Expert Automotive CMM Service

What is a Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM)?

A coordinate measuring machine, or CMM, is a machine with a fine electronic probe used to measure discrete points on an object. 

Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMMs) have applications in many different industries. They are commonly used for quality assurance purposes. In the automotive industry, CMM’s are also used to measure suspension hard points for use in vehicle dynamics simulations.

More Than a Machine: Automotive Experience + CMM

 While many companies offer measurements with a FARO arm or a Hexagon/Romer arm, our automotive experience makes us your best choice for CMM of suspension hard points.

We can measure XYZ coordinates of suspension pick-up points, chassis, drive-train, and body reference locations for complete vehicles and/or vehicle sub-assemblies. This information is invaluable for vehicle build quality assessments and computer modeling/vehicle simulation work. 

Our in-house Hexagon Absolute Arm is available for use as an add-on to a K&C test, where it can quickly and easily measure the deflection of components under realistic loading conditions.

Our Coordinate Measurement Machine Process

Our K&C rig provides a unique (and ideal) reference for vehicle CMM work. The center portion of the rig is a precision-ground plane surface plate that is conveniently five feet off the ground. 

The rig provides excellent accessibility to key measurement locations (like suspension pick-up point geometry), and the staff at Morse Measurements is vehicle-minded. We can boil down complex CMM measurements into useful results for vehicle design validation and computer modeling.

Coordinate measurements are made using an in-house Hexagon Absolute arm. Complete vehicle suspension pick-up point geometry can typically be measured in one day. You are provided with the XYZ coordinates in the reference frame of your choice in an easy to read and understand spreadsheet. You are also provided with the raw data files and constructions if more detailed information is required. Upon request, IGS files can be delivered as well.

Advantages to CMM at Morse Measurements

Accuracy:

Our K&C rig provides precision vehicle alignment to a known ground plane reference, which ensures correct geometry measurements. Plus the vehicle is extremely accessible, so it is not necessary to remove bodywork, etc. to access key measurement locations. When we’re doing CMM measurements, we think of our K&C rig as a surface plate that is conveniently located five feet in the air.

Quality:

We have experience with vehicle modeling, so we know what we’re trying to measure. We make sure that all CMM information is boiled down to the essentials, so you have the information you need with a minimum of fuss. For example, we find accurate ball joint centers and reference axes that make sense to vehicle engineers. CMM measurements are a great compliment to K&C testing.