How to Reverse Engineer with Split Bend

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About Split Bends

The Split Bend feature allows you to accurately measure bends that equal or exceed 180 degrees. Split Bend setup is controlled in the Bend Setup tab of the Master Tube menu in VTube-LASER, and in the Bend Setup tab in VTube-STEP. Both modes of VTube allow you to configure Split Bends. To turn a Split Bend ON for a straight section, you enter the Split Bend window and select the straights that should be treated as Split Bends.

How to Reverse Engineer Using Split Bend

Since the Split Bend feature creates a grid based on the number of straights in the MASTER data, it is important to set the number of points that you will be measuring in the reversed tube. Enter the MASTER TUBE menu, set the point count (which is two more than bend count), and press the SET button. The XYZ values will be filled with zeros like this:

The Steps for Leapfrog

Place at least 3 targets as far from the arm as possible in the direction you want to leap. Press the LEAP button in the guide window on the left. Measure the targets with the ball probe. Press the green button to measure each target. Press the red button to finish the initial measure. Without moving the targets or the tube, leap the arm over the targets to a new position. Measure the targets with the ball probe. Press the green button to measure each target. Press the red button to finish the measure. The leap is complete. Continue measuring where you left off before.

Move the Tube During Measure

It is also possible to move the tube if you attach the targets securely to the tube, then use the leapfrog feature. For example, you can use a standard metal spring clamp to attach to the tube, then place the magnetic target on the clamp handle. The Steps for Tube Move Place at least 3 targets on the tube. The three targets should not form a single line. Press the LEAP button in the guide window on the left. Measure the targets with the ball probe. Press the green button to measure each target. Press the red button to finish the initial measure. Move the tube and the targets to the new position relative to the arm. Measure the targets with the ball probe. Press the green button to measure each target. Press the red button to finish the measure. The move is complete. Continue measuring where you left off before.

Other Pages

• Back to VTube-LASER
• See also Calibration-Leapfrog-Move Targets
• Purchase the targets at the store.