I need some help measuring a slot...

[Jeff Hunt]

What I have is a cross between a round & a square slot. The ends of it have a radius, but that radius does not equal the diameter of the slot. Heres a picture to show what I am talking about.

Also, what is the "use pin" vector switch used for?

Thanks fellas!

[Peter Warcholyk]

Jeff,

Measure it as a square slot. If possible use 3 initial and 3 permanent hits.
Pick your points on the cad, it will provide you with instructions where to take your hits.

In the auto feature window, for a square slot, you can then input a value in the "radius" box, try 2mm. You may have to play around with this value a bit.

This will keep the probe away from the ends when it measures the sides of the slot.

I also tend to select the "Width Meas" box. When it measures the slot, it will take two hits on either side of the slot.

If you suspect that the slot may have a tendancy to vary from part to part, you may want to also use the "find hole " function. This will cause the probe to "premeasure" the slot first, in order to find the centre.

I use this quite often (plastics industry).

Hope this helps you out.

ZydecoPete

[Mike Boero]

Measure it like a round slot and adjust the measuring angle.

[johnboy]

Round slot, with adjusted angles, will give you the length and radius. Square slot, with adjusted corner radius, will give you the width.

[Matthew D. Hoedeman]

Round slot, with adjusted angles, will give you an incorrect DF for the feature IF it has a callout for the width of the slot, and I am almost 100% sure it is dimensioned as a width not a radius, but I could be wrong. If done with a square slot AND using the width option, you will get correct width AND length of the hole (not really a slot since it does not fit either style correctly). As for getting good results for a radius or diameter value for the ends, it is really on the edge if you will get a good value or not, too small of a partial radius. If they really want to know what the end radius is, unless I am mistaken, the radius at each end have a common center point, what you have is really a round hole with 2 'sides' filled in. If the radius (diameter) of the ends is needed, I would use a 'learned' circle with hits on both ends (3 or 4 each) as a single circle feature.

[Jeff Hunt]

Round slot, with adjusted angles, will give you the length and radius. Square slot, with adjusted corner radius, will give you the width.

Got it. The problem I had was that V 4.0 will not measure a square slot correctly. I ended up going back to 3.7 MR3.

[rebeldude]

Another bug!!!

[Jeff Hunt]

Matt, your last name should be changed to whodaman? because you are.

[Jeff Hunt]

Another bug!!!

By far not the only one. I would stay away from 4.0 if you can. There is too many big problems that need to be fixed. I honestly don't think it should have been released yet.