Manufacturers around the world rely on coordinate measuring machine (CMM) technology to make sure their assembly lines are producing high quality parts that meet the correct design specifications. But as with any technology that is relied on for the maintenance of quality control, when it comes to accuracy it needs to be held to an even higher standard than the rest of the machines in a shop.
If parts are being manufactured incorrectly, a CMM machine will catch it; but an incorrectly calibrated or malfunctioning CMM machine can allow costly and even dangerous errors to be overlooked, which can have a serious impact on the reputation of your brand.
CMM regular maintenance
If your production line relies on a CMM machine, whether a gantry CMMs, ROMER Portable Arm, horizontal CMM or vision and multisensory system, it is important to make sure that these tools are regularly calibrated and checked to make sure they are functioning correctly. Staff members who regularly rely on CMM machines may have a good working knowledge of the machines, but when it comes to making sure they are performing optimally, the best option to consider is contract inspection. CMM software and machine repair services can guarantee that your equipment is working to the absolute highest standards of accuracy and efficiency, and contract inspectors from large, established CMM firms like Canadian Measurement-Metrology have a deep knowledge of CMM machines and software.
Metrology equipment is extremely sensitive, and for this reason CMM machines pick up on even small environmental changes which, if not accounted for, can introduce errors in your measurements that cause problems in parts and products down the line. Temperature fluctuations, vibrations, humidity, and collisions can all interfere with the calibration of your CMM machine, as can contaminants like dust. Even the regular wear and tear involved in day-to-day operation can eventually cause problems. This might not be the problem with non-contact flow meters.
For this reason, you should make it standard practice to have your CMM machines recalibrated regularly, and you should make it a special priority whenever a piece of equipment is moved (indeed, for particularly sensitive equipment, many metrology companies will offer moving services that include re-calibration as part of the package). Contract inspectors can measure complex parts, and then provide inspection reports that are comprehensive and easy to understand, as well as detailed roadmaps for machine maintenance.
While regular calibration and repair may seem an unnecessary hassle when there is nothing obviously wrong with a machine, making regular inspection and calibration of CMM equipment an established part of your production practice will save money in the long run, ensuring your machines stay in peak condition for as long as possible. It will also help you avoid costly equipment breakdowns, and keep you from producing large batches of parts that turn out to be unusable due to manufacturing flaws.
Conclusion
Don’t risk the costs in wasted product and time that come with unreliable equipment. Make sure your CMM machines are at peak performance with regular calibration and repair.