Measuring instrument rankings: inventory of well-known brands and manufacturers
Overview and classification of measuring instrument industry
Measuring instruments are indispensable basic tools in industrial manufacturing, scientific research and testing, engineering surveying and mapping and other fields. From traditional mechanical measuring tools to modern optics, lasers, and coordinate measuring machines (CMM), measurement technology continues to iterate. According to the measurement principle and purpose, commonly used measuring instruments can be divided into:Geometric measuring instrument(such as calipers, micrometers, image measuring instruments),Optical measuring instrument(such as laser tracker, interferometer),coordinate measuring instrument(Three coordinate measuring machines, articulated arm measuring machines),Surface roughness and profile measuring instrumentWait. Understanding the technical characteristics and market positioning of different brands can help users make reasonable choices based on budget and accuracy requirements.
Inventory of world-famous brands
1. Hexagon
Headquartered in Sweden, it is one of the world's largest metrology technology groups. It owns multiple sub-brands such as Leitz, Brown & Sharpe, and Leica Geosystems, and its products cover coordinate measuring machines, laser trackers, scanners, etc. The advantage isIntegration of the entire industry chain, providing complete solutions from hardware to software. Its PC-DMIS measurement software is widely used in the industry.
2. Zeiss
The German optical giant is famous for its high-precision bridge-type coordinate measuring machines (such as CONTURA and ACCURA series) in the field of industrial measurement. ZeissOptical measurement technology(such as industrial CT, composite measuring machines) are highly authoritative in the automotive, aerospace, medical and other industries. Its Calypso measurement software is known for its powerful functions and intuitive operation.
3. Renishaw
British company specializing inMeasuring probes, encoders, laser interferometersand other core components. Its probe systems (such as TP20, SP25) are widely used in various CMMs. Renishaw's Equator gauging instrument has outstanding performance in the field of rapid inspection in the workshop and supportsAutomation integration.
4. Mitutoyo
A Japanese brand with an extremely rich product line, ranging from ordinary calipers and micrometers to coordinate measuring machines and non-contact measuring instruments. MitutoyoGreat value for money and ease of useIt is famous for its extremely high usage rate among small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises. Its MCOSMOS measurement software can realize unified management of multiple types of equipment.
5. Other international brands
Nikon has deep accumulation in the field of optical measurement and image measurement; Leica Geosystems is a leader in laser tracking and large-scale measurement; Germany's Mahr focuses on surface profile and roughness measurement. Together, these brands form the first echelon of the measuring instrument market.
Recommended by domestic high-quality manufacturers
In recent years, domestic measuring instrument brands have risen rapidly.Mid- to low-end marketIt has strong competitiveness, and some high-end products are gradually replacing imports. Representative manufacturers include:Sirui Measurement(Shenzhen),Zhongtu Instruments(Shenzhen),Weir measuring instrument(Shanghai),Guanglu Numerical Survey(Guilin),Gaoche shares(Qingdao) etc. Among them, Sirui Measurement has independent core technologies in image measuring instruments and three-dimensional coordinate measuring machines, and Zhongtu Instruments has outstanding performance in the fields of laser interferometers and profile measuring instruments. When purchasing domestic brands, it is recommended to pay attention toAfter-sales service response speedandMeasure software compatibility.
Mainstream brand comparison table
| brand | Origin | Main product lines | Accuracy level | Typical applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hexagon | Sweden | CMM, laser tracker, scanner | 0.3-5μm | Automobile, aviation, heavy machinery |
| Zeiss | germany | Bridge CMM, industrial CT, composite measurement | 0.1-2μm | Precision mold, medical, optical |
| Renishaw | United Kingdom | Probe system, comparator, laser interferometer | 0.5-3μm | Automated production lines and machine tool calibration |
| Mitutoyo | Japan | General measuring tools, three-dimensional coordinates, image measurement | 0.5-10μm | Small and medium-sized machining, electronics |
| Sirui Measurement | China | Image measuring instrument, three coordinate measuring machine | 1-5μm | Injection molded parts and hardware inspection |
Purchasing suggestions:For high-precision laboratory or core component testing, Zeiss or Hexagon is preferred; for quick workshop testing, Renishaw Equator or Mitutoyo CMM can be used; when the budget is limited, domestic brands such as Sirui and Zhongtu Instruments are cost-effective choices.
FAQ
Which brand of measuring instruments has the highest accuracy?
Zeiss and Hexagon (especially the Leitz series) are leaders in the field of ultra-high precision. Zeiss's industrial CT and composite measuring machines can reach the 0.1μm level, which is suitable for precision laboratory environments.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of Mitutoyo measuring instruments compared with Zeiss?
Mitutoyo has a comprehensive product line, is affordable and easy to operate, and is suitable for small and medium-sized manufacturing companies; Zeiss has higher precision and powerful software functions, but is expensive and is more suitable for high-end precision manufacturing.
Which domestic measuring instrument brands are worth recommending?
Sirui Measurement has mature technologies in image measurement and three-dimensional coordinates, Zhongtu Instruments has made breakthroughs in the field of laser interferometers, and Guanglu Digital Measurement has a good reputation among digital display measuring tools. It is recommended to choose based on specific measurement needs.
What parameters should you pay attention to when purchasing a three-dimensional coordinate measuring machine?
Mainly focus on travel range, accuracy (MPE value), repeatability, probe type (trigger/scan), software functions (such as CAD import, path planning) and after-sales service. It is recommended to conduct on-site sample testing.
What is the difference between a laser tracker and a coordinate measuring machine?
Laser trackers are suitable for large-size (several meters to tens of meters), dynamic measurements, are highly portable, and usually have an accuracy of 10-60 μm; coordinate measuring machines have higher accuracy (micron level), but the measurement range is limited by the machine structure and are suitable for small and medium-sized workpieces.
Do measuring instruments need to be calibrated regularly?
Yes, all measuring instruments require regular calibration to ensure accuracy. Calibration intervals are typically 6-12 months, depending on frequency of use and environmental impact. It is recommended to entrust a qualified third-party agency to carry out the process.
What scenarios are image measuring instruments suitable for?
The image measuring instrument is suitable for measuring plane geometric dimensions, such as injection molded parts, stamping parts, PCB boards, cutting tools, etc. It is especially suitable for rapid detection of complex contours and tiny features, and can avoid workpiece deformation in a non-contact manner.
How to evaluate the ease of use of measuring instrument software?
You can pay attention to whether the software supports Chinese interface, shortcut keys, automatic measurement programming, report generation and other functions. Mainstream software such as PC-DMIS, Calypso, and MCOSMOS all have free trial versions. It is recommended to experience it yourself.
Case
Case study of three-dimensional coordinate measuring machine upgrade in an auto parts factory
The factory originally used a domestic three-dimensional coordinate measuring machine, but it was difficult to meet the high-precision requirements of new energy vehicle battery casings. After the introduction of the Hexagon GLOBAL coordinate measuring machine and the Leitz probe, the measurement accuracy increased from 5 μm to 1.5 μm, and the detection efficiency increased by 30%. At the same time, PC-DMIS software supports automatic programming, reducing manual operation errors and reducing the annual scrap rate by 12%.
Electronics manufacturing company introduces Renishaw Equator gauging instrument for rapid inspection
A mobile phone motherboard foundry needs to detect the pad position after SMT patching online. The traditional CMM inspection speed is slow and cannot meet the production line rhythm. After using Renishaw's Equator 300 gauging instrument, the inspection time of a single piece is shortened from 2 minutes to 15 seconds, and it is automatically compared with the reference piece, and the misjudgment rate is extremely low. This plan has been copied to three production lines, saving approximately 500,000 yuan in labor costs annually.
Authoritative citation
"Coordinate Measurement Technology" 3rd Edition, author: Zhang Tao, Machinery Industry Press, 2020
Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence official website product technical white paper (2024 edition)
China Institute of Metrology's "Industrial Measuring Instrument Selection Guide" will be released in 2023
