Prepare For Automation: Freshen Up Your Employees’ Metrology Skills

Posted on Oct 23 2019 - 10:52am by Editorial Staff

Automation is often associated with replacing human workers with machines, but actually many processes in today’s manufacturing that utilizes automation still require human assistance at different points. If it weren’t for these machines, these jobs could have disappeared years ago.

Automation helped make North American factories competitive again at a time when they were badly threatened by factories overseas, which operated with cheaper labour and fewer regulations. The competitive conditions unleashed by globalization required a response — thus, automation was proffered. A big part of automation was the coordinate measuring machine, known as a CMM machine.

Automation is not going away, and both employees and their employer benefit when workers have a better understanding of how this machinery works. Even as factories rely on automation more, there are still careers to be had in metrology working with CMM machines.

You can click here for more info about CMM machines, and read below to get an impression of what to expect from metrology training.

In-Class Sessions

Metrology needs to be taught by expert instructors who have years of experience working in this highly specialized field. Accredited metrology companies may primarily sell and repair CMM machines, but they also have the best teachers.

When you take an in-class metrology session, you get the benefit of hands-on experience with a range of real CMM equipment. Expect the facility to have a few machines on hand that you’ll commonly find in the field, such as a ROMER Arm, Equator and a Bridge CMM.

There are courses available at different levels and degrees of specialization from which you can choose: PC-DMIS levels 1/2/3, PC-DMIS CAD++, PC-DMIS Portable, PC-DMIS Pro, Datapage+, Polyworks and Quindos. 

A special training course on Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing is available, which will impart to your employees the fundamentals. There’ll be tests and quizzes to ensure students have reached an operational level of understanding. Expect sessions to last between 1-5 days.

E-Learning Modules

Super convenient E-Learning modules teach students all about PC-DMIS Portable, PC-DMIS levels 1/2, and MODUS for Renishaw Equator. Naturally, these classes can be taken from wherever you prefer — usually at home or from work. But there is a trade-off: students won’t get to handle the CMM machines first-hand when they take online lessons.

These lessons may be appropriate for students already working in the industry looking to freshen up their skills. They already have experience handling these machines, and need flexible classes that can accommodate their work schedule.

When students complete the E-Learning modules, they’ll get a certificate of completion testifying that they’ve learned all the skills required. Look for a facility that has been in operation for 30 years or more, because metrology is a niche industry and the people who teach it need real skills. Today, automation is a large part of factories across North America, and it doesn’t appear to be going away any time soon. Learning metrology is a win-win situation because it keeps everyone prepared: From the workers’ perspective, learning metrology can help future-proof their career, and employer’s need workers who are sufficiently trained.

About the Author

Editorial Staff at I2Mag is a team of subject experts.