VTube-LASER v3

Version 3 Release Date: July 15, 2020 Current Build: 42 Back to VTube-LASER Back to VTube-LASER Updates See also VTube-STEP Updates Download updates the Support Page

NEW INNOVATION - Scan Score

We've invented a way for users to score their last scan based on all historical data. It is called SCAN SCORE. The Scan Score system is graded on a 100% scale. A score of 100% indicates that the scan was perfectly consistent with previous scans. Any score greater than 100% indicates that the cylinder scans were better than the historical average.

The single Scan Score is the average of all the cylinder fit scores for each Cylinder Fit qualification attribute over time. All the Cylinder Fit values from each completed measure are stored in the project file and then used to create scores for each attribute on each straight. In the example on the right, the ovality measurement in the first straight was not quite as good as the historical average (80.5%). However, the Ovality score for the second straight was better than the average at 118.2%.

NEW - Super fast AUTOBUILD PARAMETRIC Import of Solid Models

The new Autobuild Parametrics feature speeds up importing and calculating centerline and bender data parametrics by 5 times or more by automating the calculation process with a single button press. The new Autobuild Parametrics button is in the Parametric Tube Data menu. Autobuild will automatically attempt to calculate the centerline from the imported STEP or IGES model. For Autobuild to work, it needs to follow these rules about the incoming model.
The Rules for Autobuild The model should be a single clean tube. The model should formed as a segmented tube shape made up of cylinders and truncated-tori. Remove all other geometry first. The following are either handled or ignored: Inner walls are used to determine the wall thickness End wall rings are ignored Non-surface data, like lines and points are ignored
Video Click on the video image to see a video of the Autobuild Parametrics feature working.

NEW - Scan Point Clouds into SOLIDWORKS

VTube-LASER now handles point clouds in storage we call "buckets." This allows you to scan anything into VTube-LASER - not just tubes. With this feature: Scan point clouds into list of point cloud buckets using the LASER scanner. Turn buckets of points on our off. Select points on the screen then press DELETE to delete them from the buckets. Measure the distance between any two points. Transfer the point clouds into SOLIDWORKS. Transfer the point clouds into an ASCII file for use in any other program. Point clouds are stored and recalled to/from the VTube-LASER project file. Point cloud changes are stored in the UNDO memory. If you delete the wrong set of points - just press UNDO. Set the color of each bucket of point clouds.
Scanning Test: Malibu Control Arm This is a Malibu Control Arm that we scanned in VTube-LASER. The scan has a total of 19259 points in eight different buckets. Each bucket can be turned off and on. The color of several of the buckets of points have been changed so that you can identify different regions of points by color.
Send to SOLIDWORKS Press one button to transfer the scanned point cloud to SOLIDWORKS. The transfer takes about 5 seconds.
Convert to SOLIDWORKS Mesh Use the SOLIDWORKS features to turn the point cloud into a mesh and surface. (This requires a Professional or Premium license of SW.)

NEW - VTube-LASER Now Automatically Resets Straight Count at Measure

VTube-LASER users are used to editing from a "0" for starting straight count to some positive value. You won't have to do that any more in this new version - because now VTube will just fill in the correct straight count for you. You can still change it manually at any time.

NEW - Change Cylinder Fit Tolerances from a List of Setups

The new Cylinder Fit Tolerances Named Setup feature allows you to switch between stored cylinder fit tolerances for measuring cylinders. Each setup is stored in a list of named setups that can be used at any time in any tube measure. For example you could store a unique setup for measuring tubes with armor (like on brake lines) and another default one for regular tubes.

NEW - MAX Points for Cylinder Stripes Is Now 50

After extensive testing, we've concluded that any point count above 50 per stripe is never helpful in VTube-LASER. For example, as you approach 1000 points per stripe, it slows the math engine significantly and actually causes more Cylinder Fit problems than it solves. VTube-LASER will now allow up to 50 points per stripe for measuring cylinders - never more.

FIX - 180-degree Bend Correction Feature

This is important to you if you correct benders with 180-degree bends using Bender Setup communications. The Split Bend corrections (for a 180-degree bend) were being applied in Bender Setup in the uncompressed mode - which means that only half the correction was being applied to 180-degree bends. Also, the wrong number of rows was sent to Bender Setup - which meant that correction data was not properly aligned with the data at the bender. For example, for a single 180-degree bend part, there should only be two correction rows. However, VTube was sending three rows of data for two 90-degree bends. This has been fixed in this version. See the resulting correction data grid in the Bender Setup screen below the image.

NEW- Auto Display of DRO (Digital Readout) When Moving from VTube-STEP to VTube-LASER

When the arm is connected to VTube, and the user changes from VTube-STEP to VTube-LASER, VTube now automatically displays the DRO window (Digital Readout).

ENHANCED - PATH MANAGER - Clear Paths That No Longer Exist in the Path Manager

The new command allows you to clear paths that no longer exist in the list of Path Manager.

ENHANCED - Configure the PATH MANAGER

Now you can configure the Path Manager without importing or loading any files. Load the Path Manager by pressing the "Configure the Path Manager" button in the System Options / File Setup menu.

NEW - Radius 2 and Radius 3 after the Default Radius field in Part Setup

VTube has an added Radius 2 and Radius 3 fields in Part Setup and Bender Setup to allow for easier conversion to benders that require radius values assigned to levels (like Eaton Leonard and YSE)

NEW - Collected Features Menu Fine-tuned with New Buttons (STEP Mode)

We found that users intuitively seek to use the Collected Features menu on the left of the screen to start the collection process. Since that is intuitive to users, and is consistent with our menu design, we placed buttons in that menu that allow users to show the Collect Features control window.

NEW - BLM VGP-3D Bender Data Reports

This version now has a BLM VGP-3D bender data report with CW positive rotations. Download the PDF Report

NEW - Collect Control Changes (STEP Mode)

1) "Keep adding more surfaces" is now true by default. 2) End Trim from Surface now uses the middle radio button choice by default: Trim to Surface Furthest Point from Centerline Midpoint.

NEW - Popup Menu for Setting Precision Weights

We added this new popup menu to make setting the Precision Weight values quicker.

Other Changes

• For HTML reports, the screen-image bmp file is now only copied to the html export folder when it is present in the html report.
• In VTube-STEP, the export html report feature would display an error and would not save he html reports. This has been fixed.
• Auto disconnect without critical error or crash when FARO driver stops answering VTube-LASER's requests for information.
• A change allows for hardware keys (dongles) with serial numbers greater than 2.147 billion. Older revisions may not read new hardware key serial numbers properly if they exceed that value. This version addresses that issue.
• The Language Editor reloads from the main user interface much faster than previous versions. (Build 32)
• Optimized the STEP mode and LASER mode default settings to make VTube faster in its default state. (Build 33)
• Fixed show unbend only in STEP mode (Build 39)
• Measure guide viewport window does not display when the MASTER tube point count is 0.
• Fixed connection to the FARO driver for older Edge arms
• Added DOCS file import file checks
• This version was modified to run with FARO driver version 6.2.1.9

Other Pages

• See VTube-LASER Addata ZModem Communications Protocol for more information.
• Back to VTube-LASER
• Back to VTube Software Updates (for LASER Mode)
• See also VTube-STEP
• See also VTube-STEP Revisions
• See VTube-LASER Customer Support Page to download the latest version.
• See the tutorial on DCF - Dual Cylinder Fit
• See the tutorial on DCP - Diameter Cut Planes
• See VTube-LASER Cut Planes
• See How to Measure Tubes Attached to an Evaporator with the DCP Feature