What is a CMM? || Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) Basics Course Preview

Summary

In this preview of the Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) Basics course by THORS eLearning Solutions, the functionality and importance of CMMs are discussed. A CMM is a device used to measure and report an object's geometric features, utilizing geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) parameters. It provides precise measurements by acquiring the coordinates of points on an object’s profile, translating them into geometric features using mathematical formulas. The video emphasizes the advantages of CMMs over traditional metrology, highlighting their accuracy, flexibility, and adaptability across various industrial applications.

Highlights

• CMMs measure geometric features like circles, lines, and squares, as well as GD&T parameters such as angularity and circularity. 🎯
• Coordinates of points are acquired by probing, which is processed into geometric data by CMM software. 🖱️
• Different coordinate systems, including Cartesian, cylindrical, and spherical, are utilized by CMMs. 🌐
• CMMs improve accuracy and are indispensable in industries needing precise measurements, such as Aerospace and Automotive. ✈️🚗

Key Takeaways

• CMMs are crucial for ensuring manufactured parts meet design specifications by measuring geometric features with high precision. 📐
• The CMM technology utilizes 3D coordinate systems to convert measurements, offering flexibility and precision. 🔄
• CMMs streamline metrology processes, replacing multiple tools with a single, accurate, automated system. 🤖
• Applications of CMMs span across industries such as Aerospace, Automotive, Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals, and Food Processing. 🌍

Overview

Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMMs) play a pivotal role in manufacturing by ensuring the geometrical accuracy of parts. Whether it's a circle, line, or square, CMMs precisely measure each aspect, ensuring that parts meet their intended design specifications. This machine operates by acquiring point coordinates, which are then converted into geometric features using advanced software.

Delving into the world of coordinates, CMMs use three-dimensional systems like Cartesian, cylindrical, and spherical, allowing flexibility and accuracy in measurements. They convert coordinates from one system to another seamlessly, thus simplifying the measuring process. This adaptability is a significant advantage over conventional metrology methods, which require various instruments for different measurements.

CMMs thrive in industries that demand precision, such as Aerospace and Automotive. They replace the tedious traditional methods of measurement with an automated, repeatable, and highly accurate process. With accuracy ranges as low as two to five microns compared to conventional methods' 25 to 50 microns, CMMs are not just tools, but essential components for quality control in modern manufacturing.

Chapters

• 00:00 - 00:30: Introduction to Coordinate Measuring Machine The chapter introduces the Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM), a device used for measuring and reporting the geometric features of objects. It covers aspects such as line, circle, square, angularity, circularity, and other geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) parameters.
• 00:30 - 01:00: Functions and Importance of CMM in Manufacturing The chapter discusses the functions and importance of Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMM) in the manufacturing process. It explains that the quality of a manufactured part is determined by how closely it aligns with the intended design. To assess the success of a manufactured part in achieving this alignment, a CMM is employed. A CMM gauges the geometric features of a part by collecting the coordinates of points on the object's profile. These coordinates are crucially a triad of values that establish a point's position relative to a reference.
• 01:00 - 01:30: Probing Process and CMM Software Functionality The chapter 'Probing Process and CMM Software Functionality' discusses how a mechanical system with a probe moves along the X, Y, and Z axes in a three-dimensional space. It explains the probing process, where the probe contacts the object at specific locations to acquire the coordinates of points on the object. These coordinates are then converted by CMM software into geometric features using mathematical formulas.
• 01:30 - 02:30: Geometric Feature Measurement and Coordinate Systems This chapter discusses how Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMM) software measures various geometric characteristics of features, such as length, width, angle, and diameter. It also explains how CMM establishes relationships between different features by measuring distances and angles. Moreover, CMMs' capability of measuring in any three-dimensional coordinate system, including Cartesian coordinate systems, is highlighted.
• 02:30 - 03:30: Advantages of CMM over Conventional Metrology In this chapter, the focus is on understanding the benefits of Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMM) compared to traditional metrology methods. It introduces different coordinate systems used for defining points in space. Specifically, the chapter explains the Cartesian coordinate system for defining points along X, Y, and Z axes, the cylindrical coordinate system which emphasizes radial distance from origin, horizontal axis angle, and vertical distance, and the spherical coordinate system that considers radial distance and angles from both vertical and horizontal perspectives. These coordinate systems highlight the precision and versatility CMM offers over conventional measurement techniques.
• 03:30 - 04:00: Applications of CMM in Various Industries Chapter 1: Introduction to Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMM) - The chapter introduces the concept of CMMs and their significance in modern metrology. It highlights the transition from traditional measuring instruments to CMMs and the various advantages they offer over conventional methods.

What is a CMM? || Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) Basics Course Preview Transcription

• 00:00 - 00:30 foreign [Music] measuring machine or CMM is a device used to measure and report an object's geometric features such as a circle line and square as well as an object's angularity circularity and other geometric dimensioning and tolerancing or gdnt parameters
• 00:30 - 01:00 the quality of a manufactured part hinges on how well it meets the functional intent to function flawlessly the manufactured part should be as close to the intended design as possible the success of any manufactured part can be gauged using a CMM a CMM measures the geometric features by acquiring the coordinates of points on the object's profile the coordinates of points are a set of three values that determine a Point's location relative to
• 01:00 - 01:30 a defined origin in a three-dimensional space these are acquired by a mechanical system which moves a probe along the X Y and Z axes the probe contacts the object at desired locations to get the coordinates of points on the object this process is called probing the CMM software converts the coordinates of points obtained from probing into a geometric feature using mathematical formulas
• 01:30 - 02:00 numerous characteristics of a feature like the length width angle and diameter can be traced by the CMM software the CMM software also establishes a relationship between features on the part by measuring the distance and angle between two or more features cmms can measure in any three-dimensional coordinate system such as the Cartesian coordinate system that defines a point by the distance between
• 02:00 - 02:30 the point and the origin along the X Y and Z axes the cylindrical coordinate system that defines a point by the radial distance R from the origin the angle Theta made by the point with the horizontal axis and the distance from the origin to the point along the z-axis and the spherical coordinate system that defines a point by radial distance R the angle Theta made by the point with the vertical axis and the angle Phi made by
• 02:30 - 03:00 the point with the horizontal axis cmms allow coordinates of points obtained in one coordinate system to be converted to another coordinate system a CMM has many advantages over conventional Metrology measurements using conventional Metrology require different instruments for different measuring needs making the process tedious and error-prone a single CMM serves multiple measuring needs of multiple complexities making it
• 03:00 - 03:30 more flexible and adaptable being an automated process driven by software and programs cmns are repeatable and produce highly accurate results typically a one meter Bridge type CMM offers an accuracy range of two microns two five microns while on the other hand conventional Metrology produces an accuracy range of 25 microns 250 microns thus the CMM finds application in a wide
• 03:30 - 04:00 range of Industries like Aerospace Automotive Health Care Pharmaceuticals and food processing