Price range of 3D coordinate measuring machines

For those interested in introducing a 3D coordinate measuring machine but concerned about costs and pricing, we provide information on the initial costs, running costs, and price range of these machines.

Costs Involved in Implementation

When implementing CMMs, there are other costs involved besides the purchase price of the machine itself, such as the installation space and the setup of the measurement environment. To obtain highly accurate measurement results, the installation environment which includes a measurement room that is less susceptible to ambient vibration and a solid ground is very important. However, some may be concerned about the installation location of large equipment, which measures about 4,000 mm x 3,000 mm x 2,000 mm (length x width x height). Since knowledge and experience are required to master the measuring machines, learning costs and personnel training costs should also be considered.

Costs Incurred After Implementation

The installation of a CMM is not the end of the process. Regular maintenance by the manufacturer and other measures such as calibrations of the probes are required to maintain high precision measurements. Note that there are maintenance and update costs not only for the CMM itself, but also for the software that comes with the measuring machine. The addition of new functions is usually subject to a fee. In addition, if the machine is used connected to the Internet, the PC must be updated as well.

What is the Price Range for CMMs?

CMMs come in various types, ranging from small handheld models to large gantry structures. Some of the manual gantry types and handy types can be installed for as little as several million yen, but larger and higher-precision models come with significantly higher costs, with some equipment priced between 10 million and 20 million yen. Even within the category of CMMs, there are diverse characteristics depending on the manufacturer, including strengths in measuring flat surfaces, complex shapes, transparent objects, or achieving fast measurement speeds. When selecting equipment, consider each model's features along with your budget and pricing to find a machine that meets your needs.

What Are the Costs and Price Ranges for CMMs?

The price of CMMs increases with size and precision, and there are additional costs for preparing installation space and measurement environments. For types that support large-scale and high-precision measurements, initial costs can reach several tens of millions of yen. Therefore, it’s essential to carefully consider the necessary specifications based on your company’s operations and quality standards when making a selection.

In the following, we introduce CMMs that can be easily operated by anyone. These machines address the challenges associated with CMMs, such as the need for temperature control and the correct settings and measurements that typically require specialized knowledge and skills.