The Foundation of Precision: Notice the broader 5.0 mm footprint and titanium finish of the XXT (top) compared to the standard 4.0 mm stainless steel M3 base (bottom). Our M3-XXT product line is specifically intended for probe sensors that are sensitive to tool weight. Larger Footprint: The 5.0 mm base diameter of M3-XXT products offers 25% greater seating area than standard M3 products. Conical Receivers: Our M3-XXT conical receivers offer ultimate flexibility for rotary positioning of stylus elements. They combine unlimited angular positioning with high rigidity and low weight.  When to Stick with M3 Our M3 Stainless Steel styli remain a workhorse for many touch-trigger probes. They are robust, cost-effective, and offer dependable performance when stylus weight is less of a factor. Ready to Optimize Your Setup? Whether you need the lightweight performance of M3-XXT or the rugged reliability of M3, we have the inventory ready to ship. Shop M3-XXT Titanium Styli Shop M3-XXT Conical Receivers Shop M3 Stainless Steel Styli Pro hack: You can configure your M2 probe to use M3-XXT lightweight titanium products. Simply use our exclusive, inexpensive M2 to M3XXT adapter. Questions About Your CMM Setup? Our technical team is here to help you choose the right material for your application. Contact us today.  

Pictured above: Q-Mark brand calibration bases with calibration spheres. Left is CAL-DKMB-DE, a dual calibration sphere base, 45 degree. 85.0 mm diameter base x 112.0 mm high post. Right is CAL-DKMB, Stainless steel base for calibration spheres, 45 degrees. 85.0 mm diameter base x 112.0 mm high post. Both bases accept all Q-mark brand calibration spheres. Spheres sold separately. Achieve Accuracy: Your Calibration Sphere Masterclass       Maximizing the performance and reliability of your coordinate measuring machine (CMM) starts with one critical step: precise calibration. Calibration spheres are the foundation for your measurement accuracy—but only when used correctly. An improperly calibrated stylus can lead to phantom errors, costly rework, and unnecessary scrap.   We're committed to helping you maintain the highest level of precision, so we've created a simple guide to ensure you're following the best practices every time. Q-Mark's Quick Guide: Four Steps to Precise Calibration Before you begin, ensure your sphere and its environment are thermally stable. Preparation & Cleanliness: Use a lint-free cloth and appropriate solvent to gently clean both the sphere's surface and the stylus tip. Contaminants are the #1 cause of calibration errors. Secure the Sphere: Mount the calibration sphere firmly. Ensure it's accessible to the full range of angles you intend to use for your measurement program. Define the Tool: In your CMM software, follow the procedure for defining the stylus tip size and material. Determine the number of touch points on the sphere. Execute & Verify: Run the calibration sequence. The software will calculate the stylus diameter. Always verify the standard deviation is within tolerance before saving the result. A precise calibration sets the stage for reliable measurements. Selecting the Right Sphere Q-Mark Calibration Spheres are manufactured with certified, near-perfect sphericity, but selecting the correct diameter is essential for matching your application. The ideal sphere diameter depends directly on the size of the stylus ball you are qualifying. We offer spheres in diameters including 5.0 mm, 8.0 mm, 12.0 mm, 15.0 mm, 20.0 mm, 25.0 mm, and 30.0 mm to suit your specific need, available in ceramic and ruby material. The Q-Mark Advantage Using a Q-Mark Calibration Sphere—manufactured for superior accuracy—correctly ensures your CMM is performing at its peak potential, providing the most reliable results possible. VIEW OUR CALIBRATION SPHERES  

You're a precision manufacturer. You work with incredible machines, hold tolerances that would make a human hair look like a tree trunk, and produce parts that are essential in modern industry. You know exactly what a probe stylus is. But when someone outside the industry asks you what it is, do you find yourself fumbling for the right words? You’re not alone.   It’s a niche product for a niche industry, and for something so critical, it can be comically difficult (even for us!) to explain what it is, what it does, and why it’s so important. HOW A PROBE STYLUS ACTUALLY WORKS At its simplest, a probe stylus is the "finger" of a Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM). It's the precision tip that touches the part, gathering data points that are then used to create a 3D map. This map tells you if the part is in spec, if your machine is performing correctly, and ultimately, if your manufacturing process is sound.   A probe stylus itself doesn't use electricity. It's a passive component that's attached to an active probing system. The magic happens when the stylus touches the part. The CMM's probe head contains a series of tiny sensors, often piezoelectric crystals, or strain gauges. When the stylus makes contact with the part, the force of the touch causes a minute deflection in the probe head. This deflection is precisely measured by the sensors, which generate an electrical signal. This signal is then sent to the CMM's computer, which uses it to register the exact coordinates of that point in 3D space. By taking thousands of these points, the CMM can create a highly accurate digital model of the part, allowing for detailed inspection and analysis. A BRIEF HISTORY The CMM itself traces its roots back to the 1950s, developed for the aerospace industry's demanding quality control requirements. Initially, these machines used steel balls and cones for styli. But as manufacturing tolerances tightened, the need for more precise, repeatable, and versatile probing systems grew. This is when the probe stylus grew in importance. Engineers began experimenting with different materials and designs to improve accuracy, reduce wear, and access difficult-to-reach features. The invention of the touch-trigger probe and later, the scanning probe, revolutionized metrology, turning what was once a slow, manual process into a fast, automated one. And at the end of it all was the humble stylus, doing the hard work of making contact and gathering the data. INDUSTRY APPLICATIONS So where does this all come into play? Think about the parts that make up an aircraft engine, a medical implant, a toy building brick (above), computers, or the gears in an automobile transmission. These are components where failure isn't an option. The probe stylus is used in every step of their creation, from first article inspection to verifying the final product. Probe styli are the unsung heroes of quality control, quietly ensuring the performance of the products we rely on every day.