hexagon logo

How Did You Get Into CMM Programming?

Just as the title says - how'd you first make your stake as a CMM programmer?

For me it was when a recruiter on LinkedIn randomly reached out to me asking if I was interested in being a Metrologist for an international company while I was working as a Quality Inspector at a job shop in 2020, just before the pandemic. I knew nothing about Metrology/CMM programming until I blew the technical portion of the interview process and got hired anyway haha! Ended up being mentored by a professional for 2 years before moving onto a specialized CMM programming gig at another company in 2022.

I figured - as it seems like a lot of us got on-the-job training for CMM programming, you guys/gals must have some interesting stories to share about how you got to where you are now, as CMM programmers.
  • In 1999 I got out of the Navy as Submarine Sonar tech after having completed a 2 week Submarine QAI class. The company my brother-in-law at the time worked for needed an inspector. I've been doing inspection ever since. Started using a CMM (manual Cordax 1808) around 2002. I got my first taste of PC-DMIS about 2005 and haven't left it since.
  • I started dating the daughter of someone who owned a machine shop my senior year of high school. (guess that's worked out well, we have been married almost 18 years) 

    Started sweeping the floors and sawing material, eventually did every machinist related job they had to offer. It was a small shop, so we had to inspect our own parts too. 
    They merged with a larger shop during the recession in '09 where I got to learn more stuff and be a backup inspector, then full time, then upwards to the quality manager of their multimillion-dollar company.
    CMM happened along the way of that great journey. Sadly, that company was a pretty toxic and unethical joint. 

    Now I get to play with my big DEA inspecting huge tractor parts and just be happy to come to work and learn more about our craft.