Revolutionizing Quality Control: The Benefits of 3D Printing CMM Fixtures
- David Davie
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
In the fast-paced world of manufacturing, precision is everything. Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMM) are essential tools for ensuring parts meet exact specifications, but traditional fixtures for holding these parts during inspection can be a bottleneck. Enter 3D printing—a transformative technology that's revolutionizing how we create CMM fixtures. At Mass Additive, we're at the forefront of additive manufacturing solutions, helping businesses from prototyping to large-scale production. In this post, we'll explore the key benefits of 3D printing CMM fixtures and why it's a must-adopt strategy for modern manufacturers.
1. Significant Cost Savings
Using materials like PETG for cost-effective, durable fixtures or advanced PPS-CF (carbon fiber-reinforced polyphenylene sulfide) for high-strength applications, manufacturers have reported up to 80% cost savings, with per-part costs dropping from $1,600 to as low as $300. In some cases, reductions of up to 90% were achieved, with printed fixtures costing around $32 compared to $1,900 for machined equivalents. These savings stem from additive manufacturing's efficient material use, eliminating waste and reducing labor costs.
2. Faster Production and Reduced Lead Times
Time is money in manufacturing, and 3D printing slashes lead times for CMM fixtures from weeks to days—or even hours. Traditional machining can take 2 weeks or more per fixture, including setup and external supplier delays. With Mass Additive’s 3D printing solutions, fixtures can be designed, iterated, and produced rapidly.
Manufacturers have reported up to 70% reduction in fabrication time, with fixtures ready in as little as three days compared to 2 weeks for traditional methods. Some have achieved production times under 24 hours, avoiding the 4-week waits of machined options. Mass Additive’s SolidWorks CAD services streamline the design process, enabling precise fixture creation with minimal effort, even for complex geometries, further expediting workflows and reducing bottlenecks in quality control.
This speed enables quicker part approvals, leaner QC processes, and the ability to respond to design changes without halting production.
3. Unmatched Customization and Design Freedom
3D printing excels at creating complex, custom geometries that traditional methods struggle with. CMM fixtures can be tailored to match exact part shapes, holding them at precise angles for accurate, repeatable measurements.
For irregular or intricate parts—like jet engine parts—printed fixtures provide a secure fit without additional clamps or supports, keeping fixtures lightweight and durable. Mass Additive’s design services, for example, generate conformal fixtures for any geometry, supporting industries from aerospace to medical.
This flexibility means faster iterations: Design tweaks can be printed and tested in days, giving teams full control and eliminating supply chain dependencies.
4. Enhanced Accuracy, Repeatability, and Durability
Printed fixtures improve inspection throughput by simplifying setup and ensuring stability. Materials like reinforced composites (e.g., PPS-CF) match the strength of aluminum while being non-marring to delicate surfaces.
Fixtures deliver high accuracy, durability, and repeatability, boosting confidence in measurements. Lightweight designs reduce equipment wear, and the additive process minimizes waste, promoting sustainability.
5. Sustainability and Efficiency Gains
By using only the necessary material, 3D printing reduces waste compared to subtractive manufacturing. This not only lowers environmental impact but also streamlines operations, avoiding costly bottlenecks and enabling efficient production for greater control. Additionally, digital catalogs of 3D printed CMM fixtures allow seamless sharing of designs across multiple locations and vendors, ensuring consistency and reducing redundant design efforts. These digital catalogs enable instant access to fixture specifications, facilitating collaboration and speeding up deployment across global supply chains.
In conclusion, 3D printing CMM fixtures offers transformative benefits: lower costs, faster turnaround, superior customization, and improved overall efficiency. At Mass Additive, we specialize in these innovative solutions to help you optimize your manufacturing processes. Whether you're in aerospace, job shop, or beyond, our cutting-edge 3D printing services can bring these advantages to your operations. Contact us today at: info@massadditive.com or visit www.massadditive.com to learn how we can revolutionize your quality control with custom CMM fixtures.