Comparison Study of CMMs and software along with Probe Types

normzone

Trusted Information Resource
#11
My most recent CMM experience left me very unhappy.

The sales guy for Hexagon Metrology demoed a Romer Arm, and everything looked great.

I went for training for a weekend in Los Angeles - a lot to swallow but I got what I needed, or so I thought.

I got home and my machine had been delivered with a differing version of the software. Problem one.

I called the sales guy, who came down and walked me through what I needed to know at that time. He also informed me that he was going to work for the competition next week and I'd never see him again, but the guys at Hexagon would take care of me.

When I identified new challenges, Hexagon sent out the trainer. That was good for that instance, but they were not enthusiastic about sending me somebody every time I had questions. So I asked for the manual so I could consult it whenever I ventured into new territory.

There was no manual. They ceased maintaining documentation for the user several years ago. They gave me a 1-800 number that rang to a phone on somebody's desk several states away, and they'd get back to me in 48 hours.

And they gave me a link to a forum, where a bunch of users with differing machines and software corresponded. Sometimes it was helpful, but usually not. It was like learning to fly an airliner by hanging out in the airport and talking to people passing by.

Now you have an environment where there are multiple skilled users, so you'd probably not suffer as I did. I was the only person in the company with a little bit of training and some previous experience on a couple of RAM Optical systems, which were well documented and user friendly, albeit without all the capability of the Romer Arm.

But I felt that I got left high and dry by the supplier once the sale was made, and I would never buy another system without first determining if there was current documentation first. I would not rely on promises of support.
 
Last edited:
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G

Gonzo7

#12
That is why trying to do the best homework can before being rushed to a decision.
I have had same bad experiences.
Currently paid $4000.00 in Late October or Early November to have Hexagon retube a CMM. Thy at the end said oh, you will need a drive pin and new counter-balance. We were like can w run until we can budget. They said oh yeah most you will have is a lag issue. When it gets to be too much, that is when you will need it. Ok, now we did not have any issues with this CMM until they did the re-tube. April we had budgeted for the parts and labor called them in. Guy was here 5 minutes said you don't need a counter balance, you are going to need a new Z axis, new air bearings and other items totaling $11,000 with labor. We were shocked. Called in a third party to look at, and found out that during the re-tubing they hooked up the two airlines for the counter balance wrong. Now they are fighting its their issue.

Had other experiences with Nikon on a Camio machine.
Think it has to do with what they can get away with and how good your sales guy is.
 

Danny Hoover

Involved In Discussions
#13
I have been programming PC-DMIS for 15+ years. If I was purchasing the software for the first time, I would hope someone would show me all of the "fixes" released after the current software hits the market. Hexagon charges a very hefty software fee each year, so they are sure to release a new version while still releasing "fixes" to the previous. If you don't pay the software contract, you do not have access to the help desk and the charge is retroactive from when it expires and needs to be paid in full if you want to get a newer version. Also, you do not own the software so if you sell a CMM with the software loaded, the buyer must get the contract current as Hexagon owns the license.
For testing, I would look at the types of items being checked and typical tolerances used. The biggest CMM with the greatest accuracy will check any part. Review the repeatability, accuracy and and limits. pcdmisforum.com is a Hexagon users site, and cmmguys.com/forum is a CMM users group for programmers. You can find answers to many questions there.
Thanks
DH
 
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