Tools | Point-Cloud Tool

Contents

The term Point-Cloud is generally used to describe an array of coordinates that specify the shape of a 2D or 3D object.

Frequently, the shape is a cam that you want to reverse-engineer.

Point-Cloud FB

Use the Point-Cloud FB to:

•	import coordinate-data that represents the 2D shape or cam

•	fit a curve to the coordinate-data

The curve is mathematically smoother than the coordinates of the original data.

1.	Measure an old Cam; import the Point-Cloud and define it as a new curve with the Point-Cloud dialog-box.

2.	Use the curve, in combination with a Magnetic-Joint and a Graph FB to find the motion of a Cam-Follower.

3.	Use the tools in MotionDesigner to identify the motion of the Cam-Follower.

4.	We would usually redefine the motion with an improved motion. We use the improved motion to re-calculate the 2D-Cam.

5.	Finally, you can recalculate the cam-coordinates and export them for cam manufacture.

Toolbar :

Point-Cloud FB

Menu :

Add menu > Add Point-Cloud FB

Dialog-box :

What to do :

STEP 1:

Add the Point-Cloud FB to a Part

1.	Click Modelling FB toolbar > Add Point-Cloud FB

The Command-Manager shows one selection box. You must select a Part.

2.	Click a Part in the graphic-area or the Assembly-Tree

3.	Click in the Command-Manager

The Point-Cloud FB is a child to the Part you select in the Command-Manager.

The Point-Cloud FB is in the graphic-area.

Edit :

STEP 2:

Open the Point-Cloud FB dialog-box to:

•	Import the Point-Cloud

•	Fit a Curve to the Point-Cloud

Video :

Tutorials and Reference Help Files for MechDesigner and MotionDesigner 14.2 + © Machine, Cam, Mechanism, and Motion Design Software by PSMotion Ltd