In most metrology applications the first step in analysis is to orient measured points to critical design features. This then provides the ability to perform an evaluation of the measured features. SpatialAnalyzer is able to help you accomplish that task by letting an optimization routine use relationships to drive a fitting process. This is a far more powerful process than a simple best fit because it dynamically establishes the best possible fit to potentially complex and curvy parts. The net effect is the distances defined between objects in each relationship are minimized.
By creating relationships between the measured points and the part’s critical features you can use these dynamic features to find orientations that yield the best performing part. Since SA’s relationships can be made between any object types you’re able to define a comprehensive set of part features and then optimize their orientation.
Relationship optimizations are extremely powerful tools that are only fully available with a SA Ultimate license. A relationship fits can be performed with a single relationship using an SA Professional license, but its real power comes from using multiple relationships at one time. This allows a user to balance the fit and optimize the alignment based on the tolerances placed on each feature.
Instruments can be located by Minimizing Relationships. This is an advanced option to help equalize any misalignment by using multiple relationships at once all with custom weighting and constraint options.
Collections can also be located by Minimizing Relationships. This is an advanced option that allows multiple collections to be optimized at the same time using separate degrees of freedom.
A Sequential Alignment allows you to align with different relationships in a predefined sequence, applying specific degrees of freedom to each relationship and then running the alignment process much like a script