Lehi Tech News
3 Uses of Coordinate Measuring Machines Specific to Utah
Coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) are high-precision measuring tools employed in both manufacturing and scientific sectors to measure physical object geometry. These machines can probe a workpiece’s surface and determine the discrete points on that surface, which can be very accurately measured and are useful in quality control. The following are three examples of applications of coordinate measuring machines in Utah’s industrial and scientific scene.
1. Aerospace Component Inspection
Utah has several large aerospace and defense contractors, especially on the Wasatch Front. Firms like Northrop Grumman, with operations in Ogden and Clearfield, depend on the precision engineering of parts of fuselages, wings, and missile casings. Here, Coordinate Measuring Machines check parts with very tight tolerances. The aerospace industry frequently deals with exotic materials and complex geometries, and CMMs are considered essential in performing dimensional verification in prototyping and the final assembly. The FAA and the DOD requirements can be met due to the features of CMMs, which automatically scan and document complicated measurements, enhancing product reliability and safety. The Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity notes that the aerospace industry is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the state and indicates the growing need for precision measurement technologies such as CMMs.
2. Advanced Composite Manufacturing
The state of Utah leads the nation in manufacturing carbon fiber and composite materials, and companies like Hexcel and Boeing are using their facilities in West Valley City and Salt Lake City. The plants produce composite parts for aircraft, sporting gear, and industrial buildings. This industry application of CMMs includes the inspection of molds, fixtures, and finished products, all of which have very tight tolerances on surface contours and thickness. Because composites are bonded and layered, the conventional inspection methods do not always identify the minor dimensional changes. CMMs with non-contact laser scanners can map the surface of a composite component without destroying it, leaving the structure intact whilst maintaining accuracy. The ability is critical to Utah manufacturers, which have an emerging advanced materials field that markets high-precision uses in aerospace, automotive, and clean energy manufacturing.
3. Biomedical Device Fabrication and Research
Utah has a vibrant biomedical sector, especially in Provo and Logan, because academic institutions such as Brigham Young University and Utah State University have partnered with local startups. Firms that produce orthopedic implants, surgical tools, and prosthetics must have microscopic machining and assembly precision microscopes. CMMs enable biomedical manufacturers to achieve micron accuracy in measuring complex organic forms, e.g., implant curvature or joint interfaces. CMMs use guarantees that devices do not solely satisfy the requirements set out by the FDA but that they will also operate properly once inside the human body, a requirement that is essential to patient safety.
The fast-diversifying Utah economy relies on high-precision manufacturing and engineering instruments such as coordinate measuring machines. Whether in aerospace centers in Ogden or biomedical research in Provo, CMMs help ensure products comply with strict industry guidelines and assist in innovation. To achieve greater precision and compliance, Utah manufacturers and labs considering a metrological upgrade should find it highly beneficial to invest in a set of proven metrology tools, as it will help raise the quality of production and competitiveness to a new level.
