3 axis machines were introduced in the 1960’s by DEA of Italy. The very first machines only had 2 axes of motion. They were needed for precision measurement of parts in the aerospace and defense industries. The first CMM Machines were developed by Ferranti Company of Scotland in the 1950’s. They may also be used to reverse engineer existing parts by making accurate measurements of their features. That is, they are used to verify the part meets the designer’s requirements and specifications. Typically CMM’s are used for inspection and quality control. And the more complex or numerous the measurements, the more advantageous it is to use a CMM. Applications of Coordinate Measuring MachinesĬoordinate Measuring Machines are valuable any time accurate measurements need to be made. They’re perhaps the ultimate 3D measuring devices in terms of their combination of overall flexibility, accuracy, and speed. Hexagon Global Classic CMM, a typical coordinate measurement machine…ĬMM stands for “Coordinate Measuring Machine”. That’s what CMM Machines do, and it makes them the ultimate metrology tools! Imagine a CNC-style machine capable of making extremely precise measurements in a highly automated way.
