BigCMM

Beginners
Guide

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Learn Coordinate Measuring Machine effectively
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Table of Contents

Chapter-1 What is CMM and Its Type

Chapter-2 Parts of CMM machine
Chapter-3 How does the CMM machine work?
Chapter-4 What are CMM probs and its types?
Chapter-5 CMM Terminologies
Chapter-6 Advantages and Application of CMM

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Chapter-1 What is
CMM and Its Type

CMM(Coordinate Measuring Machine) is an advanced

measurement machine works for measuring complex and
large components.

It is a device for measuring the physical characteristics of

an object. The machine is controlled by a computer or an
operator.

Types of CMM

There are four basic types of stationary CMM:

1. Bridge.
2. Cantilever.
3. Horizontal Arm.
4. Gantry.
5. Bridge type CMM

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Chapter-1 What is
CMM and Its Type

Bridge CMMs are the most common type of coordinate

measuring machine. It is used for High accuracy, moderate
flexibility, for medium-sized components.

Cantilever CMM

Cantilever CMMsdiffer from the bridge-style in that

the measuring head is only attached on one side of
a rigid base.
This type of CMM is used for Highest Accuracy,
Lowest Flexibility, for small sized components.

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Chapter-1 What is
CMM and Its Type

Horizontal arm CMM

Horizontal arm CMMs are less accurate than the other

type of CMM, because of their design. However, it also
makes them useful for measuring large workpieces or
components.
This is used for the Lowest accuracy, Highest flexibility,
for very large components.

Gantry CMM
Gantry CMMs are designed similar to bridge type
CMMs, but tendto be much larger

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Chapter-1 What is
CMM and Its Type

Gantry CMM is used for High accuracy, Moderate flexibility for

large components.

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Chapter-2 Parts of
CMM machine

Air Bearing
Under normal working pressure, the thickness of air
space between air bearing and guide rail is fixed,
which can ensure good repeatability of the
coordinate measuring machine.

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Chapter-2 Parts of
CMM machine

If the pressure of air supply fluctuates, the change of the

pre-tightening force of the air bearing will accordingly
lead to the change of inter membrane space.

Scales & Encoders

A linear encoder is a sensor, transducer or readhead

paired with a scale that encodes position.

The sensor reads the scale in order to convert the

encoded position into an analog or digital signal, which
can then be decoded into position by a digital readout
(DRO) or motion controller.

Prob system
CMM probs convert physical measurements into electrical
signals. CMM probes have a wide classification for direct
and comparative measurements.

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Chapter-2 Parts of
CMM machine

CMM probes are available in three main forms:

Touch-Trigger probes
Displacement Measuring CMM probes
Proximity or Non-contact Probes

Servo motors
DC motors are most commonly used in variable speed and torque
applications.
They include brush-less and gear motors, as well as servomotors

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Chapter-2 Parts of
CMM machine

Joystick

A joystick is a low profile potentiometric controller

providing precision multi-axes finger-positioning control.

Machine control system and software

The coordinate measuring machine (CMM) is a

the mechanical system that moves a measuring probe to
determine the coordinates of points on the surface of a
work piece.
The CMM comprises: the machine itself; the measuring
probe; the control system, and the measuring software

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Chapter-3 How does the
CMM machine work?

A coordinate system is a lot like an elevation map where

the combination of a letter along one edge of the map, a
number along the other, and elevations shown
throughout uniquely describes each location on the map.

This letter/number/elevation combination is called a

coordinate and represents a specific place relative to all
others.

A coordinate measuring machine (CMM) works in much

the same way as your finger when it traces map
coordinates; its three axes form the machine’s
coordinate system. Instead of a finger, the CMM uses a
probe to measure points on a workpiece.

Each point on the workpiece is unique to the machine’s

coordinate system.

The CMM combines the measured points to form a

feature that can now be related to all other features.

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Chapter-4 What are CMM
probs and its types?

CMM probs convert physical measurements into electrical

signals. CMM probes have a wide classification for direct
and comparative measurements.

CMM probes are available in three main forms:

Touch-Trigger probes
Displacement Measuring CMM probes
Proximity or Non-contact Probes

Touch-Trigger probes
Touch-trigger probes are the
most common type.
They actually touch the surface
of the workpiece, and in open
contact, send a signal with the
coordinates of the point to the
CMM.

Displacement Measuring CMM probes

Displacement measuring CMM probes are also known as
scanning probes.
This method generally involves passing the prob over a
target surface at its working range

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Chapter-4 What are CMM
probs and its types?

As the probe scans the surface, it

transmits the continuous flow of
data to the measurement system.

Scanning contact probes many use

LVDT(Linear variable differential
transformer) or optoelectronic
position sensing.

Proximity or non-contact probes

Proximity or non-contact probes function similarly to
displacement measuring CMM probes, but they use
laser, capacitive or video measurement technology
instead of LVDT’s.

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Chapter-5 CMM
Terminologies

Let's discuss some terminologies we are using in this

course. It is a common Metrology Glossary important to
understand CMM better.

Alignment

With today’s CMM software, the CMM measures the

workpiece’s datums establish the Part Coordinate System
and mathematically relates it to the Machine Coordinate
System.
The process of relating the two coordinate systems is
called alignment.

Ball-bar

The Ball Bar is used to test the Volumetric Performance of

your coordinate measuring machine by taking a series of
point-to-point distances in reference locations.

Comparing these results provides an understanding of the

CMM measuring cube.

Calibration

In measurement technology and metrology, calibration is

the comparison of measurement values delivered by a
device under test with those of a calibration standard of
known accuracy.

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Chapter-5 CMM
Terminologies

CMM

A coordinate measuring machine is a device that

measures the geometry of physical objects by sensing
discrete points on the surface of the object with a probe.

Datum

A datum is a location. We use datums as guides to tell

others where we are or as directions on how to get to
places.

In metrology, a datum is simply an idealized reference

feature from which another features’ orientation, position,
or other characteristic is defined.

Datums can be many types of features, planes, cylinders,

points, centerlines, constructions or offsets from other
features, anything that can be measured or established
for use in locating other features.

Dimensional inspection

A method that involves measuring a part’s dimensions by

way of a 3D laser tracker or scanner.

GD&T

Geometric dimensioning and tolerancing is a system and

symbolic language for describing the permissible limits, or
tolerances, in a part’s physical dimensions and measured
values.

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Chapter-5 CMM
Terminologies

Uncertainty

Uncertainty is defined as doubt, A component of

measurement uncertainty arising from the measuring
instrument or measuring system in use, and obtained by
its calibration.

Measurement Traceability

Also known as “metrological traceability.” This is simply

how metrologists connect to the standard by which they
measure.

Metrology

The science of measurement and how measurements are

used. Used to measure and verify an objects dimensional
quality.

Measurand

Any quantity being measured. The term applies to any

type of measurement, mass, force, luminosity, etc.

Micron or Micrometer (µm)

A unit in the metric system equal to one millionth of a

meter or approximately 0.00003937 inches. It is
commonly used to describe the uncertainty of precision
measuring machines.

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Chapter-5 CMM
Terminologies

Precision

How close one measurement result will be to another

result or set of results. Precision should not be mistaken
for accuracy.

Accuracy refers to how close a measurement is to the true

or accepted value. Precision refers to how close
measurements of the same item are to each other.

Repeatability

A measurement system’s precision under a set of

measurement conditions, the repeatability condition.

Resolution

It is the smallest change in a quantity being measured

or
in a displaying device smallest difference between
indications that can be meaningfully distinguished or the
number of digits in a digital display.

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Chapter-6 Advantages and

Application of CMM

Advantages of CMM

Single Setup
Accuracy
Improved Productivity
Reduced Setup Time

Application of CMM

Product quality inspection

Understand the adjustment status of the equipment.

Learn Coordinate Measuring Machine

effectively,

Join our Online Course of "Introduction to

CMM" at bigcmm.com

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