Revision 2.7

Release Date: February 11, 2017

• Back to VTube-LASER
• Back to VTube Software Updates (for LASER Mode)

VTube can now import BENDTECH BTTX files.

The following information is imported from a BTTX file:

• Part number
• Date entered
• XYZ centerline data (including bend radii)
• Diameter
• Wall thickness
• Default radius
• Linear units (Inches or Millimeters)

VTube can now import MBF files from Alpine and CSM bender files.

The following information is imported from an MBF file:

• Part number
• Diameter
• XYZ centerline data (including bend radii) - if it is in the file
• YBC data

Build 102 would sometimes print reports with blank pages. This has been resolved in this build (103).

This build includes updated French, Chinese, German, and English user interface files.

This new window displays all the shortcut keys in a popup window.

New shortcut keys include:

• Ctrl-F1 - Display the Shortcut Key Window
  
  
• Ctrl-B - Perform a quick project backup (see below)
  
  
• Ctrl-T - Toggle TRANSPARENCY of parametric tube models
  
  
• Ctrl-R - Recalculate the current alignment between master and measured tubes
  
  
• Ctrl-Z - Undo the previous change.
  
  

Now you can press CTRL-B to create a backup for insurance against failures or changes-of-mind during an experiment.

CTRL-B saves a copy of the current setup of the VTube project as a backup file.

It creates a backup of the current setup without having to consider where it's saved or what to name it.

The backup files are always stored in the "C:\Users\Public\Documents\VTube" folder, and are given date-time stamps in the filenames.

For example, this backup file:
vtube_backup_ 20170116_19_38_45.vtp
...was created on January 16, 2017 at 7:38:45 pm.

The Cut Plane button in Measure Process became redundant in version 2.6 because the feature is more easily started with the Cut Plane icon at the bottom of the Navigation Pane. So we removed the button from that menu.

To start the Cut Plane control, click on the icon at the bottom of the Navigation Pane. The icon is a toggle. You can press it to load and close the control.

NEW 1 - Moved the Alignment Dropdown Box

The alignment type dropdown box is moved out of a Alignment Setup sub-menu and onto the main Inspection Data menu to make changing alignments much easier.

NEW 2 - Press Ctrl-R to Recalculate the Alignment

Now you can press Ctrl-R anywhere in the VTube-LASER window to recalculate the current alignment.

NEW 3 - NEW Best Fit Alignment 3

There is a new Best Fit Alignment 3 algorithm that performs additional tests compared to previous alignments. Even though it performs additional tests, it can also run faster than previous alignments based on some new optimizations.

FIX - Best Fit Alignment 2

Also - a debug to the Best Fit Alignment 2 algorithm is included in this version. The debug prevents alignment 2 from choosing less than the best alignment during its iteration.

"Reverse Calc" is our term for calculating new centerline XYZ data from LRA data.

MIL-D-9898C bender data can now be converted by VTube-STEP and VTube-LASER in the new ABSOLUTE LRA grid section of the Part Data menu.

Read More About How To Import MIL-D-9898C Data Into VTube

See VTube Reverse Calc from MIL-D-9898C Absolute Bender Data to Centerline XYZ Data for information about this bender data specification.

There may be situations where you are required to send centerline XYZ data to a bender for setup - but you want to include springback compensation before you send that data.

This feature will allow you combine the springback compensation into the master centerline XYZ and master LRA. When you send the XYZ data to the bender, it will be compensated.

This features responds to the Undo command (in the toolbar) - so you can undo the calculation immediately after.

Snap any of the tube straights to any of the major axes in VTube-STEP mode.

VTube will now ask you if you want to calculate a new Cut Length in Part Setup if you perform a Reverse Calc on the Incremental LRA or Springback Compensated LRA data.

This String Centerline feature was added at the request of the US Navy.

The String Centerline feature allows them to measure pipe routes inside ships by running strings of any thickness through the ship. Because VTube-LASER can use leapfrog, it can measure a string of any length.

We've embedded Benderlink for BLM bender communications inside VTube-LASER.

• This protocol uses communications through a standard Ethernet connection.
  
  
• The protocol modifies YBC data inside BLM data files.
  
  

A new SOCO-specific bender communications protocol is now built into VTube-LASER.

• This protocol uses communications through a standard Ethernet connection.
  
  
• The protocol can send XYZ data for building new parts, or modify YBC data in the Execution File page when the bender is running in Auto mode.
  
  
• See VTube Communication for SOCO for details.

A new CRIPPA MPF bender communications protocol is now built into VTube-LASER for older CRIPPA benders that do not have Supravision Network communications capabilities.

• This protocol uses communications through a standard Ethernet connection.
  
  
• The protocol reads and writes CRIPPA MPF files.
  
  
• It can build CRIPPA MPF files without the use of existing templates.
  
  
• It can recall and correct EXISTING CRIPPA MPF files for bender corrections.
  
  
• See VTube Communication for CRIPPA MPF for details.
  
  
• See also CRIPPA

VTube can now export new data to HVAC Machinery's OMS benders using a direct network connection.

The data included is the LRA converted to YBC, and the radius level data.

VTube-LASER will now allow for the setup of all standard bender and setup data for a Premier, EL2000, or Velog control.

The Eaton Leonard values are never lost because this data is now stored inside each VTube-LASER project file.

Press the new "Additional Bender Data" button at the top of the Bender Setup screen, and VTube will now load the new Eaton Leonard Setup window shown (see the second image).

YBC Velocity, Function, Stop, and C Last Included

This data includes all the part setup data and all the data that is included in each YBC row, including these data columns:

• Y
• Y Velocity
• Y Function
• Y Stop
• B
• B Velocity
• B Function
• B Stop
• C
• C Velocity
• C Function
• C Stop
• C Last

Click on the image on the right so see a close-up of this screen.

YBC Data Automatically Synchronized with Blue Column LRA Data in the Parent Window

The YBC data in this new Eaton Leonard Setup window is always synchronized with the blue columns in the parent VTube Bender Setup window.

Change the data in either window, and the corresponding data in the other window will automatically change.

Use Either Inches or Millimeters

The screen allows you to switch between Inches and Millimeters and back again with the press of a single button.

• See Eaton Leonard

In order to help with migration from TeZet to VTube-LASER, customers asked us to enhanced the Excel XLS file import in VTube-STEP (included in VTube-LASER) to handle TeZet file data better.

• The import automatically discovers the XYZ row with no data in order to set the point count.
  
  
• The import lets you set the part number from the XLS data.
  
  
• The import lets you set the diameter from the XLS data.
  
  
• The import lets you set the wall thickness from the XLS data.
  
  
• The import automatically sets the default radius value in the Part Setup menu.
  
  

A new checkbox in the Path Manager allows you to control if VTube offers to add new paths detected.

Some customers find the repeated offer by VTube annoying. This will allow you to turn this feature on and off.

As of this version, VTube-LASER will ignore cut planes when in tactile probe mode.

After observing how customers use the cut plane, we've concluded that it is best to let probed points be measured anywhere - even beyond the cut planes.

Now cut planes are used exclusively for the LASER scanner only. If the LASER scanner is active, then active cut planes are also used.

• See VTube-LASER Cut Planes
• See the tutorial on DCP - Diameter Cut Planes

The Part Setup popup menu lets you set the Date/Time stamp for the project file to the current date and time.

We improved license management by giving messages in the status bar at the bottom of screen that report on license health.

The message always include the source of licensing - like local USB or Network License Manager.

The message will include specific information about any problems with the license in advance of VTube asking you to take some sort of retry or close action.

1. If you see "License OK", then there are no problems communicating with the VTube USB hardware key or NLM server.
   
   
2. If problems occur, then you will see "License Warning" followed by a description of the problem for one minute.
   
   
3. Then you will be allowed to retry accessing the hardware key from inside a dialog box that asks you to RETRY for another minute.
   
   
4. If VTube cannot verify the health of the license, then it will ask to shut down - but it will always automatically create a BACKUP file of the project (see the hot key backup feature above) before closing.

DIFFERENT Sound from Each Other

The scanner measure and ball probe measure sounds are now different from each other. You will know when VTube is taking points by ball probe or points by scanner by hearing to the unique sounds associated with those two kinds of measuring.

NEW Softer Sounds

The scanning sound is now softer than the previous sound - and is also a repeating sound that works better with sound systems that turn off and then back on when not being used.

The point measure sound is also softer - but it continues to be a single soft pop.

VTube Project files loaded are now always moved to the top of the Recent Projects list - even if they are already in the list.

We found and fixed a problem with ROTATION data averaging when creating a hybrid tube from LRA bender data.

In previous versions, VTube could have problems with rotations that approach and pass from positive regions into negative regions (Either at 0 degrees or 180 degrees).

About This Feature

This feature allows you to measure a part multiple times, then average the results.

Unlike averaging measured centerline XYZ data, using the LRA method of averaging tube data to derive a hybrid tube allows VTube to be immune to tube orientation changes between measures.

VTube is verified as compatible for building directly to SOLIDWORKS 2017.

Only one port is now required for connection to the Network License Manager.

We've remove the VTube Receive port number value. See the configuration text on the right from the "vtube local settings.cfg" file.

[HARDWARE KEY]
Enable Network=0
License Type=Laser
NLM IP Address=127.0.0.1
Network Timeout=10
Send To NLM Port=17502