PC-DMIS CAD – integrating CAD and metrology

PC-DMIS CAD let users develop inspection programs using CAD models.  Over fifteen years ago, Wilcox Associates revolutionized the CMM industry by directly integrating CAD into CMM software.  The first links let users translate IGES and DMIS files and limited them to using 2D and 2.5D CAD files.  At the time, that was powerful stuff, but times have changed and so has PC-DMIS.

With PC-DMIS CAD, customers work with all kinds of CAD models ranging from simple 2D drawing through the most complex solid models.  They import and export CAD data in almost any format, and they can even work directly with native CAD models.  Plus, they use powerful CAD-based tools to develop and debug their inspection programs.  They have slashed the time spent writing part programs by up to 90%, and they are using their CMMs to increased productivity in ways that were unimaginable only a few years ago.

eir parts.  PC-DMIS CAD lets them put together inspection routines quickly with a minimum of fuss.  What’s better is that the process eliminates major sources of error.  Programmers pull feature data directly from the CAD model.  This virtually eliminates errors related to things like entering bad data or misinterpreting hard copy blueprints.  Customers save time and eliminate potentially costly mistakes.

PC-DMIS CAD adapts CAD capabilities to inspection.  It’s not enough just to bring CAD files into inspection software.  Customers need tools to inspect their parts.  PC-DMIS CAD gives them just that, a kit of CAD inspired capabilities tailored for part inspection.  This doesn’t mean that PC-DMIS CAD is a CAD system.  It’s not and it shouldn’t be.  What it is is a powerful, metrology software system that fits CAD to the job of inspecting and evaluating parts.

PC-DMIS CAD simulates program execution.  The software lets users graphically test and debug their inspection routines before they run them on the machine.  PC-DMIS CAD animates probe paths and lets programmers edit them on the fly, it includes accurate kinematic modeling of most CMMs, and, when working with solid models, it automatically detects probe collisions with parts and fixtures.

PC-DMIS CAD supports multiple protocols for linking to CAD.  CAD information comes in many formats.  It can be neutral like IGES or STEP.  It can be CAD system native like UG or CATIA.  Or it can be something in between like DMIS.  Whatever the format, PC-DMIS CAD likely has a solution to handle it.

Built into the baseline packages are pre and post processors supporting widely recognized standard formats like IGES, STEP and DMIS.  Translators tailored to specific CAD systems like UG and CATIA are available as options.  And for the most demanding applications, there are Direct CAD Interfaces (DCIs).  DCIs link directly to the CAD database and let customers work directly with their CAD models from PC-DMIS with no translation.  No other metrology software comes close to giving users this kind of versatility and flexibility in linking to CAD.

On-line PC-DMIS Brochure