Stock Compare compares the simulated stock to the design model to easily identify inaccuracies. The stock is colour-based on the distance to the design model.
Step 1: Select the 'Geometry Manager' tab. Ensure a part model (Workpiece) and stock model (Stock) has been added to the Geometry Manager.
Step 2: Select the 'Simulation' tab to configure the stock compare settings.
Compare Range: Set the tolerance in which the distance between the part model and the stock model will be checked. E.g, if a value of 0.1 is set, if the distance between the part model and stock model is 0.1mm it will appear within tolerance. Anything above or below 0.1mm will appear out of tolerance.
Stock to leave: Set a value based on the amount of stock to be left. This will offset the stock by this value (inwards for a positive value, and outwards for a negative) before comparing.
Step 3: To determine the stock compare colours, go to Setup > Global Colours > Fast Simulation.
Step 4: To compare the stock to the part model simply navigate to the Backplot tab and select 'Stock Compare'.
The stock will now appear coloured based on the distance to the design model. Any part of the stock that falls in or out of tolerance is now clearly visible and can be compared with the colour grid located in the right hand side of the simulation window.
Step 5: An advanced distance checker is available by simply hovering the mouse pointer over any section of the stock. The exact distance between the part model and stock model is revealed in real time.
Step 6: A compare visibility option is available to allow users to show only the areas that fall out of tolerance.
Note: Stock Compare is available in the NC Machine Simulation add on also.