Coordinate Measuring Machine: Everyone Need In Manufacturing Industry

Every precision manufacture worth his salt, will swear by a coordinate measuring machine. Infact, it one piece of equipment that is a ‘must have’, without which the manufacturer just cannot function. 

So, what is this machine all about? What makes this machine so special that without it the unit may even be forced to stop work?

Simply put, a coordinate measuring machine or CMM is a machine that helps in measuring dimensions of an object with the help of a probe. This probe is generally mechanical, optical, laser or of white light. CMM could be operated manually or with a computer. Typically, CMM probe measures the position of the object with a reference position in a three dimensional word (i.e. along the X, Y and Z axes). With the help of this sensitive probe, CMM is able to accurately and precisely measure the dimensions of an object and gather information about its exact dimensions. This information then helps the operator to compare it with the standard and hence reach a conclusion whether the object is precisely the same as the standard object or not. Having exactly the same dimensions as the standard is a very crucial thing in precision manufacturing. Infact, it is the fundamental property on which the entire precision industry works. 

The world’s first coordinate measuring machine (CMM) was introduced in Scotland in the 1950’s. Thereafter the industry has seen a lot of changes and today is the era of computer controlled CMM.  

A typical coordinate measuring machine has three broad parts – the main structure, probe and data collection system.

• Main Structure: The CMM is mounted on this main structure and supports the probe and a table for placing the object in question. Since the manufacturing unit is a place where there is a lot of dust and vibrations, the CMM is generally isolated to ensure that such disturbances do not impact the probe finding. However, with the help of granite based CMM such disturbance could be reduced or eliminated to a very large extent. Infact manufacturers like Electronica Mechatronic Systems (EMS) are India’s leading makers of granite based CMM. Granite not only provides stability to the entire unit, but also provides a very hard and smooth surface to work on. While there are efforts made to replace the granite with metal alloys, tests are still on to reach a conclusion whether they are better than granite. On this stable surface, the probe glides effortlessly on the two limbs of the machine and does its job of measurement accurately.

• The Probe: The earliest CMM had a probe fitted in a special holder and passing over the object in question. However, since the movement of the probe was dependent on the operator’s skill, the output of such probes was not reliable enough. But with the advent of computer controlled CMM and modern probes like laser, today’s CMM are very precise and free of any human error. 

• Data Collection System: Earlier the data was collected manually and hence had a lot of flaws. But with the advent of a computer controlled CMM, the dimension data is not directly fed into the computer. An operator then compares the data generated by the probe with the standard and draws suitable conclusions.  

Established in 1980, Electronica Mechatronic Systems (EMS) is one of the most trusted manufacturers of coordinate measuring machines. With its state-of-the-art manufacturing unit and highly qualified and trained employees, EMS with its four models has established a good customer base in the country today. With its four models - Pearl 433, and granite based CMMs like Ruby, Saphire and Emerald, EMS has dominate the market for quite some time years now and is the preferred choice of industries like automobile, aerospace, defence, railways and also of private quality labs that provide such services to a host of other industries. 

With its focus on quality products and impeccable customer support (pre & post sales) is what makes EMS India’s preferred supplier of coordinate measuring machines and also for granite based CMMs.   

About This Author

Electronica Mechatronic Systems “ELECTRONICA MECHATRONIC SYSTEMS (INDIA) PVT.LTD. Joined: September 25th, 2018