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2. You can now create a datum analysis feature to measure the cross sectional properties of using the datum plane SEC_DTM. Figs. 3-7 show the dialog boxes and the resulting display in the graphics window. Note that the graphical display in Fig. 5 shows the cross section and a coordinate system at the centroid with axes pointing in the direction of principal inertias. The parameter output is the principal inertia about the X axis, and the resulting datum feature is a coordinate system at the centroid of the section.

Figure 3.

Figure 4.

Figure 5 (click to enlarge).

Figure 6.

Figure 7.

3. Create another datum analysis feature to measure the distance from the centroid to the greatest distance at the top and bottom of the section in the X direction (c). Figs. 8-11 show the creation of this feature for the top part of the section.

Note that a datum plane, TOP_SURF, is used as a reference on the top of the part. Although the top surface could be used, the shortest distance to the top surface would not be parallel to the X axis as the field point passes through the holes. While you could deal with this by projecting the distance in the analysis feature, using a datum plane is easier. The output parameter is the distance. The same process is repeated for the bottom part of the cross section.

Figure 8.

Figure 9.

Figure 10 (click to enlarge).

Figure 11.