Preparing Your Environment for Your New CMM Machine Purchase
Once My CMM Gets Here, What Happens Next?
As soon as the machine arrives at your facility, we recommend that you place the fully crated CMM in a clean, dry location, ready for relocation by a CMM technician. We will uncrate and place the machine in its final resting place.
Air supply is a very important factor to consider as you prepare. The average factory already uses compressed air for machine tools, etc.; and it is a common practice for maintenance people to put oil in the lines, because oil also acts as a lubricant for many tools.
Oil is kryptonite to a CMM Machine. In other words, oil is one way to destroy the machine's airlines and bearings and the result is an extremely expensive repair or rebuild. Therefore, if you have factory air with oil in it, it is best to either a) use a dedicated compressor for your CMM, or b) use an air cleansing system or air dryer on the machine.
Space requirements and logistics are addressed before the delivery of a CMM from CMMXYZ. When we provide machine relocation, we ascertain your room size as well as the entrances from your plant receiving room to the quality inspection room, where the CMM will be located. Many machines can be reduced in size by removing components temporarily, especially when reducing to meet height requirements.
We require a dedicated electrical line for a CMM. Generally 110 volts are adequate. We also recommend you keep CMMs away from welding areas and that you not share lines with other machine tools, so that spiking of current can be avoided. Spiking causes the breakdown of the machine's electrical controller, weakening and eventually breaking the connections. In addition, we recommend using a battery backup and a power conditioner for the CMM line.
Many users of CMMs have a special temperature-controlled room for their CMM. The need for such a room depends on your CMM's specific requirements. Generally, these operate in a temperature range between 18 and 24 degrees Celsius, and normally, a room with an air conditioner can keep this range fairly well. If you are using a CMM on the shop floor, such as a hard-bearing machine with temperature compensation, that is fine also; a special room is not needed.
Smaller CMMs do not need a special foundation. Very large coordinate measuring machines do need a site vibrational analysis to determine if a large machine can be placed in your desired location and not be affected by external vibrational influences. If a gantry CMM machine is to be used, you will need a vibrational analysis and a dedicated foundation. For this, the machine manufacturer or an expert should be contacted. Special equipment is required for the vibrational analysis.
If your machine is to be placed in a restricted location or if it's an extremely large CMM, it is advisable to contract with a rigger (a professional mover) to conduct the move.
