A Brief Guide to CMM Software

Coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) are advancement measurement devices used to digitize the features and dimensions of a physical object. They play an essential role in many industrial and commercial applications, including product inspection and testing, design confirmation, reverse engineering, and equipment calibration. 

One of the key components of a CMM unit is the software. Below, we highlight the function that software serves in CMM operations as well as the types available. 

The Importance of CMM Software

CMM metrology software is designed to analyze the information gathered by the CMM unit’s probe. Depending on the purpose of the CMM operation, it can compare the collected data points to those of an existing design or model or create a new digital model of the scanned object. The former function is generally used for product inspection or testing purposes, while the latter is typically used for design digitization and reverse engineering purposes. 

One of the main advantages of CMM software is that it can complete measurement tasks without requiring the operator to have extensive mathematical knowledge or metrology skills. Additionally, compared to manual measurement methods, it allows for the easier and faster collection and comparison of both simple and highly complex measurements. Since measurements are collected and compared by a computer program rather than a human technician, there is also a lower risk of measurement error, which can lead to better overall measurement accuracy and precision. 

Types of CMM Software

The type of CMM software program you should use depends on your measurement application. For example, a simple graphic software program is suitable when measuring basic 3D shapes with a simple touch probe, while a more comprehensive software program is more appropriate when measuring highly complex components under strict conditions. Software also plays a big role in 5-Axis CMM Metrology.  The ability to plan a probe path in 5-axis simultaneously is more advanced than traditional 3-axis use.  In addition to measurement capabilities, some of the factors to keep in mind when choosing a CMM software program include ease of use, output display options and cost of ownership.

CMMs and CMM Software at AIMS Metrology

Looking for CMMs for your facility? The experts at AIMS Metrology have got you covered!

At AIMS Metrology, we specialize in high-performance coordinate measuring machines. We provide CMM design, installation, calibration, retrofitting, upgrading, and software training services to ensure we fully meet our customers’ needs. The software packages we offer include: 

• MODUS. MODUS by Renishaw software fully supports our Revolution line of CMMs. It has a configurable interface that accommodates offline development of native DMIS programs, geometry drawing, and more. It also provides full simulation and collision detection, native DMIS support, text and graphical reporting, and flexible output of results data. 
• CMM Manager CMM-Manager by QX-Soft has an object-based interface that allows CMM program creation without complex a text based programming language. CMM-Manager includes flexible functionalities, including graphical probe configuration management, full collision avoidance, automatic tip calibration, cross section scanning and group feature measurement.  
• Verisurf software is a 3D measurement platform for manufacturing inspection, guided assembly and reverse engineering.  The CMM Programming & Inspection suite features an easy-to-use, intuitive graphical interface: simply point and click on the model features to include in the inspection plan.

• QC-CALC. QC-CALC by Prolink encompasses several software programs. Real-Time automatically gathers and presents measurement data from all sources. SPC is a comprehensive SPC package that analyzes the measurement data collected by QC-CALC Real-Time. Enterprise combines the powers of QC-CALC Real-Time and QC-CALC SPC into a single installable package. Office Buddy integrates directly with JMP, Minitab, and MS Excel to create reports using measurement data assembled by QC-CALC Real-Time. Sort is a nonstatistical application designed to be used in combination with QC-CALC Real-Time to identify aberrant pieces on a multi-part inspection fixture. 

• Reaction Plan Manager. Reaction Plan Manager (RPM) by Prolink integrates productivity tools to simplify complex measurement data collected during process analysis into step-by-step machine adjustments. It consists of two applications: one to build reaction plans and one to view reaction plans.  

To learn more about our CMM and software offerings, contact us today.