For more than 50 years, coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) have been improving measurement productivity and quality. The power of CMMs has made many complex inspection tasks seem almost trivial. With this much measurement capability, is it possible operators are taking their CMMs for granted?
CMMs often are expensive, with sophisticated software and complicated accuracy specifications, yet many CMMs are successfully and efficiently used daily by operators, even those with limited knowledge of their CMM. As with much of modern technology, the daily use of CMMs becomes easier, while the level of knowledge needed to properly support the technology can become quite high. Let’s take a closer look at some of the key issues to help operators better understand and use their CMMs.