Wall Thickness Analysis : Options and Results

Access: Open this function from the following location:

Select Analysis > Main Tools > Wall Thickness Analysis from the menu bar.

Analyze the wall thickness of objects.

This is an analytical function that quickly checks your part and shows the thickness variations using a color-coded display. The maximum thickness is called out by default, but any point on the model can be selected to quickly show its thickness value.

Required Step 1

Pick the body to be analyzed.

Required Step 2

Select the type of analysis to be performed and then set the parameters. The following parameters are displayed:

Sphere Analysis

This is a toggle option, Sphere Analysis / Ray Analysis, that enables you to select the type of Wall Thickness analysis to be performed.

Sphere Analysis parameters:		Ray Analysis parameters:

This toggle option is displayed when the Wall Thickness option is selected, above.

Sphere Analysis	In Sphere Analysis, the smallest sphere diameter that can be rolled on the measured point without intersecting with other faces in the body. The diameter of the sphere is the thickness at this point. This method should be preferred to detect the maximum wall thickness regions. See the examples below.
Ray Analysis	In Ray Analysis, the distance of a ray (straight line) that is normal to the face, passes through the measured point and ends at the penetration point with the first face it meets in the body. The distance of the line is the thickness at that point. This method should be preferred to detect the minimum wall thickness regions. See the examples below.

Examples:Examples:

Sphere Analysis:		Ray Analysis:

Thickness Ranges

Displays a dialog showing color-coded range groups. The colors and the range groups they represent can be customized.

Example:Example:

Buttons:Buttons:

	Reset: Reset all values and settings to the system defaults.
	Save as Default: Save the current settings as the default. These default settings will be used whenever this operation is re-invoked. New analyses will use the saved defaults.
	OK: Accept the changes, perform the operation, and close the current dialog/task.
	Apply: Accept the changes, perform the operation, and keep the current dialog/task open.
	Cancel: Cancel all changes and close the dialog/task without saving the settings.

Normal Accuracy

This is a dropdown list to define the accuracy level of the analysis. The available options are Low Accuracy, Normal Accuracy and High Accuracy.
The default is Normal Accuracy.

Sharp Edges - Sphere Size

This is a dropdown list to define the type of analysis to perform when using Sphere Analysis and measuring the thickness close to sharp edges. This option is only displayed if Sphere Analysis is selected.

The default is Sharp Edges - Sphere Size.

See 3D Sphere Analysis for additional information.

Material Inside

This is a toggle option, Material Inside / Material Outside, that enables you to select the type of Wall Thickness analysis to be performed.

Start Analysis

Perform the analysis based on the current parameter settings.

When analysis is complete, you can move the cursor over areas of the body where color-coded analysis is shown to see the analysis result for each area. Pick a point to attach a label displaying the analysis result at that point.

Example:Example:

Hover the cursor over a point to show a popup of the thickness:	Pick a point to attach a label displaying the thickness at that point:

Publish to PDF

Publish to PDF to create 3D PDF files that include parts and assemblies from Cimatron. When the Publish to PDF button is selected, a dialog is displayed giving you additional controls before the selected entities are exported to PDF.

The Publish to PDF button is available after an analysis is run (Start Analysis) and enables you to print the results of the analysis.

Example:Example:

Optional Step 1

Measure 2D thickness by displaying a section view of the part. Pick a plane, face or point to locate the section. If necessary, change or move the view point. When switching to this step, the selected body is displayed in wireframe.

The following parameters are displayed:

Parameters - see 2D Thickness for additional information and examples:

Manipulate the section view by moving the slider or by using the forwards and backwards arrows.

Delta

Set the dynamic section incremental delta values (default = 10) when using the forwards and backwards arrows.

Hatch On

Show or hide the hatch at the section location.

Flip

This is a toggle option that flips the display of the body to either side of the selected face or plane.
Examples:Examples:

This option is displayed if a face or plane is selected.

Thickness Ranges

Displays a dialog showing color-coded range groups. Both the colors and the range groups they represent can be customized.

See required step 2 above.

Show Body

This is a toggle option, Show Body / Hide Body, that enables you to either show or hide the selected body.
Examples:Examples:

Show Body:	Hide Body:

This option is displayed once you have created an analysis (by pressing Start Analysis).

Define Section Location

This is a toggle option, Define Section Location / Show Thickness Value, that enables you to either define the location of the section (using a plane, face or point) or to show the thickness at any point on an existing section by hovering the cursor over the body or by picking a point on the section.
Examples:Examples:

Define Section location

Define the location of the section (using a plane, face or point).
Examples:Examples:

A section location defined by picking a point. The section Max. Thickness label and section hide/show button is displayed.	Hide/show the section as required.

Show Thickness Value

Show the thickness at any point on an existing section by hovering the cursor over the body or by picking a point on the section.
Examples:Examples:

Hover the cursor over a point to show a popup of the thickness:	Pick a point to attach a label displaying the thickness at that point:

Start Analysis

Start the analysis using the parameter settings defined above.

The Hide / Show Body toggle option is displayed; see the parameter description above.

Publish to PDF

Publish to PDF - see the parameter description above.

When finished, press Exit in the Feature Guide to complete the function.

Some functionality may be dependent on the product package. Contact your Reseller if you require a license.