defined measurement sequence is generated in a computer-assisted manner based on the test feature selected by the user. Individual measured values are recorded on the first geometric element using the defined measurement sequence. A numerical value based on the individual measured values is determined, which represents a dimensional property of the first geometric element corresponding to the selected test feature.

A system is provided for programming workpiece feature inspection operations for a coordinate measuring machine. The system includes a computer aided design (CAD) file processing portion, an inspection motion path generation portion and a user interface. The user interface includes a workpiece inspection program simulation portion and auxiliary collision avoidance volume creation elements. The workpiece inspection program simulation portion displays a 3D view and the auxiliary collision avoidance volume creation elements are operable to create or define auxiliary collision avoidance volumes that are displayed in the 3D view. In various implementations, rather than requiring a user to model a physical object (e.g., as part of a workpiece or CMM) in a CAD file, the user may instead create and position an auxiliary collision avoidance volume at a location where the physical object is expected to be, so as to prevent collisions that could occur with the physical object.

A system includes an environment for programming workpiece inspection operations for a coordinate measurement machine (CMM). The environment includes a user interface comprising a program simulation portion configured to display a 3D view of the workpiece and/or representations of inspection operations to be performed on the workpiece. The user interface further includes auxiliary collision avoidance volume (CAV) creation elements that create CAV's that are represented in the 3D view. The 3D CAVs and/or their representations have integrated graphical modification properties which are controllable in the user interface. The modification properties are activated by selection of a face of the CAV representation, without the explicit activation of a separate modification control element mode or tool. This results in a simplified and intuitive user interface. Users perform a constrained set graphical modifications in the 3D view using an input device, to modify a CAV.

A system is provided for programming workpiece feature inspection operations for a coordinate measuring machine (CMM), including a user interface that comprises a workpiece inspection program simulation portion configurable to display a 3-D view of a workpiece; an editing user interface portion comprising an editable plan representation of a current workpiece feature inspection plan for the workpiece; and an editable alignment program plan representation for the workpiece. The system is configured with the editable alignment program plan representation being automatically responsive to editing operations, regardless of whether the editing operations are performed in the 3-D view or the editable plan representation. The editing operations include deleting or adding at least one workpiece feature to or from the editable alignment program plan representation.

A system is provided for programming workpiece feature inspection operations for a coordinate measuring machine. The system includes a computer aided design (CAD) file processing portion, an inspection motion path generation portion and a user interface. The user interface includes a workpiece inspection program simulation portion and auxiliary collision avoidance volume creation elements. The workpiece inspection program simulation portion displays a 3D view and the auxiliary collision avoidance volume creation elements are operable to create or define auxiliary collision avoidance volumes that are displayed in the 3D view. In various implementations, rather than requiring a user to model a physical object (e.g., as part of a workpiece or CMM) in a CAD file, the user may instead create and position an auxiliary collision avoidance volume at a location where the physical object is expected to be, so as to prevent collisions that could occur with the physical object.

A method for software-based planning of a dimensional measurement of a measurement object includes receiving an input command for selecting at least one measurement element of the measurement object that is to be measured during the measurement. The method includes determining a selection of measurable test features of the at least one selected measurement element. Each of the test features includes a dimensionally measurable measurand of the at least one selected measurement element. The method includes determining a reduced subset of the selection of measurable test features depending on a view currently chosen on a display. The method includes visualizing the test features contained in the reduced subset by generating a graphical representation of each of the test features contained in the reduced subset on the display.