Measur3D Simplifies Shop Floor 3D Measurements
As manufacturing continues to shift toward increasingly complex geometries, the need for practical and accessible 3D measurement on the shop floor has become more pressing than ever. Advanced machining, multi-axis production methods and Additive Manufacturing, are routinely producing parts that cannot be adequately verified using traditional inspection tools. While many manufacturers recognise the benefits of coordinate measuring machines (CMMs), cost, complexity, and usability have often limited their adoption outside the quality lab.
This growing gap between production capability and inspection practicality has created a clear demand for measurement systems that combine the power of 3D inspection with the simplicity and affordability required for everyday shop-floor use. Increasingly, manufacturers want inspection tools that can operate alongside production equipment – providing immediate feedback as parts are produced rather than hours or days later in the quality department.
Addressing this need is the driving force behind Aberlink’s Measur3D manual CMM, a system designed to bring intuitive, high-accuracy 3D measurement directly onto the shop floor.
From 2D Inspection to True 3D Measurement
Traditional inspection tools such as hand gauges, height gauges, and profile projectors measure the real world in fragments – capturing dimensions one at a time or presenting parts as flat 2D projections. While these tools remain valuable for basic dimensional checks, they 
become inefficient when inspecting modern 3D components.
A coordinate measuring machine measures parts as they actually exist, in three dimensions allowing multiple features to be captured quickly, reducing setups, and improving both accuracy and repeatability.
Measur3D has been developed specifically to deliver these advantages in a format suited to everyday production environments. Rather than replacing existing inspection systems, it is designed to complement machining operations by providing rapid verification throughout the manufacturing process.
Designed for Shop-Floor Inspection
One of the defining characteristics of Measur3D is its compact, portable architecture. By using a unique three-rotary-axis design, Aberlink has created a manual CMM that is significantly smaller and more flexible than conventional systems.
This allows the machine to be positioned where it is most useful – directly on the shop floor, close to machine tools. Instead of waiting until parts reach final inspection, manufacturers can measure components immediately as they come off the machine.
The system is designed to optimise inspection during each stage of the machining process, allowing operators to verify parts one operation at a time. Immediate feedback enables manual tool offset corrections to be made quickly, reducing the risk of producing batches of non-conforming parts. In practical terms, this capability can help minimise scrap and rework while improving overall process control.
Simple Setup, Immediate Operation
Ease of installation and operation is another key design focus. The Measur3D requires only a standard single-phase electrical supply and does not need compressed air, making it straightforward to install in almost any production environment.
This plug-and-play capability means the machine can be positioned wherever measurement is required – whether near machining centres, within production cells, or in small inspection areas.
The system has also been designed so that operators can begin measuring parts within minutes of switching the machine on, even without prior CMM experience.
Intuitive Measurement Software
Complementing the hardware design is Aberlink’s measurement software, which has been further refined with a simplified user interface specifically for the Measur3D platform.
Measuring software functions can be selected by simply hovering the probe over the Measurement Feature Panel negating the need for the inspector to directly interact with the software.
The software retains the full functionality of Aberlink’s established inspection environment while presenting it in a more streamlined and intuitive format for shop-floor users.
Parts can be measured using either touch-trigger probing or constant-contact scanning, depending on the application. As measurement data is captured, the software automatically recognises critical features and immediately displays the corresponding dimensions.
This automation reduces the need for complex programming and allows operators to focus on measurement rather than software operation.
Aberlink has also introduced additional scanning capabilities. ‘Scan In Plane’ enables operators to scan a free-form 3D surface while automatically capturing points as the stylus passes through a defined cross-sectional plane. This simplifies the inspection of complex surface geometries.
Another capability, ‘Circular Projection’, allows users to scan complex turned profiles and project the measured points tangentially around the component onto its centreline. This feature has proven particularly valuable when dimensioning intricate internal and external turned profiles.
The software also automatically switches between touch-trigger and scanning modes during measurement routines, including when using Aberlink’s ‘Automatic Feature Predict’ function. These enhancements further simplify the measurement process while expanding inspection flexibility.
Precision in a Compact Format
Despite its compact design, the Measur3D delivers high levels of metrological performance. The system offers 5-micron volumetric accuracy, supported by high-resolution encoders with 40-nanometre resolution.
To ensure stable measurement performance in typical shop-floor conditions, Aberlink has incorporated extensive use of carbon fibre throughout the machine’s structure. The material’s low thermal expansion helps the system maintain measurement accuracy even when shop temperatures fluctuate.
This combination of precision and environmental robustness allows the Measur3D to operate effectively in production environments where traditional laboratory CMMs might struggle.
Continuous Development from Customer Feedback
The Measur3D builds on the success of Aberlink’s earlier Fulcrum CMM, which was first introduced at the Control exhibition in May 2023. Since its launch, the company has collected extensive feedback from customers and distributors and used it to refine the design.
As part of this evolution, the Fulcrum has been renamed Measur3D. While the original name referenced the machine’s pivot-based mechanical design, it did not always clearly communicate the machine’s purpose to new users. The new name more directly reflects its role as an accessible 3D measurement system.
Customer feedback has also driven improvements to the mechanical design, ergonomics, and overall usability. A new externally adjustable counterbalance allows users to quickly set the correct balance point for different probe configurations, improving ease of operation during manual measurement.
The machine’s chassis has also been made more compact, further enhancing its suitability for shop-floor environments. In addition, simple-to-install transportation pins have been added to protect the X, Y, and Z axes when the machine is moved around the production facility.
A Practical Step Toward Shop-Floor Metrology
The company has worked to optimise its price positioning. Through the use of new materials and manufacturing efficiencies, the Measur3D now sits between a high-end height gauge and a traditional Cartesian manual CMM, such as Aberlink’s well-established Axiom system.
This positioning is intended to make genuine 3D measurement more attainable for manufacturers that may previously have relied solely on manual inspection tools.
Summarising the system’s development, Chris Davies of Aberlink explains: “Having sold nearly 200 Fulcrum CMMs since launch, and listening closely to feedback from our customers and distributors, the new Measur3D represents a significant step forward. The improved measurement capability, ergonomics, aesthetics and price point make it an even more compelling solution for shop-floor inspection.”
As manufacturing environments continue to prioritise faster feedback and tighter process control, the role of inspection is moving ever closer to production. Manufacturers increasingly require measurement tools that are not only accurate, but also practical, accessible, and easy to deploy where they are needed most.
By combining intuitive software, a compact rotary-axis design, robust metrology performance, and simplified installation, Measur3D reflects this shift toward integrated, shop-floor measurement bringing 3D inspection directly into the heart of the manufacturing process.
For more information: www.aberlink.com
