About NACMA

The Coordinate Measuring Machine

Coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) are now an integral part of the inspection process in virtually every production requiring dimensional control. They represent one of the most vital quality assurance practices today. Goods worth billions of dollars are measured annually in Canada at a cost of at least 350 million dollars (conservative NRC estimate).

The CMMs are replacing classical measurement methods and bringing the quality and speed of measuring in unison with the CNC machining processes and CAD/CAM capabilities. They are getting more and more sophisticated and often incorporate not only measuring, but advanced digitizing, statistical and communication (to and from CAD/CAM) capabilities. As high technology instruments, their full potential can only be realized with full understanding of the complete system and the measuring process.

NACMA Goals & Objectives

• To contribute to the growth of expertise in CMM technology
• To provide nationwide access to resources and expertise
• To promote discussion and exchange of CMM information and technology through regular meetings, with presentation by local and foreign experts, and through publication of relevant papers.
• To promote awareness, acceptance and usage of internationally recognized practices and traceability to national standard of length. To provide traceable artifacts to CMM users for machine verification.
• To address the issue of software verification.
• To identify areas of need for research and development and to formulate proposals for collaborative and sponsored research involving industry, teaching institutions and NRC.

NACMA Officers for 2008-2009

CHAIRMAN
Greg Hetland
International Institute of Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing
Tel: (952) 936-9499

VICE-CHAIRMAN
Steven Phillips
Program Manager
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Tel: (301) 975-3565

VICE-CHAIRMAN
Miguel Viliesid Alonso
Head of Dimensional Metrology
Centro Nacional de Metrología
Tel: +52 (442) 211-05-74

VICE-CHAIRMAN
Kostadin Doytchinov
Institute for National Measurement Standards
National Research Council Canada
Tel: (613) 991-0265
Fax: (613) 952-1394

Working Group

Canadian Certification of Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMMs) Professionals
Adobe Acrobat Format (2 pages)

Canadian Certification of Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMMs) Professionals. Body of Knowledge
Adobe Acrobat Format (2 pages)