Sphere Scanning(?)

[VONDY]

Is it possible to scan ( with a sp-25 ) a sphere. I can not find anything that I can choose that will let me scan one. I want to check all my probes in one program with a quick qual check program. I can do normal spheres with the auto/sphere but they won't scan the sphere. Any suggestions.

[Paul Sarrach]

Never tried it, but I believe a patch scan should work.

[Don Ruggieri]

Been there, done that. . . .

I've done this with the Freeform scan function. You need only to supply the path data in the form of a text file. I've done spirals most of the time, but the path is only limited by your imagination. You can create the path files using a BASIC script, or even from an Excel spreadhseet.

[VONDY]

I've done this with the Freeform scan function. You need only to supply the path data in the form of a text file. I've done spirals most of the time, but the path is only limited by your imagination. You can create the path files using a BASIC script, or even from an Excel spreadhseet.

BASIC SCRIPT? EXCEL? WHAT? HOW? Would you happen to have a snap shot of what you are describing? Do you program on-line or off-line to create these scans?

[Don Ruggieri]

Spreadsheet Export Example

Here is one example. This is a spreadsheet that can be used to generate scan points and vectors for a sphere of any size.

Change the A2 cell to show your sphere size, then when you exit that field it will fill in the remaining cells with hit/vector data.

Export this sheet to a CSV file (SaveAs). Depending on how you do this, you may need to edit the file to remove excess fields and characters. In the end, it should look like this -

-8.118533,-4.981471,0.000000,-0.852339,-0.522989,0.000000
-8.063418,-5.070199,0.000000,-0.846553,-0.532304,0.000000
-8.007330,-5.158323,0.000000,-0.840665,-0.541556,0.000000
-7.950279,-5.245826,0.000000,-0.834675,-0.550743,0.000000
-7.892275,-5.332694,0.000000,-0.828585,-0.559863,0.000000
-7.833322,-5.418920,0.000000,-0.822396,-0.568915,0.000000

for as many points as you want to include. This file format DOES NOT USE the XYZIJK file header that is used in other areas of PC-DMIS. All records are identical format.

Now, in your part program, Insert - Scan - FreeForm, go to the Path Definition tab in the dialog, and then hit the ReadFile button. Use the browser to find the data file you just created, Once selected, you should see the data points in the scan dialog path window. Hit Create, and it stores it into the part program.

[Wally_onfashion]

where is the Spreadsheet?

[William Johnson]

No Spreadsheet. I would be interested in getting a copy.

[LaserJay]

I have scanned a sphere. It is a bit messy though. I created two circle scans at 90° from eachother and then constructed a sphere from the data collected.

320.JPG

If there is a better way I would also love to know!

[Benedictj1]

4/15/2021***** Anyone ever get there hands on this spreadsheet? I would love to learn how to do this.

[vpt.se]

ping Don Ruggieri regarding the free form scanning generating spreadsheet

[Don Ruggieri]

Wow, going to the wayback machine here. Let me see if I can dig it up. It was just some formula in Excel . . .

[Don Ruggieri]

Well, being the packrat that I am, I found it without too much trouble. The problem is that it is too big to attach here. Its also somewhat rigid in its design, with a fixed # of scan points. Regardless, I'll try to get it here soon

[JEFMAN]

Just a test here, on a half sphere rad = 10, copy paste the values xyzijk in a text file...

[JEFMAN]

Looks like this, function of x

[Don Ruggieri]

Awesome, thank you Jefman. My original spreadsheet had a fix # of point, in the thousands, and the programming of it was rigid, from years ago. Aside from that, it was too large to attach. I was hoping to code a new one but it was a hectic day today and it seems you beat me to it.

[JEFMAN]

Another way to create the file, with a VBA script... To be used in an excel file, no need to write anything else in it...

Sub Macro1()
'
'This script creates a text file with x,y,z,i,j,k values
'for an external sphere (1 hit/° around the axis)
The sphere is centered on the origin, vector along zaxis.
'The text file can be used into a freeform scan.
'Hope it can be used by someone here :)

Dim nbr, sph_rad, xx, yy, zz, ii, jj, kk
Dim alpha, beta, pi, pas_alpha, pas_beta

nbr = InputBox("enter number of rounds")
sph_rad = InputBox("enter the sphere radius")

pi = 4 * Atn(1)
alpha = 0
beta = 0
pas_alpha = pi / 180
pas_beta = pi / (4 * 180 * nbr)

Open "points_scan_sph.txt" For Output As #1
For i = 1 To ((nbr * 360) + 1)
xx = sph_rad * Cos(alpha) * Cos(beta)
yy = sph_rad * Sin(alpha) * Cos(beta)
zz = sph_rad * Sin(beta)
ii = Cos(alpha) * Cos(beta)
jj = Sin(alpha) * Cos(beta)
kk = Sin(beta)
Write #1, xx, yy, zz, ii, jj, kk


alpha = alpha + pas_alpha
beta = beta + pas_beta
Next i

Close #1

'
End Sub

[KatmandudaMeow]

doesnt seem to work all the time... it did work once or twice but i dont know what is going to with it...

[KatmandudaMeow]

got it to work properly thanks JEFMAN!