Delcam offers online guide to inspection software

Delcam has introduced an online guide to the developments in the 2011 version of its PowerINSPECT inspection software. The website includes a series of videos on the functionality in the 2011 release, such as the "Quick Report" option that makes the initial analysis of results even easier, the improvements to the handling of point-cloud data and to the reuse of measured data to inspect additional features, and the enhancements to the GD&T functionality. To view the site, please go to www.delcam.tv/pi2011/lz.

PowerINSPECT is firmly established as the world’s leading hardware-independent inspection software. It combines the ability to work with all types of inspection device with a comprehensive range of inspection routines for taking simple measurements, for inspection of geometric features and for analysing complex 3D surfaces. The resulting reports present detailed information in an easy-to-read format that can be understood by all engineers, not just inspection specialists.

Reporting in PowerINSPECT has been made even more flexible with the "Quick Report" option. This allows users to add headers and footers to any image taken from the full report in order to create a single page graphical representation of the inspection. Faster interpretation of the data allows for errors to be identified and rectified more quickly, so reducing overall costs.

Improvements to the handling and alignment of point clouds make it easier to deal with the large data sets generated when using laser-line probes. Emphasis on critical areas of the part alignment can now be carried out by selecting the desired region of the point cloud and associating it to the CAD. This allows priority to be given to the selected regions of the point cloud rather than treating every point equally, thus giving more control over the alignment.

Points from geometric measurements can now be converted into surface-inspection points allowing them to be used in the inspection of the size and location. This enhancement also allows the existing geometric strategies to be used for surface inspections so reducing the amount of time spent measuring and allowing for more detailed, consistent and cost-effective inspection routines.

Increased capabilities in CAD formats mean that more and more data is becoming available to the inspector in these files. GD&T is the most common Model-Based Definition format and PowerINSPECT now supports GD&T in Unigraphics as well as the previous support for GD&T in CATIA. This lets the user create GD&T items directly from CAD files.