Manufacturing is a competitive industry with plenty of rules and regulations. One rule that never changes: you cannot ship what you cannot measure. As part geometries become more complex, and customer requirements for tolerance become more stringent, the bottleneck in many shops isn’t the production speed on the mill. It’s during the quality control process.
Many shop owners realize they need a Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) to stay competitive, but the price of a brand-new system can be intimidating for some machine shop owners’ budgets.
At Machine Tech, we partner with shops throughout North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia who are looking to bridge that gap. We often recommend a smart, cost-effective solution: the refurbished CMM program from AIMS metrology. If you’re looking to invest in a CMM machine that your shop can rely on, this program offers a way to get the performance of a new machine at a fraction of the investment.
The AIMS Metrology OEM Difference
When people hear the word “refurbished”, they might think of older equipment that’s simply been wiped down or had a quick coat of paint. The process provided by an AIMS metrology OEM partner is entirely different.
AIMS Metrology takes high-quality platforms and puts them through a rigorous, professional-grade rebuild. This is a calibrated, certified system that is ready to perform in a high-volume shop environment.
Because they are an AIMS Metrology OEM, their team understands the engineering tolerances of the original machine better than any third-party reseller. Every unit is stripped down, inspected, and rebuilt to original factory specifications. This means that you’re purchasing a machine that’s been reviewed by the same experts who built it, ensuring that your quality data is reliable enough for even your most demanding aerospace or medical clients.
Choosing a refurbished CMM means that you can redirect the thousands of dollars you’ve saved into other areas of your business, like tooling, material inventory, or shop floor automation. This makes the leap into automated metrology much more attainable for small to mid-sized shops.
Another benefit of buying refurbished is that inventory is often ready to ship, meaning you can solve your quality bottleneck in weeks instead of months and avoid letting inspection wait times delay your shipments.
Check out the Available Inventory
AIMS maintains a frequently-updated list of available systems, ranging from various sizes and configurations to suit different part types. We encourage you to browse their available refurbished inventory here.
Why Your Local Partner Matters
While CMM is a powerful tool, it’s also a sensitive one. It needs to be properly calibrated, leveled, and integrated into your shop’s unique workflow. This ensures that the data it provides is consistent and accurate. Machine Tech is here to help you get the most out of your metrology investment.
We can help you identify the right model from the AIMS metrology OEM catalog. Then we coordinate the installation, and ensure that your team is trained to use the software effectively. Our goal is to solve your quality problems. That way, you can spend less time checking parts and more time cutting them and getting them out the door.
The modern manufacturing market can be unforgiving. If you’re still relying on manual inspection methods, you’re likely losing money on scrap. You may also be taking too long to sign off on first-article inspections. A CMM is the single fastest way to transform your shop’s M.O. from guesswork to precision.
Have you been holding off on buying a CMM because of your budget? It’s time to look at the AIMS inventory. It’s an affordable way to secure your shop’s future. It also provides your customers with the high level quality documentation they need.
Visit the AIMS site to view their current machines, then contact Machine Tech. We’d be happy to discuss your specific metrology requirements and help you find the right machine to come out on top in your market.