COORDINATE MEASURING MACHINE

(CMM)
INTRODUCTIONS
 Current production systems are critically dependent on
precision machinery, process knowledge and computer
integrated automation technology. The goals are to
increase productivity and to increase quality. Among of
the many components, coordinate metrology and precision
engineering are two essential elements of modern
productions as far as product quality is concerned.
 CMMs have now become widely adopted as a general
multi-purpose tool that has capability of inspecting
various complex parts and take measurement data without
major changes in their configurations.
 A Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) is an
instrument that locates point coordinates on three
dimensional structures mainly used for quality
control applications. The highly sensitive machine
measures parts down to the fraction of an inch and
must be properly maintained and protected to
ensure accurate measurements. Specifically, a
CMM contains many highly sensitive air bearings
on which the measuring arm floats.
CMM ROLES
Industries Parts spectrum

Transmission casing, crank-shaft, cylinder head, pistons, rims,

Automotive industries steering linkages, exhaust system, car body, camshafts, gears,
etc

Hydraulic components, roller bearing, guide ways, tools,

Mechanical engineering components, threads, cams, gears, spindles, compressors,
turbine blade, dies, moulds, forged parts, etc

Switches, housings, connectors, PCBs, TV screen, plastic parts,

Electrical engineering
video reading head, etc

Steel turbine components, transmission casings, wing profiles

Air space technology
hydraulic components, aircraft bearings, rotor blades, etc

Plastics processing Casings, tools, cavity blocks, extruded parts, etc

ADVANTAGES OF CMM
 Measure the dimensions, forms and positions on all possible geometric
elements.
 Reduce measuring and setting-up times.
 Cost effective for replacement of gauges and measuring instruments.
 Universal and flexibility to the wide range of workpiece-able to inspect
any configuration of workpiece.
 Highly versatile in any workpiece dimensions-able to inspect 2D and 3D
profile.
 Reverse engineering such as digitizing of complex workpiece.
 Feature much lower measuring uncertainty (measurement errors) than the
most other measuring instruments.
TYPES OF CMM

 MOVING BRIDGE
a. Widely used.
b. Has stationary table.
c. The phenomenon of yawing can occur. (eg. The two columns or
legs move at different paces, causing the bridge to twist.
d. A design which implements dual drive and position feedback
control systems for the two legs, or that drives the moving
bridge at its center-line, can reduces walking.
e. The bending effect of the second horizontal axis can be greatly
reduced by having two supporting columns.
f. For ring bridge design, has higher stiffness to weight ratio.
Having less Abbe error.
TYPES OF CMM…
 FIXED BRIDGE
a. The bridge is rigidly attached to the machine bad.
b. The design eliminates the phenomenon of walking and provides
high rigidity.
c. Operating speed is reduced.
d. - high accuracy and stability.
- a stationary table supports a
moving bridge.
- very compact.
- highly table load capacity.
- large clamping area.
- used for general purpose.
TYPES OF CMM…
 CANTILEVER
a. Ram moves vertically on a carriage that moves in
and out on a cantilever beam.
b. Cantilever moves horizontally, left to right over
table.
c. Easy part access.
d. Part to be measured is placed
on a fixed table.
TYPES OF CMM
 HORIZONTAL ARM
a. Ideal configurations for measurement of
automobile parts.
b. -moving table
-moving ram
-moving dual arm
c. Relatively large Abbe offset errors.
TYPES OF CMM…
 GANTRY
a. similar to bridge design but it has 2 column to
support a moving bridge.
b. used for general purpose and specifically large
part.
c. The operator has full access of the measured
parts.
MODES OF OPERATION
 Standard specifications have been developed to
communicate CMM programs.
 Common is the Dimensional Measurement
Interface Specification (DMIS).
 In general, there are three types operation modes:
a. Manual
b. Auto
c. Programming
Manual Mode
 Fast and Easy to use.

 Required skillful operator.

 Minimum number of touch points.

 Cannot record the measurement task.

Automatic Mode
 Fast detection of points.

 Required skillful operator.

 Maximum number of touch points.

 Cannot record the measurement task.

Programming/Teaching Mode
 During the setup skillful operator is required.

 Able to record the measurement task.

 Number of touch points is based on the first setup.

 Able to measure large number of parts that share

similar drawings.
CMM Features
Probing System
It is the part of a CMM that sense the different parameters
required for the calculation. Appropriate probes have to be
selected and placed in the spindle of the CMM. Originally, the
probes were solid or hard, such as tapered plugs for locating
holes. These probes required manual manipulation to establish
contact with the workpiece, at which time the digital display
was read. Nowadays, transmission trigger-probes, optical
transmission probes, multiple or cluster probes, and
motorized probes are available.
Probing System
Inductive and Optical Transmission Probes
Inductive and optical transmission probes have been developed
for automatic tool changing. Power is transmitted using inductive
linking between modules fitted to the machine structure and
attached to the probe. Figure shows a schematic of the inductive
transmission probe. The hard-wired transmission probe shown is
primarily for tool setting and is mounted in a fixed position on
the machine structure.

The optical transmission probe shown allows probe rotation

between gaging moves, making it particularly useful for
datuming the probe. The wide-angle system allows greater axial
movement of the probe and is suitable for the majority of
installation.
Probing System

Inductive Probe System

and Automatic Probe
changing
Probing System

Optical Transmission Probe

 Probing System

Motorized Probe
With the motorized probe, 48 positions in the horizontal axis, 15
in the vertical axis can be programmed for a total of 720 distinct
probe orientations. Figure shows some typical applications for
motorized probe. It shows that with a range of light weight
extensions, the head can reach into deep holes and recesses. The
second diagram shows that head of the probe is sufficiently
compact to be regarded as an extension of the machine quill. This
enables the inspection of complex components that would
otherwise be impossible or involve complex setups.
Probing System

Motorized Probe

Typical Application of Motorized Probe

Probing System
Multiple Styluses Probe Heads
Wide ranges of styli have been developed to suit many different
gaging applications. Some of the different styli available are
shown mounted on a multiple gaging head in Figure 8.9. The
selection of stylus is done based on the application for which the
probe is to be used.
TYPES OF PROBE
 Sphere probe well suited for many measuring task
 Cylinder probe used for measuring sheet metal and
thin workpiece, also can be us for
measuring edges
 Disk probe they are suitable for measuring grooves,
t-slots and large bores
 Pointed probe used for profile sections on mold parts
 Single probe probe arrangement with a single probe
 Angle probe needs little space and enables
measurements in bores or on mold parts
with inner comers
 Swivel probe offers advantages when measuring structures difficult
to access
 Star probe universally applicable due to its compact structure
HOW TO OBTAIN MINIMUM PROBE
ACCURACY

 Use a short stylus stiff to minimize bending. Use the

lowest probing force that will not cause a false
trigger.
 Calibrate to a known standard- sphere, ring gauge, or
gauge block.
 Probe measuring should be made perpendicular to the
workpiece.
 Ensure that the probe tip, not the shank, is making
contact with the part.
 Make sure the stylus is not loose.
PROBE CALIBRATION
 In most cases we have to probe a workpiece from several
sides. For this measurement we need several probes arranged
in relation to each other. These probes need to be defined (also
know as calibration), before we can start the measurement. A
calibration standard sphere is required for the probe
calibration. The computer then will determine the
arrangement of the probe spheres and their radius and takes
these into consideration during all the measurements.
COORDINATE SYSTEM
There are two types of coordinate systems used in CMM measurement:
 The Machine Coordinate System has three axes; X, Y and Z. When viewed
from the front of the machine, the X axis runs from left to right, the Y axis
runs from front to back, and the Z axis runs up and down, vertically
perpendicular to the other two.
COORDINATE SYSTEM
There are two types of coordinate systems used in CMM measurement:
 The second coordinate system is the Part Coordinate System, where the
three axes relate to datums. A datum is a location. In metrology, a datum is
a feature, such as a hole, surface or slot, on a workpiece. The CMM
measures the part’s datums, establishes the Part Coordinate System and
mathematically relates it to the Machine Coordinate System. The process
of relating the two coordinate systems is called alignment.
 ABOUT CMM STYLUS
• A stylus (plural: styli) is the “tip” attached to a probe on a measuring system,
whether a traditional CMM or a portable device, which makes physical contact
with the component to be measured.
• A signal generated by triggering of the probe either by displacement or user
input, enables a measurement to be taken.
• The type of part and features to be inspected generally will determine the type
and size of stylus to be used.
• Maximum stiffness of the stylus and geometric accuracy of the stylus tip are vital
to good measurements.
 ABOUT CMM STYLUS
Stylus Selection Tips :

A= Thread size (M2 through M6)

D= Ball Diameter

L= Overall Length: This is the length

from the rear mount (not including the
thread) to the center of the ball.

B= Effective working
Length: Measured from the center of the
ball to the point at which the stem will
shank out on a feature when probing
normal to the part
 ABOUT CMM STYLUS
Stylus Selection Tips :
- Choose the shortest styli possible
The more deflection or bending of a stylus bends or deflects, the greater the error,
and thus you will have lower accuracy. Choosing the shortest practical stylus length
for your probing application is best.

- Minimize joints where possible

Every time you “build” a styli using joints and extensions, you introduce potential
bending and deflection points. Use the minimum number of pieces wherever
practical.

-Use the largest ball you can

A large ball maximizes the ball and stem clearance from the part, reducing the
possibility for false triggers caused by 'shanking out' when the stem touches the part
instead of the ball. Also, a larger ball will minimize the impact of the part’s surface
finish on your measurements.
 ABOUT CMM STYLUS
Stylus Selection Tips :
- Material Selection
The industry standard and the optimum stylus ball material for the majority of
measurement applications is Synthetic Ruby; one of the hardest known materials.
Synthetic ruby is highly pure aluminum oxide which is grown into crystals (or
“boules”) at 2000°C using flame fusion. The boules are cut and machined into
spherical form. Ruby balls are highly smooth surfaced, have high compression
strength and high resistance to mechanical corrosion.
There are only a few applications exists where ruby isn’t the preferred ball
material. One is for heavy duty continuous contact scanning applications on
aluminum. Because aluminum and the synthetic ruby material attracts, something
called ‘adhesive wear’ can occur which results in a buildup of aluminum from the
part surface onto the ball. In these cases, a silicon nitride ball is preferred.
For heavy duty continuous contact scanning applications on cast iron, Zirconia
balls are recommended, to minimize abrasive wear on the part surface