3D Scanning Squares off Against CMM Probing in Refrigerator Part Inspections

Let everyone know that the coordinate measuring machine (CMM) technology has a new contender in the inspection of plastic injection molded refrigerator parts, 3D scanning. Third-party inspector 3D Engineering Solutions has gone down a trail which no third-party inspectors have tread before using 3D scanning to validate the accuracy of plastic injection molded refrigerator parts. While the majority of third-party inspectors use CMM probing in order to inspect refrigerator parts, 3D Engineering Solutions now swears by scanning only. This latter method allows using several million data points as opposed to only a few hundreds with CMM probing. It seems that most companies acting in the field of metrology do not have the knowledge or equipment to move forward with 3D scanning.

Indeed, scanning is considered to be at the forefront of the technologies used in that area since it helps create a more complete image of the refrigerator parts while doing so in a shorter period of time. Advocates for scanning will also report that the quality of the data provided through such means of operation is considerably higher, which in turn allows enhancing the looks as well as the function of any given part. The Vice President of Operations at 3D Engineering Solutions, Rob Glassburn, mentioned that scanning ensures that common issues raised with CMM probing can easily be avoided with scanning thanks to the millions of data points that are used in the process. It appears that 3D scanning now has an edge over the CMM technology.