CMM Fixture Design & Manufacturing
Complete turn-key solution for bespoke inspection fixture design, manufacture, and installation. All fixtures are designed and manufactured in-house by our experienced team.
From initial concept through to final installation on your CMM, we handle every stage of the process ensuring quality and precision at every step.
Why Fixturing is Critical to Your Inspection Process
Fixturing is a critical part of the inspection process and a robust design is essential. Poor fixturing can lead to parts failing to meet the required specification, wasted inspection time, and unreliable measurement data.
At ARC Metrology, we design and manufacture all our CMM fixtures in-house at our UK facility. This gives us complete control over quality, lead times, and costs, allowing us to deliver bespoke fixturing solutions that precisely meet your requirements.
Our team has a wealth of experience across multiple industries including aerospace, automotive, medical devices, and defence, in the design and use of bespoke fixturing for CMMs, portable measuring arms, and manual inspection.
100%
Made In-House
Benefits of Professional CMM Fixturing
Using a good fixture on a CMM can vastly improve throughput through the inspection department. Multiple parts can be loaded at once and be left to run whilst the Inspector carries out other tasks.
Reduced Setup Time
Minimal setup time between measurements for faster throughput. Quick-change fixture plates allow operators to swap between products in seconds rather than minutes.
Improved Repeatability
Consistent part positioning leads to better measurement repeatability and reproducibility. Eliminate operator-to-operator variation in part setup.
Bespoke Solutions
Every fixture is custom-designed and manufactured in-house specifically for your parts and requirements. No off-the-shelf compromises.
Multi-Part Loading
Load multiple parts simultaneously and leave the CMM to run automatically. Maximise your CMM utilisation and free up operators for other tasks.
Improved Accuracy
Proper part constraint prevents deflection during measurement. Sufficient support ensures the part sits in a known, repeatable orientation every time.
Full Probe Access
Fixtures are designed to allow full probe access to all critical features. No compromise between part holding and measurement accessibility.
Our In-House Design & Manufacturing Process
From initial consultation to final installation, every stage is handled in-house by our experienced team. This ensures quality, consistency and fast turnaround.
Consultation & Design
We work closely with you to understand your parts, measurement requirements, and workflow. Our designers use 3D CAD software to create the optimal fixture solution, considering probe access, part support, clamping forces, and ease of use.
- 3D CAD design using your part models
- Design review with your team before manufacture
- Consideration for probe access to all features
- Optimised for operator ease of use
- Material selection for longevity and stability
In-House Manufacturing
All our fixtures are manufactured in-house at our UK facility using precision CNC machining. By keeping manufacturing in-house, we maintain complete control over quality, lead times, and costs. We use high-quality materials including aluminium, steel, and engineering plastics.
- Precision CNC machined in our own workshop
- High-quality aluminium and steel construction
- Tight tolerances for accurate part location
- Quality checked at every stage of manufacture
- No outsourcing - full control over the process
Installation & Commissioning
We install and commission the fixture at your facility, ensuring it performs as designed. We can also write or update the CMM program to work with the new fixture, and train your team on its use.
- On-site installation at your facility
- CMM program written or updated for the fixture
- Operator training on fixture use and care
- Full documentation and assembly drawings
- Ongoing support and modifications if needed
What Makes a Good CMM Fixture?
A well-designed inspection fixture should meet all of the following criteria. Our experienced team ensures every fixture we produce delivers on these requirements.
Minimal Setup Time
Quick and easy part loading and unloading. Operators should be able to load parts consistently without specialist knowledge.
Sufficient Support
Proper part constraint to prevent deflection during measurement. The fixture must support the part without over-constraining it.
Required Probe Access
Allow full probe access to all critical features. The fixture design accounts for probe approach angles and stylus configurations.
Increased Repeatability
Consistent part location every time. Locating features are precisely machined to ensure the part sits in exactly the same position.
Improved Results
Better measurement accuracy and confidence. Reliable fixturing means reliable data, reducing false rejects and missed defects.
Modular Base Plate System
To help reduce setup time between products, we can supply fixtures on their own base plate. By using multiple plates, these can be quickly swapped over to reduce downtime between measurements.
Industries We Design Fixtures For
Our team has extensive experience designing and manufacturing inspection fixtures across a wide range of industries, each with their own unique requirements and challenges.
Aerospace
Complex geometry fixtures for turbine blades, structural components, and precision aerospace parts.
Automotive
High-volume production fixtures for body panels, engine components, and drivetrain parts.
Medical Devices
Precision fixtures for implants, surgical instruments, and medical device components.
Defence
Secure fixturing solutions for defence components requiring high accuracy and traceability.
Precision Engineering
Bespoke fixtures for tight-tolerance precision machined components.
General Manufacturing
Cost-effective fixturing solutions for production inspection across all manufacturing sectors.
Types of Fixtures We Design & Manufacture
Whether you need a simple location nest or a complex multi-part automated fixture, we have the experience and capability to deliver.
CMM Inspection Fixtures
Bespoke fixtures for bridge CMMs, horizontal arm CMMs, and gantry CMMs. Designed for specific part geometries with full probe access.
Portable Arm Fixtures
Lightweight, stable fixtures for use with portable measuring arms and 3D scanners. Designed for shop-floor use.
Multi-Part Fixtures
Load multiple parts simultaneously for batch inspection. Maximise CMM utilisation by running unattended.
Modular Fixture Systems
Configurable fixturing using modular components on threaded base plates. Adaptable as your product range changes.
Gauge & Go/No-Go Fixtures
Simple, robust fixtures for quick pass/fail inspection checks on the shop floor.
Assembly & Welding Fixtures
Fixtures for component assembly verification and weld distortion checking.
Frequently Asked Questions About CMM Fixturing
How long does it take to design and manufacture a CMM fixture?
Typical lead times range from 2-4 weeks depending on complexity. Because we design and manufacture everything in-house, we can often fast-track urgent projects. We will always give you a clear timeline during the quotation stage.
What information do you need to design a fixture?
Ideally we need a 3D CAD model of the part (STEP or IGES format), a 2D drawing showing the features to be inspected, and details of your CMM make and model. We can work from physical samples if CAD data is not available.
Can you design fixtures for any CMM?
Yes, we design fixtures for all types and brands of CMM including Hexagon, Zeiss, Mitutoyo, LK, Wenzel, Aberlink, and others. We also design for portable measuring arms and manual inspection.
Do you supply fixtures on base plates?
Yes, we can supply fixtures mounted on aluminium base plates with M8 threaded holes. This allows quick-change capability and is compatible with our fixture plate storage racks.
Can you modify existing fixtures?
Absolutely. We can modify, repair, or upgrade existing fixtures. We can also reverse-engineer fixtures if original design data is not available.
Do you offer fixture design only, without manufacturing?
Yes, we can provide design-only services with full 3D CAD models and manufacturing drawings if you prefer to manufacture in-house or use another supplier.
Need Bespoke CMM Fixturing?
Contact us today to discuss your fixture design requirements. All fixtures are designed and manufactured in-house at our UK facility.
Call us on 0330 043 7703 or email enquiries@arcmetrology.co.uk