CMM: a gentle giant

01

Aug 22

The development of CMM measuring machines is related to the development of automated machine tools.

1) In fact, the first manual measuring machine that fell into the category of CMMs was developed between 1956-1962 by Ferranti, a Scottish company, which was emerging on the CNC machine tool market.

1) The CMM was built for the company’s own needs, in order to respond to the growing necessity for more speed and accuracy in the inspection of items produced by the new CNC machines. So, in 1956, Harry Ogden, a Ferranti designer, created the first CMM of all time. Here at Mecom, we use it for the same reasons, that is, precision, speed and quality.

These are machines that use infrared to measure precisely. They move on Cartesian axes and are also called “Cartesian machines” because of this characteristic. In this way they create a mapping of the object, which is very similar to the coordinates we provide to our opponent when we play battleship. The machine works autonomously, but the operator must always check for correct running and a possible maintenance.

A very important detail, these machines are enormous, they can measure 1600 x 3000 x 1600 mm.

This machine is a friendly giant and it is a pleasure to see it in action. Against all odds it is quiet and graceful.