Minute CMM Stylus Tip Increases Measuring Capabilities

Allegheny utilizes three Coordinate Measuring Machines, or CMMs, on a daily basis for all of our metrology needs, whether it be verifying a machined prototype meets the customer print exactly, or an in-process inspection for parts already in production. We typically use between 1 mm and 2 mm stylus tips to collect the measurements we need.

Pictured is a .200 mm stylus tip, currently the smallest diameter available on the market. The advantage of this smaller size tip is being able to “micro-measure” small features that we typically could not measure with the larger stylus tips. This tip works just the same as others that we use and can achieve the same tolerances as well. The challenges we’ve found while using it lie within the difficulty presented to the CMM operator, to have a steady hand and excellent vision while setting up and running the CMM. With some minor adjustments on machine speed, we were able to collect the measurements of this part of a satellite component.

Demanding applications, like space, often require extremely tight tolerances. As our ability to measure accurately increases, we grow our capabilities in manufacturing accordingly.