Features and applications of measuring arms

Industry

Automotive.
Power engineering.
Aerospace.
Nuclear power.
Railway.
Crane, mining and mineral-processing equipment.
Precision engineering.

Request

Inspection of industrial production and assembly.
Reverse engineering and digital modeling.
Education and research.

Equipment: PMT GAMMA, PMT ALPHA

In manufacturing, where high accuracy, flexibility and digitalization are key requirements, measuring equipment must not only deliver accurate measurements but also adapt to a wide variety of complex objects.

Portable coordinate measuring machines (measuring arms) have become an indispensable tool for quality control, reverse engineering and accelerated product development thanks to their mobility and high accuracy.

PMT, as a professional manufacturer of portable CMMs, strives to offer technologically advanced, structurally optimized and highly compatible solutions. PMT products meet a wide range of needs, from industrial applications to education and research.

How measuring arms work

Measuring arms are loosely similar to flexible multi-axis industrial robots. They calculate the 3D coordinates of the probe in space from the fixed length of the arm segments and continuous real-time tracking of changes in the encoder angles.

The operator touches the probe to the point being measured, or uses an attachable laser scanner, to instantly obtain:

linear and angular dimensions of the object,
GD&T data (geometric tolerances, form and position),
point clouds with coordinates for curved surfaces.

Measuring arms are widely used in the field for:

quality control of finished products,
checking the geometry of molds,
digital modeling of workpieces,
rapid analysis of prototypes.

PMT product series overview

PMT offers two flagship series designed for different professional tasks:

Key features

8-axis rotary table + attachable blue-light laser scanner; extended measuring volume

Built-in balancing system + equal-arm design; cost-effective models for training.

Typical applications

1. Medium and large parts 2. Car bodies 3. Complex curved surfaces

1. Field measurements 2. Education 3. Reverse engineering

Both series support a dual-mode measurement method that combines:

high-accuracy contact measurement
non-contact laser scanning

This versatility makes it possible to handle a wide range of measurement tasks effectively, even in the most demanding production environments.

Technical advantages of PMT measuring arms

1. Technological innovation

PMT equipment is built around a patented high-precision encoder system. The design with external decoupling and internal balancing ensures:

exceptional measurement stability
consistent results at any positioning angle
resistance to external influences.

2. Design and ergonomics

The composite carbon fiber handle provides:

an optimal combination of strength and light weight
one-handed operation
reduced operator fatigue during long measurement sessions.

3. Extended functionality

The system offers comprehensive measurement capabilities:

instant switching between contact measurement and laser scanning
wireless Wi-Fi module for working with:
large components
complex spatial objects.
data export in various formats:
GD&T parameters
STL models
detailed deviation reports.

A wide range of applications

1. Inspection of industrial production and assembly

The solution is in demand in key industries:

Application specifics: fast inspection of the geometry of complex parts.

2. Reverse engineering and digital modeling

Together with an attachable laser 3D scanner, PMT systems provide:

Generation of high-density point clouds.
Accurate digital copying of objects.

Capabilities:

CAD model optimization.
Re-engineering of obsolete components.
Digitizing hand-made prototypes.

3. Education and research

The ALPHA series offers:

An optimal balance of price and functionality.
Specialized solutions for:
Teaching laboratories.
Professional training centers.

Hands-on training in:

Fundamentals of 3D measurement.
Digital manufacturing technologies.
Modern metrology methods.

Compatible software and technical support

PMT measuring systems are broadly compatible with professional metrology software, supporting the entire workflow from initial scanning to complex data analysis:

1. Proprietary software: PMT CAM3

Intuitive interface.
Optimized for basic measurement operations.
Full functionality for analyzing measurement results.

2. Integration with leading industrial platforms

PolyWorks Inspector - point cloud processing and deviation analysis.
Geomagic Design X - reverse engineering and CAD modeling solutions.
Metrologic X4 - professional quality control systems.
SpatialAnalyzer - specialized solutions for:
Large-scale measurements.
Coordinate system transformations.
Spatial analysis.

To keep the metrological performance of PMT equipment at an optimal level, we recommend annual factory calibration; the standard calibration cycle takes three days.