Freepoint 3D-XL2 Large Volume 3D Digitizer with Rhino

• The Freepoint 3D-XL2 digitizer is a large volume three-dimensional engineering and design tool to measure the location of user selected points on the surface of an object or in space to within ± 0.04" or around ± 1/32", or ± 1 mm. Active working volume is, 8' x 8' x 8' or larger, and a fiducials feature allows the model (or digitizer) to be moved to handle even larger objects. Three-dimensional, XYZ coordinates are directly, automatically inserted into the users engineering, design, analysis or control software application.
  
  
• The Freepoint 3D-XL2 system includes a hand-held emitter probe, sensor or detector array, pilot or calibration bar, controller with embedded processor, serial cable to host computer, power cable, Windows software application interface and documentation.
  
  
• The hand-held probe includes two sonic emitters, stylus, trigger and cable to the controller. The operator places the stylus of the probe on a point of interest on the surface of an object and triggers the probe. The emitters 'fire' in sequence generating sonic pulses received by microphones in the sensor or detector array. The system processor calclulates the slant ranges to each emitter, XYZ location of the probe tip and emulates a keyboard inserting coordinates into the application. Additional information is in the Freepoint 3D help file.
  

setup

• assemble sensor array
  orientation of sensor array plane is not critical
  sensor array must be stable - a heavy duty tripod, easel or wall works well to mount the array
  sensor array defines back surface of active volume
  
  
• connect sensor array, probe, pilot bar, serial and power cable to/at controller
  turn-on controller power
  
  
• download, install software application interface Freept3 Version 3.10
  
  
• open Freept3
  
  message will indicate communications established, click OK
  current configuration file will be displayed upper left main window
  click set button to open variable settings window
  typical settings (check cable tags) and confirm variable settings
  Rhino format X,Z,-Y/0D
  click OK, if asked, save configuration file as Rhino
  
  
• open options on toolbar to set opening conditions
  check connect to dig
  check emulate keyboard options
  click OK
  
• click go button
  data display window will open data display
  hold probe in active volume
  assure line-of-sight between emitters on probe and each sensor in array
  trigger probe
  formatted data, distance from last point, other values are displayed
  
  digitize two spatial points a known distance apart
  verify distance from last point
  
  
• click utilities button
  select set user coordinate system (UCS) to map workspace to application display
  enter origin point on x-axis +y point close utilities window
  

introduction to Rhino

• remember, the Freepoint 3D-XL2 is a spatial measuring tool
  ... inserting XYZ coordinates directly into Rhino
  you design the model in Rhino
  
  digitized points are absolute 3D, XYZ points
  absolute XYZ points are not snapped to a grid or an object
  as a guideline, digitize as few points as possible to define a curve
  but as many as needed to capture the detail desired
  digitize points defining curves - one curve at a time
  
  
• select perspective view
  select multiple points - right mouse click point at top of right vertical toolbar
  digitize point at origin selected in UCS
  digitize point on (or near) x-axis
  digitize point on (or near) y-axis
  select circle, 3 points command button (vertical toolbar), notice prompt
  digitize 3 points on desktop to define circle, circle is displayed
  enter key to repeat last command
  digitize a few more circles at different 3D orientations
  right mouse click zoom extents button (horizontal toolbar at top)
  when done, clear screen - select all button and delete on keyboard
  
  
• select multiple points (as above)
  digitize a few points on the surface of an object or in space
  
• enable Osnap (object snap), points to select digitized points with mouse to form curve or other object
  select curve interpolate points Rhino function
  using mouse snap to 3D points to form curve and enter to end command
  use a set of curves to form a surface panel
  join, merge, blend surfaces to form a model
  shade, rotate model for visualization
  render model for presentation
  save model in format to be transported for CNC machining or analysis
  
  
• open Rhino file surface on glass to see digitized points, edge curves and surface
  rotate and pan perspective view
  review shading options
  
  
• additional information
  select Freepoint line mode (data display utilities)
  place probe tip on beginning of cure
  enable and hold trigger and trace curve
  release trigger at end of curve
  
  
• use Freepoint fiducials function to move or re-orient model or sensor array during digitizing session
  
  
• review Freepoint help