figure 1, sub menu

Another very powerful feature available with the Sphere Analysis Tools is the ability to locate the height off the PCS Base Plane where a specified diameter exists. For example if measuring a sphere that defines the mating surface of a ball valve and the dimensional requirement is to measure the height where the sphere has a diameter of 0.75" off the XY PCS base plane. We would use this tool to extract that solution from the measured sphere.

When you have measured the sphere, right click on the sphere in the inspection report to activate the sub menu, see figure 1. From the submenu commands, choose [Sphere Diameter]. You can also activate the command by highlighting the sphere and choose [Analysis→Sphere Analysis→Sphere Diameter] from the Geomet main menu.

figure 2, Sphere Diameter Tool.

When the Sphere Diameter Analysis Tool appears, it will default to the diameter of the sphere and will choose the PCS Base Plane that is closest to the sphere. To find the height on the sphere where the diameter of 0.75" exists off the XY PCS Base Plane, start by entering 0.75" in the Diameter data entry field and left-click on the radio button "XY Base Plane".

 

figure 3, Sphere Diameter Tool.

The Sphere Diameter tool will validate the selections and update the two possible solutions in the group "Select the Offset to report". In the example above, the two possible solutions are 2.6693" and 3.3307". Choose the solution required and press the <Ok> button.

If the "Select the Offset to report" choice was not selected, the tool will prompt you with a message.

figure 4, Select Offset Warning Message.

The Sphere Distance Tool validates your diameter entry. The diameter entered can not be 0.0" or less and must not be greater than the Sphere diameter. Should you enter an incorrect diameter, a warning message will be displayed.

figure 5, Diameter Validation Warning Message.

The solution reported is a 3D Circle. By default, the 3D Circle is reported as a diameter, should you require to switch it to a radius, right-click on the reported feature and select [Switch Dia./ Rad.] from the sub-menu.

figure 6, Sphere Diameter Solution.