Compensating For Thermal Expansion - After Measurement

Compensating For Thermal Expansion - After Measurement

If the object’s temperature changes after applying the material compensation and measuring points and features, it is possible to correct the previously measured points and features for the scale variances. This process involves using the Temperature Settings dialog box to calculate the Scale Factor, which you enter into the XForm dialog control.

Calculate the Correction Scale Factor

Before beginning the scaling procedure, measure the object's Temperature with an accurate (certified) thermometer.

1.       Open the Temperature Settings dialog from the Device Manager (Device must be active) toolbar.

2.       In the Temperature Settings dialog:

  1. Enable
    Material Compensation to activate the Linear Expansion Compensation field at the bottom of the Temperature Settings dialog.
  2. Enter the Material temperature.
  3. Select Material type
  4. View the Correction Scale Factor and copy the value by highlighting it, accessing the speed menu (shown), or using Ctrl + C from the keyboard.

3.       After copying the Correction Scale Factor, turn off the Material Compensation checkbox.

4.       Select OK to exit the Temperature Settings dialog.


 

The Correction Scale Factor can now be applied using the XForm dialog box from the Alignments menu found in the speed menu of Points, Clouds, Meshes, Features, and Alignments.

5.       In the Data Tree, select the Point(s), Clouds(s), Mesh (es), Feature(s), or Alignments to apply Scale Factor; use a right mouse click to access the speed menu.

When applying Scale to an alignment, all points, clouds, meshes, and features connected to the alignment are scaled. This is a quick way to scale your measured data.

6.       Select Alignment – XForm to open the XForm dialog.

7.       Using the Correction Scale Factor “copied” in the previous section (Calculate the Scale Factor), Paste the value into the Scale field.

8.       Select the XForm button,

9.       Choose Close to save the result.




10.       All selected points, clouds, meshes, and alignments display the Alignment Scale in the Statistics Box. Features Alignment Scale is found only when Reporting.

“Has local transform” displays in the Info Legend, with the applied Scale Factor when applying XForm to Points, Clouds, Meshes, Features, or Alignments.
Important Note: Scaling Alignments connected to the active Device affects all future measurements.