While most users of Control X are interested in producing color maps, whisker plots, dimension checks, and GD&T analysis of the scan as compared to the nominal CAD model, it is important to note that there are several “mesh-only” functions for measuring a scan model that do not require a nominal CAD model.

Metrology Minute – Measure Menu

The Measure Distance menu simply measures the distance between two points. You just need to keep in mind that the distances are generated from the nearest vertex points on the mesh, not the actual selected point.

Metrology Minute – Measure Menu

The Measure Angle menu will measure the angle between two mesh faces, such as the chamfer and body scan below.

Metrology Minute – Measure Menu

The Measure Radius menu simply measures the radius of a mesh by selecting three points.

Metrology Minute – Measure Menu

The Measure Area menu measures the surface area of the selected mesh. This measurement is in terms of units squared (for example, in^2, mm^2, etc.). Surface area calculations may be for both closed and open mesh files.

Metrology Minute – Measure Menu

The Measure Volume menu measures the volume of a fully closed, manifold mesh. The units are in terms of cubic units (i.e. MM^3, In^3, and so on).
The term “closed manifold” implies every triangle edge in the mesh shares one and only one edge with an adjacent triangle.

Metrology Minute – Measure Menu

Finally, the Virtual Calipers menu allows you to apply a set of “virtual calipers” to the model and returns a reading as if actual calipers are being applied to the model (scan).

Metrology Minute – Measure Menu

Please contact Joel Pollet for any questions.