Metrology and Quality Assurance Lab

Topic: CMM working principle, use and applications.

Student Name: Ali Raza

Roll no: 18-MCE-18

Semester: 6th

Supervisor: Dr. Muhammad Arif

Department of Mechanical Engineering

NFC Institute of Engineering and Fertilizer
Research, Faisalabad
 Co-ordinate Measuring Machine
THEORY:
Co-ordinate Measuring Machine:
Co-ordinate measuring machine is an advanced type of machine which uses a probe as shown
in the figure below (red ball) in order to measure the geometry or physical characteristics of
the objects. Depending upon the type of machine, probe movement may be controlled by the
operator itself or may be by the computer. There are variety of probes available like
mechanical, optical, laser and white light. It is useful in measuring the dimensions of
unreachable surfaces.
In a CMM measurement, the probe position is specified in terms of its displacement from
some reference point in three - dimensional Cartesian Co-ordinate system. CMM allows
dimensional measurements in 6 DOF (degrees of freedoms) as it consists of namely 3 axes
(X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis). It also allows to measure dimensions of internal complex
surfaces of different objects which are otherwise much difficult to measure with other

metrological instruments.
Figure 1: Image of CMM (Co-ordinate Measuring Machine)
Components and Working of Co-ordinate Measuring Machine:
Components of Co-ordinate Measuring Machine:
The Following are the three components of CMM (Co-ordinate Measuring Machine):
1. The Machine which consists of three axis.
2. Probe system.
3. System for collection of the data, which consists of a monitor, manual controllers and
application software installed in it.
Working of the CMM:
CMMs are included of three major components: the machine itself, the measuring probe, and
the control or computing system with appropriate measuring software e.g. QC-5000. After
introduction of the work piece or the abject on the machine table, a probe is used to measure
 different points on it by mapping the x, y, z coordinates in the form of boundary around the
object whose dimension are being measured. The probe operates either manually via an
operator or automatically via a control system. These points are then uploaded to a computer
interface where they can be analyzed using modeling software (e.g. CAD) and regression
algorithms for further development.
Main Parts of Co-ordinate Measuring Machine:
The following are the main parts of CMM:
 Base
 Table
 Probe
 Display
 Probe Carrying Tool
 Control Unit

Figure 2: Labelled Diagram of CMM (Co-ordinate Measuring Machine)

Base
The Base is the part of the machine on which the table is placed it should be fully flat in order
to avoid any disruptions in the measurements.
Table
It is the part of the CMM on which the workpiece is to be place whose dimensional
measurement are to be taken.
Probe
Probe is the main and complicated part of the CMM. During dimensional measurements of
the workpiece, it is the one which is to be touched with the surface of the concerned
workpiece. It then sends information to the control unit and the information in the form of
dimensional values is observed.
Display
It is may be a desktop or a Led Monitor used just for the sake of observing the dimensional
data values send from the probe to the control unit and then from control unit to the Desktop
in the form of a display.
Probe Carrying Tool
It is the part of the CMM used for the holding the probe efficiently.
Control Unit
It is the part of the CMM which displays the data to the observer that is send from the probe
to it.
Metrological capabilities of Co-ordinate Measuring Machine:
The following are some of the Metrological capabilities of CMM:

Figure 3: Dimensional Measurement of Cylinder Block taken by using CMM (Co-

ordinate Measuring Machine)

Profile Formation
Depending upon the machine construct and capabilities the 2D as well as 3D measurements
can be taken. The measurements are captured in the form of a profile of the workpiece under
consideration.
Angular Measurement
Orientation measurements are made to capture angle information between points on an object
 Dimensional Measurements
Users can be able to measure the dimensions of the work piece / object under study in x, y
and z directions
Imaging or Digitizing
Provides a digital format or image to visually capture the geometry of the work piece from
the measurements made by the CMM.
Shafts:
Specially designed CMMs can be able to inspect the specifically designed shafts.
PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS:
The following are some of the practical applications of the CMM:
 The CMM is capable of measuring dimension of almost every workpiece, regardless of
surface properties.
 Users can now easily be able to measure any type of material using the CMMs. The material
may be transparent, opaque, specular, polished, diffusive and rough.
 The CMMs are used for the measuring deviation maps generated from CAD.
 It can be used for geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T).
 Surface Profiles of complex geometries can also be made. Thickness of the material can also
be measured.
 It can also be used for the Vibration analysis as well as cylindricity.
 They are also used in automotive industries for measuring the complex dimensions of the
Engine Cylinder Blocks and other parts etc. where ordinary tool is difficult to reach.
PROCEDURE:
The following are the steps to follow during use of CMM (co-ordinate measuring machine)
 Firstly, a work piece is placed on the table, and then a boundary is made around the work
piece or the object whose dimensions are to be measured by touching the probe with the
surface of the table.
 Select the option of line and by probe select two points on the work piece then press ok,
software will give the value of length of side.
 To measure the angle between the two lines, select the option of angle and select the line
between which we want to find the angle.
 For measuring the diameter of circle select 3-points on the circle and then press ok, software
will give the value of radius.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS:
The following are some of the precautionary measures taken during experimentation.
  The performer should be careful while using the CMM and the requirements of the CMM are
to be fulfilled properly.
 The table on which the workpiece or object is to be placed should have a scratch free surface.
Don’t move the object or work piece unnecessarily in order to keep the table surface safe
from scratches.
 Experience worker should be appointed for working on CMM.
 Performer should take a special care in applying the pressure on the probe during its touch on
the surface of work piece for dimensional measurements. Because the probe is very
complicated. It cannot bear high pressure, so pressure will not exceed a specific value.
 By taking a special care of this expensive Metrological machine, its life can be increased and
it also becomes more reliable. Otherwise, problems in measurement may occurs.
ERRORS & RESULTS:
Following are the errors which are to be checked before using CMM:
i. Slip gage is used for the calibration of the CMM.
ii. Improper positioning of the probe will result in errors; thus, no deflection should be assured
in the metallic part or work piece. Damaged probe will lead to the increment of different
dimensional errors.
iii. During measurement through manual CMM, due to parallax error human error also originate
in observing the readings.
iv. Maintenance should be properly and regularly done.

COMMENTS:
 There is no specific standard for the CMM yet, there are hundreds of various kinds of CMMs
and dozens of manufacturers and also different types of software for running of the machines.
Therefore, it is a difficult task to swap or interchange the software between CMMs
 CMMs should be operated by the professional operators as it is complicated to operate for
non-professional persons. These are mostly operated by the manufacturing and production
experts as they need to work more by increasing production amount and decreasing
production time as they don’t have much time as compared to the quality engineers so they
need a system which is time saver.
 One of the Drawback of the CMMs is that they are too costly and complicated for anyone to
afford.
 CMMs are very difficult to transport or move from one place to another.
 If the CMM software corrupts then the user will have to restart the entire system.