UBB Reșița Elevates Metrology Training with Cutting-Edge Mitutoyo CMM
From a legacy stretching back to 1581, Babeș-Bolyai University has long stood as a pillar of Romanian academia. Yet, at its heart, the university is as forward-looking as it is history – always seeking ways to prepare students for the engineering challenges of tomorrow.
Nowhere is this commitment clearer than at the Faculty of Engineering in Reșița, a branch of UBB that has just taken a major step in advancing hands-on metrology training. Thanks to a program funded by the West Regional Development Agency, the faculty has equipped its research laboratory with a Mitutoyo MiSTAR 555 coordinate measuring machine (CMM), giving students direct experience with high-precision industrial equipment.
“Modern manufacturing demands engineers who can think, measure, and adapt with precision,” says Prof. Univ. Dr. Ing. Gilbert-Rainer Gillich. “Our goal is to ensure that students graduate not just with theory but with practical skills that industry needs immediately.”
The Faculty of Engineering’s roots in Reșița stretch back to 1971, when the first technical students arrived to support the city’s rapidly growing industrial base. Today, as part of UBB, the faculty offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs, along with specialized professional training, while fostering applied research to support regional industry. Mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and applied computer science remain its core disciplines, but hands-on learning is what truly sets the institution apart.
“The Faculty has always had staff with strong industrial experience, which enriches both teaching and research,” Prof. Gillich notes. “Students don’t just attend lectures—they engage in research projects, join technical student circles, and compete in national competitions. The new CMM amplifies this experience.”
The Mitutoyo MiSTAR 555 is a 3D CNC CMM designed for precision, reliability, and durability – essential for frequent student use. Equipped with real-time temperature compensation technology, it maintains accuracy across a wide range of environmental conditions. Paired with Mitutoyo’s educational software packages, which include 20 licenses and intuitive reporting tools, the machine allows students to perform complex measurements while gaining familiarity with professional-grade metrology systems.
“Now we can simulate real industrial scenarios,” Prof. Gillich explains. “We measure new parts, components with wear, or samples from our industry partners. The MiSTAR 555 handles parts up to 500 × 500 × 500 mm with an accuracy of 2.2 microns. Students can experience the precision demanded in today’s manufacturing world.”
Modern components are more complex than ever, with tighter tolerances and diverse geometries. Advanced metrology solutions like the MiSTAR 555 are no longer optional – they’re essential for quality control and innovation. Using Mitutoyo’s MCosmos software along with modules like Geopak, CAT1000, and Scanpak, students can execute both touch-scanning and point measurements, mirroring industrial processes.
“For our master’s and doctoral students, this machine is more than a learning tool—it’s a bridge to the future of engineering,” says Prof. Gillich. “The user-friendly interface, combined with hands-on training, allows multiple students to work simultaneously. Mitutoyo Romania has been exceptional in support and training, helping us make the lab experience as close to industry as possible. I recommend these CMMs to universities and companies alike.”
With the Mitutoyo MiSTAR 555 now part of its laboratory, UBB Reșița is doing more than teaching measurement – it’s cultivating the next generation of engineers capable of tackling the demands of modern manufacturing, blending academic excellence with industrial precision.
For more information: www.mitutoyo.eu
