Advantages and Disadvantages of Non-contact Coordinate Measuring Machines

Disadvantages of non-contact coordinate measuring machines:

(1) Since most non-contact probes receive reflected or scattered light from the workpiece surface, they are susceptible to the surface reflection characteristics of the workpiece, such as color and slope.

(2) The probe is vulnerable to ambient light and stray light.

(3) Non-contact measurement only samples a large number of contour coordinate points of the workpiece. It cannot measure specified points on the surface, and it is difficult to process edges, concave holes and other features.

(4) When measuring with an optical probe, the focus adjustment of the measuring lens will affect the measurement accuracy.

(5) The surface roughness of the workpiece will affect the measurement results.

(6) Optical shadow areas and positions with changing optical focal lengths are measurement blind spots.

Advantages of non-contact coordinate measuring machines:

(1) It can quickly collect computer modeling information of measured curved surfaces for CAD, FEM analysis and other applications.

(2) The measured point cloud can be compared with CAD data, engineering drawings or samples.

(3) It enables rapid part replication, rapid prototyping or CNC machining.

(4) Digital prototypes can be applied.

(5) It can measure workpieces that are small in size, complex in shape or large in volume.

(6) The number of noise points in the measured point cloud is low and can be further reduced through adjustment.

(7) It can measure structures that contact measuring equipment cannot handle, such as internal structures, various soft and deformable objects, and high-precision workpieces that cannot be touched.

(8) It can be mounted on robots to realize automatic measurement.

(9) Light weight, compact structure and simple operation.

(10) Equipped with advanced functions for calculating and rendering measured point clouds.