Chapter 7

1. State four (4) advantages of bridge type Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM).

• High precicion
• Reduced vibrations
• Ease of use
• Rigiding and Stabilly

2. State three (3) applications of Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM).

• Aerospace Industry: turbine blades, airfoils

• Automotive industry: engine parts,body panel
• Energy sector: turbines, generator

3. List down four (4) standard rules or precautions when handling a CMM.

• Safety gear: wear appropriate safety gear, including safety glasses and
protective glove.
• Training: Ensure that operator are properly trained in CMM operation, including
software usage,probe handling and safety procedure.
• Calibration: Regularly colbratt the com to argare accurale measurement.
• Environment: Maintain a stable and controlled environment.

4. Name and explain briefly the three (3) types of probe that have been used in the

• mechanical probe: operator no longer hael to phisically touch the machine but
could drive each axis using a handbox with joystick
• Optical probe: optical probes are lens- CCD - system, which are moved, like the
mechanical ones, and are aimed of the point of interest, instedf of touching the
material.
• Laser probe: A laser based optically triggered sensor system is described which
can puretion as a coordinate measuring machine (CMM) probe.

5 List step need to be taken for daily prior when using Digital Height
Measuring Station.
1) Keep the plate free from dust, chips and dirt.
2) Do not use the height measuring instrument for marking..
 3) The body heat of the operator 98.6°F (37°C) is clearly above the room
temperature 68° (20°C). Any heat conveyed to elements of the measuring circuit
( the base plate, the test piece, the height measuring instrument , stylus) causes
local heat expansion and thus measurement error
4) Re-zero on a regular basis.

6. Sketch a diagram Bridge Type of Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM)

7. State four (4) types of CMM and explain briefly each type

a) Gantry type
A CMM with a base frame which is essentially constructed in the mode of a portal or
Gantry-type structure which concurrently forms a measuring table, and with a cross-
carrier which spans over the measuring table and receives a measuring carriage with a
spindle, and which supports itself with one arm on a guide way located in front of the
measuring table

b) Cantilever type
This is the type of CMM with a single, moveable vertical support that suspends a
horizontal arm that holds the probe. Cantilever CMM provides easy access to the
staging table (refer to figure on the left). The fixed-table cantilever-arm CMM provides
easy access to the work piece from three open sides, but its use is restricted to
relatively lightweight parts since the table will deflect under the weight of the part.

c) Bridge type
Bridge type CMM is a horizontal beam holding the probe. The bridge-type CMM is the
most common type. This moves freely along the granite table with one leg (often
referred to as the inside leg) following a guide rail attached to one side of the granite
table as can be seen at figure on the left.

d) Column type
As well as the traditional three axis machines, CMMs are now also available in a variety
of other forms. These include CMM arms that use angular measurements taken at the
joints of the arm to calculate the position of the stylus tip (refer to figure on the left).
Such arm CMMs are often used where their portability is an advantage over traditional
fixed bed