The latest version of Tracecut, Renishaw's market leadingdigitising software, features a new optional surfacing module.TraceSurf will create true CAD surfaces suitable for export toany CAD system. Tracecut Version 23 also features new standardoptions including 21/2D profiling, full modelling capability, amodule for turbine blade tip refurbishment and simpledimensioning. The new software will be available from September2000.

Tracecut controls the data capture routines for allRenishaw digitising systems, enables data to be manipulated bytechniques including mirroring, scaling, rotation, translationand male/female inversion, and automatically creates split lines.The software generates NC part programs to machine moulds, dies,press tools and EDM electrodes, with tool diameter and machiningpath totally independent of the stylus diameter and scan paths.As an alternative, CAD outputs can be created.

The new TraceSurfmodule will allow Tracecut users to benefit from the seamlesstransfer of digitised data to CAD systems, in either IGES or STLformats, eliminating the problems of transferring large files ofpoint-cloud data.

TraceSurf will simplify the creation ofsurfaces using powerful features such as a 'triangulationwizard' which automatically produces true surface CADtriangle data from digitised data.

Other functions include datatrimming to remove extraneous areas of data, line construction,curve fitting, surface fitting and the ability to reversesurfaces.

Additional features include checks for surfacesmoothness, and an error analysis function that allows users toset tolerance bands for surface fit.

Users of TraceSurf will alsobenefit from the powerful combination of digitising and CADtechnologies.

Major applications include the creation of accurateCAD models from handcrafted parts, the addition of complexdetails or decorations to the surfaces of standard products, thedevelopment of new parts from existing components, and minorstyling changes to physical models in the final stages of productdevelopment.

A powerful new feature within Tracecut Version 23 isthe ability to scan an object in different orientations and thenmerge the data to create a single model.

Using an indexer orautomated indexing probe head, complete objects can be scanned,and users are able to view the full model in any orientation,allowing checks for data integrity prior to toolpath generation.Complete machining programs for the object are produced withinTracecut.

To address the need to capture 2D profiles with varyingZ heights, Tracecut Version 23 also includes a 21/2D scanningcapability, allowing the scanning of components with internalcorners or grooves that are not at a constant Z height.

Therefurbishment of turbine blades is a complex area of manufacture.A new module within Tracecut Version 23 offers a specificsolution, allowing the scanning and re-machining of blade tips.With a Tracecut a user can scan a blade, extrapolate the profile,and generate a helical machining program to remove any excessmaterial which has been welded onto the blade tips during therepair process.

The top of the blade tip can also be trimmed, anda 'squealer' cut in the top of the blade.

Simpledimensioning of components is also possible with this latestversion, including inspection report generation.

Whilst thismodule does not have the full sophisticated measurementcapabilities of a CMM, it includes the facility to measure edges,single points, spheres, bores, bosses, arcs and widths, andcalculate distances between features.