Hexagon launches PC-DMIS 2014
Hexagon Metrology has launched PC-DMIS 2014, a major release of the world’s most popular measurement software used for the collection, evaluation, management and presentation of manufacturing data. PC-DMIS 2014 introduces tools and technologies that will help measurement devices perform better than ever, increase the effectiveness of inspection planning time, and make it easier to complete complex inspection routines. Hexagon Metrology will demonstrate PC-DMIS 2014 with over 17 Major and 81 Minor software enhancements at IMTS.
The new software includes a number of productivity advancements to improve speed of common programming tasks and to improve the overall user experience. “PC-DMIS 2014 delivers new and improved capabilities based on real-world user feedback from the PC-DMIS forum and our technical support teams,” said Mr Ken Woodbine, president of Hexagon Metrology software division. “This release is focused on productivity, and sets the stage for future user experience enhancements already in the planning stage and moving forward,” he added.
Highlights of PC-DMIS 2014 include a new 1-click “QuickFeature” feature creation from CAD models, where users can also create Quick Features by hovering their mouse over a CAD model to highlight CAD elements. Contact auto features are created from a single click on the CAD model without using any menu options or dialog boxes. There is also a 1-click “QuickAlign” capability where users can now select valid combinations of one, two, or three features to create a quick alignment. The QuickAlign feature will also initiate manual and DCC alignments when used at the beginning of a part programme. These new productivity tools are packaged in a new QuickMeasure toolbar giving drop-down access to common measurement features, giving more screen real estate to the graphics and the measurement routine.
The new software version also includes Copy Parameters and Paste Parameters functions, which copy parameters from one feature or dimension, and paste them to another feature(s) or dimension(s) in the Edit window, making block changes much faster.
PC-DMIS 2014 also rolls out a new Mini Routines feature which can be used to measure a selected dimension or group of dimensions from a long part program. Mini routines offer characteristic-based measurement and the ability to measure a part of a complete measurement routine.