I was wondering if there is a standard age / years that we should plan for CMM replacement. I understand it depends on how much is the CMM used, its environment, etc. but was not sure if there is an industry standard. I have heard 12 years, 15 years etc. Thank you
...also there are companies retrofitting them, so they can be kept going quite a while.
I have a Leitz reference that is 20 years old. We upgraded the controller from a B3 to a B5 almost 7 years ago,. poor shop power grid roasted the IPC . We are in a brand new facility now and this machine could be around another 20..
"Rock Solid" is correct, the darn thing is made out of Granite. Last the mechanically accurate machines.
But yea, as long as you can get parts or retrofit the controller, that thing will last.
Yea, the life of a CMM is going to be dictated by whether or not parts are being made for it still. The good news is that most Hexagon machines can be updated with a new controller and get another life out of them but this is all provided to take care of the machine. I've seen some ancient machines out there IE: Matts Validator. There are still several 80's era Xcel machines with the old world class controller using vacuum tubes floating around. The life of your machine is more likely going to be defined by how well you maintain it.
1989 Xcel 7-10-7 & 1989 Xcel 9-12-9, replaced controllers, replaced drive motors, replaced air-lines and Air Drier.
2001 Global Replaced Air-lines and Air Drier.
air bearing surfaces wiped down at the beginning of each shift.
no air wands in lab.
I Agree with Peter Fuller: The life of your machine is more likely going to be defined by how well you maintain it.
