[stuxstu]

There are essentially four types of CMMs (coordinate measuring machine). Bridge (granite table) Gantry (like and overhead crane), Cantilever (horizontal) and Arm. Arms are manual, which means you are doing the work. If this is in a production aspect or you are going to be plotting hundreds of points, then you should seriously consider a CNC (computer numeric control) or automatic CMM. Take the tightest tolerance and divide by 10. That will tell you the accuracy of the CMM you require.

Software is another thing to consider. Everybody pitches that their software is the best... Truth be told, only if you are at the higher end is there a real difference.

Be careful of "used" CMMs. Most of the time they are junk and will cost you a lot of money down the line.

The main CMM companies are Mitutoyo, Zeiss, Hexagon (Brown&Sharpe, Sheffield, Starrett, CE Johansson, Romer) and Faro.

One note, if you talk to a Hexagon rep, the answer is "no" PC-DMIS is not going to be the standard CMM software, ever.

I won't tell you which of the CMM companies I work for, but I have 18 years experience repairing, calibrating and sell CMMs and metrology products. I like Mitutoyo, Zeiss and Faro, when it comes to the products. All three are reliable machines from good manufacturers. I am not a B&S fan... the have a yearly licensing fee. Don't pay it and you won't get service, until you pay the back fee’s.

Is it obvious I don't work for B&S.

Good luck and make sure you know what your needs are. Accuracy, future usage, and speed are the true factors of a CMM purchase. For you will most likely never need a high-end software package.

Also, don't use 3rd party calibration companies, only Sheffield has them.

http://www.zeiss.com
http://www.hexagon.us
http://www.faro.com
http://www.mitutoyo.com

I found this site because I have Google searches on Metrology related information… CMM is one of them.