Multisensor coordinate measuring machines from ZEISS

Bridge-type CMMs are among the most widely used coordinate measuring machines. The bridge-type CMMs from ZEISS are sophisticated, coordinated measuring systems – from the measuring device to the sensor system to the measuring software. You achieve precise results in the shortest possible time.

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Production measuring machines enable quality assurance where production takes place. This maximizes performance and efficiency. Our production CMMs are designed for high loads and can be used in harsh production environments – at up to 40°C.

A wide variety of applications require non-contact measurement – with high precision at the same time. The products in the ZEISS Optical Series enable non-contact optical measurements as well as multi-sensor applications using tactile and other probes.

With the gantry CMMs from ZEISS, even extremely large-volume workpieces can be measured with a high degree of precision. The machine design offers robustness, a very wide bearing base on the drive side, as well as high rigidity of the mechanical bearing – for a high degree of basic accuracy and reproducibility of the measurement results.

CMMs with a single-arm design guarantee excellent measurement results thanks to maximum accessibility and are therefore ideal for testing hard-to-reach characteristics. Due to the very high measuring range, horizontal-arm machines are mainly used for testing sheet metal, cast iron or steel parts in vehicle, aircraft and ship construction.

A coordinate measuring machine (CMM) is a measuring device that measures the geometry of objects by establishing discrete points on a physical surface using a contact probe. The machine will specify the probe's position in terms of displacement from an origin point in a three-dimensional coordinate system (XYZ axes). A CMM can measure critical 3D dimensions with high-accuracy, record the measured data and obtain complex GD&T features. Non-contact models use other methods such as cameras and lasers.

Typically, most CMMs are bridge or gantry-types as seen in the diagram. The spherical contact point attached to the tip of the probe is applied to the object on the stage, and the coordinate values in three dimensions (X, Y, Z) are specified and measured.
It is mainly used for three-dimensional measurement of dies such as automobile parts and various mechanical parts, three-dimensional objects such as prototypes, and measurement of differences from drawings.

Coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) have three-dimensional measurement capabilities (X, Y, and Z directions), unlike hand tools such as micrometers, vernier calipers, or height/depth gauges, which are limited to measurement in only one direction at a time.

CMMs accurately track a probe tip in 3D space and create dimensional measurements through shape building via the points taken through contact with the measurement piece. An even greater number of points can be taken over a larger area on the part to map the surface and compare to CAD data for shape, form, and warpage inspection.

A powerful advantage of coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) is that they can measure items that are difficult to measure with other measuring machines to a high degree of accuracy.

Another feature that stems from the CNC nature of the measurement system, is the ability to measure the three-dimensional coordinates of a specific point (a hole, etc.) from the virtual origin with a hand tool such as a caliper or micrometer. Also, measurement using virtual points and virtual lines and geometrical tolerances are difficult with other measuring machines but can be measured with a 3D CMM machine.

Coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) are automated inspection tools. Skilled programmers create a measurement routine or program by measuring any required 3D or GD&T dimensions on a part.

Once the program is registered and an origin point is established through a coordinate system, parts can then be fixtured in place and operators can have the coordinate measuring machine run an automated measurement procedure. While there is a good amount of time invested in the program creation, the actual part inspection can be left to run automatically.

Place the measurement target in the metrology lab for at least 5 hours before measurement to allow the target to adjust to room temperature (generally 68°F). This will prevent measurement errors and discrepancies due to thermal expansion.
Perform measurements by directing the probe to your desired measurement location manually or with a control PC. The CMM will record the X,Y, Z coordinates of the probe location. As points are continued to be taken, the systems software will calculate specified dimensions such as diameters, lengths, angles and other critical dimensions.

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Calibration on the stylus (probe tip) that comes into contact with the object must be performed in order to accurately begin measurement for two reasons. The first is to recognize the spherical center coordinates of the stylus. The second is to set the stylus sphere diameter. By setting the diameter, it is possible to calculate by offsetting the radius from the point actually touching (outside the sphere) to the sphere center coordinates.
For calibration, a sphere with a known sphericity, known as a reference sphere, is generally used.

Although some models can perform measurements on the order of 0.1 μm, correct usage and management are vital for measurement accuracy.
Verify that the moving parts move horizontally and vertically during use. Also, use a measurement standard or a similar object to check for indication errors.
In order to perform accurate measurements, allowing the temperature of the target to adjust to room temperature in the metrology lab is critical. Alternatively, the measurement parameters must be set to correct for any temperature difference.
For touch probes, it is important to ensure that the probe contacts the target at a constant speed during measurement.

In order to realize highly accurate measurement, the surface of a coordinate measuring machine is often a surface plate made of stone. The stone surface plate has a very small change in shape over time and is not easily scratched, so it has the advantage that it can be used stably for a long time.

One of the more critical tools for using a coordinate measuring machine are fixtures for fixing a measurement target in place.
The reason measurement target is fixtured it does not move during CMM operation because part movement will lead to errors. It is common to use tools such as a fixture plates, clamps, and magnets.

There are roughly two types of software for coordinate measuring machines.
The first is the software required to operate the machine. The second is a statistical process control (SPC) software that enables companies to view and monitor measurement data and statistics. These software packages come directly from the CMM manufacturer or from a third-party source.

CMMs generally have device coordinate system that is set in the object.
The device coordinate system is defined by the device, for example, the direction of the axis that moves in the lateral direction is the X axis, and the direction perpendicular to the stage surface is the Z axis. Therefore, depending on the orientation of the object to be measured, it may differ from the reference plane or reference line of the object itself. Since it is difficult and inaccurate to physically place this on the machine coordinates, the work coordinate system is set according to the reference plane or reference line of the object.
This way, aligning the orientation of the workpiece with the orientation of the reference coordinates is called alignment.

There are three pieces of information required to set the work coordinate system.
The first is the plane that is the reference plane, and the direction perpendicular to this plane is the Z axis.
The second line is the reference line, which is generally the X-axis and the vertical direction is the Y-axis. The straight line may be measured directly from the object, or it may be a straight line connecting two different points (such as two holes) with a virtual line.
The third point is the origin. This origin is the 0 point of each coordinate value of X, Y and Z. It is also possible to specify a specific point (for example, the center point of a specific hole) as the origin, or a virtual point (intersection point) where two straight lines intersect.

Generally, a user would select a measurement target called "element" such as a plane via a software menu and begin measurement. In the case of a contact type coordinate measuring machine, the stylus tip is brought into contact with the object to be measured, and the measurement point is taken. The element is measured by measuring the minimum number of measurement points specified for each element. If the number of measurement points is further increased, it is often calculated by the least squares method.
In addition to planes, measurement elements include lines, points, circles, cylinders, cones, and spheres.
Dimensions and 3D shapes are measured by calculating the distances and angles between measured elements.

Some elements have three-dimensional shapes such as cylinders and cones, but some elements do not have three-dimensional shapes such as lines and circles. These elements are generally projected on a plane (moved perpendicular to the plane direction) so that they can be measured correctly. The plane that is projected is called the reference plane or projection plane.

Coordinate measuring machines can also measure using virtual lines and points.
Various examples of virtual elements are used, such as intersections between straight lines, tolerances between planes, intersections between planes, and circles between cones and planes.
It can be said that measurement using these virtual elements, which is difficult to measure with hand tools such as calipers, is unique to 3D measurement.

The installation requires a large space and the construction of an environmentally-controlled quality lab which is extremely expensive.
Maintenance costs for the measurement environment and measuring equipment can be a burden.
Significant time is required to program the CMM for a few reasons. The required time run the part to the quality lab, acquiring the appropriate temperature for the part, fixturing, calibration for each probe tip and the time needed to complete the measurement.

As helpful as a conventional CMM machine is, a major drawback is the difficulty of operation. KEYENCE is committed to making the CMM machine experience easier by implementing an intuitive process. There are three simple steps when measuring: select, touch, and measure.

Both the WM Series and XM Series CMM programming have visual guidance for users and simple tutorials to combat any confusion. Once the measurement is imported into the software, there is additional guidance. KEYENCE’s CMM programming is built-in software that uses images, icons, and basic measurement practices.

Conventional CMMs are either bulky handheld systems or gantry types that aren’t portable for bigger objects. KEYENCE’s XM Series and WM Series combat these two pain points with a wireless probe and a portable system that doesn't need a controlled environment.

The XM Series CMM machine comes with a benchtop measurement table for small parts, but the actual CMM tool can be attached to a tripod or mounting posts as well. Because of its portable nature, this same CMM tool can also be taken off the measurement table and easily used on large parts.

The WM Series is portable to help with measuring large parts and equipment. The tool can be moved and set up right at any required measurement location, and dimensional measurement of large products can be quickly completed by a single person in a short amount of time.

KEYENCE's XM Series handheld coordinate measuring machine is a portable, shop floor Coordinate measuring machine (CMM) designed to enable any user to easily and accurately measure 3D and GDT features, anywhere. Once the part is measured, the system automatically records the data and creates an inspection report. Our latest unit allows for CAD comparison and 3D CAD export. When compared to a traditional Coordinate measuring machine (CMM), companies see a significant reduction in inspection time and increased throughput through shop floor checks by anyone and helping to eliminate any Coordinate measuring machine (CMM) backlog.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of Three-Axis Inspection Machine(th,tr,es). Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.