Revision 2.9.3

Release Date: February 1, 2018

• Back to VTube-LASER
• Back to VTube-LASER Updates
• See also VTube-STEP Updates
• Download in updates the VTube-LASER Support Page

This feature was requested by MEC, Inc. after several weeks of tests on tube measuring large diameter tubes.

So we added the super-easy-to-use MTA feature as of this version.

MEC Inc. (Mayville Engineering), one of our customer-reference companies, performed several tests on large-diameter tubes to confirm that measuring both sides of the tube has a positive impact on the measurement of tube shapes. They requested that we make creating averaged (hybrid) tubes easier for their operators. We agreed that this is a great idea, so we developed the MTA feature to answer the need.

The MTA feature allows operators measure the tube, rotate it, measure it again, rotate it, etc. - as many times as they want to. And it's super easy to do.

Also, new buttons were added to the Tube Measure Control window to make using this feature very easy (see below).

VTube-LASER can now send entire tube assemblies to SOLIDWORKS with one button press.

VTube-LASER can now communicate with WAFIOS benders using the WAFIOS SVNET protocol.

VTube-LASER now has an export option for NUMALLIANCE CSV files that is used to correct the NUMALLIANCE benders.

Note: NUMALLIANCE benders only require the measured data for corrections.

Measure the tube in VTube-LASER, then send the MEASURED tube data to the bender control, and it will then perform the correction.

We redesigned the FILE menu for the MASTER, MEASURED, and MEASURED ALIGNED menus. Now it is referred to as EXPORT.

The new menu has a drop-down box that allows for easier access to export choices.

VTube-LASER will take in only one point per laser stripe if the Maximum Cloud Radius value is accidentally zero to ZERO and the DCP is set to ACTIVE.

Therefore, a new warning displays when you start a new measure and the value is set to ZERO with DCP active.

VTube-LASER also opens the Cut Plane Setup Control window so that you can adjust the value.

The only way to measure with the DCP Maximum Cloud Radius value set to zero is to set the DCP to INACTIVE.

Dengler benders are known for bending long brake and fuel lines.

This new communications protocol quickly adjusts the DENGLER MES bender files directly that can then be loaded into the DENGLER controls.

VTube-LASER now supports the MicroScribe arms using ball probes.

These arms are smaller and have fewer axes than regular laser scanning arms from HEXAGON or FARO, and are therefore less expensive. A VTube-LASER + MicroScribe Arm system costs only $21000 ($26000 with on-site training).

The arm that we developed the link with is a MicroScribe i arm (shown on the right). You can view a PDF brochure here: MicroScribe i Brochure

This arm has a two-foot reach (four-foot total volume) with an accuracy of +/- 0.005" (127 microns).

Revware has arms that are accurate to +/-0.002" (51 microns). They also sell a slightly longer arm with higher accuracy than the "i" arm shown here.

VTube-STEP (which is part of VTube-LASER) can now import Chiyoda EX CHS files. The data imported is:

1. Part Number
   
   
2. Diameter
   
   
3. Wall Thickness
   
   
4. Cut Length
   
   
5. FPB bender data
   
   
6. Centerline radii

We've put Guide Windows in the Bender Setup menu. They can stay open for as long you as you want - or close them anytime. They are less obtrusive than the dialogs that required the operator to press "OK" to continue.