Buy Your CMM Machine the Smart Way: Used and from a Dealer

by Kristopher Samuels Writer

Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMMs) helped rescue North American manufacturing just when it faced the prospect of globalized competition from countries where factory labour was cheaper and regulations were fewer.

The CMM machines' role in helping to automate quality control along the production line helped factories here to compete in this new globalized world. CMM machines have added vital efficiency to factories and helped them find crucial savings. But more efficiency will help you save even more: acquire your CMM machine used and from an authorized dealer.

Calibrated Properly From the Outset

CMM machines play the vital role of quality control, which means you depend on them to give precise and repeatable results. This means that your CMM machines need to be professionally installed, so you’re confident that these ultra-sensitive machines work to spec.

Even if it’s a gently used CMM machine that’s almost brand new, you can’t simply plug it into the wall and expect it to work right to specification. Things like room temperature need to be accounted for at the time of installation.

Authorized dealers are often metrology specialists who have experience installing and calibrating CMM machines. If you buy your CMM machine from an independent seller or from auction, you better be able to install it properly yourself.

Formal Guarantees and Promises

Purchasing used CMM equipment from a dealer authorized by the Machinery Dealers National Association will entitle you to formal promises and warranty coverage you can’t get otherwise. For example, authorized dealers must respond accurately to all inquiries about their machines, regarding things like its condition, specifications, and adherence to industry terms and definitions.

If the machine is found to be mechanically unsatisfactory, they’ll happily refund it or repair it at the dealer’s option. This peace of mind is important when purchasing used equipment, and purchasing through an authorized dealer is the only way to get it.

Reduce Risk with Proper Inspections

Do you know how to inspect the guts of a CMM machine? If not, do you trust that the equipment on sale from an independent buyer or from auction has been reliably inspected?

Get all the probes, drive systems, cabling, airlines and bearing sufficiently inspected before the purchase by buying through an authorized dealer. To add still more confidence, authorized dealers will assure you that your machine will work to specification at the time of purchase, or they’ll fix it for you free of charge.

Software Guidance

The machines in your factory are only as good as the software guiding them. Used CMM machines come with software inside, and it’s important to have a deep understanding of what this software is. Does it suit your purposes? If not, what software will meet all your needs?

Authorized dealers have expert knowledge of CMM software, and can give you the consultation your business needs.

CMM Machines will save your company lots of money, but that doesn’t mean you need to overspend on one. Make the purchase through an authorized dealer, and you’ll get great industrial equipment for the best price possible.