What kind of cmm would you buy?

[joecnc1234]

We are looking at buying a cmm. the problem is everybody says different things. wanted to buy a cnc cmm. friend said maintenance is a pain. went to b&s they wanted to sale us a non cnc for $30,000, we have a 95 b&s micro val. should we upgrade the software or just fix the machine or buy new. I have read the older ones are better cause the rigidity of the frame. not sure where to go. our cmm has all the bells and whistles there is just a z axis read error.

[RICHARD ZASTROW]

IF there are no other issues with the 95 B&S and it fills your needs, I'd fix it. Unless you want some tax write-off.

[joecnc1234]

Thanks richard I was kinda thinking the same thing when the salesman said $30k. Just wanted some opinions on new verses old machines. Thanks again Joe

[stuxstu]

I have a preference for CNC CMMs (bias). Depending on the type of manufacturing your company does (job vs. production), you should consider a CNC machine if you are a production mfg.

As for rigidness of CMMs. Modern CMMs (low accuracy) are mostly aluminum beams and are mapped by a laser to increase accuracy. The weight of older machine caused repeatability problems. Modern CMMs are more susceptible to temperature than older ones. This is a trade off. Modern Machines may not last 30 years, but they will be faster, more accurate and the mfgs only support the machines for about 15 years, just like cars.

I work for one of the CMM manufactures (not B&S) in a different product division. I personally do not like the Global series B&S CMMs and PC-Dmis (license fees).

I mostly lurk here every now and then (have an old Bridgeport in my garage), but just thought I would give you my $.02.