What is a CMM machine?

Accurate linear measurements have been a foundation of society for thousands of years now. The very first metrology instrument was the human body itself, whether a finger width, a foot, or a cubit (distance from elbow to middle fingertip). We’ve come a long way since then.

Eventually we invented rulers, calipers, and tape measures. These tools are still with us today, and they have a well-earned place in the metrology toolbox. But then, in the late 1950s-early 1960s, the first three-axis CMMs appeared on the market. This led to portable CMMs with measurement arms showing up in the early 1980s.

With each passing year, the technology has become that much better, making modern CMMs a time-honored quality inspection favorite among thousands of users worldwide.

Beyond the realm of quality control, coordinate measuring machines, whether controlled or programmed, have also been used in reverse engineering, rapid prototyping, and other fields.

As mentioned above, professional handheld and desktop 3D scanners can be an effective solution for even the most demanding of quality assurance, inspection, or reverse engineering tasks. At any stage of a production workflow, whether on the factory floor, the loading dock, or elsewhere, in just minutes, such a scanner can capture in submillimeter 3D what a rigidly-fixed-in-place CMM machine could require an hour or more to measure.

Speed, ease of use, portability

A vivid illustration of this took place at the British Museum, when a two-person team was tasked with capturing more than 400 fragile nineteenth-century plaster casts of ancient Maya monuments in just weeks. Physical contact measurement was out of the question, due to the risks of damage, not to mention the time constraints. Accuracy down to the submillimeter was essential, with researchers and museums anxiously awaiting the true-to-life virtual and 3D printed models.

Each medium-to-large plaster cast was scanned in only 10 minutes. All the surfaces, including the deep, difficult-to-access engravings and curved edges were meticulously captured in high-resolution color 3D. Even if a CMM machine had been a safe option, the time required for each cast would’ve been well beyond the 1-hour mark, pushing the urgent project past the deadline by months.

3D scanning casts of Maya monuments with Artec Eva at the British Museum

The best 3D scanners are easy enough to operate, and after just an hour or two of training, even complete beginners can be capturing their way towards 3D proficiency. This means existing personnel are more than capable of learning and using the technology for quality inspection tasks.

Affordable prices, intuitive software, surface-friendly data capture

Unlike CMMs, 3D scanners require no installation fees, training is usually included, and the final price tags are a fraction of the cost in comparison. Lightweight and fully portable for use around the office and out at client sites near or far, high-quality 3D scanners are built to last for many years.

If the device you choose comes with regular scanning software enhancements that multiply resolution and accuracy, then even years later, your scanner will deliver better results than the first day you took it out of the box.

3D models of a metal part created with the same scanner, Artec Eva. An upgrade to Artec Studio featuring HD Mode improves the results dramatically.

When it comes to capturing clear, unambiguous data of your objects, especially for inspections, the professional 3D scanner you select should include scan processing software that’s easy to use, with straightforward visual reporting features such as surface distance mapping. In addition, being integrated with full-featured inspection packages, for example, Geomagic Control X, is a sizable advantage.

100% non-contact scanning translates to zero risk of damage to whatever object you’re working with. This could be tightly-toleranced silicone aerospace parts, millennia-old fossils, crucial forensics evidence at a crime scene, priceless museum objects, etc. Insurance companies, quality inspectors, and museum staff are among the many who breathe a sigh of relief about this, especially if they’ve had to deal with the aftermath of contact measurement damage in the past.

Capturing an ancient, fossilized crocodile in Kenya, with Artec Eva

Quicker time-to-market, myriad applications, automation possibilities

In recent years, portable 3D scanning solutions have gained a foothold among manufacturers of all kinds. Such technology gives management the power to achieve carefully-defined standards early on in the production cycle. By doing so, you can optimize the number of design-manufacture-test cycles to a bare minimum, thus saving significant time and money, while eliminating customer rejection rates and avoiding lawsuits.

The high degree of mobility of handheld and desktop 3D scanners, coupled with their rapid capture times, opens up the possibilities of sharing such devices across multiple departments. As soon as a company realizes that its 3D scanner can be used not merely for high-precision quality inspection, but also for reverse engineering, VR/AR training, rapid prototyping, and more, the ROI of that technology can be pushed to the max.

Recent developments in AI and 3D scanning technology have pushed automated 3D scanning solutions to the forefront. With almost no human input required, batches of identical, highly complex objects and parts are captured using the ideal scanning paths, resulting in fast and complete surface captures with the utmost accuracy. In terms of inspections, whether pre- or post-production, professional desktop and robotic arm 3D scanning solutions can reduce turnaround times while precisely spotting any variations and defects. The result is a smoother, leaner workflow, with lower material costs, fewer returns, and superior quality standards.