While CMMs are still industry staples, the versatility, quickness and ease-of-use of a 3-D scanner makes it most manufacturers’ measurement tool of choice.
There are good reasons why traditional contact measurement machines (CMMs) have been staples in manufacturing’s quality control environments for decades. These machines—which collect data points wherever a probe meets a surface—are known for generating high-accuracy measurements and automation abilities. But since they are expensive, stationary tools, they can leave something to be desired.
For many manufacturers—especially those in the automotive; aerospace; power generation; oil and gas; medical; architecture and art industries—optical 3-D measuring devices can fill this need. This technology is not only increasingly affordable, portable and compatible with most standard inspection procedures; it is known for offering increased shop-floor accuracy and higher measurement speed than traditional CMMs.