Portable CMMs & Measuring Arms: Complete Guide

Finding the right portable coordinate measuring machine (CMM) for your manufacturing needs that you can easily integrate into your workflows can be overwhelming. Use this guide to find out more about the benefits of portable CMMS, how they work, and how they differ from other measurement devices.

What Is a Portable Coordinate Measuring Machine?

These devices are not only designed to measure coordinates with specialized arms, but they're effortless to transport as well. These arms will measure the length and width of various products, which makes these devices an essential aspect of any quality control strategy. 

How Does a Portable CMM work?

You can easily rotate the portable CMM’s arm to reach the object you're measuring, making them perfect for a wide range of industrial environments. There are various mechanisms that can be used to move this arm, which you can then connect to the factory floor network. 

What Are the Advantages of Using Portable CMM Compared to Traditional CMMs?

Portable CMM devices allow you to move them from place to place efficiently, making them more effective for business owners with multiple industrial facilities open at different times. 

What Are the Differences Between a CMM and Other Commonly Used Measurement Devices?

A portable CMM is a bit different than a 3D scanner or a device that uses laser light. These are a few of the most important differences between these technologies that you should be aware of:

  • Conventional CMMs are quite affordable, which makes them an excellent choice for many business owners.

  • A CMM will usually be relatively easy to repair compared to laser and 3D scanners.

  • Many CMMs in production today have all of the features you'll need to ensure that your product can be easily connected to your network.

What Do You Need to Consider When You're Buying a Portable CMM?

You will have to keep in mind several key factors when you're picking one of these products. First, it's essential to choose a reputable manufacturer, such as Renishaw, Mitutoyo, Hexagon, or Ram Optical

Other factors to consider include:

  • The length of the arm - You'll need to ensure that it can reach the products that you're measuring.

  • Software compatibility - Ensure that the product is compatible with any software programs you're likely to use at your manufacturing facilities.

  • Probe tips - Make sure you can easily change the probe tips on the device, which will make it easy to integrate it into just about any industrial setting.

What Are the Different Types of Probe Tips and What Are Their Uses?

There are several different probe tips that you can choose from, which means that you'll be able to use the same CMM to measure all of your products. There are probe tips that are designed for just about any type of product you can imagine! 

Contact our team at Metrology Parts to learn more or browse our collection of CMM replacement parts from the top brands in the industry.