3D Metrology Solutions Enhanced

By DE Editors

InnovMetric Software Inc. (Quebec City, QUE) recently unveiled version 12 of its PolyWorks 3D metrology, 3D inspection, and reverse engineering platform. PolyWorks is a universal platform that works with 3D scanners, white light 3D digitizers, hard probes, manual CMMs, and laser trackers from most major manufacturers. Two major applications make up the platform: PolyWorks/Inspector for 3D metrology and PolyWorks/Modeler for reverse-engineering applications.

PolyWorks/Inspector v12, says the company, is the world’s first relational inspection solution. The company explains that PolyWorks v12 is built upon a new relational inspection architecture that operates by analyzing each individual step in a part measurement workflow. Leveraging this analysis, the software then constructs a logic-based representation of the operator’s intent using objects, parameters, and relationships between objects.

PolyWorks/Modeler v12 is reported to optimize the extraction of geometric
entities on digitized models, which can accelerate the development of
parametric and associative CAD models in your CAD/CAM solution.
Image courtesy of InnovMetric Software.

Further, the relational inspection architecture enables part inspection projects and reports, whether measured by a point-cloud digitizer, contact-based probing device, or both, to be modified then updated in real time. For example, if a circle’s constraining plane is modified, then PolyWorks v12’s project updater would update the circle, objects related to the circle, and any table or snapshot referring to these objects automatically.

PolyWorks v12 also offers DirectReplay technology, which enables users to re-measure a new piece directly, without requiring a new setup. What this means in practice, explains the company, is that users create a part inspection project and report for a first piece that can then be replayed with subsequent pieces. Consequently, starting with the second piece, users need to acquire only the 3D measurement data for the new piece because the software updates the inspection results automatically.

According to the company, PolyWorks v12 does not need a teaching mode—e.g., record button, no operation history tree, no program to invoke—to prepare an inspection project for multi-piece inspection tasks. Users can create a part inspection project or modify an existing project without regard to the next piece, and measurements of a new piece can begin at any time. Inspection results of multiple pieces can be stored under a single project, a capability which is said to save disk space as well as accelerate such operations as opening and saving a project. In addition, the software’s embedded SPC (statistical process control) database of multi-piece statistics is globally shared and accessible any time.

PolyWorks v12 projects can handle multiple CAD models, multiple parts, and multiple part alignments simultaneously. Individual report items can be linked to specific part alignments and coordinate systems, which is said to provide reporting flexibility. Miscellaneous enhancements to PolyWorks/Inspector v12 include new Hemmed Edge comparison points for sheet metal analysis and a new specialized part-to-CAD comparison algorithm for parts made of composite materials (honeycomb).

InnovMetric Software’s PolyWorks/Modeler modeling solution enables interoperability between point-cloud digitizing equipment and polygonal modeling (STL), surface modeling (NURBS), and solid modeling workflows. Version 12 of PolyWorks/Modeler has been enhanced to incorporate parametric 2D sketching capabilities.

The PolyWorks/Talisman app provides visual guidance of parts being measured from Apple mobile devices. Image courtesy of InnovMetric Software.

With the new sketcher, users can create a sketch outline by sectioning a digitized part at a specific position, by averaging multiple sections, or by extracting a silhouette edge. Users can also create sketch entities that follow a logical order corresponding to the design intent. The latter includes primary entities that need to fit in the outline perfectly as well as secondary entities that simply connect primary entities. Additionally, new entities can be anchored and fitted, then made tangent or perpendicular to existing entities automatically.

PolyWorks/Modeler’s sketches can be imported by such CAD packages as CATIA, Creo (formerly Pro/ENGINEER), NX, and SolidWorks, providing the ability to create fully editable parametric and associative solid CAD models. Version 12 also offers a new curve mathematical engine and an enhanced set of curve-reshaping techniques that reportedly cut the time required to build a NURBS surface model from a digitized part by more than 50%.

“PolyWorks/Modeler v12,” said Marc Soucy, president of InnovMetric Software, in a press statement, “is the catalyst solution that transforms our customers’ professional CAD package into a complete reverse-engineering solution.”

In a related announcement, InnovMetirc Software has released PolyWorks/Talisman, a free app for Apple mobile device users. With PolyWorks/Talisman users of laser-scanning devices can get real-time visual and audio feedback of laser-scanned points being captured on their Apple mobile device. PolyWorks/Talisman is available from the Apple App Store.

PolyWorks v12 runs on 32-bit Windows (7, Vista, XP, 2000) or Windows 64-bit (7, Vista, XP) systems. It is available from the company’s worldwide distributor network either stand-alone or bundled with a 3D digitizer. For more information, visit InnovMetric Software.

Download the PolyWorks v12 new features brochure.

Download the PolyWorks v12 data sheet.

Details on recommended system configurations are here.

See a list of supported 3D scanners, digitizers, probes, and point-cloud digitizer plug-ins.

Access a library of PolyWorks case studies.

Watch a video on the PolyWorks/Talisman app.

Sign-up to arrange a demonstration of PolyWorks.

See why DE’s editors selected InnovMetric Software’s PolyWorks v12 as their Pick of the Week.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.