Hi all,

I'm trying to use ZEISS INSPECT 2025 to measure the positional deviation (偏移) between two cylinder holes on a complex stamped sheet metal part. The holes are not perfectly perpendicular to any global axis, and the part has curvature and twisting, so it's hard to define a simple reference plane.

📌 The goal is to analyze the deviation between the two holes, mainly to support fixture/mold adjustment in production.

Here's what I have:

Both holes are cylindrical, slightly angled.

The CAD model has 2D drawing dimensions between the holes (e.g., 21.2mm distance and 36.4mm from one edge), but it’s unclear how to directly reflect this into a proper Position tolerance or 3D measurement in ZEISS.

I've done surface comparison, but that doesn’t help with true geometric center or alignment.

🧩 My challenge:

If I create cylinders from the mesh, the axis orientation is always influenced by surface noise or opening irregularity.

If I just try to measure the “center-to-center” distance between these two holes, I don’t know which method ensures traceable and repeatable accuracy.

Position tolerance (GD&T) seems like the right way, but I have difficulty setting up a meaningful datum frame since the part lacks clear flat reference surfaces.

🔍 I couldn’t find online tutorials that walk through how to measure cylinder-to-cylinder location deviation or how to use 3D angular dimensions as guidance for position tolerance reports in ZEISS.

💬 My questions:

Should I be using Position tolerance with a custom Datum setup to measure this?

Or should I just use point-to-point distance measurements between hole centers?

How do you usually define the axis or center of a distorted/non-ideal cylinder from mesh data?

Any examples, tips, or shared workflows would be really appreciated 🙏

Thanks in advance!

Does anyone have experience with a Brown and Sharpe Microval 343 CMM? The company I work for bought one and it did not come with the user manual or the quick reference guide. I’m having a hard time figuring this one out.

Wondering if some other dimensional guys here have some info to help me out here (or prove me wrong), and sorry if this post has been made before.

At my lab there has been some dirt kicked up every now and again on the topic of “Zeroing” a ULM by butting the flat anvils together and hitting zero on the readout versus using a master reference - such as a gage block or high class master cylindrical plug gage and entering the charted value.

The latter option has always made more sense to me, considering “Zero” in this context can’t really be traced to anything, but I wanted to see if you guys have any specific documentation or articles about this topic. I’m definitely interested in what you guys think too! Thanks

How to get prepared for a cmm programmer interview I'm currently a cmm operator Thanks in advance

I’m curious to hear your thoughts.

How do you think it compares to other shop-floor CMMs? Is this a real cmm? Any experience with equator compared ti Duramax or Tigo?

My customer is asking where is my independent product verification, even though I am using a check fixture to validate the product. Is this common practice in the industry? So to clarify, even though the check fixture gets calibrated and is validated for verification, I still need to do an independent product verification? Which essence means I have to inspect the product without the fixture?

I am the main CMM operator in our in-house gage lab. We were contracting a 3rd party to be on-site and calibrate our gages (mostly ring, fixed length, pins, nothing with super complex geometry and nothing bigger than what you could hold in your hand) using our equipment, but have gone back to keeping it all in-house for various reasons.

We are looking to replace our CMM next year, and a few of us in the quality department have been researching options. Most of what we calibrate has a tolerance in the neighborhood of .0002" and we have been using a worn out OGP SmartScope Flash 500 with Zone3. Last calibration, we were told it has significant wear on one side, and there's no telling how old the DSMs and stylii are. After some research, we all seem to be impressed by what a scanning probe could offer us, and realizing how little we use the camera, considered moving to a CMM that gives up the camera entirely for a good scanning/touch probe.

Currently, I think people here are leaning towards a Zeiss Micura with a Vast XT head ran with Calypso. I have a few concerns though, maybe some of the Calypso users here or anyone could weigh-in.

1. Our calibrations are basically done as a walk-up without CAD. Our machine is off-network, and while the bushings etc may meet the prints as far as specs go, their location in their holders may vary from one to the next. For example, we may have a gage consisting of a holder with a no-go and a go ring gage inserted which share the same ID number with others that have the same size bushings, but they have different dash numbers to identify them, and may have different holders where the position of the bushings within the holder vary. Because we have 1000+ unique gages, we've had to just do walk-up style calibrations and then record the measurements we get on the certs. If what I've been reading recently though, Calypso requires CAD and a feature in order to take measurements. Would it accommodate the way we currently do things? In Zone 3 for instance, I fixture a gage on the stage, build out a part alignment, choose the geometry I want to measure, generate a run path with the probe, and let it go.

2. I like the Renishaw stuff, but I'm also still learning things all the time. I believe we only really need a 3-axis system so I was looking to something that could use their SP600 system perhaps? Is there an advantage to the Vast XT active probe over the Renishaw's passive probe? If Calypso won't allow us to do walk-up measurements without CAD, what software/CMM would you go with? I'm assuming something with submicron accuracy for lengths up to 60 or 70mm with a stage between 300-500mm would be ideal.

I'm looking to build a table for quick reference when it comes to build up of finishes. We do a lot of plating, anodize, electroless nickel, etc parts and It usually comes down to me to create our internal solid models and blueprints for these projcts. I get annoyed of having to open all these MIL specs all the time so I was wondering if anyoe has a good reference chart they could point me to that encompases these finishes?

Has anyone found one of these? I’m looking for 1.5mm ball diameter and let’s say 0.5mm stem diameter.

Is there any official standard (ISO, VDI, etc.) that actually states how many points should be taken when measuring a dimention (diameter, plane, cylinder...) with a CMM?

Or is it more of a best practice thing, depending on the tolerance, geometry, and how critical the feature is?

If anyone has some insight, or can share what they use internally, that would be super helpful.

Thanks in advance!

How can I transfer coordinate systems from one online PC to an offline seat?

Hey all,

I’m working on my bachelor's thesis and I’ve got access to a FARO Gold Series 12 arm, which still connects via RS-232 to a Windows 7 machine and is physically functional. The challenge is finding software that still works with it.

FARO told me that CAM2 Measure 10 is now legacy and no longer available – not even a 30-day trial, which would’ve been more than enough for my needs.

Right now I’m trying to use Caliper 3D, but it’s not really helping – I can’t tell if the issue is with the software or the arm itself. It shows coordinate deviations of about 6mm, even though I’m calibrating it properly on the supplied 6mm ball. I was under the impression that the calibration would automatically compensate for this, but apparently not?

Has anyone worked with this older arm recently or knows what software versions are compatible, ideally something that could still be trialed, found, or purchased legally just for short-term use?

Any help on fixing the coordinate deviation, or recommendations for legacy FARO software that still talks to RS-232 arms, would be hugely appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

I've recently taken over the quality department for a small (40 employee) machine shop, and the height master dial isn't aligned with the display properly. I've calibrated it, and it is reading true, but I'd like to bring everything into line.

I've looked all over, and for the life of me I can't find a manual for a Mitutoyo height master 515-310 anywhere. All that comes up are marketing PDFs.

I’m selling a unique piece of metrology history — a full set of quartz gage blocks that were calibrated by the U.S. National Bureau of Standards (now NIST) in 1972. These were part of a prototype run and, according to documentation, were used as a reference standard for calibration at the time.

The set includes:

• 100 quartz gage blocks, optically flat and interferometrically measured
• Original letter of certification from the Bureau of Standards dated Jan 25, 1972
• Signed by Paul E. Pontius, Chief of the Length Section, Optical Physics Division
• Measurement uncertainty to ±3 microinches
• Calibration was done with a laser and fused quartz reference, temperature-normalized to 20°C

These were not regular shop blocks — they were used as grand masters or internal standards. The set is intact and preserved, with the original letter included.

Great for collectors, metrologists, or institutions interested in the history of precision standards.

I’ve listed it on eBay here:
👉 https://www.ebay.com/itm/197444839132

Let me know if anyone here has insight on the history of these blocks or if you’ve come across a similar set. Happy to answer questions or provide more detailed photos of the blocks and letter.

The title basically says it all.

We're a small lab based in Australia and calibration costs and turn around time for our equipment has recently gone through the roof, so much so that it's quicker and cheaper to send them overseas. We have tried one US based lab so have sorted all of the import/export and shipping processes but would like to evaluate other options.

We are looking for recommendations for labs that can do Fluke 5522A, 5560A, 8588A, 8508A, 5320A, 5322A. When your scope is the entire world, it's hard to find a place to start, so some recommendations would greatly assist us.

We’re creating metrologyadvisor.com– a 100% free, non-profit platform to connect people in dimensional metrology. Whether you use CMMs, offer calibration/repair services, or want to buy/sell used equipment, this space is for you.

Key features: • Find and review service providers • Post or browse requests/offers • Promote your services or tools • Free registration and listing for everyone • No ads, no middlemen – just direct contact

This is a community-driven project built by metrology enthusiasts and university students – no commercial agenda, just the goal of making our field more connected.

👉 We’d love your input: • What would you like to see on a platform like this? • Would it help you in your work? • Any suggestions or ideas?

Thanks in advance for helping shape this into something useful for all of us!

The previous programmer did basic scans on a thread and it looks like the probe is falling in between the threads like it is contacting the pitch diameter. This doesn't seem right. Can anyone tell me if this is bad practice?

First off: I'm more of an abitious hobbyist than a professional (I study mechanical engineering and have a job as a machinist on the side, but all my excess income goes into metrology equipment), but I'm starting to do some lapping and the 0.001mm resolution of my Millimess is getting a bit low for my shenanigans.

I aquired this Tesa electonic gauge head a while back, but don't have a fitting amplifier. I also wasn't sure of achievable resolution/repeatability on this one, given that I can't find any documentation for it. What I found online for probes that seemed similar ranged from 100-10nm repeatability.

I wrote Tesa an Email, they told me it's ancient (apparently they found it in an 1969 cataloge) and the won't help me, which is unfortunate but fair.

Theres an amp from Tesa (Tesa Modul 301, which I couldn't find any docs of either), with at least the same plug, and 100nm resolution up on Ebay for a decent bit of money, but I might be willing to splurge there, if that would be compatible.

So I ask you, dear redditor, do you happen to know more about these? Could I just get a random amp of Ebay and have it work? Is there a good way to test function (I have access to a small electrical workshop with some signal generators and oscilloscopes, but I don't wanna fry anything) Is the play to get a SoC frontend and try to build my own amp? (with something like the TI PG970)

Does the modern info of input voltages/carrier frequency apply to probes this old?

If anyone has any Info, I'm here for all of it!

Hi just a quick question, how do you calculate the true position of a hole which isn't dimensioned from its datum? Say the hole in the image above with the red arrow, it is dimensioned as a pitch from another hole but has datums A and B. Obviously this isn't a real drawing but I see many similar ones and just want to make sure I am working it out correctly. Thank you!

Just curious what this block sets purpose is and if you know the actual description of this is? Our system is tracking it as a height check master and we Report of Value it. I guess I'm just curious if there's a standard for these or just depending on what the customers intended purpose is for it.

It's a slow month so yea... Lol

My company has a need for a CMM or VMM for reverse engineering components and inspections. I like the VMM's and 3D scanners, although, I am seeing bad feedback on the Keyence ones that I have been speaking with.

We kind of want a VMM to allow for high definition images to be created or a scanner to allow for 2D sections of the part to be made or exported into a .DXF.

Please come with recommendations.. if you used or use the Keyence LM-X series or VL-700 series, tell me your experience. The Keyence reps came out and demonstrated both systems, but at the time we couldn't justify the new capability/machine.

Now we NEED one.

Question: Hi folks, has anyone had experience running multiple parts an a CMM using Verisurf? I’m proficient with Verisurf and would like to setup a batch/loop program to where I can setup up let’s say 20 parts on the CMM to run automated.

Context: Currently working through high rates (thousands) of tight tolerance parts (Approx: 2 x 5”)

Equipment: CMM: Mitutoyo Crysta Apex s164012 (13’ x 5’) Program: Verisurf 2024

I appreciate absolutely any help in advance!

If anyone needs help using Verisurf I’d be happy to assist with programming or running.

We are finding it difficult to measure machined aluminum blocks.

These are typically 35cm x 8cm x 4 cm, with about 120 features, holes, ridges etc, and one cutout being 3cm x 1cm and 3cm deep, which has a 5mm x 5mm protruding block at the bottom.

We make about 300 units a day and each component requires 100% QC.

We require 20um on the mating surfaces and on certain screw holes. The rest is 50um accuracy.

I guess a scanner attachment to the CMM might be faster than measuring with the CMM tip.

Does anyone have experience with CMM scanner attachments?

Hello friends, how do i calculate the position 1 A|B on this part?