Superior Measuring, a precision inspection shop in Madison Heights, Michigan, bought its first CMM in 2000. It was a TARUS. Today, TARUS machines make up nine of the CMMs in their shop, and TARUS handles annual calibration across their equipment.
We sat down with General Manager Tim Cicala, who has been with Superior Measuring for 11 years and in the trade since 1986, to ask what keeps them running TARUS.
What does Superior Measuring do?
Superior Measuring inspects fixtures for shops across Michigan and around the country. The company started in 2000 next door to QCR Tech, a fixture-building sister company, checking their fixtures before expanding into inspection work for outside shops nationwide.
How long has Superior Measuring used TARUS CMMs?
Superior Measuring bought its first CMM, a TARUS, in 2000. Twenty-six years later, TARUS machines make up nine of the CMMs in their shop: two bridge-style and seven cantilever.
"Our first CMM machine, which was a TARUS, was 2000. Since then, we've obviously grown that bigger. We now have nine TARUS machines," Cicala said.
What changed for shops when CMMs replaced manual measurement?
Cicala worked measurement before CMMs existed, using a height gauge and scale mylar. He says that comparison is what makes the value of a CMM hardest to overstate.
"So now we have the ability to pick data, check data automatically with the machine, three-dimensional versus height gauge scribing," he said. "Without a CMM, nowadays you wouldn't be able to get nothing done basically."
Do different TARUS CMM models perform differently?
No. Among Superior Measuring's CMMs, the bridge and cantilever TARUS machines run the same operating system with the same capability across the board." They all run the same operating system. They all have the same capability," he said. "There's not a like this one doesn't do something the other one doesn't do." That means operators can move between machines without relearning software or losing measurement consistency.
How is TARUS's CMM service and repair response time?
Fast. Cicala has known his TARUS service contact, Ed, for 35 years, and says that relationship shows up in response time when a machine goes down.
"Some places, they'll tell me two days. I can't sit here for two days with the machine," he said. "Ed would never tell me two days. If I call him, it'd be more like two hours. Your great techs come out, and the repair is done the first time, usually right away."
How does TARUS CMM calibration work?
Every machine at Superior Measuring gets a full calibration at least once a year, and TARUS handles that calibration across their whole CMM fleet, not just the TARUS units. Between annual calibrations, a ball bar check catches problems early if measurement data starts to drift.
"If there is an issue, then they will make the adjustments, calibrate it, get us back into a good calibration, and we're good," Cicala said.
Are TARUS CMMs easy to train new operators on?
Yes. Cicala says the TARUS software's ease of use sets it apart from other systems he's worked with.
"I can train someone on a TARUS within a week," he said. "They're just very user-friendly machines. I can train someone fairly quickly on them versus some other software and machines that aren't so user-friendly."
Would Superior Measuring recommend TARUS?
"I would recommend both," Cicala said, meaning the machines and the service. "I like the machines, I like the software. They're user-friendly. So I would recommend the machines and the service for sure."
FAQ: TARUS CMM Machines and Service
How many TARUS CMMs does Superior Measuring run?
Nine of their CMMs are TARUS machines: two bridge-style and seven cantilever.
Where is Superior Measuring located?
Madison Heights, Michigan. Learn more at superiormeasuring.com.
How often should a CMM be calibrated?
Superior Measuring calibrates every machine at least once a year, with ball bar checks in between if measurement data looks off.
Does TARUS calibrate CMMs from other manufacturers?
Yes. TARUS handles annual calibration for Superior Measuring's full CMM fleet, including machines that aren't TARUS brand.
How long does it take to train someone on a TARUS CMM?
About a week, according to Cicala, who compared it favorably to other CMM software he's used.
What was Superior Measuring's first CMM?
A TARUS, purchased in 2000, the same year the company was founded.