- Distance check. Quick. Visual. Documented.
CAD collision detection: Checking minimum clearances in PTC Creo using SF Distance Check
- Electromechanical distances: Errors cost more than just time
Why collision detection in CAD assemblies is so critical
Detecting distance violations in 3D – at the touch of a button
SF Distance Check checks for a specified minimum distance between selected components of an assembly in 3D space within PTC Creo – and visualises all areas that breach this distance directly within the model. Test results are automatically documented in graphical, numerical and textual form in a PDF report. This add-on is an indispensable tool, particularly for mechatronic development, where electromechanical distances must be maintained from an early stage in the design process.
When developing mechatronic products, mechanical and electronic components must be precisely aligned with one another in three dimensions. If minimum distances between electromechanical components are not maintained, there is a risk of short circuits, interference or functional failures – with costly consequences for redesign and the start of series production.
Continuous collision checking in CAD throughout the design process is therefore not an option, but a necessity. SF Distance Check enables this checking directly within PTC Creo – quickly, at an early stage and incrementally throughout the development process, before distance violations lead to time-consuming design changes.
- Benefits of SF Distance Check
Early detection
Distance violations are detected during the design phase – long before they lead to costly changes in series production.
3D visualisation
Critical areas are highlighted graphically directly within the Creo 3D model – enabling immediate, targeted analysis without the need for external tools.
Automatic PDF report
Test results are documented at the touch of a button as a structured PDF report – containing graphical, numerical and textual data – without the need for manual post-processing.
Flexible configuration
Spacing conditions and the pairs of objects to be checked (component/assembly to component/assembly or to housing) can be configured individually.
- Automated. Visual. Documented.
CAD collision detection: SF Distance Check in detail
How the clearance check works in PTC Creo
SF Distance Check analyses the spatial distances between defined components of an assembly within the 3D space of PTC Creo. The user specifies the clearance conditions and the pairs of objects to be checked – the add-on carries out the entire evaluation and graphically highlights all areas where the minimum clearance is not met, directly within the 3D model.
Thanks to its direct integration with Creo, no external software is required. The check can be initiated at any stage of the design process – regardless of the assembly’s current stage of development.
Test objects and configuration options
SF Distance Check supports all relevant test scenarios in mechatronic and mechanical assemblies. The following combinations of objects can be tested:
- Part by part
- Component to assembly
- Assembly by assembly
- Component or assembly for housing
- Configurable distance conditions for each test pair
This flexibility makes SF Distance Check suitable for both simple individual component inspections and complex mechatronic systems with numerous components and varied distance requirements.
Automatic documentation of test results
A key feature of SF Distance Check is the automatic generation of a structured PDF report following each test run. The report contains a graphical representation of the distance violations, a numerical analysis of all measurement results and a textual summary. This report can be used directly for internal quality assurance, as evidence for customers or as a basis for decisions on changes.
Collision checking as a quality standard in the development process
Regular, early distance checks in CAD assemblies significantly reduce the risk of costly design changes in the later stages of development. SF Distance Check turns this check into a simple, repeatable step in day-to-day design work in PTC Creo.
SF Distance Check in PTC Creo – Results of the clearance test
- Functions at a glance
Analysis
We record your distance requirements, typical test scenarios and assembly structures in Creo.
Furnishings
You will receive SF Distance Check configured with your distance requirements and test object definitions.
Integration
Our experts integrate the collision check as a fixed step into your design process.
- Personalised advice on SF Distance Check
Enquiry & advice
Our experts will show you how SF Distance Check automates distance checks in PTC Creo and integrates them into your design process – please get in touch.
- Questions / Answers
General enquiries about SF Distance Check
What is SF Distance Check for PTC Creo?
SF Distance Check is an add-on for PTC Creo that checks, in 3D space, whether defined minimum distances between components in an assembly are being maintained. Any distances violations are displayed graphically in the model and automatically documented in a PDF report.
In which scenarios is CAD collision detection particularly important?
Collision checks in CAD are particularly critical in the development of mechatronic products, where electromechanical components must maintain defined minimum clearances. In general mechanical engineering and equipment manufacturing, too, carrying out clearance checks at an early stage helps to avoid costly design changes in the later stages of development.
Which combinations of objects can SF Distance Check check?
SF Distance Check can check distances between components, between a component and an assembly, between assemblies, and between a component or assembly and a housing. The distance rules and pairs of objects to be checked can be configured individually.
How are the test results documented?
At the touch of a button, SF Distance Check automatically generates a PDF report featuring a graphical representation of distance violations, numerical analysis and a textual summary. This report is suitable for internal quality assurance and as evidence for customers.
At what stage of the development process should the distance check be carried out?
SF Distance Check is designed for use throughout the design process – that is, as early as possible and on a regular basis during assembly development. Clearance violations identified at an early stage can be corrected with significantly less effort than errors that only come to light in late development phases or during series production.
Is SF Distance Check integrated into the native Creo interface?
Yes, SF Distance Check is integrated directly into PTC Creo and does not require switching to an external application. Verification, visualisation and report generation take place entirely within the Creo environment.
How does SF Distance Check differ from Creo’s native collision detection?
Creo’s native collision detection checks for direct geometric intersections (overlaps). SF Distance Check goes a step further: it checks whether a configurable minimum distance is being breached – in other words, even when components are not yet in contact but are too close to one another.
For which sectors is SF Distance Check particularly relevant?
SF Distance Check is particularly relevant for companies that develop mechatronic products – that is, combinations of mechanical and electronic components. Typical sectors include mechanical engineering, medical technology, the automotive sector and the electronics industry – wherever defined electromechanical safety distances must be maintained.