Every casting of Sinostar MACH must be inspected by a coordinate measuring machine (CMM) to ensure that the product size meets the customer's customized requirements.

In today's manufacturing industry, where competition is fierce and product quality requirements are almost stringent, accurate dimensional measurement is like a solid foundation, supporting the building of product performance, reliability and consistency. Coordinate measuring machine (CMM) testing is the core technical means to ensure that products meet strict quality standards and safeguard the quality pursuit of many companies.

What Is CMM?

Coordinate measuring machine (CMM) is a highly specialized measuring device that accurately measures the physical dimensions of an object by detecting different points on the surface of the object. Its working principle is based on an advanced coordinate system, and the probe equipped can move flexibly along three axes (X, Y and Z) to capture the coordinate data of each key point on the surface of the object. After computer processing, these data can generate an accurate 3D image of the object and compare it with the original design model in detail. This process is like a comprehensive "physical examination" for the product to ensure that every detail meets the design requirements.

Take Sinostar MACH, a company specializing in casting and forging products, as an example. Its casting and die-forging products often have complex internal structures and surface contours, and these subtle details often require accurate measurements at the micron level. CMM can penetrate into every corner of the product and capture those dimensional changes that are difficult to detect with the naked eye, providing solid data support for product quality control. 

Why is CMM Testing So Important? 

Accuracy And Precision:

In the manufacturing industry, accuracy and precision are important indicators of product quality. CMM can provide extremely high levels of measurement accuracy and precision with its advanced measurement technology and high-precision sensors. For the forging of precision instruments, the dimensional tolerance of each component may affect the performance and stability of the entire instrument. For example, in the manufacturing process of a certain precision forged gear, slight deviations in parameters such as the gear pitch and tooth thickness may cause the gear to be unstable, increase noise or even damage. CMM testing can accurately measure these key parameters to ensure that they meet the design specifications, thereby ensuring the high accuracy and reliability of the gear. 

Improve Detection Efficiency: 

Compared with traditional manual measurement methods, CMM testing has significant speed advantages. Manual measurement is not only time-consuming and laborious, but also easily affected by human factors, resulting in inaccurate measurement results. CMM can automatically complete the comprehensive measurement of parts in a short time, greatly improving production efficiency. When the product is still on the production line, CMM testing can quickly detect a large number of forged and cast products, detect unqualified products in time, and prevent them from entering the next process, thereby shortening the production cycle and improving overall production efficiency. 

Reduce Human Errors:

Human error is one of the common problems in the manufacturing industry, especially in complex measurement work. In the manual measurement process, factors such as the measuring personnel's operating skills and visual judgment may lead to deviations in the measurement results. CMM eliminates the interference of human factors and minimizes the possibility of human errors by automating the measurement process. CMM testing has become an important guarantee for ensuring the stability of product quality, so that each product can meet the same high quality standards. 

Quality Control-dimensional Testing:

Quality control is one of the core tasks of the manufacturing industry, and CMM testing is an important means to achieve quality control. Through CMM testing, it can be verified whether the manufactured parts meet the design specifications and tolerance requirements. Every product needs to undergo rigorous CMM testing, and only products that pass the test can enter the market. This not only ensures the quality of the product, but also enhances the brand image and market competitiveness of each company.

Preventing Defects:

Using CMM to detect dimensional deviations early can prevent defects in the later stages of production. In the early stages of product production, dimensional problems can be discovered in time through CMM testing, and production personnel can adjust production processes and parameters in time to avoid mass production of unqualified products. In an actual case of SinostarMACH, a small deviation in the wall thickness of a batch of casting products was found through CMM testing. The production team immediately adjusted the casting mold, avoiding the subsequent large number of unqualified products, saving the company a lot of cost and time. 

Types of Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMMs)

Bridge Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMMs)

This is the most common type of CMM, with a bridge structure that can move above a fixed workpiece. Bridge CMMs are compact and have high measurement accuracy, making them suitable for measuring small and medium-sized parts. 

Gantry Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMMs)

Gantry CMMs are designed for measuring larger parts and have a gantry structure that can move above a fixed workpiece. Its large measuring range and high load-bearing capacity enable it to meet the measurement needs of large forged and cast products. For example, some large mechanical parts can be several meters in size, and the gantry CMM can easily handle the measurement tasks of these large parts.

Crossarm Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM)

The crossarm CMM has a crossarm that moves along the workpiece and is suitable for measuring parts with complex geometric shapes. For some casting and forging products with irregular shapes and complex surface features, the crossarm CMM can flexibly adjust the measurement angle and position to ensure accurate measurement of every key part. In the process of new product development, the crossarm CMM provides strong support for the measurement of complex-shaped parts. 

Portable Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM)

The portable CMM is a handheld device with high flexibility and can be used for on-site measurement. Portable CMM can play an important role in some large equipment installation sites or occasions where rapid measurement is required. It is very suitable for after-sales service teams to quickly measure and test products at customer sites and solve customer problems in a timely manner. 

Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) Test Process

Part Setting Standards:

Placing the part to be tested on the CMM workbench is the first step in the test. First, the operator will strictly follow the operating procedures to place the part to ensure that the position of the part is accurate and stable, and avoid affecting the measurement results due to improper part placement.

Probe Measurement Dimensions:

The CMM's probe contacts the part surface at a specific point, which is a key step in obtaining measurement data. The material and shape of the probe will be selected according to the material and surface characteristics of the part to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the measurement. During the measurement process, the probe will move on the surface of the part according to the preset program to accurately capture the data of each measurement point. 

Measurement Data Collection:

CMM records the X, Y, and Z coordinates of each measurement point, which are important basis for subsequent analysis and judgment of product quality. Advanced CMM equipment can quickly and accurately collect large amounts of data and transmit it to the computer system in real time through the network. 

Product Data Analysis:

Analysis of the collected data is the core link of CMM testing. Through professional measurement software, the measurement data is compared with the design specifications to determine the dimensional accuracy. Then, professional technicians will carefully review the analysis results to ensure that every measurement data meets the quality standards. 

Product Generation Report:

Generation of a detailed report is the last step of CMM testing. The report includes the measurement results and any deviations from the design, providing a basis for production decisions. These reports will be fed back to the production department and quality management department in a timely manner so that appropriate measures can be taken for improvement and optimization. 

In essence, coordinate measuring machine (CMM) testing is an important part of modern manufacturing. Enterprises that focus on quality, all their products, especially cast and forged products, are accurate in size and meet the required quality standards. In the future development, as the manufacturing industry continues to increase its requirements for product quality, CMM testing technology will continue to innovate and improve, providing stronger support for the development of the manufacturing industry.