Coordinate Measuring Machine(CMM)

It is used to measure the exact dimensions of a body using a probe attached to

the machine.
Before the measurement , it should be ensured that the body whose
measurement is taking place should be stable and should not be easily
displaced.The reason is that if there are any instabilities , it may lead to recording
of inaccurate measurements.
After all these things are taken care of the machine is switched on and the probe
is used to model the required body

Contact Probe - Piezoelectric Pressure Tactile Sensor(PPTS)

The probe is used to obtain the 3D model of the body on the cad software.The
probe touches the body on some discrete points and according to the orientation
of the points , the cad software figures out the shape and design of the body
Touch trigger sensor used in faro arm.
The CMM probe tip uses a piezoelectric pressure tactile sensor(PPTS).
PPTS work on the piezoelectric effect.The piezoelectric sensors convert the
mechanical disturbances experienced by the probe tip to electrical signals which
are detected by the cad software.

Software - PowerWorks
Once the discrete points are mapped on the CAD software , the software
determines the shape of the body by taking into consideration the orientation of
the points.

Disadvantage of using contact probes -

Cannot be used to model components which are fragile, which might be
damaged on being touched by the probe , hence the non contact probes come
into the picture.

Non contact probes

Used to verify the dimensions of fragile and delicate objects.
Laser Probes - Laser scanning systems work by projecting a line of laser light
onto surfaces while cameras continuously triangulate the changing distance and
profile of the laser line as it sweeps along, enabling the object to be accurately
replicated.Useful in verifying the dimensions of many complex geometrical
objects.It is less accurate compared to contact probes but is very fast and
convenient.