Multisensor coordinate measuring machines integrate vision, laser and traditional touch probe measuring technologies into a single system. If done right, these high-end machines can be a natural fit for today's flexible manufacturing cells.
The manufacturing cell is a cluster of equipment that is ideally suited to manufacturing similar parts and part families. Because the cell is readily adaptable to different part types and can generally be managed by one or two operators, it is not dependent on high volume runs for its economic justification. Whether the cell is making thousands of one part type, or just a few, the number of parts in each run is of little consequence, as long as the cell is always making something, and doing it to within tolerance.