Table of Contents

Using Feature Control Frames ........................................................................................ 1

Using Feature Control Frames: Introduction ................................................................ 1

Information on Feature Control Frame (FCF) Dimension Calculations ........................ 3

What is a Feature Control Frame?............................................................................... 4

Rules for Using Feature Control Frame Dimensions ................................................... 6

Creating a Feature Control Frame Dimension ............................................................. 9

Defining Datums ........................................................................................................ 11

Creating Customized Datum Reference Frames ....................................................... 14

Using Maximum Material Boundary (MMB) and Least Material Boundary (LMB) ...... 16

The XactMeasure GD&T Dialog Box ......................................................................... 18

Feature Control Frame Tab.................................................................................... 19

Reporting Tab ........................................................................................................ 34

Nominals Tab ......................................................................................................... 37

Feature Control Frame Command Block ................................................................... 42

Feature Control Frame Trihedron .............................................................................. 48

Simultaneously Evaluating Feature Control Frames .................................................. 49

Position Feature Control Frame Dimension Information ............................................ 52

Parallelism Feature Control Frame Information ......................................................... 55

Creating a Symmetry Feature Control Frame Dimension .......................................... 56

Creating a Runout Feature Control Frame Dimension............................................... 61

Using Unequal Tolerance Zones with Profile Feature Control Frame Dimensions .... 64

Feature Control Frame Reporting Tables .................................................................. 66

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 Table of Contents

Cylindricity ................................................................................................................. 68

Circularity................................................................................................................... 69

Flatness ..................................................................................................................... 71

Straightness............................................................................................................... 75

Dimensioning Size ..................................................................................................... 81

Command Modes ................................................................................................... 82

Input Features ........................................................................................................ 83

To Dimension a Feature Using the SIZE Option .................................................... 86

Reading the Report ................................................................................................ 87

Supported ISO 14405-1 Modifiers .......................................................................... 89

Using GD&T Selection Mode to Create FCFs ........................................................... 90

Using GD&T Selection Mode (from CAD) .............................................................. 90

Using GD&T Selection Mode (from Capture) ......................................................... 91

Using GD&T Selection Mode (from File) ................................................................ 93

About Optical Character Recognition (OCR) to Create FCFs ................................ 96

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Using Feature Control
Frames

Using Feature Control Frames:

Introduction
PC-DMIS lets you insert valuable dimensioning information in the form of Feature
Control Frames (FCFs) into your measurement routine. FCFs are special rectangular
boxes that house standard GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing) symbols
and information. When you insert an FCF into the Edit window, PC-DMIS also draws the
actual frame in the Graphic Display window.

Sample Feature Control Frame (see FCF1)

To insert an FCF command, access the Insert | Dimension submenu, ensure that the
Use Legacy Dimensions menu item is not selected, and then select the appropriate
dimension. PC-DMIS displays the XactMeasure GD&T dialog box for that dimension.
Once you create the FCF, PC-DMIS inserts it along with dimension information into the
measurement routine.

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 Using Feature Control Frames

FCFs provide you with a new way of dimensioning your part. All of the same
options you had with the previous legacy Dimensioning functionality still exist with FCFs
(see the information on the XactMeasure GD&T dialog box later in this chapter). If you
prefer the old way of doing dimensions, however, select the Use Legacy Dimensions
menu item. For information on legacy dimensions, see the "Using Legacy Dimensions"
chapter

Also, since the Location, Distance, Angle, and Keyin dimensions are not part of the
ASME and ISO standards, they are always created using legacy dimensions, even if
you deselected the Use Legacy Dimensions menu item.

This chapter covers the following topics:

• Information on FCF Dimension Calculations

• What is a Feature Control Frame?
• Rules for Using Feature Control Frame Dimensions
• Creating a Feature Control Frame Dimension
• Defining Datums
• Creating Customized Datum Reference Frames
• Using Maximum Material Boundary (MMB) and Least Material Boundary (LMB)
• The XactMeasure GD&T Dialog Box
• Feature Control Frame Command Block
• Feature Control Frame Trihedron
• Simultaneously Evaluating Feature Control Frames
• Position Feature Control Frame Dimension Information
• Parallelism Feature Control Frame Information
• Creating a Symmetry Feature Control Frame Dimension
• Creating a Runout Feature Control Frame Dimension
• Using Unequal Tolerance Zones with Profile Feature Control Frame Dimensions
• Feature Control Frame Reporting Tables
• Cylindricity
• Circularity
• Flatness
• Straightness
• Dimensioning Size
• Using GD&T Selection Mode to Create FCFs

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Information on Feature Control Frame (FCF) Dimension Calculations

Information on Feature Control Frame

(FCF) Dimension Calculations
PC-DMIS and ASME Y14.5-2009

• PC-DMIS GD&T supports the ASME Y14.5-2009 standard. The mathematics for
this standard are described in "ASME Y14.5.1M-1994 Mathematical Definition of
Dimensioning and Tolerancing Principles". To support the 2009 standard, PC-
DMIS provides the following:
o You can customize the Datum Reference Frame (DRF) in the FCF. For
information, see "Using Maximum Material Boundary (MMB) and Least
Material Boundary (LMB)".
o You can define the Maximum Material Boundary (MMB) value inside a
datum's brackets in a FCF when you choose a modifier. For information,
see "Creating Customized Datum Reference Frames".
o You can select a Circle-U symbol for unequally dispersed tolerance
zones. For information, see "Using Unequal Tolerance Zones with Profile
Feature Control Frame Dimensions".

Profile Calculations

• In v4.2 and higher, in the Option section of the PC-DMIS Settings Editor, you
can set the UseISOCalculations registry entry to 1. This reports Profile as
two times the maximum deviation. This setting only affects Profile (not Flatness).
Also, when the GD&T Standard on the Feature Control Frame tab of the GD&T
dialog box is set to ISO 1101, the Profile reports two times the max deviation,
and Profile form only ignores size.
• In PC-DMIS 2009 and higher, FCF Profile with no datum referenced takes into
account size. The UseSizeForProfileDimensions registry entry in the
Option section of the PC-DMIS Settings Editor lets you revert to the V42 and
earlier behavior for legacy profile dimensions only. This registry entry defaults to
1 (TRUE), so you must use the PC-DMIS Settings Editor to change it to 0
(FALSE). If set to 0, legacy Profile form only ignores size. However, the FCF
Profile always takes size into consideration.

Some Calculation Differences

• PC-DMIS computes Legacy dimensions for Roundness, such as a Location

dimension's RN line or a legacy Circularity dimension, with the Least Square

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 Using Feature Control Frames

solution. On the other hand, it computes FCF dimensions for roundness

(Circularity and Cylindricity) in version 4.2 and higher with the Tchebychev
algorithm (min/max) as required by the Y14.5 standard. Because of the change
in calculation, Circularity and Cylindricity FCF dimensions generally compute to a
slightly smaller value than their legacy counterparts.

Form Calculations

• FCF dimensions in PC-DMIS 4.2 and later support the Y14.5 definitions of
Circularity and Cylindricity.
• FCF dimensions in PC-DMIS 4.3 and later support the Y14.5 definitions of
Flatness. FCF flatness uses a Tchebychev (min/max) algorithm. Legacy flatness
still uses the LS method. FCF flatness generally gives a somewhat smaller
flatness value than the LS flatness. This is independent of the
UseISOCalculations registry entry.
• FCF dimensions in PC-DMIS 2009 and later support the Y14.5 definition of
Straightness when using FCF dimensions.
• Legacy form dimensions still calculate the least squares form.

A Note on Parallelism Evaluation

• The evaluation of parallelism is 3-dimensional regardless of the workplane or the

feature being dimensioned.

What is a Feature Control Frame?

A Sample Feature Control Frame

A Feature Control Frame (FCF) is a rectangular graphic that represents specified

dimension information for one or more features. It usually appears on a blueprint or
CAD file to define tolerance specifications for specific dimension types. The ASME
Y14.5 - 2009 Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing standard describes appropriate
use of FCFs.

4
What is a Feature Control Frame?

When multiple features are selected in the FCF, PC-DMIS creates a constructed set
internal to the FCF. This set uses the input features to create a pattern feature, where
the primary dimension line applies to the pattern feature, and the secondary dimension
line applies to the individual features. In the above Feature Control Frame example, the
pattern has its position toleranced to within 0.01, while the individual features have their
positions toleranced to within 0.005. For more information about how these are applied,
see the ASME Y14.5 - 2009 Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing standard.

The Elements of an FCF in PC-DMIS

An FCF in PC-DMIS has four different lines as defined by the GD&T standards:

1. Size tolerances - The top line has the number of features, X, diameter or radius
symbol, size nominal, plus tolerance, and minus tolerance.
2. Primary dimensions - The second line (first row in the rectangular grid) must
always exist, even though you may not use all of the fields. This line has the
primary dimension symbol, diameter symbol, main tolerance, feature material
condition, projected tolerance zone, projected tolerance zone material condition,
primary datum, primary datum material condition, secondary datum, secondary
datum material condition, tertiary datum, and tertiary datum material
condition. Often, datums, material conditions, and projected tolerance zones are
not required or available.
3. Secondary dimensions - The third line (second row in the rectangular grid) only
exists for Position and Profile types, and not all of the fields are necessary. This
line has the secondary dimension symbol, diameter symbol, main tolerance,
feature material condition, projected tolerance zone, projected tolerance zone
material condition, primary datum, primary datum material condition, secondary
datum, secondary datum material condition, tertiary datum, and tertiary datum
material condition.
4. Notes - The fourth line contains a text field where you can type further
descriptions or instructions of the FCF. By default, PC-DMIS places the FCF's ID
into this field to help identify the FCF in the Graphic Display window. You can
change this note to different text.

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 Using Feature Control Frames

Rules for Using Feature Control Frame

Dimensions
To properly use the GD&T / Feature Control Frame (FCF) tools provided in PC-DMIS,
follow these rules:

• For best results, use CAD data.

Explanation:
While you can technically use these tools without CAD, it may require additional
editing of commands to get them to function properly. Dimensions that use
datums require correct nominal (THEO) values. When you do not create features
from CAD data, you may have to edit the nominal (THEO) values of features to
ensure that they are correct.

This rule also applies to legacy dimensions.

• Use 3D features with vectors for primary datums.

Explanation:
When creating an FCF dimension, you should not reference a 2D feature as a
primary datum because it does not have vector information.

When you use a circle as a primary datum, the created datum reference frame
alignment will not level to the circle. PC-DMIS uses the circle only to position the
Datum Reference Frame (DRF) alignment origin (X, Y). The DRF alignment level
in this case is derived from the current active alignment.

However, if you want the DRF alignment to level to a primary datum circle (for
example, the circle is an Auto Circle measured with sample points), you can use
the PC-DMIS Settings Editor to set the DatumLevelToCircle parameter to 1
(by default, this is 0).

This also applies to legacy dimensions.

• DO NOT use the old style PC-DMIS text report with FCF dimensions.

Explanation:

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Rules for Using Feature Control Frame Dimensions

While this report functions well with Legacy dimensions, FCF dimensions will
experience some data loss in this reporting mode.

To ensure that you display the report properly:

1. Right-click on any white space of your report.

2. Select Edit Object.
3. In the Report dialog box, clear the Use Text Mode Dimension Reporting
check box.
• Use Min/Max reporting for Profile FCF dimensions.

Explanation:
Ensure that you are looking at the Min/Max value for Profile dimensions, and not
the Measured value.

To turn on Min/Max reporting:

1. Press F10 to access the Parameters dialog box.

2. Select the Dimension tab, and then select the Min/Max check box.
• Use correct nominal X,Y,Z,I,J,K data for Deviation Perp to Centerline
functionality.

Explanation:
Nominal data is needed for Deviation Perp to Centerline functionality to work
properly. If you are using CAD, this happens automatically. If not, you will need to
type in the needed nominal values into the THEO field.

FCF Position dimensions always use the Deviation Perp to Centerline

functionality and with the Axis set to WORST; you cannot modify this.

General Rules for Position FCF Dimensions

• Select all the specified datums so that proper fitting is performed.

Explanation:
The features selected for datum 1, datum 2, and datum 3 represent the primary,
secondary and tertiary datums and are used to constrain up to six degrees of
freedom (3 degrees of translation and 3 degrees of rotation).

This diagram shows the six degrees of freedom in 3D space (x,y,z,u,v, and w):

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 Using Feature Control Frames

• The primary datum constrains as many of the six degrees of freedom as

the primary datum feature allows.
• The secondary datum constrains as many of the remaining degrees of
freedom as the secondary datum feature allows.
• The tertiary datum constrains whatever degrees of freedom remain.

Therefore, the order of precedence of the datums is essential.

However, to override precedence you can create a customized datum
reference frame in the Y14.5 2009 GD&T Standard. See "Creating a
Customized Datum Reference Frame".

Consider these examples:

Example 1: Suppose for your datums you have a primary plane, a secondary
line, and a tertiary circle (assume that the line and circle lie in the plane). The
plane constrains rotation about X and Y and translation in Z. The line, constrains
rotation about Z and translation in Y. The circle constrains only translation in X.

Example 2: Now, suppose for your datums you have a primary plane, secondary
circle, and tertiary line (again, assume that the circle and line lie in the plane).
The plane still constrains rotation about X and Y and translation in Z. The circle
now constrains translation in X and Y. The line constrains only rotation about Z.

• Ensure that feature commands used for the datums and the dimension contain
correct nominal values.

Explanation:

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Creating a Feature Control Frame Dimension

These commands must contain the correct nominal values (X,Y,Z,I,J,K) in the
THEO field. For proper fitting to occur, PC-DMIS references these commands to
calculate datum constraints and the dimensional results.

• Ensure that the measured feature command and the associated Position
dimension come from the same alignment.

Explanation:
This ensures that the nominal values are correct and the same as the basic
dimension callouts from the drawing. When using CAD, the nominal values are
automatically calculated. Without CAD, you will need to edit all the measured
feature commands with their correct nominal values.

Creating a Feature Control Frame

Dimension
The following procedure shows you how to create a Feature Control Frame (FCF)
dimension:

1. Create the features that will be datum features. These can be measured
features, auto features, or constructed features.
2. Select Insert | Dimension | Datum Definition. The Datum Definition dialog box
appears.
3. Use the dialog box to select the datum features and associate them with datum
letters. See "Defining Datums" for information on how to do this.
4. When you have finished defining datums, close the dialog box.
5. Make sure the Insert | Dimension | Use Legacy Dimensions menu option does
not display a check mark. If it does, select the menu item to clear this check
mark.
6. Select the appropriate dimension from the Insert | Dimension submenu. The
XactMeasure GD&T dialog box for that dimension appears.
7. In the dialog box, select the Feature Control Frame tab.
8. Use this tab to select the features to dimension and to construct your FCF. For
information on the available options on this tab, see "Feature Control Frame Tab"
9. Select the Reporting tab.
10. Select the appropriate options from this tab to define how the dimension
information should be displayed. See "Reporting Tab" for information on the
available options on this tab.

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 Using Feature Control Frames

11. Select the Nominals tab.

12. Select the appropriate options from this tab and type the nominal and tolerance
values. For information on the available options on this tab, see "Nominals Tab".
13. Click Create. PC-DMIS inserts an FCF command into the measurement routine.
An FCF graphic appears in the Graphic Display window. The graphic will have a
transparent background. You can click and drag the FCF to a new location as
needed.

FCF Creation Conditions

For PC-DMIS to properly create an FCF dimension, it must meet the appropriate
conditions for the type of dimension you want to create. Consult the following list as
needed:

Form dimensions
No datums
No material conditions
No projected zones

Profile dimensions
May or may not have datums
No material conditions
No projected zones

Orientation dimensions
Must have datums
May have material conditions
May have projected zones

Runout dimensions
Must have datums
No material conditions
No projected zones

Position dimensions
May have datums
May have material conditions
May have projected zones

Other dimensions (these include symmetry, concentricity, coaxiality)

Must have datums
May have material conditions (concentricity and coaxiality ISO 1101 only)
May have projected tolerance zones (coaxiality only)

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Defining Datums

Defining Datums
A datum is a theoretically-perfect plane, point, or axis reference feature that represents
the mating part. Datums are referenced in Feature Control Frames (FCFs) to constrain
up to six degrees of freedom (three degrees of translation and three degrees of
rotation). To define the datums used in FCFs, you should first create the features that
will become the datums. These features can come from auto features, measured
features, or constructed features. Once you create the features, use Datum Definition
(DATDEF) commands to define them as datums. Each DATDEF command associates a
datum letter (for example, datum A) with a feature in your measurement routine.

Creating a Datum Definition

To define a datum, use the Datum Definition dialog box. You can access this dialog
box in these ways:

• Select Insert | Dimension | Datum Definition.

• From the GD&T XactMeasure dialog box, click the Feature Control Frame tab.

Then at the datum compartment of the FCF click the plus button ( ).

PC-DMIS displays the Datum Definition dialog box.

Datum Definition dialog box

• Datum - This box defines the datum ID.

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 Using Feature Control Frames

• - The box under the Datum box filters the list to show only those
features that contain the typed characters.
• - This drop-down arrow to the right lets you define how to sort the list of
features.

The datum letter ("A" in the above screen capture) defaults to the next available datum
letter. PC-DMIS labels datums from "A" to "Z" and then from "AA" to "ZZ". Select a
feature to be associated with this datum letter from the List of Features, and click
Create. The Create button becomes activated whenever you select a feature from the
list. When you create a definition, PC-DMIS inserts a DATDEF command into the Edit
window. For example, if you had selected PLN1 and associated it with the letter "A", the
Edit window command would read:

DATDEF/FEATURE=PLN1,DATUM=A

The feature you selected appears in the list of features with the associated datum letter
in parentheses. From the above PLN1 example, it would now appear in the list as
PLN1(A).

To create additional DATDEF commands, continue to select features, and click Create.
If you don't want to create your datums in the default alphabetical sequence, you can
modify the letter in the Datum box before you click Create.

Once you have created all your datums using the Datum Definition dialog box, you can
then use the XactMeasure GD&T dialog box to create FCF dimensions and assign your
defined datum features to those dimensions.

Bonus Refinement

When calculating the bonus on a datum, if there is a previous Position dimension or

orientation dimension on that datum feature, then the Position and/or orientation
tolerance is added to the datum bonus to calculate the virtual size of the datum.

Specifying Compound Datums in the FCF

A drawing's callout shows a compound datum using the format A-B (where the datums
are labeled A and B). This indicates that the specified datums should be used together
as if they were a single datum.

12
Defining Datums

Compound datums only function with a Position FCF dimension or Profile FCF
dimension. You can only choose circle or cylinder features (planes are not supported as
compound datums).

To specify compound datums:

1. Create the individual datums. See "Defining Datums" for information on how to
do this.
2. Select the menu item or toolbar icon to create a Position or Profile FCF. The
XactMeasure GD&T dialog box appears.
3. Specify the compound datum in the <dat> field of the Feature Control Frame
Editor area. While the list only shows individual datums, you can type the
required datum combination directly. Do this by selecting or typing the first
datum's ID, a dash, and then the ID for the last datum in the combination. If your
compound datum used datums A and B, it would look like this:

4. Select the feature (or features) for your FCF.

5. Fill out anything else needed for your FCF.
6. Click Create.

How Bonuses are Applied for Compound Datums at MMB

Suppose you define a Position FCF for a hole using a compound datum D-E at MMB
like this:

• Datum A is a surface.
• Datum D is a hole.
• Datum E is a another hole.

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 Using Feature Control Frames

PC-DMIS calculates the bonus for each of the datums in the compound datum based on
the measured size of each datum, as well as the plus and minus tolerances for the D2
axis (secondary datum) as specified on the Nominals tab:

Nominals tab showing D2 Axis with +Tol and -Tol Values

The bonus for datum D may be different than the bonus for datum E based on the
measured sizes of the two holes. The fitting process takes this into consideration.

Creating Customized Datum Reference

Frames
PC-DMIS supports the ability to create customized datum references frames (DRFs) for
FCF tolerances (for Position, Profile with datums, Symmetry, Coaxiality, Concentricity,
and Runout dimensions) as defined in section 4.22 of the Y14.5 2009 GD&T standard.
The standard states that if using a customized DRF, then the datum features and
modifiers listed therein must be followed by lowercase letters inside square brackets.
These lowercase letters (x,y,z and u,v,w) represent the designated degrees of freedom
to be constrained.

14
Creating Customized Datum Reference Frames

The six degrees of freedom in 3D space (x,y,z,u,v, and w)

To properly orient the X, Y, and Z axes, you must align the coordinate system to the
datum feature or features before you create the FCF for the tolerance. PC-DMIS
requires that the primary datum feature be leveled to Z+, and the secondary datum
feature be rotated to X+. If a degree of translational freedom (x, y, or z) is turned off
using the Customized DRF check box, then the datum shift along that axis no longer
uses the datum feature as a starting point. If a degree of translational freedom is not
constrained by any datum feature, then the origin of the current alignment is used as a
reference for the datum shift table.

Mark the Customized DRF check box on the Feature Control Frame tab of the
XactMeasure GD&T dialog box (Insert | Dimension) to enable the ability to select
degrees of freedom to constrain from the Feature Control Frame editor. (If you do not
mark this check box, PC-DMIS instead assigns the degrees of freedom based on the
"Y14.5.1M-2009 Mathematical Definition of Dimensioning and Tolerancing Principles"
standard.)

Next, in the DRF, after you have specified a datum (and, if appropriate, any modifiers),
you can then access a list with the degrees of freedom you are able to constrain:

15
 Using Feature Control Frames

Feature Control Frame Editor Showing Available Degrees of Freedom to Constrain

These letters match the lowercase letters depicted in the diagram at the start of this
topic.

Finally, mark the check box next to the degree or degrees of freedom you want to
constrain, and then press TAB or click outside of the list. The FCF preview shows the
customized datum reference frame within square brackets.

You can select any degree of freedom to constrain for a datum that has not already
been specified for a datum of higher precedence. For example, if your secondary datum
constrains the x degree of freedom, then x is not available to the tertiary datum.

Using Maximum Material Boundary

(MMB) and Least Material Boundary
(LMB)
The ASME Y14.5-2009 standard specifies how both the size and position or orientation
tolerances of a datum feature are to be used in calculating the datum MMB or LMB.
Refer to "ASME Y14.5-2009 Dimensioning and Tolerancing" section 4.11.6,
"Determining Size of Datum Feature Simulators at MMB", and succeeding sections on
LMB. Figure 4-16, "Example Calculations of Maximum Material Boundary", in the ASME
standard provides examples of how the MMB boundary is calculated for a datum
feature, taking into account both the size of the datum feature and position or orientation
tolerances on the datum feature.

Following the Y14.5-2009 standard, PC-DMIS calculates datum material boundaries as

follows:

• MMB - When you specify circle-M on a datum feature of size, PC-DMIS

calculates the datum MMB by including the effects of size and any preceding
position or orientation tolerances on the datum feature, while respecting the
datum order of precedence as specified in the ASME Y14.5-2009 standard.
Precedence in a FCF moves from left to right.

16
Using Maximum Material Boundary (MMB) and Least Material Boundary (LMB)

• LMB - When you specify circle-L on a datum feature of size, PC-DMIS

calculates the datum LMB by including the effects of size and any preceding
position or orientation tolerances on the datum feature, while respecting the
datum order of precedence as specified in the ASME Y14.5-2009 standard.
Precedence in a FCF moves from left to right.

Stating a Specific Boundary

If you want to define a specific boundary, perhaps because the implied boundary is not
clear, you can use the Feature Control Frame Editor to explicitly state the boundary
by enclosing it within brackets immediately following the applicable datum feature
reference and any modifier following that datum feature reference. This value
represents the size of the material boundary. PC-DMIS uses it to calculate the bonus on
the datum feature, disregarding any preceding position or orientation tolerances on the
datum feature:

Feature Control Frame Editor showing the MMB symbol and the square brackets that
will hold the boundary value

PC-DMIS does not currently support the use of "BSC" or "BASIC" as

discussed in the ASME standard.

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 Using Feature Control Frames

The XactMeasure GD&T Dialog Box

XactMeasure GD&T dialog box

With the XactMeasure GD&T dialog box, you can create Feature Control Frame (FCF)
dimensions and insert them into your measurement routine. This dialog box appears
when you select a supported FCF dimension from the Insert | Dimension submenu
and when the Insert | Use Legacy Dimensions menu item is not selected.

The dialog box consists of three tabs: Feature Control Frame, Reporting, and
Nominals, each with several controls that you can use to construct the FCF and its
associated dimension information.

18
The XactMeasure GD&T Dialog Box

Feature Control Frame Tab

GD&T dialog box - Feature Control Frame tab

The Feature Control Frame tab in the XactMeasure GD&T dialog box (Insert |
Dimension | <dimension>) helps you construct a Feature Control Frame (FCF). It
provides you with tools that you can use to define datum features, select the features
used in the FCF dimension, and define the specific symbols, tolerances, and datums
used in your FCF. It also provides a preview area that displays the current state of the
FCF as you build it. For information on the items on this tab, see the list of controls
below:

ID - This box displays the name for the FCF. You can edit it if you want something
different.

Feature - This list lets you choose the considered features for a particular FCF type.
Some features may exist in the measurement routine but are not available to the FCF.
For example, a plane feature is not available to Circularity. PC-DMIS updates this list
after you select the first feature. This ensures that when you create a pattern of features
for the FCF, those features are compatible features.

Reorder Selected Items - This button shows a Selected Items list with all the
selected items. When you select items, a small number appears next to that item in the
Feature list. These numbers indicate the order of selection. The Selected Items list

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 Using Feature Control Frames

contains small up-and-down black arrows next to each item that let you rearrange the
selection order of the selected items. A small x next to each item lets you deselect items
from the list of selected items.

Clear Selection - This button clears all the selected items in the Feature list. The
number in parentheses to the left of this button indicates the number of selected items.

Select All - This button selects all the features in the Feature list.

Feature Control Frame Editor - This editor is below the ID and GD&T Standard items.
You can use this area to apply changes to the FCF.

The FCF Editor

If a plus button ( ) appears to the right of the FCF, you can use it to access the
Datum Definitions dialog box, which enables you to define datums for your current
FCF dimension.

You can select fields with your mouse pointer or by pressing Tab and then Enter to
place the field into edit mode. If the field is editable, it displays either a list of available
options or a box into which you can type text. When you finish editing a field, press the
Enter or Tab key, or click on a different field to exit edit mode. To move backwards to
the previous field, press Shift + Tab.

When a field is empty, a short description displays with brackets around it for
identification. These descriptions correspond to these fields:

<UA> - Unit Area (Only for Flatness FCF dimensions. See the "Per Unit Check
Box" topic below.)

<UZ> - Unequal tolerance zone (only for Profile FCF dimensions)

<UTol> - Unequal tolerance value (only for Profile FCF dimensions)

<MC> - Material condition

<size> - Material boundary size

20
The XactMeasure GD&T Dialog Box

<D> - Diameter

<Dim> - Dimension or feature control frame type

<PZ> - Projected zone

<num> - Number of features

<nom> - Nominal of feature size

<+tol> - Plus tolerance

<-tol> - Minus tolerance

<tol> - Tolerance

<dat> - Datum

<sym> - Dimension symbol

[x,y,z or u,v,w] - Customized datum reference frames. See "Creating a

Customized Datum Reference Frame".

<add notes here> - Note field in the first line

<add optional design notes> - Optional design notes in the last line

Spherical Zone - You can use a spherical tolerance zone if you have a Position FCF
for a point or sphere feature. To enable a spherical tolerance zone, select the feature to
dimension. Then, in the FCF editor, select the diameter symbol and change it to the
spherical zone symbol as shown here:

Planar Zone - This button appears in the Feature Control Frame Editor area of this
tab if you are defining a Position FCF dimension or one of the orientation FCF
dimensions (Perpendicularity, Parallelism, or Angularity), and the tolerance zone is set
to a planar zone. To enable a planar zone and display the Planar Zone button, select
the diameter symbol from the FCF editor and set it to blank as shown here:

21
 Using Feature Control Frames

Once the Planar Zone button appears, you can click it to open the Planar Zone
Direction dialog box:

Planar Zone Direction dialog box

PC-DMIS selects the direction vector by default when the considered feature
is a plane or line. For non-planar features (circles, cylinders, and spheres), you must
specify the planar zone direction by selecting either axes or vector and type the nominal
IJK values.

The Planar Zone Direction dialog box lets you specify the direction vector for the
planar zone in one of two ways:

• Choose an axis in the current active alignment. Select the Axis option.
Then from the Axis list, select an axis: X, Y, Z, Radial Arc, or Right Angle
to Radial.

Radial Arc / Right Angle to Radial

You can apply a positional tolerance in two directions to features

located by polar coordinate dimensions relative to the specified

22
The XactMeasure GD&T Dialog Box

datums. To do this, define two FCF dimensions and apply a different

planar tolerance in each direction. One FCF dimension's tolerance
should be a radial direction (Radial Arc). The other FCF dimension
should be perpendicular to the imaginary center line that passes
through the features (Right Angle to Radial). To evaluate the
positional tolerance in these two directions simultaneously, you must
create a SIMULTANEOUS EVALUATION command that references
these two FCFs. See the "Simultaneously Evaluating Feature
Control Frames" topic.

Consider the following example. Suppose you have these two FCF
dimensions applied to the circle labeled as item 1 in the diagram
below:

Dimension 1 using Radial Arc:

Dimension 2 using Right Angle to Radial:

Your Radial Arc tolerance (item 3) would then be a .04 wide

tolerance zone applied to the arc that passes through the circle's
centroid and the radius (R).

Your Right Angle to Radial tolerance (item 2) would be a 0.2 wide

tolerance zone parallel to the center line passing through center of
datum D and circle 1.

23
 Using Feature Control Frames

Diagram showing tolerance zones for Radial Arc (3) or Right Angle
to Radial (2) applied to a circle (1)

• Input the IJK of the direction vector directly. Select the Vector option.
Then in the I, J, and K boxes, type the direction vector.

This direction vector is applied to the current active alignment.

Feature Control Frame Options - The options in this area change based on the type of
FCF dimension you are creating. These are discussed in detail below after this topic.

• Per Unit check box

• Profile Options
• Composite check box
• Axial and Radial Options
• Customized DRF check box
• GD&T Standard area
• Local Size list

Actions and Procedures - This section displays hints and instructions to assist
you in building valid FCFs.

Preview - This section displays a preview of the FCF with the current settings. It
does not include any of the empty fields or empty descriptions that appear in the
Feature Control Frame Editor section, such as fields that have brackets; for
example:
"<dat>".

24
The XactMeasure GD&T Dialog Box

Notes on the Feature Control Frame Editor

Be aware that some of the icon fields in the Feature Control Frame Editor area do not
appear for certain dimensions if they are not supported. For example, if you have a
Circularity dimension, PC-DMIS displays the tolerance field but hides any datum or
modifier fields.

Form dimensions (Circularity or Roundness, Cylindricity, Flatness, Profile with Form

Only) - These don't support datums or modifiers, so these fields do not appear. Profile in
some cases falls in this category when checking for "Form Only". But "Form and
Location" for Profile dimensions allows the display of modifiers.

Orientation dimensions (Parallelism, Perpendicularity, Angularity) - These allow

datums and modifiers.

Location dimensions (Position, Concentricity, Coaxiality, Symmetry, Profile with Form

and Location) - These allow datums and modifiers.

Runout dimensions - These must have datums.

Straightness dimension - This dimension supports modifiers if the feature being

dimensioned for straightness is a cylinder feature. It does not support datums.

Also, only these dimensions can have multiple lines in the editor:

• Position
• Parallelism
• Perpendicularity

Tolerance Zones for Form Dimensions

For information on how PC-DMIS reports tolerance zones for form dimensions, see
"Reported Tolerance Zones for Form Dimensions" in the "Reporting Measurement
Results" chapter.

Per Unit Check Box

The Per Unit check box on the Feature Control Frame tab in the XactMeasure GD&T
dialog box (Insert | Dimension | <dimension>) appears for flatness and straightness
dimensions. Use it to specify a flatness per unit area or a straightness per unit length.

When you mark the Per Unit check box, PC-DMIS changes the Feature Control
Frame Editor area by adding an additional line where you can enter a tolerance value
as well as the unit area or unit length values:

25
 Using Feature Control Frames

Feature Control Frame Editor (per unit flatness)

Feature Control Frame Editor (per unit straightness)

PC-DMIS now automatically uses a step increment that ensures that the "per unit
window" includes maximum overlap as it "slides" over all the point data.

Per Unit Flatness Overlap Details:

The overlap between unit areas for flatness is usually 90%. This is the case if both of
the following are true:

 TL <10 * UL

where TL is Total Length and UL is Unit Length.

 The number of points is less than 9,999.

The overlap decreases to a minimum of 50% if either of the following are true:

 TL > 25 * UL

where TL is Total Length and UL is Unit Length.

 The number of points is greater than 24,999

In table form, this is expressed as:

Total Length Divided

Overlap Number of Points
by Unit Length
90% 5,000 5
80% 10,000 10
70% 15,000 15

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The XactMeasure GD&T Dialog Box

60% 20,000 20
50% >= 25,000 >= 25

Once you enter the desired information and create the Feature Control Frame (FCF),
PC-DMIS also applies the flatness per unit area or straightness per unit length in the
FCF:

For example, a flatness FCF with an overall flatness tolerance of .05 and a per unit
tolerance of .01 per unit area of 10 x 10 would look like this:

Example of a Finished Per Unit Flatness FCF

For example, a straightness FCF with an overall straightness tolerance of .0254 with a
per unit tolerance of .012 / per unit length of 10 would look like this:

Example of a Finished Per Unit Straightness FCF

PC-DMIS also supports the "square area" symbol that was added in the Y14.5 2009
standard. This symbol indicates when the area is exactly square, which means that the
width and length values of the per unit area are identical. To use this symbol, select the
<UA> field and choose the Square Area symbol from the list:

Example of Selecting the Square Area Symbol

27
 Using Feature Control Frames

The FCF appears as follows. The square area symbol indicates that the per unit area
value following it has an identical width and length (in this case the 10 meaning a 10 X
10 area):

Example of a Finished Per Unit Flatness FCF with Square Area Symbol

The square area symbol also appears in your report output.

Profile Options
No Datum Feature

If you do not specify a datum feature for a Feature Control Frame (FCF) profile
dimension on the Feature Control Frame tab in the XactMeasure GD&T dialog box
(Insert | Dimension | <dimension>), the location of the measured feature is not
controlled. A profile dimension without a datum feature determines how closely the
measured feature matches the same form and size as its nominal shape.

Also, you must define the Best Fit algorithm in the Profile area of the Nominals tab in
the XactMeasure GD&T dialog box (Insert | Dimension | <dimension>). The
algorithm defaults to MIN/MAX to conform to the ASME Y14.5 and ISO 1101 standards.
For more information, see "Nominals Tab".

Per Unit - This behaves nearly the same as the Per Unit check box for Straightness.
For Line Profile, the Per Unit distance is an arc distance along a line, scan, curve,
circle, or ellipse. This item only applies to line profile, not surface profile.

With a Datum Feature

If you choose one or more datum features, a Composite check box appears. This
determines whether or not the dimension is a composite profile dimension. For more
information, see "Composite Check Box".

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The XactMeasure GD&T Dialog Box

Profile dimensions with a datum feature determine how closely the measured feature
matches the same form, size, and location as its nominal shape. The profile must be
within acceptable tolerances defined by the Plus and Minus tolerances. The tolerance
zone is usually equally disposed about the nominal shape, but you can also define it as
an unequal tolerance zone. For more information see, "Using Unequal Tolerance Zones
with Profile Feature Control Frame Dimensions".

• A single-segment line profile:

• A single-segment line profile with a datum:

• A multiple-segment line profile of two segments:

• A composite line profile:

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 Using Feature Control Frames

Composite Check Box

The Composite check box on the Feature Control Frame tab in the XactMeasure
GD&T dialog box (Insert | Dimension | <dimension>) controls whether or not the
primary dimension row and secondary dimension row should use the same symbol in a
single merged cell that spans both rows.

When you select the Composite check box, the Feature Control Frame becomes a
composite callout. In a composite callout, the symbol spans across the rows, like this:

If you clear the Composite check box, the primary and secondary rows display as
multiple single segments. Each segment has its own separate symbol, even if the
symbol represents the same thing on both rows, like this:

The ASME Y14.5 - 2009 Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing describes the
differences in interpreting these conditions.

Axial and Radial Options

When you create either a Circular or Total Runout FCF dimension, the Axial and Radial
options appear in the Feature Control Frame options area on the Feature Control
Frame tab in the XactMeasure GD&T dialog box (Insert | Dimension | <dimension>).
These identify the type of runout. In some cases, the input feature or features
automatically determine which of these two options is selected:

• Axial - The runout is measured on the end surface of a cylindrical part.

• Radial - The runout is measured on the cylindrical surface of a bore or shaft.

For a Circular Runout with a circle feature as an input, this area also displays a surface
type list with two options: Conical and Cylindrical.

30
The XactMeasure GD&T Dialog Box

Feature Control Frame options area for a Circular Runout with Cone selected from the
list and a Cone angle box

This list defines the surface type for the circle feature. If it's on a cylinder, select
Cylindrical. If it's on a cone, select Conical.

If you select Conical, the Half Cone angle box appears so that you can define the cone
angle to use in the runout calculation. PC-DMIS calculates the runout of a circle
measured on the surface of a cone perpendicular to the cone surface. It does this by
multiplying the cylindrical result by COS (Half Cone Angle).

For more information on FCF Runout, see the "Creating a Runout Feature Control
Frame Dimension" topic.

Customized Datum Reference Frame (DRF)

The Customized DRF check box on the Feature Control Frame tab in the
XactMeasure GD&T dialog box (Insert | Dimension | <dimension>) gives you the
ability to create customized datum reference frames based on the Y14.5 2009 GD&T
standard. When marked, lists appear inside square brackets, enabling you to select
which degrees of freedom you would like to constrain. See "Creating a Customized
Datum Reference Frame" for information.

GD&T Standard
GD&T Standard area - From the list in this area on the Feature Control Frame tab in
the XactMeasure GD&T dialog box (Insert | Dimension | <dimension>), you can
choose the type of GD&T standard to use for your Feature Control Frame (FCF)
dimension. Available options include ISO 1101, ASME Y14.5, and Custom.

If you select ISO 1101 or ASME Y14.5, PC-DMIS changes different GD&T settings and
calculations so that it follows the selected standard. If you do something that extends or
customizes the previous selected standard, PC-DMIS automatically selects Custom.

ISO 1101

When you select to follow this standard, PC-DMIS applies the following changes:

• It calculates the profile deviation as two times the max deviation.

• It clears the Deviation Perpto Centerline check box by default. You can later
select the check box if desired.

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 Using Feature Control Frames

• It selects the Fit to Datums check box by default. If you then clear this check
box, the drop-down list changes to Custom.
• It calculates Axial/Radial runout according to this standard.
• Concentricity and Coaxiality support material condition modifiers (MMC/LMC) for
the considered feature but not the datum features.
• Symmetry is only RFS for both the considered feature and datums.
• Material condition symbols are (for MMC), (for LMC), and a blank (for
RFS).
• If you choose the Position symbol for an Auto Cylinder feature, it displays the
Local Size list. For more information, see "Local Size List".

ASME Y14.5

When you select to follow this standard, PC-DMIS applies the following changes:

• It calculates the profile deviation as (max deviation - min deviation).

• It selects the Deviation Perpto Centerline check box by default. You can later
clear the check box if desired.
• It selects the Fit to Datums check box by default. If you then clear this check
box, the drop-down list changes to Non-Standard.
• It calculates Axial/Radial runout according to this standard.
• Concentricity, Coaxiality, and Symmetry are only at RFS for both considered
feature and datums.
• Material condition symbols are (for MMC), (for LMC), and a blank or
(for RFS).

Custom

Selecting this doesn't follow a particular standard, so nothing is really changed.

However, PC-DMIS changes the drop-down list to Custom and makes the other items
unavailable, if you do any of the following:

• Attempt to dimension the parallelism of a plane with a projection length/width or

diameter
• Clear the Fit to Datums check box
• Select the R symbol in the size tolerance for a position dimension.

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The XactMeasure GD&T Dialog Box

• Prior to version 2014.1, to report local size, you selected the ISO 8015
standard. In version 2014.1, ISO 8015 was removed from the GD&T Standards
list. To report on local size, from the GD&T Standards list, select ISO 1101 to
display the Local Size list. From the Local Size list, select Local: MAX & MIN.
For more information, see "Local Size List".
• To set the standard used for legacy dimensions, you can use the
UseISOCalculations registry entry. For more information, see "Dimensioning
Profile - Line or Surface" in the "Using Legacy Dimensions" chapter.

Local Size List

The local size is measured where you take the hits at each level of the Auto Cylinder
along its axis. You should take hits on more than two levels when you evaluate the local
size.

The Local size list on the Feature Control Frame tab in the XactMeasure GD&T
dialog box (Insert | Dimension | <dimension>) defines the type of local size options to
use. This list appears only if you meet the following conditions:

• You select an Auto Cylinder feature.

• You select the Position symbol for your Feature Control Frame (FCF).
• From the from the GD&T standard list, you choose ISO 1101.

The Local size list contains these options:

NONE - No local size is reported.

LOCAL: MAX & MIN - This reports the largest (MAX) and smallest (MIN) local sizes
from all the levels measured along the axis of the Auto Cylinder.

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 Using Feature Control Frames

Reporting Tab

GD&T dialog box - Reporting tab

The Reporting tab in the XactMeasure GD&T dialog box (Insert | Dimension |
<dimension>) provides you with the ability to set output and analysis options for your
Feature Control Frame (FCF) dimensions. For documentation on this tab, see the list of
dialog box items discussed below. Also, note that much of this functionality already
exists in the legacy dimensions and is discussed in detail in the "Using Legacy
Dimensions" chapter.

Output

In the Output area, you can use the Report and Statistics list to output feature control
frame results:

• STATS - sends output to statistical files

• REPORT - sends output to inspection report
• BOTH - sends output to both inspection report and statistical files
• NONE - doesn’t send output anywhere

When PC-DMIS executes an FCF command, the results are sent to the specified
output.

34
The XactMeasure GD&T Dialog Box

If you choose Stats or Both, a preceding STATS/ON command must exist inside
the Edit window in order to send the FCF to the stats file.

The Units list determines the units of measurement used by your FCF. You can choose
between these options:

• IN - Inches
• MM - Millimeters

When you create a dimension (either legacy or FCF) for the first time, PC-DMIS uses
the measurement unit used by the current measurement routine. Thereafter, PC-DMIS
recalls what you selected on your last-created dimension when you next open a
dimension or the XactMeasure GD&T dialog box.

When you create more than one FCF in your measurement routine, you don't
need to continually define your settings in the Output area. Instead, PC-DMIS
automatically checks your cursor position in the Edit window. If it finds an FCF at the
current position, it uses those settings. If it doesn't, it searches up in the Edit window
and uses the settings from the immediately preceding FCF.

Analysis

This area sets the dimensional output analysis format for the FCF. It contains three lists
for different types of analyses:

• Report textual analysis - This type of analysis displays in a text format. The
following items are included in the standard inspection report and the Report
window for each individual hit used in the FCF:
o Measured X, Y, and Z values
o Measured I, J, and K values
o Deviation of each individual hit
o MAX or MIN marker at the end of the line whenever the hit produces either
a maximum or minimum deviation
• Report graphical analysis - This type of analysis displays in a graphical format
that uses colored arrows. Each arrow represents the deviation of each individual
hit in the FCF. These arrows, with their colors and directions, indicate the relative
size of the error and its direction.

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 Using Feature Control Frames

• CAD graphical analysis - This type of analysis displays the same graphical
analysis as Report graphical analysis above, but it displays inside the Graphic
Display window.

Descriptions of ON, OFF, POSITION, FORM, and BOTH Items

o ON - PC-DMIS enables that type of analysis.

o OFF - PC-DMIS disables that type of analysis.
o POSITION - PC-DMIS enables that type of analysis, but only analyzes the
dimension's location.
o FORM - PC-DMIS enables that type of analysis, but analyzes the
dimension's form.
o BOTH - PC-DMIS enables that type of analysis, but analyzes both the
location and form of the dimension.

Available List Items Based on Dimension Type

o If you create a Profile form and location FCF dimension (requires datums),
the available options are OFF, POSITION, FORM, BOTH since you can
request analyses for position (location) and/or form.
o If you create a Profile form only FCF dimension (no datums), the options
are OFF, FORM since you can request an analysis only for form.
o If you create a Position FCF dimension, the options are OFF, POSITION,
FORM, and BOTH, since you can request analyses for position and/or
form. The form axis can be selected from the list of axes within in the
Position area.
o For all other dimensions, the options are ON, OFF.

• Arrow Multiplier - The Arrow Multiplier box sets a scaling factor that magnifies
the deviation arrows and tolerance zone for the CAD Graphical Analysis mode.
If you type a 2.0 value, PC-DMIS scales the arrows two times the calculated
deviation for each feature hit. The Multiplier box is for viewing purposes only
and is not reflected in the text printout.
• Arrow Density - This slider sets the percentage of dimension arrows, which
represent individual points to display in the Graphic Display window when
graphical analysis is used on a dimension. These dimension arrows represent
the individual points. This limits the amount of arrows drawn for FCF dimensions.
For more information, see the "Dimension Options" topic under "Inserting
Commands Related to the Analysis Window" in the "Inserting Report
Commands" chapter.

36
The XactMeasure GD&T Dialog Box

Dimension Info

This area creates a Dimension Info FCF. When you select the Create Dimension Info
when this dialog closes check box, PC-DMIS enables the Edit link. You can click this
link to open a dialog box that lets you set default options for the Dimension Info
command (DIMINFO). For more information, see "Edit Default Dimension Info".

When you create your FCF, the dialog box closes, and PC-DMIS creates a DIMINFO
command in the Edit window after the FCF. This DIMINFO command displays the
dimension information in the Graphic Display window next to the feature. You can select
which ones to display from the Feature list on the Feature Control Frame tab. The
dimension information also displays the same available dimension axes used in the Edit
window for that particular FCF.

For more information on DIMINFO boxes and rules for their creation, see "Inserting
Dimension Info Boxes" in the "Inserting Report Commands" chapter.

Nominals Tab

XactMeasure GD&T dialog box - Nominals tab

The Nominals tab in the XactMeasure GD&T dialog box is available for dimensions if
the following conditions are met:

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 Using Feature Control Frames

• You are creating an FCF of Position, Perpendicularity, Parallelism, Angularity, or

Profile.
• The FCF uses datums of size at MMC or LMC.
• The FCF contains axis information that requires you to define a size tolerance.

For other FCF types or conditions, it remains unavailable.

The Nominals tab contains these items:

• Alignment - Sometimes when you view dimension information relative to the

current alignment, the calculations of the datums can sometimes be hard to
decipher. This list lets you determine how this information should get displayed:
relative to a particular alignment or relative to the datum reference frame.
• Fit to Datums - This check box uses a best fit calculation to find the optimal
position of the datum reference frame that minimizes the error.
• Deviation Perpto Centerline - This check box calculates the deviation
perpendicular to the feature's theoretical centerline or perpendicular to the direct
X, Y, and Z values. For more information, see "Deviation Perpendicular to
Centerline" in the "Using Legacy Dimensions" section.
• Nominals and Axes - This portion customizes the output by controlling which
axes PC-DMIS displays in the report. You can also manually type the nominal
values.

• Feature List - The list to the left of the Nominal and Axis columns displays all
the features used in the FCF. When you access the Nominals tab, PC-DMIS
automatically selects the top-most feature (or feature set) from this list. It then
displays the feature's information in the columns to the right. If more than one
feature is present, you can select just that feature to display and edit its specific
information.
• Report Axis - This column contains check boxes for each axis. A selected check
box sends that axis to the report.

38
The XactMeasure GD&T Dialog Box

Reporting the Size Table (DF axis):

o By default, if considered features for an FCF Position dimension are

at RFS, then PC-DMIS checks the DF check box. This includes the
size table from the report. However, you still have the option of
clearing this check box if you do not want to include the size table in
the report.
o By default, if considered features for an FCF Position dimension are
at MMC/LMC then PC-DMIS forces the DF check box to be marked.
This includes the size table in the report. In this case, you cannot
clear this check box.

• Axis - This column lists the available axes for the selected feature. Those axes
that relate to size enable you to apply a plus or minus tolerance.

Axes Description
X The X axis
Y The Y axis
Z The Z axis
PA The Polar Angle value
PR The Polar Radius value
D1 Diameter /Width of the first datum
D2 Diameter/Width of the second datum
D3 Diameter/Width of the third datum
Diameter/Width of the feature. If this axis is checked, then the
DF
report includes a size table to report the bonus.
LF Length of the feature if the feature is a slot
WF Width of the feature if the feature is a slot
LD Length of the datum if the datum is a slot
WD Width of the datum if the datum is a slot
The integrated form dimension for the feature.
RN, FL,
or ST • For a circle or cylinder feature, this is the Roundness(RN)
dimension.

39
 Using Feature Control Frames

• For a plane feature this is the Flatness(FL) dimension.

• For a line feature this is the Straightness(ST) dimension.

•
• Nominal - This column contains nominal values. You can overwrite them by
clicking on them and typing different values.

• +Tol / -Tol - These columns provide fields for you to type the plus and minus
tolerances for the various axes used in your FCF. PC-DMIS only applies these
tolerance values to axes that relate to size, since the axes that control position
use the main tolerance in the FCF.

Profile

This area defines the Best Fit algorithm and Workplane to use for Profile dimensions.

Profile options for Line Profile dimension

40
The XactMeasure GD&T Dialog Box

Profile options for Surface Profile dimension

To enable this area, you must meet these conditions:

• Create a Line Profile or a Surface Profile dimension.

• From the Feature Control Frame tab in the Feature Control Frame options
area, from the Segment area, select Single Segment.

The Profile area for a Line Profile dimension contains these items:

NO FIT - This does not create an alignment.

For descriptions of LEAST_SQR, VECTOR_LST_SQR, MIN_MAX, and

VECTOR_MIN_MAX, see "The Best Fit Alignment Methods" in the "Creating and
Using Alignments" chapter.

OPTIMIZED - This fit uses a genetic algorithm to determine if the data passes or
fails the Line Profile dimension. You can also specify the lower tolerance value.
(Typically, with the other fitting methods, you can't change the tolerance from 0.0.)

Workplane

When you use the line profile dimension, PC-DMIS creates an internal two-
dimensional alignment that rotates and translates in all directions within the
selected workplane to minimize the deviations of the individual hits. If you select a
workplane that differs from the two-dimensional projection of the curve, an
incorrect calculation results.

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 Using Feature Control Frames

The Profile area for a Surface Profile dimension contains these items:

NO FIT - This does not create an alignment.

For descriptions of LEAST_SQR, VECTOR_LST_SQR, MIN_MAX, and

VECTOR_MIN_MAX, see "The Best Fit Alignment Methods" in the "Creating and
Using Alignments" chapter.

Iterate and RePierce CAD

This area only appears for Profile dimensions in the case of form only. This area lets
you control whether or not an iterate and re-pierce operation occurs and what
Tolerance and Max Iterations values to use. PC-DMIS internally uses an alignment to
try to match theoretical and measured hits.

For more information on this area, see the information on the same Iterate and
RePierce CAD area in "Description of the Best Fit Alignment Dialog Box" in the
"Creating and Using Alignments" chapter.

Feature Control Frame Command Block

The following example shows the syntax of a sample Feature Control Frame (FCF)
command block using the Edit window in Command mode:

FCF6 = POSITION OF CIR1,CIR2,CIR3,...

FEATCTRLFRAME/SHOWNOMS=YES,SHOWPARAMS=YES,SHOWEXPANDED=YES
CADGRAPH=BOTH REPORTGRAPH=OFF TEXT=BOTH MULT=10.00
OUTPUT=BOTH UNITS=IN
COMPOSITE=NO,FIT TO DATUMS=YES,OUTPUT ALIGNMENT=Datum
Reference Frame
SIZE TOLERANCES/4,DIAMETER,0.375,0.01,0.01
PRIMARY
DIMENSION/POSITION,DIAMETER,0.01,MMC,A,<MC>,B,MMC,C,<MC>

42
Feature Control Frame Command Block

SECONDARY
DIMENSION/POSITION,DIAMETER,0.005,MMC,<PZ>,<len>,A,<MC>,
B,MMC,<dat>,<MC>
NOTE/FCF6
FEATURES/CIR1,CIR2,CIR3,CIR4,,
FEATURE SET
X:NOM=-1
Y:NOM=6.0235
Z:NOM=0
<NEW>
CIR1
X:NOM=-1
Y:NOM=5.07
Z:NOM=0
<NEW>
CIR2
X:NOM=-2
Y:NOM=6.008
Z:NOM=0
<NEW>
CIR3
X:NOM=-1
Y:NOM=7.008
Z:NOM=0
<NEW>
CIR4
X:NOM=0
Y:NOM=6.008
Z:NOM=0
<NEW>
DATUMS
D2:NOM=1,+TOL=0.01,-TOL=0.01

Feature Control Frame name = FCF type (Dimension type) OR feature list.

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 Using Feature Control Frames

Feature List = List of features. If there are more than three features, then the list prints
out a set of ellipses to ensure that the line fits. For example, FEAT1, FEAT2, FEAT3,
and so on. If there is more than one, it is treated as a pattern set, and all features must
be the same feature type.

SHOWNOMS = YES/NO. When set to YES, the FCF types that have nominals display
them. These include position, distances, angle between, and angularity.

SHOWPARAMS = YES/NO. When set to YES, the following parameters display with
the text: CADGRAPH, REPORTGRAPH, TEXT, MULT, OUTPUT, UNITS,
COMPOSITE, FIT TO DATUMS, OUTPUT ALIGNMENT. When off, these same options
do not display.

SHOWEXPANDED = YES/NO. When set to YES, the FCF displays empty fields with a
description inside brackets. When off, the empty fields display as blank.

<MC> - Material condition

<D> - Diameter

<Dim> - Dimension or FCF type

<PZ> - Projected zone

<num> - Number of features

<nom> - Nominal of feature size

<+tol> - Plus tolerance

<-tol> - Minus tolerance

<tol> - Tolerance

<dat> - Datum

<sym> - Dimension symbol

<add notes here> - Note field – first line

<add optional design notes> - Optional design notes – last line

CADGRAPH = OFF/ON/POSITION/FORM/BOTH – Display the graphical analysis on

the model in the Graphic Display window.

44
Feature Control Frame Command Block

• Position and Profile dimensions with datums use

OFF/POSITION/FORM/BOTH.
• Profile dimensions without datums only use OFF/FORM.
• All other dimensions use OFF/ON.

REPORTGRAPH = OFF/ON/POSITION/FORM/BOTH – Display the graphical analysis

on the report.

• Position and Profile dimensions with datums use

OFF/POSITION/FORM/BOTH.
• Profile dimensions without datums only use OFF/FORM.
• All other dimensions use OFF/ON.

TEXT = OFF/ON/POSITION/FORM/BOTH – Display the textual analysis on the report.

• Position and Profile dimensions with datums use

OFF/POSITION/FORM/BOTH.
• Profile dimensions without datums only use OFF/FORM.
• All other dimensions use OFF/ON.

MULT = Positive numeric value that scales the graphical analysis in the main CAD
graphics.

OUTPUT = STATISTICS/REPORT/BOTH/NONE – Include the FCF calculations in the

xstats11.tmp file, output report, both, or neither.

For details on the locations of PC-DMIS files, see "Understanding File

Locations".

COMPOSITE = YES/NO. When set to YES, the FCF displays the primary and
secondary dimension lines as a composite dimension. This is available for position and
profile dimensions.

FIT TO DATUMS = YES/NO. This option is only available for position FCFs. When set
to YES, the calculations allow a best fit calculation on the datums to find an optimal best
fit that minimizes the datum shift.

OUTPUT ALIGNMENT = Datum Reference Frame/Current Alignment. This option is

only available for position FCFs. When Datum Reference Frame is selected, the X, Y,
Z positions display relative to the datum reference frame. When Current Alignment is
selected, the X, Y, Z positions display relative to the current alignment.

45
 Using Feature Control Frames

UNITS = IN/MM. The units that the FCF uses to display its information.

SIZE TOLERANCES = Represents the top line of the FCF. For some FCF types, this
line is not shown. This line displays the following:

• Number of features selected

• Whether or not the diameter symbol is used
• Nominal size of the feature(s)
• Size tolerances that are applied to the nominal value

PRIMARY DIMENSION or DIMENSION = Represents the second possible line of the

FCF, which contains the primary type of FCF. Note that some of the fields are only valid
for some FCF types. This line displays the following:

• FCF type
• Whether or not the diameter symbol is used
• Main tolerance value
• Material condition applied to the main tolerance
• Projected tolerance zone symbol
• Projected tolerance zone value
• Primary datum
• Primary datum material condition
• Secondary datum
• Secondary datum material condition
• Tertiary datum
• Tertiary datum material condition

If a secondary dimension is not possible for the particular FCF type, then this line just
uses the title DIMENSION.

SECONDARY DIMENSION = Represents the third possible line of the FCF, which
contains the primary type of FCF. Many FCF types display nothing for the secondary
dimension. In addition, some of the fields are only valid for some FCF types. This line
displays the following:

• Feature type
• Whether or not the diameter symbol is used
• Main tolerance value
• Material condition applied to the main tolerance
• Projected tolerance zone symbol
• Projected tolerance zone value
• Primary datum
• Primary datum material condition

46
Feature Control Frame Command Block

• Secondary datum
• Secondary datum material condition
• Tertiary datum
• Tertiary datum material condition

If a secondary dimension is valid, the secondary dimension must follow the rules of
practice by the ASME Y14.5 2009 Dimensioning and Tolerancing standard.

NOTE = Represents the final line of the FCF. It displays text notes. For ease of
identifying FCFs in the main graphics, this field defaults to display the FCF's ID.

NOMINAL LINES: These fields display the nominals of the dimensions internal to the
FCF. First, it displays the nominal position of the resulting pattern feature set if more
than one feature was selected. Second, it displays the nominal positions of the
individual features. Finally, it displays the nominal size and tolerances of the datums
that have size. In each of these groups, it lists the nominals that have been selected for
display on the Nominals tab of the XactMeasure GD&T dialog box for the FCF, so
each axis to be displayed can be turned on or off. To turn on the display of other
nominals in the Edit window, toggle the <NEW> line to see axes that are available but
not currently displayed.

FEATURE SET
X:NOM=-1
Y:NOM=6.0235
Z:NOM=0
<NEW>
CIR1
X:NOM=-1
Y:NOM=5.07
Z:NOM=0
<NEW>
CIR2
X:NOM=-2
Y:NOM=6.008
Z:NOM=0
<NEW>
CIR3
X:NOM=-1
Y:NOM=7.008
Z:NOM=0
47
 Using Feature Control Frames

<NEW>
CIR4
X:NOM=0
Y:NOM=6.008
Z:NOM=0
<NEW>
DATUMS
D2:NOM=1,+TOL=0.01,-TOL=0.01

Feature Control Frame Trihedron

If you select a Feature Control Frame (FCF) command in the Edit window, and that
command uses a datum reference frame, PC-DMIS displays a blue and yellow trihedron
to represent the reference frame for your FCF. This differs from the red and green
trihedron used to represent your part's current alignment.

The following image shows:

• The alignment's trihedron in red, green, and blue

• The FCF's trihedron in blue and yellow

48
Simultaneously Evaluating Feature Control Frames

FCF Trihedron (below) and Alignment Trihedron (above)

Simultaneously Evaluating Feature

Control Frames
The Insert | Dimension | Simultaneous Evaluation menu item displays the
Simultaneous Evaluation dialog box. This dialog box creates a SIMULTANEOUS
command inside your measurement routine. This command evaluates simultaneously
two or more true position Feature Control Frames (FCFs), or two or more profile (line or
surface) FCFs.

49
 Using Feature Control Frames

If you have two sets of holes on a part and the holes of one set are a different
size than the holes of the other set, but you want to evaluate the true position of all the
holes as if they were all one set, you can use Simultaneous Evaluation. First, create
two separate true position FCFs, one for each set of holes. Then use Simultaneous
Evaluation to evaluate both FCFs together.

Simultaneous Evaluation dialog box

The right-hand list shows all of the FCF commands available for the Simultaneous
Evaluation command. It only lists FCFs for true position or profile dimensions. From the
right-hand list, select the items that you want to include in the Simultaneous Evaluation
command. As you select items, the Add button becomes active. To select multiple
items, hold Ctrl while selecting the items. To deselect any highlighted items, click Clear.

To add the selected items to the left-hand list in the Feature Control Frames area, click
Add. The left-hand list defines the FCFs that are evaluated by the Simultaneous
Evaluation command.

If you want to remove an item from being evaluated simultaneously, select what you
want to remove from the left-hand list, and click Delete. This removes the items and re-
displays them in the right-hand list.

Once you have added the desired FCFs to the left-hand list and are ready to create the
SIMULTANEOUS command in the Edit window, click Create. You must have at least
two FCFs in the left-hand list.

In the Command mode, it looks something like this:

SIMUL1 =SIMULTANEOUS/FCF2,FCF3,FCF4,,

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Simultaneously Evaluating Feature Control Frames

Rules of Simultaneous Evaluation

• The FCFs evaluated simultaneously must be position, surface profile, or line

profile dimensions.
• Simultaneous evaluation does not work with form, orientation, or runout
dimensions.

Simultaneous Requirement (SIM REQT) for Composite Position or

Composite Profile FCFs Is Not Currently Supported

For composite position or composite profile FCFs, the lower segments are not
evaluated simultaneously. This is in accordance with the default condition for ASME
Y14.5 simultaneous evaluation (both 1994 and 2009). According to the Y14.5 standard
for simultaneous evaluation of composite callouts, if the lower segments are to be
evaluated simultaneously, you must explicitly put SIM REQT next to the lower segments
on the composite callouts. However, PC-DMIS does not currently support SIM REQT for
the lower segments.

Reporting a Profile Simultaneous Evaluation

PC-DMIS handles reports of multiple scans with profile FCFs at different tolerances that
are evaluated simultaneously in such a way that the tolerances for individual FCFs are
shown in the report. For example, in the image below, the simultaneous evaluation of
three profile FCF dimensions (PRF1, PRF2, and PRF3) appears like this:

Sample Text Report Showing Tolerances of Three Profile FCFs

If you want to see the graphical analysis of these three profile FCFs in the report, you
can create an ANALYSISVIEW command. This references the Simultaneous Evaluation
command, as shown in these sample command lines:

SIMUL1 =SIMULTANEOUS/PROF1,PROF2,PROF3,,
ANALYSISVIEW/SIMUL1,,

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 Using Feature Control Frames

The graphical analysis then displays in the Report window:

Sample Graphical Analysis of a Simultaneous Evaluation Command of Three Profile

FCFs

Position Feature Control Frame

Dimension Information
This topic displays notes and other information about the Position Feature Control
Frame (FCF) dimension.

Rules on Position FCF

Position rules are documented in the "Rules for Using Feature Control Frame
Dimensions".

52
Position Feature Control Frame Dimension Information

Size Symbol

When choosing circular features to dimension (circles, cylinders, or spheres), you can
determine the type of size symbol used on the line that defines the size tolerances for
the FCF. By default, the diameter symbol is used:

However, if you want to dimension a feature's size based off its radius instead of its
diameter, you can instead choose the radius symbol: R

When you click Create, PC-DMIS creates the dimension and calculates the feature's
nominal size value and any tolerance values based on the type of symbol in the
selected dimension:

• If you chose the diameter symbol, PC-DMIS uses the nominal diameter of the
feature.
• If you chose the radius symbol, PC-DMIS uses one half the nominal diameter of
the feature. The tolerance values are the radius tolerances (one half of the
diameter tolerances).

For example, the following images show the exact same four circle features
dimensioned using the same nominal size and tolerance values, but with different
calculations due to the size symbol selected:

Using Diameter for size

Using Radius for size

These values are then used in other areas of PC-DMIS, such as the Edit window and
the Report window.

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 Using Feature Control Frames

Specifying a Projected Tolerance Zone for Position

Sometimes you need to project the tolerance zone beyond the boundaries of the
feature. This is typically used with mating parts. You can define a projected tolerance
zone for the Position FCF by selecting the projection zone symbol (the letter P within a
circle) from the <PZ> compartment. In the <len> compartment, you need to type the
height of the projected zone beyond the feature of size. The height value needs to
match the maximum height of the mating feature.

Reporting the Local Maximum and Minimum Size

You can report the local maximum and minimum size of an Auto Cylinder feature.

To do this:

1. From the Features list, select an Auto Cylinder feature.

2. From the Feature Control Frame editor area, choose the Position symbol .
3. From the Feature Control Frame options area, from the GD&T standard list,
choose ISO 1101 to display the Local Size list.
4. From the Local Size list, choose Local: Max & Min.
5. Click Create.

When you generate your report, the local maximum and minimum size of the Auto
Cylinder feature appear as two rows: LOCAL MAX and LOCAL MIN, as shown in this
example:

54
Parallelism Feature Control Frame Information

Position Reporting Format

PC-DMIS reports the following in the Report window:

• The deviation of each feature in a set and not just the deviation of the entire set.
This helps you better determine which feature is out of tolerance in a pattern of
features.
• The shifted position of the datum as a result of the datum fitting (with datums of
size).
• The total datum shift in X, Y, Z and rotation in U, V, W done by the fitting
algorithm.

When reporting a Position FCF, a lot of information is available. To avoid confusion and
see how the FCF affects the calculations, PC-DMIS splits this information into four
parts:

• Size information. This gets evaluated separately from the position of the feature.
• Bonus tolerance information of the main feature or set
• Datum information including the datum shift and datum rotation
• Feature or set position information.

The additional information is very useful. For example, the datum shift information can
be a big factor for an out of tolerance Position dimension. You can tell whether the
feature or datum is in the wrong place.

See "Feature Control Frame Reporting Tables for some visual examples.

Parallelism Feature Control Frame

Information
Specifying a Projected Tolerance Zone for Parallelism of a Plane

When the dimensioned feature is a plane feature, you can define a projected tolerance
zone for the Parallelism FCF by selecting the projection zone symbol (the letter P within
a circle) from the <PZ> compartment. You can then define the size of the planar zone
by typing a value in the <len> compartment.

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 Using Feature Control Frames

Selecting the Projected Tolerance Zone

Defining the Projected Tolerance Zone's Size

Projected Tolerance Zone Size as Length / Width - You can type the projected
zone's size value as two numbers separated by a forward slash, which represents the
length/width of the zone along the major/minor axes of the workplane. So, if your
workplane was XY and you typed 10/15, the length of 10 would be along the X axis
(major axis) and the width of 15 would be along the Y axis (minor axis). The length and
width are measured on the actual plane. The axes of the current active workplane are
used only to determine the orientation of the length and width on the actual plane.

Projected Tolerance Zone Size as Diameter - You can also type the projection zone's
<len> value as a single number. This is used when the plane is the end of a cylindrical
pin. The projection value zone in this case represents the diameter of the planar
surface.

Specifying a Projected Tolerance Zone for Parallelism of any Other Feature

When the dimensioned feature is a non-plane feature (for example a cylinder), the
projected zone is always a single value and has the same meaning as a projected zone
for Perpendicularity, Angularity, or Position.

A Note on Parallelism Evaluation

The evaluation of parallelism is 3-dimensional, regardless of the workplane or the

feature being dimensioned.

Creating a Symmetry Feature Control

Frame Dimension
The Symmetry Feature Control Frame (FCF) dimension has been modified to allow an
increased variety of input features and datums than you may find available using legacy
symmetry dimensions. These changes in turn give you the ability to more easily create
symmetry dimensions that apply to a broader range of dimensioning problems. The
56
Creating a Symmetry Feature Control Frame Dimension

GD&T Symmetry dialog box has not been modified in any way. The changes were
made only to the internal verification of considered features and datums and the internal
tolerance analysis.

You need to use datums to construct a datum reference frame alignment which PC-
DMIS will then use to evaluate the symmetry points. You can specify a single primary
datum or a primary and secondary datum to impose a perpendicularity constraint.

• If you specify a single primary datum, it becomes the locating datum and defines
the nominal (0 deviation) position of the symmetry dimension.
• If you specify two datums, it imposes a perpendicularity constraint on the
secondary datum. In this case, the secondary datum becomes the locating datum
and defines the nominal (0 deviation) position of the symmetry dimension. The
datum reference frame alignment solves the secondary datum in a constrained
orientation to the primary (as is done with Position evaluations). If the locating
datum is a plane, it may be specified as a compound datum referencing two
planar datums, for example, A-B. In this case, the mid-plane of A and B is used
as the plane datum. Datums are always specified at RFS.

See the Description column in the table below for specific datum information for the
different symmetry input features.

Feature Types for Symmetry FCF Dimensions

PC-DMIS considers any of the following feature types as valid input features for a
Symmetry FCF dimension:

Case 1: Two Planes

These planes must be nominally parallel. They create a mid-plane from which PC-
DMIS determines the symmetry dimension of the two planes.

The two planes must be nominally parallel. The FCF will use them internally to
construct a mid-plane. This mid-plane must nominally lie within the tolerance
zone about the locating datum.

PC-DMIS checks the "corner points" of the mid-plane to verify that they lie within
a planar tolerance zone of two times the maximum deviation of the "corner
points" from the locating datum.

These "corner points" are calculated by projecting the actual probe hits of each
of the two planes onto the mid-plane.

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 Using Feature Control Frames

• The maximum distance of the projected points from the centroid of

the mid-plane in the X direction (of the datum reference frame)
determines the "length" of the mid-plane.
• The maximum distance of the projected points from the centroid of
the mid-plane in the Y direction (of the datum reference frame)
determines the "width" of the mid-plane.

The "length" and "width" calculate the corner points relative to the centroid of the
mid-plane. If there are no actual probe hits to project (for example, the two
planes are themselves constructed planes), then only the centroid of the mid-
plane is checked to lie within the tolerance zone.

Datum Information
One Datum - This is a plane nominally coplanar with the constructed mid-plane.
The vector of the datum plane defines the direction of measurement.

Two Datums - First datum: This is a plane nominally coplanar with the
constructed mid-plane. Second datum: This is either a plane nominally coplanar
with the constructed mid-plane or an axis type feature whose axis nominally lies
in the constructed mid-plane. If a plane, the vector of the secondary datum plane
determines the direction of measurement. If an axis type feature, "double-
crossing" the vector of the axis datum with the mid-plane vector determines the
direction of measurement.

Case 2: A Constructed Mid-Plane

Since you have already constructed a mid-plane, the processing and datum
information is the same as Two Planes above.

Case 3: Two Lines

These lines must be nominally parallel. They create a mid-line from which PC-
DMIS determines the symmetry dimension of the two lines.

The two lines must be nominally parallel. The FCF will use them internally to
construct a mid-line. This mid-line must nominally lie within the tolerance zone
about the locating datum.

PC-DMIS checks the "endpoints" of the mid-line to verify that they lie within the
planar tolerance zone of two times the maximum deviation of the "endpoints"
from the locating datum.

These "endpoints" are calculated by projecting the actual probe hits of the two
lines onto the mid-line. The projected points farthest away from the centroid of
the mid-line determine the "endpoints". If there are no actual probe hits to project
(for example, the two lines are themselves constructed lines), then only the
centroid of the mid-line is checked to lie within the tolerance zone.

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Creating a Symmetry Feature Control Frame Dimension

Datum Information
One Datum - This datum is either a plane, nominally perpendicular to the plane
of the two lines, that contains the mid-line, or an axis type feature whose axis
nominally lies in the plane that is perpendicular to the plane of the two lines and
contains the mid-line. If a plane, the vector of the datum plane determines the
direction of measurement. If an axis type feature, the direction of measurement
is perpendicular to the axis datum in the current workplane.

Two Datums - First Datum: A plane nominally perpendicular to the mid-line.

Second Datum: This is either a plane feature or an axis feature which satisfies
the same requirements as a single primary datum. If a plane, the vector of the
plane determines the direction of measurement. If an axis type feature, the
direction of measurement is perpendicular to the axis datum in the current
workplane.

Case 4: A Constructed Mid-Line

With an already-constructed mid-line, the internal processing follows what is
described in Two Lines above.

Datum Information
One Datum - This datum is either a datum plane which nominally contains the
mid-line or an axis type feature whose axis nominally is parallel to the mid-line.

Two Datums - Primary Datum: This is a plane nominally perpendicular to the

mid-line. Secondary Datum: This is either a plane or an axis feature which
satisfies the same requirements as a single primary datum. The direction of
measurement is determined the same way as for case 2 above.

Case 5: Two Points

The FCF uses these two points internally to construct a mid-point that nominally
lies within the planar tolerance zone about the locating datum. The reported
tolerance value is two times the maximum deviation of the mid-point from the
locating datum.

Datum Information
One Datum: You can select either a plane or an axis type feature for your datum.
If a plane, it should be nominally perpendicular to the line connecting the two
points and containing the mid-point. The vector of the datum plane determines
the direction of measurement. If an axis feature, it should lie in the plane
perpendicular to the line connecting the two points and the mid-point. The
direction of measurement is perpendicular to the axis datum in the current
workplane.

Case 6: A Constructed Mid-Point

In this case, you have already constructed a mid-point. The processing shall be
the same as for Two Points above.

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 Using Feature Control Frames

Datum Information
One Datum: You can specify either a plane that nominally contains the mid-point
or an axis type feature. PC-DMIS determines the direction of measurement in the
way as case 4 above.

Case 7: A Point Set

PC-DMIS assumes that the points making up the set alternate on opposite sides
of the locating datum, such that the first point and second point have their mid-
point inside the planar tolerance zone. This is the same analysis as for the legacy
symmetry dimension using a point set.

Datum Information
One Datum: You can specify a plane or an axis type feature. The analysis in this
case is the same as for the legacy symmetry dimension.

Case 8: Two Point Sets

PC-DMIS assumes that both point sets are the same size, that the points in each
set reside on opposite sides of the locating datum, and that the points within each
set are opposite one another.

PC-DMIS will compute mid-points from the points inside the two sets in this
fashion: mid-point n is calculated from point n of the first set and point n of the
second set and so on for each point. The resulting mid-points should be inside
the planar tolerance zone about the locating datum. This is the same analysis as
case 7 above except that the points are taken from two sets.

Datum Information
One Datum: You can specify a plane or an axis type feature for the primary
datum. The analysis in this is the same as described in case 7 above.

Case 9: A Measured or Auto Circle, Cone, or Cylinder

PC-DMIS calculates a "circle set" (or sets) from the input feature and then
evaluates for symmetry the centroids of the sets.

Probe points within 1 mm of a plane that is perpendicular to the feature axis

belong to the same "circle set". PC-DMIS solves the points as a 2D circle in a
plane perpendicular to the feature axis. The centroids of all the "circle sets" are
evaluated for symmetry to see if they all lie within the tolerance zone about the
datum. The tolerance zone may be cylindrical or planar depending on the
datums used. The reported tolerance value is two times the maximum deviation
of the centroids of the "circle sets" from the locating datum.

Datum Information
One Datum - You can select a plane that nominally contains the considered
feature's axis or an axis type feature nominally coincident with the axis of the
considered feature. If a plane, the tolerance zone is planar and the vector of the

60
Creating a Runout Feature Control Frame Dimension

plane determines the direction of measurement. If an axis type feature, the

tolerance zone is cylindrical.

Two Datums - Primary Datum: This is a plane nominally perpendicular to the

considered feature. Secondary Datum: You can select either a plane nominally
containing the considered feature’s axis or an axis type feature nominally
coincident with the axis of the considered feature. If you choose a plane, the
tolerance zone is planar, and the vector of the datum plane determines the
direction of measurement. If you choose an axis type feature, the tolerance zone
is cylindrical.

Case 10: A Constructed Circle, Cone, or Cylinder

PC-DMIS checks a constructed cone or cylinder feature's endpoints or a
constructed circle's centroid for symmetry.

The endpoints must all lie within the tolerance zone about the locating datum.
The tolerance zone may be cylindrical or planar depending on the datums used.
The reported tolerance value shall be two times the maximum deviation of the
endpoints from the locating datum.

Datum Information
This is the same as case 9 above.

Creating a Runout Feature Control

Frame Dimension
Runout Feature Control Frame (FCF) dimensions are often used to determine the
coaxiality of a selected feature with respect to a selected datum or datums. You must
select at least one datum when you create a runout FCF dimension.

There are two types of runout:

• Circular Runout - Checks just one level of hits, one circle, around a cylindrical
feature.
• Total Runout - Checks multiple levels of hits along the entire surface of the
cylinder.

In addition, the Feature Control Frame tab in the XactMeasure GD&T dialog box
(Insert | Dimension | <dimension>) contains two options buttons, Axial and Radial:

• If the considered feature is a plane or set of planes, only the Axial option is
permitted and PC-DMIS automatically grays out both buttons and selects Axial.

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 Using Feature Control Frames

• If the considered feature is an axial type feature, PC-DMIS selects Radial by

default unless you define a single plane datum. In this case, PC-DMIS
automatically selects Axial and grays out both buttons.

These buttons are discussed in the "Feature Control Frame Tab" topic under "Feature
Control Frame Options" and then "Axial and Radial options".

Axial Runout

This type of runout is measured on the end surface of a cylindrical part. The end of the
cylinder can be measured as a circle or a plane.

• Circular Axial Runout - PC-DMIS looks at each circle section separately (this
implies sets of circles and sets of circle scans, not a plane or set of points). It
computes the axial runout tolerance for each circle section based on the
minimum spread of two parallel planes perpendicular to the datum axis,
containing all the points of that circle section. The reported circular axial runout
tolerance is the worst case of these individual circle sections.
Available feature types for the considered feature are: scans, circles, sets of
scans, and sets of circles.
• Total Axial Runout - PC-DMIS finds two parallel planes perpendicular to the
datum axis, as close together as possible while still containing all the measure
points (for all scans or circles taken together). The spread of these two parallel
planes is the total axial runout tolerance.
Available feature types for the considered feature are: scans, circles, planes, sets
of scans, and sets of circles.

Radial Runout

This type of runout is measured on the cylindrical surface of a bore or shaft.

62
Creating a Runout Feature Control Frame Dimension

• Circular Radial Runout - PC-DMIS looks at each circle section separately (this
implies sets of circles, sets of circle scans, or a cylinder with multiple circle
sections, not a plane or set of points). It computes the radial runout tolerance for
each circle section based on the minimum spread of two concentric circles
centered on the datum axis, containing all the points of that circle section. The
spread of these two concentric circles is the circular radial runout for that circle
section. The reported circular axial runout tolerance is the worst case of these
individual circle sections.
Available feature types for the considered feature are: scans, circles, cylinders,
cones, spheres, sets of scans, sets of circles, sets of cylinders, sets of cones,
and sets of spheres.
• Total Radial Runout - PC-DMIS finds two concentric cylinders centered on the
datum axis that are as close together as possible while still containing all the
measure points (for all scans or circles or cylinders taken together). The spread
of these two concentric cylinders is the total radial runout tolerance.
Available feature types for the considered feature are: scans, circles, cylinders,
cones, spheres, sets of scans, sets of circles, sets of cylinders, sets of cones,
and sets of spheres.

Single Datums

Both circular and total runout (axial and radial) require at least one datum.

• If only one datum is specified and the runout type is Radial, then the datum must
be an axial type feature (cylinder, cone, line).
• If only one datum type is specified and the runout type is Axial, then the datum
may be an axial type feature or a plane.

Two Datums

If the runout type is Radial, then you may specify two datums.

• The primary datum is generally a plane that lies nominally perpendicular to the
axis of the considered feature (which in this case would be an axial type feature).
• The secondary datum would be an axial type feature.

Compound Datums

The datum may also be a compound datum that references two cylinders (such as A-B).
If the runout type is Radial, then you may specify two datums.

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 Using Feature Control Frames

• The primary datum is generally a plane that lies nominally perpendicular to the
axis of the considered feature (which in this case would be an axial type feature).
• The secondary datum would be an axial type feature.

Using Unequal Tolerance Zones with

Profile Feature Control Frame
Dimensions
The Unequal Tolerance Zone symbol ( ) enables you to have a profile dimension
with unequal tolerance zones. PC-DMIS supports the Unequal Tolerance Zone as
specified in the ASME Y14.5-2009 standard.

Requirements

• You must use a Feature Control Frame (FCF) Profile dimension (legacy
dimensions do not support this).
• From the Profile dimension's XactMeasure GD&T dialog box (Insert |
Dimension | <dimension>), on the Feature Control Frame tab, from the GD&T
Standard list, you must select ASME Y14.5:

While unequal tolerance zones for profile are supported in the ISO 1101-2012
standard, PC-DMIS has not implemented support for this yet. So, if you choose ISO
1101 from the GD&T Standard list, PC-DMIS hides the ability to select this symbol.

Using the Unequal Tolerance Zone

If you meet the above requirements, the FCF editor in the XactMeasure GD&T dialog
box has a <UZ> (unequal tolerance zone) field when you start creating a FCF Profile
dimension:

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Using Unequal Tolerance Zones with Profile Feature Control Frame Dimensions

Feature Control Frame Editor for a Line Profile Dimension

From the <UZ> field, you can select the Unequal Tolerance Zone symbol ( ). This
enables the <UTol> (unequal tolerance) field where you can type the tolerance value.

Type the plus tolerance value into <UTol>. This value is always positive and must be
between 0 and the total tolerance value. The minus tolerance is not visible, but it is
calculated behind the scenes by subtracting the plus tolerance from the total tolerance.

For example, suppose you have a total tolerance of 0.3 and an unequal tolerance (plus
tolerance) of 0.1, like this:

PC-DMIS takes the total tolerance of 0.3 and subtracts the plus tolerance of 0.1, leaving
you with a minus tolerance of 0.2, as shown here:

Without the Unequal Tolerance Zone

If you don't use the unequal tolerance zone for your profile dimension, the total
tolerance zone is split evenly between the plus and minus tolerances. So, if you use the
above example of 0.3, you end up with a plus and minus tolerance of 0.15 each.

PC-DMIS Version Compatibility

A measurement routine after version 2010 that is loaded into a version prior to version
2010 does not display the unequal tolerance zone symbol. It also does not display the
field in the Edit window. However, the unequal plus and minus tolerance zones are still
applied.

A measurement routine before version 2010 that is loaded into 2010 or later displays
the Unequal Tolerance Zone symbol. If tolerance zones are equal, the symbol does not
appear.

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 Using Feature Control Frames

Feature Control Frame Reporting Tables

PC-DMIS provides you with a variety of reporting tables that can be output when you
generate reports for your measurement routine. These report tables look different from
how legacy dimensions appear in your report.

Legacy dimensions all appear in one table. Feature Control Frame (FCF) reporting
tables, by contrast, are divided according to different sections of the FCF, which
provides a cleaner-looking report. For example, you might have one table that shows
the size portion of the FCF while another table shows the form information.

As a visual example, consider this legacy Position dimension in the Report window:

Sample Report of a Legacy Position Dimension as a Single Table

Now, contrast that with an FCF Position dimension in the Report window shown here:

Sample Report of a Position FCF Dimension Showing Multiple Tables

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Feature Control Frame Reporting Tables

Notice that the FCF Position is actually contained in distinct tables that display the
following information:

• Size
• Position
• Datum Shift
• Summary

All of the other FCF dimensions also use a similar reporting style. While these reporting
tables differ from the style used for legacy dimensions, they provide a cleaner, easier-
to-read approach to reporting dimensioning information.

A Note on Datum Shift

PC-DMIS reports the Datum Shift table only when the datum reference frame is not fully
constrained. In the above image, for instance, the secondary datum is at MMC, so the
Shift X and Shift Y are unconstrained to the extent of the bonus on the secondary
datum. (See the description of "Fit to Datums" in the "Nominals Tab" topic.)

When a datum reference frame is only partially constrained, those degrees of freedom
that are constrained show the text "Fixed” instead of an actual value (even though
internally, the value is zero). This makes it easier to differentiate between those degrees
that are constrained and those that are free. When the datum reference frame is fully
constrained, PC-DMIS does not report the Datum Shift table because all the values for
Shift and Rotation would be zero.

The following example shows the same report as above but with the secondary datum
at RFS. Notice that in this case there is no Datum Shift table in the report:

Sample Report of a Position FCF Dimension without a Datum Shift Table

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 Using Feature Control Frames

Cylindricity
The Cylindricity form tolerance controls the shape of a cylinder feature without
controlling the size, orientation, or location. The surface of the considered cylinder
must lie within a tolerance zone bounded by two concentric cylinders whose radii differ
by the specified tolerance value. Cylindricity controls the circularity, straightness, and
taper of the considered cylinder. Material condition modifiers and datum features are not
allowed.

(A) If your drawing has this. (B) It means this. (C) A .001 wide tolerance zone.

Checking Cylindricity

Considered Features: Measured Cylinder, Auto Cylinder, and Constructed

Cylinder

1. From the Insert | Dimension menu, or from the Dimension toolbar, choose
Cylindricity to display the XactMeasure GD&T dialog box.

2. From the Feature area, select at least one cylinder feature that contains at least
six data points.
3. From the Feature Control Frame editor area, define the tolerance value for the
Feature Control Frame (FCF).
4. Click Create to calculate the cylindricity dimension.
5. Click Close to close the XactMeasure GD&T dialog box.
6. View the results by opening the Status window (View | Other Windows | Status
Window) or the Report window (View | Report Window). If the cylindrical
feature fails the cylindricity tolerance, PC-DMIS colors the text red.

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Circularity

(A) The measured value is determined by calculating the minimum radial

separation between two concentric cylinders that contains all of the measured
surface points of the cylinder.

The cylinder passes the cylindricity tolerance if the measured value is within the
tolerance value.

Circularity
The Circularity form tolerance controls the shape of all 2D cross-sections of a
surface of revolution without controlling the size, orientation, or location. The surface of
the considered circle must lie within a tolerance zone bounded by two concentric circles
whose radii differ by the specified tolerance zone. All 2D cross-sections of the feature
must be evaluated in a plane perpendicular to the axis. Material condition modifiers and
datum features are not allowed.

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 Using Feature Control Frames

(A) If your drawing has this. (B) It means this. (C) A .001 wide tolerance zone.

If you use a manual measuring device, such as a Romer arm, it's difficult to
accurately measure circularity. Take care to ensure all hits lie within a planar cross
section. If you take measured data in different planar cross-section, PC-DMIS interprets
the nominal variation of the surface as form error.

Checking Circularity

Considered Features: Measured Circle, Auto Circle, and Constructed Circle

If you select a cone or sphere, PC-DMIS calculates the form of the

feature (sphericity of the sphere or conicity of the cone). This is not the equivalent
of circularity, and is reference information only.

1. From the Insert | Dimension menu, or from the Dimension toolbar, choose
Circularity to display the XactMeasure GD&T dialog box.

2. From the Features area, select one or more circle features that contain at least
four data points each.
3. From the Feature Control Frame editor area, define the tolerance value for the
Feature Control Frame (FCF).
4. Click Create to calculate the circularity dimension.
5. Click Close to close the XactMeasure GD&T dialog box.

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Flatness

6. View the results by opening the Status window (View | Other Windows | Status
Window) or the Report window (View | Report Window). If the feature fails the
circularity tolerance, PC-DMIS colors the text red.

(A) The measured value is determined by calculating the minimum radial

separation between two concentric circles that contain all of the measured surface
points of each circle.

The circle feature passes the circularity tolerance if all measured values are within
the tolerance value.

Flatness
The Flatness form tolerance controls the shape of a planar feature without
controlling the orientation or location. The surface of the considered plane must lie
within a tolerance zone bounded by two parallel planes, which are separated by a
distance equal to the specified tolerance value. In addition to overall flatness, you can
also specify flatness on a unit area basis. Material condition modifiers and datum
features are not allowed.

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 Using Feature Control Frames

(A) If your drawing has this. (B) It means this. (C) A .010 wide tolerance zone.

Flatness of a Plane Per Unit Area

You can specify a flatness tolerance on a per unit area basis if you use the Per Unit
check box. This creates a composite feature control frame, where two separate
tolerances share the same flatness symbol. The square symbol after the forward slash,
shown here, indicates that the unit area is square:

The number that precedes the slash determines the tolerance. The number that follows
the square symbol determines the size of the square unit area. Flatness per unit refines
the total flatness, and the you must choose a smaller tolerance value than the total
tolerance.

(A) If your drawing has this. (B) It means this. (C) A .010 wide tolerance zone. (D) A
.003 wide tolerance zone by 1x1 unit area. Each pair of green lines represents the
individual unit areas.

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Flatness

Flatness per unit area is calculated by dividing the plane’s point data into subsets that
each fall inside a square of the specified size. The flatness of each data subset is
determined by calculating the minimum distance between two parallel planes that
contain all of the measured points in the subset. The plane’s point data must be dense
enough to contain at least four points in each data subset. After the software calculates
flatness for all unit areas, it uses the worst-case measured value. The plane passes the
flatness tolerance per unit area if the worst-case measured value is within the per unit
tolerance value.

Checking Flatness

Considered Features: Measured Plane, Auto Plane, and a Constructed Plane.

1. From the Insert | Dimension menu, or from the Dimension toolbar, choose
Flatness to display the XactMeasure GD&T dialog box.
2. From the Features area, select a plane feature that contains at least four data
points.
3. From the Feature Control Frame editor area, define the tolerance value for the
Feature Control Frame (FCF).
4. If you want to refine your tolerance on a per unit basis, select the Per Unit check
box.
5. If you marked Per Unit, In the newly-added line in the Feature Control Frame
editor area, define the tolerance and size of the unit.
6. Click Create to calculate the flatness dimension.
7. Click Close to close the XactMeasure GD&T dialog box.
8. View the results by opening the Status window (View | Other Windows | Status
Window) or the Report window (View | Report Window). If the plane feature
fails the flatness tolerance, PC-DMIS colors the text red.

Flatness of a Plane

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 Using Feature Control Frames

(A) The measured value is the minimum distance between two parallel planes that
contain all of the measured surface points of the plane. The plane passes the
flatness tolerance if the measured value is within the tolerance value.

Flatness of a Plane Per Unit Area

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Straightness

(A) The measured value is the minimum distance between two parallel planes that
contain all of the measured surface points of the plane. The plane passes the
flatness tolerance if the measured value is within the tolerance value.

(B) The measured value for the lower segment is the minimum distance between
two parallel planes of the per unit area. This is the worst deviation amongst all per
unit area segments.

Straightness
The Straightness form tolerance controls the shape of a 2D line element or a 3D
axis without controlling orientation or location. Both use the same symbol, but the
Feature Control Frame (FCF) is directed to the considered feature differently as shown
below:

(A) Straightness of a Line. (B) Straightness of an axis.

Straightness of a Line

Straightness of a line is a 2D specification that controls all line elements of a planar,

cylindrical, or conical surface. The straightness tolerance is applied in the view where
the controlled elements are represented by a straight line. Each line element must lie
within a tolerance zone bounded by two parallel lines which are separated by the
specified tolerance value. Material condition modifiers and datum features are not
allowed.

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 Using Feature Control Frames

(A) If your drawing has this. (B) It means this. (C) A .001 wide tolerance zone.

If you use a manual measuring device, such as a Romer arm, you cannot
accurately measure straightness of a line element of a cylinder or cone. If you take
measured data in different planar cross-sections, PC-DMIS interprets the nominal
variation of the surface as form error.

Straightness of an Axis

Straightness of an axis is a 3D specification that controls the axis, or derived median

line, of a cylinder. PC-DMIS automatically constructs a derived median line from the
considered cylinder by calculating the center point of each circular cross-section. The
derived median line must lie within a cylindrical tolerance zone with a diameter equal to
the specified tolerance. Straightness of an axis allows material condition modifiers, but it
does not allow datum features.

(A) If your drawing has this. (B) It means this. (C) virtual condition of .381. (D) A .001
diameter tolerance zone.

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Straightness

If you do not take the measured data in planar cross-sections, the software
may not be able to construct the derived median line from the surface data.

When evaluating Straightness on a cylinder, you must take at least three levels of probe
hits. The more levels of hits taken, the better the evaluation of the cylinder's
straightness.

When you dimension a cylinder's Straightness at material condition, the Nominals tab
in the XactMeasure GD&T dialog box displays a DF axis in the Position area to enable
you to enter the size tolerance for the bonus calculation. See "Nominals Tab".

Sample Position area in the Nominals tab showing the DF axis

Straightness of a Line Per Unit Length

In addition to overall straightness, you can specify a straightness tolerance on a per unit
length basis if you use the Per Unit check box. This creates a composite FCF, where
two separate tolerances share the same straightness symbol. The upper segment on
the FCF specifies the overall straightness tolerance. The lower segment on the FCF
refines the overall straightness with a smaller tolerance value. The number that
precedes the slash determines the tolerance. The number that follows the slash
determines the length of the unit. This creates a straightness tolerance where the
tolerance zone only applies over the specified unit length. The smaller tolerance zone
floats within the entire length of the considered feature.

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 Using Feature Control Frames

You can also use per unit length for the straightness of a cylinder's axis (not
shown in this example).

(A) If your drawing has this. (B) It means this. (C) A .005 wide tolerance zone. (D) A
.001 wide tolerance zone by 1 unit length. Each pair of green lines represents the
individual unit lengths.

Straightness per unit length is calculated by dividing the line’s point data into subsets
that each fall inside a length of the specified size. The straightness of each data subset
is determined by calculating the minimum distance between two parallel planes that
contain all of the measured points in the subset. The considered feature's point data
must be dense enough to contain at least three points in each data subset. After the
software calculates straightness for all unit lengths, the worst-case measured value is
used. The considered feature passes the straightness tolerance per unit length if the
worst-case measured value within the per unit tolerance value.

Checking Straightness

Considered Features: Measured Line, Measured Cylinder, Auto Line, Auto

Cylinder, Constructed Line, and Constructed Cylinder.

1. From the Insert | Dimension menu, or from the Dimension toolbar, choose
Straightness to display the XactMeasure GD&T dialog box.

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Straightness

2. From the Features area, select a line or cylinder feature that contains at least
three data points (three cross sections).
3. From the Feature Control Frame editor area, define the tolerance value for the
FCF.
4. If you want to refine your tolerance on a per unit basis, mark the Per Unit check
box.
5. If you marked Per Unit, in the newly added line in the Feature Control Frame
editor area, define the tolerance and size of the unit.
6. Click Create to calculate the straightness dimension.
7. Click Close to close the XactMeasure GD&T dialog box.
8. View the results by opening the Status window (View | Other Windows | Status
Window) or the Report window (View | Report Window). If the cylindrical
feature fails the cylindricity tolerance, PC-DMIS colors the text red.

Straightness of a Line

The measured value is the minimum distance between two parallel lines that
contain all of the points (hits) of the considered line. The straightness tolerance
passes if the measured value is within the tolerance value.

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 Using Feature Control Frames

Straightness of an Axis

The measured value is the minimum diameter of a cylinder that contains all of the
points of the considered derived line. The straightness tolerance passes if the
measured value is within the tolerance value plus the MMC/LMC size bonus.

Straightness of a Line per Unit

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Dimensioning Size

(A) The measured value for the upper segment is the minimum distance between
two parallel lines that contain all the points (hits) of the considered line over the
length of the line.

(B) The measured value for the lower segment is the minimum distance between
two parallel lines of the per unit length. This is the worst deviation amongst all per
unit segments.

Dimensioning Size
The Size command (Insert | Dimension | Size) facilitates computing and reporting of
local and global sizes per the ISO 14405-1 or ASME Y14.5 standards. The ISO 14405-1
and the ASME Y14.5 standards define local and global actual sizes.

For ASME Y14.5, the allowed features are cylinders, opposed parallel planes (also
known as 3D widths), spheres, circles (cylinder cross sections), 2D widths (3D width
cross sections). ASME Y14.5 defines the unrelated actual mating envelope and the
local size.

For ISO 14405-1, the allowed features are cylinders, 3D widths, and their cross
sections. Over twenty modifiers are defined in ISO 14405-1. You can combine these
modifiers in various ways to create a specification operator for size. Separate
specification operators are allowed for the upper and lower size limits. This means that
thousands of different kinds of size calculations exist.

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 Using Feature Control Frames

Command Modes
The Size command defines four different modes. These modes allow you to enter,
calculate, and report different kinds of size calculations:

1. ASME Y14.5

The Size command in this mode does the following:

• It records a nominal size, an upper deviation limit, and a lower deviation

limit.
• It calculates the unrelated actual mating envelope. The command also
calculates a long list of local sizes.
• It reports the actual mating envelope. The command also reports the worst
of the local sizes.

2. ISO 14405-1, Nominal with Deviation

The Size command in this mode records a nominal size, an upper deviation limit,
and a lower deviation limit.

• If there is a single specification operator, the operator applies to both

limits.
• If there are two specification operators, each operator only applies to one
limit.
• If a specification operator is a global size, that global size is computed,
and the report compares the global size to the applicable limit or limits.
• If a specification operator is a local size, a long list of those local sizes is
computed, and the worst local size is reported for each applicable limit.

3. ISO 14405-1, ISO Code

The Size command in this mode records a nominal size and an ISO code. This
information, together with ISO 286-1, define the limits of size.

The ISO 286-1 standard defines hundreds of tolerance codes that look
somewhat like "E9" and "H7". These tolerance codes are all supported by the
size command. Reporting is much like the ISO nominal-with-deviations mode.

4. ISO 14405-1, Range of Sizes

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Dimensioning Size

You should use this mode with the range of sizes modifier defined by ISO 14405-
1 (the text SR enclosed in an oval).

The Size command in this mode does the following:

• It only records one specification operator.

• It does not record a nominal size, nor limits on deviations.
• It records a single tolerance value, because the range of sizes modifier
produces specification operators that are similar to form tolerances. For an
example, see Figure 17 in the ISO 14405-1 standard. Reporting in this
mode is similar to reporting for form tolerances.

Input Features
The Size command allows only one input feature at a time.

There's a difference in supported features in the different standards modes.

In the ASME Y14.5 mode, the valid input feature types are cylinders, circles, 3D widths,
2D widths, and spheres.

In the ISO 14405-1 modes, the valid input feature types are cylinders, circles, 3D
widths, and 2D widths.

This difference is because ASME Y14.5 defines the unrelated actual mating envelope
and the local size for all regular features of size. On the other hand, ISO 14405-1 is
explicitly restricted to the "cylinder" feature of size and "two parallel opposite planes"
and their cross sections.

Any input features that you use with the Size command should contain enough points to
represent well the actual surface. To best mimic the intent of the standards, those points
should be opposing points.

Limits on Input Features for Section Sizes

Several ISO specification operators for size are referred to as "section sizes". For
example, "(GG) ACS" and "(LP) ACS (SX)" are section sizes. Section sizes are local
sizes where each cross-section of the cylinder or of the 3D width has a size. Then, the
worst section size is reported for each applicable limit.

One possibility for producing data in sections is to use 2D cross section features like
circles and 2D widths. The other possibility is to use a measurement strategy that
produces data in sections, such as "Default PC-DMIS Measurement Strategy" or
"Adaptive Cylinder Concentric Circle Scan". For more information on measurement

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 Using Feature Control Frames

strategies, see the "Working with Measurement Strategies" topic in the "PC-DMIS
CMM" documentation.

When evaluating the section sizes, the command partitions the data into sections,
according to these rules:

• For circle features and 2D widths, the command uses the data without
partitioning, because the feature is already a cross section.
• For cylinders, the command attempts to partition the data into circular cross
sections. The data must be arranged in circles or the command will fail.
• For 3D widths, the command fails.

When partitioning cylindrical data, the command first projects the points onto the
cylinder's axis. It then identifies clusters of projected points as belonging to the same
cross section.

Example of Good Inputs

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Dimensioning Size

Example of Bad Inputs

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 Using Feature Control Frames

To Dimension a Feature Using the SIZE Option

1. Select Insert | Dimension | Size to show the Size dialog box.

2. From the Feature List box, select the feature or features to dimension. For
information, see "Input Features".
3. From the Options area, choose your options:
a. From the Standard list, select the standard to use to calculate the size.
b. If you use the ISO 14405-1 standard, from the Specification Mode list,
select the command mode. For information, see "Command Modes". The
print requirement determines the selection to use.
c. If you use the ASME Y14.5 standard, a Local Size options list appears
where Specification Mode is. Choose the type of local size, either
Opposed Points or Circular elements (default).
d. Set the Units and Report and Statistics as needed. For information on
these options, see the "Common Dimension Dialog Box Options" topic in
the "Using Legacy Dimensions" chapter.

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Dimensioning Size

The Editor area adjusts to fit the mode requirements that you choose
from the Standard and Specification lists. This means any existing changes you
made to the dialog box are lost when you select a new specification mode.

4. In the Editor area, define the tolerance:

a. Select the region you want to edit and type in the value.
b. To add an upper specification operator, click on the upper tolerance value.
From the Lower or Both Limit Modifiers area, you can then click the
modifier buttons to add modifiers into the upper specification operator.
c. To add a lower specification operator, click on the lower tolerance value.
From the Lower or Both Limit Modifiers area, you can then click the
modifier buttons to add modifiers into the lower specification operator.
When there's only one specification operator, put the modifiers in the
lower specification operator.
d. To remove a modifier, select the button again to clear the highlight.

Example of some chosen modifiers

5. Click the Create button to create the Size command in the Edit window.

Reading the Report

ISO 14405-1 : Nominal with Deviations
With the NOMINAL_WITH_DEVIATIONS mode, PC-DMIS compares the upper
specification operator measured size against the upper limit of size. It also compares

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 Using Feature Control Frames

the lower specification operator measured size against the lower limit of size. Therefore,
the Size command generates two measured values for a given feature of size:

ISO 14405-1 : Tolerance Codes

With the TOLERANCE_CODE mode, the PC-DMIS report mimics
NOMINAL_WITH_DEVIATIONS mode, except that it displays the tolerance code in the
dimension header:

ISO 14405-1 Range of Sizes

With the RANGE_OF_SIZES mode, PC-DMIS compares a maximum measured size
against a minimum measured size and reports the difference. This mode requires a
single measured value. The software compares that measured value against an upper
tolerance.

ASME Y14.5
When ASME Y14.5 is selected, two size characteristics are reported, the Unrelated
Actual Mating Envelope (UAME) and Local Size.

The UAME is the minimum circumscribed size for external features (e.g. pin) and the
maximum inscribed size for internal features (e.g. hole).

Local Size:

1. Circular Elements (default) reports the largest circumscribed circular element

(internal feature/ hole) or smallest inscribed circular element (external feature/pin)
amongst all local sizes.

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Dimensioning Size

2. Opposed Points is an option that reports the largest opposed points distance
(internal feature/hole) and smallest opposed points distant (external feature/pin)
amongst all local sizes.

Supported ISO 14405-1 Modifiers

The Size command supports the following modifiers that are defined in the ISO 14405-1
standard:

• (LP) - Two-point size

• (GG) - Least-squares association criterion
• (GX) - Maximum inscribed association criterion
• (GN) - Minimum circumscribed association criterion
• (CC) - Circumference diameter (calculated size)
• (CA) - Area diameter (calculated size)
• (CV) - Volume diameter (calculated size)
• (SX) - Maximum size
• (SN) - Minimum size
• (SA) - Average size
• (SM) - Median size
• (SD) - Mid-range size
• (SR) - Range of sizes
• (E) - Envelope requirement
• ACS - Any cross section or sections
• SCS - Specific fixed cross section or sections

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 Using Feature Control Frames

Using GD&T Selection Mode to Create

FCFs
PC-DMIS provides these ways to get Feature Control Frames (FCFs) into PC-DMIS
from GD&T tolerances in other sources:

GD&T Selection Mode (from CAD) ( ) - This imports GD&T callouts

embedded in your CAD model. For more information on this option, see "Using
GD&T Selection Mode (from CAD)".

GD&T Selection Mode (from Capture) ( ) - This opens Snipping Tool from
your operating system so that you can manually capture a single GD&T tolerance
from a drawing. PC-DMIS uses Optical Character Recognition (OCR) to convert a
GD&T tolerances to a FCF. For more information on this option, see "Using GD&T
Selection Mode (from Capture)". In the process, PC-DMIS creates the commands
for any datums and considered features. For more information, see "About Optical
Character Recognition" below.

GD&T Selection Mode (from File) ( ) - This is similar to the "from Capture"
option above, except that PC-DMIS lets you open a drawing and decide what
GD&T tolerances to import using Optical Character Recognition (OCR). The
software then cycles through each GD&T tolerance on the drawing. For
information on this option, see "Using GD&T Selection Mode (From File)". For
more information, see "About Optical Character Recognition (OCR) to Create
FCFs" below.

These toolbar icons are available on the Graphic Modes toolbar and the
QuickMeasure toolbar. For information about toolbars, see the "Using Toolbars"
chapter.

Using GD&T Selection Mode (from CAD)

GD&T Selection Mode (from CAD) ( ) imports selected GD&T callouts from a CAD
model that contains them as dynamically-generated FCF dimensions or datum
definitions.

For information on how to do this, see the "Importing CAD GD&T Callouts" heading
within the "Working with CAD GD&T Callouts" topic of the "Editing the CAD Display"
chapter.

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Using GD&T Selection Mode to Create FCFs

Using GD&T Selection Mode (from Capture)

GD&T Selection Mode (from Capture) ( ) opens the Snipping Tool from your
operating system so that you can manually capture one or more GD&T tolerances from
the blueprint and use Optical Character Recognition (OCR) to import them. You can find
some sample blueprint .pdf files that correspond to the Hexagon demo-block CAD
models in the Training subfolder where you installed PC-DMIS.

Procedure

1. Locate an electronic file or drawing that contains GD&T information. OCR

detection works best with at least 300 DPI. Lower resolutions may produce less-
accurate results.
2. Open the image, and position it next to PC-DMIS. For best results, use a
separate monitor.
3. On the electronic file or drawing, zoom in close enough so that the text is at least
30 pixels tall. If the zoom level for the text isn't this tall, the OCR detection may
produce less accurate results.
4. From the Graphic Modes toolbar or the QuickMeasure toolbar, click GD&T

Selection Mode (from Capture) ( ) to show the Snipping Tool. (The

Snipping Tool is a screen capture utility that comes with your Windows operating
system.)

5. From the Snipping Tool, click New to start a new capture. The screen takes on a
white overlay, and your pointer turns to a cross symbol.

6. On your electronic file, drag a rectangular box around one or more entire FCFs.

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 Using Feature Control Frames

7. Release the left mouse button to finish the capture. The Snipping Tool shows the
capture, and after a few seconds, PC-DMIS shows the captured image inside the
Selection Preview window, and the OCR widget appears. You can reposition
the widget.

8. Follow the instructions on the OCR widget.

a. By default, if the file has more than one FCF, you need to use
QuickFeatures to select datum features for those FCFs.
b. After you define the datums for the FCFs, you can then define the
remaining GD&T information. If you skipped any datum definitions, the
widget asks you to define them during the GD&T definition.
c. Use QuickFeatures to select the minimum number of features from the
CAD model for the current step. Or, if you don't want to import that GD&T

tolerance, click Skip ( ). You can go back to a skipped item with the

Back button ( )

9. Once you define a feature or features from the CAD model for a step, from the

widget, click Next ( ). This continues with the next step of the GD&T
definition. That button becomes enabled once you've defined the minimum
number of features.
10. Once you define the features, and the widget informs you that the tolerances

definition is completed, click Apply ( ). This accepts the changes made in

the Edit window and closes the widget.

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Best Practices

When you use this method, you need to be able to see both PC-DMIS and your
electronic document at the same time. While it is possible to capture and convert one or
more FCFs on a single monitor, we recommend that you use two monitors.

OCR detection works best with an image that has at least 300 DPI. Lower resolutions
may produce less accurate results.

Make the capture as clean as you can. It should be as close as possible to the FCF box
in your electronic document. Exclude as much as you can from leader lines. Try not to
capture extraneous information. Zoom in close enough so that the text is at least 30
pixels tall.

When you have imported the desired GD&T tolerances, check the FCF commands that
PC-DMIS generated and make any needed corrections.

Related Topics:

About Optical Character Recognition (OCR) to Create FCFs

Using GD&T Selection Mode (from File)

OCR Selection Preview Window

OCR Widget

Using GD&T Selection Mode (from File)

GD&T Selection Mode (from File) ( ) lets you open and import an image of your
blueprint inside of PC-DMIS. You can find some sample blueprint .pdf files that
correspond to the Hexagon demo-block CAD models, in the Training subfolder where
you installed PC-DMIS.

When you open the file, you get to decide which GD&T tolerances to import using
Optical Character Recognition (OCR). The software opens a widget that cycles through
each GD&T tolerance on the blueprint. You can use the widget to skip past tolerances
you don't want to import. For items you do want to import, you can interact with the CAD
model to select required features.

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Procedure
1. Import a CAD model into the Graphic Display window that corresponds with the
blueprint that contains the GD&T tolerances you want to import.
2. From the Graphic Modes toolbar, or the QuickMeasure toolbar, click GD&T

Selection Mode (from File) ( ).

3. From the Open dialog box, navigate to the blueprint. This can be an image file or
a .pdf file. OCR detection works best with an image that has at least 300 DPI.
Lower resolutions may produce less accurate results.
4. Select the file, and click Open to start the import process and to show the first
GD&T tolerance on the OCR Selection Preview window.
5. Follow the instructions in the OCR widget.

Datums Target Definition

If your file defines specific datum target points, you must define those targets first:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift and click on the CAD to create a vector point
QuickFeatures for each target.
2. As you define each datum target, the vector point feature appears in the
Edit window.
3. Once you define the targets for a datum feature, it shows "Completed" for
that datum feature. The OCR parsing of the file may not determine all the
number of targets needed. If that happens, you can create additional
vector point features even if the targets for a datum feature shows
"Completed".
4. When you're done creating all the points for a target, click Next to go to
the next set of datum targets.
5. Continue to define datum targets until the text on the widget says "Datum
Target Definition Complete".
6. At this point, you can use the Pause button on the widget to pause the
GD&T import process so that you can work with PC-DMIS to finish
defining the datums.
7. Use the Edit window, and press F9 on each Datum Definition (DATDEF
command in Command mode) to show the Datum Definition dialog box.
8. Link the datum targets to the datum letter.
9. Once you use PC-DMIS to define any datums from the targets, click
Continue on the widget.

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Datums Definition

By default, if the file has more than one FCF, you need to use QuickFeatures to
select datum features for those FCFs.

1. Select the datum features.

2. Click Next.
3. When the widget shows "Datums Definition Completed", click Apply to
continue.

Tolerances Definition

1. After you define the datums for the FCFs, you can then define the
remaining GD&T information. If you skipped any datum definitions, the
widget asks you to define them during the GD&T definition.
2. Use QuickFeatures to select the minimum number features from the CAD
model for the current step. Or, if you don't want to import that GD&T

tolerance, click Skip ( ). You can go back to a skipped item with the

Back button ( ) as long as it is not on an earlier .pdf page.

3. Once you define a feature or features from the CAD model for a step, from

the widget, click Next ( ). This continues with the next step of the
GD&T definition. The Next button becomes enabled once you've defined
the minimum number of features.
4. Once you define the features and the widget informs you that the

tolerances definition is completed, click Apply ( ). This accepts your

changes and moves onto the next GD&T tolerance in the Selection
Preview window.
5. Continue repeating steps five through seven until you have defined the
GD&T tolerances and the Selection Preview window and the OCR widget
both close.

Best Practices
OCR detection works best with an image that has at least 300 DPI. Lower resolutions
may produce less accurate results.

When you have imported the desired GD&T tolerances, double-check the FCF
commands that PC-DMIS generated.

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Related Topics:

About Optical Character Recognition (OCR) to Create FCFs

Using GD&T Selection Mode (from Capture)

OCR Selection Preview Window

OCR Widget

About Optical Character Recognition (OCR) to Create

FCFs
About Optical Character Recognition (OCR) to Create FCFs
The GD&T Selection Mode (from Capture) and GD&T Selection Mode (from File)
methods both use OCR to identify the GD&T tolerance information to import.

While an OCR method is in use, DO NOT Copy or Cut information to the

Clipboard, or you may lose that information.

This occurs because PC-DMIS monitors the Clipboard. If it detects something in the
Clipboard, it assumes it's a GD&T tolerance, and it attempts to import it into PC-DMIS.
When it tries to import the data, it clears out the Clipboard.

If PC-DMIS cannot parse the information from the Clipboard, it shows an error message
that says, "Cannot parse the selected note".

For more information on those methods, see the "Using GD&T Selection Mode (from
Capture)" and "Using GD&T Selection Mode (from File)" topics.

Resolution

OCR detection works best with an image that has at least 300 DPI. Lower resolutions
may produce less accurate results.

Supported FCF Types

The described OCR methods support these FCF types:

• The 14 characteristic symbols

• The Diameter symbol
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• M, L, P, and other modifier symbols bounded by circles

• Data within the boxes and size data above boxes
• Single-line tolerances, multi-line non-composite tolerances, composite tolerances

Unsupported Items

The OCR methods above do not support some complex elements. These include items
like square brackets, extended characters, double-headed arrows, and so on.

FAQ

Question: What happens if my measurement routine already has a datum defined with
the same label as a datum defined in the drawing?

Answer: If a datum definition with the same name already exists in your
measurement routine, PC-DMIS does not request that you to create a new datum
feature of the same name. Instead, PC-DMIS uses the existing datum feature from
your measurement routine.

Question: Do I need to use OCR to recognize a datum all by itself?

Answer: No. Since datums are always defined for a GD&T tolerance, the OCR
does not recognize them as separate GD&T notes. You only need define the
GD&T tolerances and PC-DMIS prompts you to select the datum features as
needed.

Question: What happens if there is size text immediately above the GD&T tolerance?

Answer: PC-DMIS parses this additional line and assigns the data to created FCF.

Question: What happens to multi-line non-composite GD&T tolerances?

Answer: PC-DMIS imports these as two separate FCF commands.

Selection Preview Window

When you attempt to import a GD&T tolerance with Optical Character Recognition
(OCR), a Selection Preview window opens and highlights the tolerance. This is a re-
sizeable and movable window. You can double-click the title bar to maximize the
window or to restore it to its previous size. The image scales to fit the window. You can
use the mouse wheel to zoom in and out on the drawing. You can drag the mouse to
pan the drawing.

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Selection Preview window with a highlighted GD&T tolerance

When the window highlights an item, the software creates a temporary GD&T callout in
the Graphic Display window, and the OCR widget provides some brief instructions on
how to proceed.

OCR Widget
PC-DMIS uses this widget to import GD&T tolerances from a drawing with Optical
Character Recognition (OCR). The widget appears if you select either GD&T Selection

Mode (from Capture) ( ) or GD&T Selection Mode (from File) ( ) from the
Graphic Modes toolbar. For information on the Graphic Modes toolbar, see "Graphic
Modes Toolbar" in the "Using Toolbars" chapter.

There are often multiple steps with instructions on the OCR widget for a given GD&T
tolerance definition. For example, you often need to first select a datum feature (or
features) from the CAD model and later select the considered feature (or features).
These instructions and your selections occur across multiple steps.

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OCR Widget for the highlighted GD&T tolerance

A. This handle lets you drag and reposition the widget.

B. Feature - This box defines the name of the GD&T tolerance.
C. Back - This button only appears if there are multiple GD&T tolerances on a .pdf
page or a capture of multiple tolerances, and you have skipped one or more of
them with the Skip button. If you then click Back, the software returns to the
skipped tolerance and highlights it in the Selection Preview window.
D. Skip - This button appears with a .pdf import or with a capture of more than one
GD&T tolerance. By default, for each tolerance, you define the datums first (or
datum targets). In this case, this button skips the current datum definition (or
datums target definition). Once you move onto defining the rest of the GD&T
tolerance, this button skips the highlighted GD&T tolerance. It then highlights the
next available GD&T tolerance on a .pdf page or capture. For a file import, if
there's only one GD&T tolerance on a page, the software asks if you want to
proceed to the next page. If there are no more .pdf pages with GD&T tolerances,
the software asks if you want to exit the GD&T import process. For an imported
file, if you need to go back to a skipped item on a previous page, you must start
the file import again.
E. Cancel - This button cancels the OCR process and closes the OCR widget and
the Selection Preview window.
F. Apply - This button accepts the selected datum targets or features for the GD&T
tolerance and moves onto the next part of the import or onto the next tolerance.
G. This field shows the instructions for the current step. You need to use
QuickFeatures to select the indicated feature in the Graphic Display window.
H. Previous - This button goes back one step.
I. Remove - This button removes the selected feature from the current step.
J. Next - This button accepts the selection for the step and goes to the next step in
the definition. The software enables this button once you define the minimum
number of features. The temporary callout in the Graphic Display window
updates as you progress through the definition:

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Temporary callout

K. These dots show the number of steps to define one or more datums or to define
a single GD&T tolerance. The white dot indicates the current step.

L. Pause (not pictured) - The Pause button ( ) only appears if your selection or
file contains datum targets. The software enables this button once you have
defined all the various datum target points and the widget shows "Datums Target
Definition Completed". This button pauses the GD&T import process so that you
can use PC-DMIS to finalize datum definitions from your datum targets. This
button is useful because datum creation from datum targets can be a complex
process. You may need to construct features or create alignments or do other
work in PC-DMIS. The Pause button gives you nearly full access to PC-DMIS to
do that work. Once you finalize the datum definitions from the datum targets, you

can click Resume ( ) to continue the GD&T import process.

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