How Portable CMMs Can Improve Accuracy in Production Environments

As presented at CMSC

CMSCOver the past 30 years, one of the most important changes in metrology has been the development of portable measuring devices. This has brought inspection right into the production line, as close to the part as possible. The change—sparked by the development of portable measuring arms in the early 1990s and the emergence of laser trackers shortly after—turned conventional industry inspection methods completely upside down. It also made it possible to take measurements more quickly and more often, fostering huge improvements in response time and quality.

Far from the comfort of metrology labs where qualified inspectors operate digital CMM with their heavy, stable granite table, portable measurement is still facing several major challenges. In production environments, permanent vibrations generated by production equipment (ex.: machining centers, presses, carriage equipment, cranes), requirement for rigid equipment set-ups, changes in temperature and humidity levels, and operators’ varying experience and skills levels, are the daily obstacles faced by portable measurement solutions users.

Optical solutions from Creaform introduce innovative concepts like self-positioning or dynamic referencing, which enables the measuring device to be continuously locked to the part by an optical link.

TRUaccuracy is part of Creaform's technological fundamentals that make for more accurate systems in 3D optical metrology.

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