When you rely on specialized equipment, you need to find the people who know it inside and out. Coordinate measuring machines (CMM machines) played a crucial role in the 1970s, assisting Western manufacturing at a time when it suddenly faced stiff competition from overseas factories.
There are dealers today who have sold CMM machines since then, but that’s not all they do. Keep reading to learn more about the other services the best metrology dealers provide.
Measurement Services
Perhaps industrial measurements aren’t something you need permanently on your factory floor, but only from time to time. Industry-leading CMM merchants also provide some of the fastest and most credible measurement services you’ll find.
The best merchants have a diverse range of measuring and scanning equipment that you can access, like a Gantry machine that measures parts up to five metres in size with an accuracy range of seventeen microns.
On the flip side, when parts are too small or fragile to be measured via tactile probe, they should also have a high-performance, fully programmable video measuring system. For measuring jobs for parts that fit in between, there are portable ROMER arms with scanners, white light scanners, and laser trackers.
It may be more efficient for you to pay for these services if you only need them occasionally rather than to buy the machine outright.
Training
The finest metrology dealers know their machines inside and out, making them the ideal place to look for CMM program training and e-learning. There should be many online training modules to choose from at all different levels for ROMER Arms, PC-DMIS, Polyworks, and more.
Expect training to take up to five days, but there are one-day fundamentals courses, too. Courses should include quizzes to keep students accountable, PDFs summarizing the material, and certificates of completion when the class is over.
Some training centres which normally provide in-class sessions but can’t right now because of the pandemic have transposed their in-depth classroom-based approach to a digital environment. In such cases, their remote learning is more involved and comprehensive than it would normally be.
Remote learning can also be used to refresh the knowledge of current employees who already work alongside these machines and may just need a learning resource from time to time.
Calibration and Service
Installing a CMM machine involves more than just plugging it into the wall outlet. These machines deliver precise results, and even environmental factors like the temperature on the factory floor can impact performance.
The best metrology dealerships keep their customers happy before, during, and after the sale. If you can find a dealership with five decades of experience and various ISO accreditations, you know you’re in good hands.
Metrology equipment needs to provide results that are accurate within microns, and flawed parts can cause time-consuming and expensive headaches. If your CMM machine needs repairs, or you require preventative maintenance, calibration services, portable arm calibration, or machine relocation, only trust the experts.
Software
Metrology dealers sell any software you need. Perhaps you bought a used machine with software that doesn’t suit your purposes or simply want an upgrade.
CMM machine dealers are metrology experts best positioned to consult with you on software. If you aren’t sure if the software you currently have is optimal, and you’d like to know what else is out there, speak to someone who knows.
They should have everything from PC-DMIS, Polyworks, Artec Studio, Quindos, and more.
New and Used Equipment
Finally, metrology dealerships sell both new and used equipment. If you want a low price on top-shelf metrology equipment that has been fully inspected and comes protected by warranties, buying from an authorized dealership with multiple ISO accreditations is the best way to go.
You don’t want to cut corners and only get a great deal on high-end equipment because it doesn’t work properly! Find the used machinery your factory needs, but look for it from an authorized and accredited dealer to get reliable equipment at the best price.
Metrology equipment plays a crucial role in production lines performing quality control, and this machinery will be important moving forward as it continues to evolve. If you’re in manufacturing, whether the goods your factory produces are built from micro parts, or you’re building cars, airplanes, or even spaceships, you need precise and reliable measurements. For all your factory’s metrology needs, find an expert dealership near you.