There are growing demands within the global manufacturing industry to increase productivity and efficiency levels at faster paces. As a result of this, metrologists are starting to find out that using Coordinating Measuring Machines (CMMs) that only operate using 3-axis machining technologies is not enough anymore.
While regular measuring machines operate on the X, Y, and Z axes only, a 5-axis machine can rotate two additional axes – A and B – thereby enabling a multidirectional approach to working on tighter tolerances and achieving complex geometric measurements, between 2-5 times faster than existing 3-axis CMMs do.
In terms of the hardware in a 5-axis CMM, the main features include:
-- Compatibility with market leading CMMs,
-- Longevity – possibly up to 8 years,
-- Measures parts faster, but this depends on the part.
In terms of the software application that is configured with a 5-axis CMM, the main features worth noting include:
-- Flexibility in programming: it is easy to build and modify programs,
-- Modern, smart and user-friendly interfaces,
-- Compatibility with existing functionalities.
