When you're setting up a coordinate measuring machine for dimensional metrology machine inspection, the accessory list gets confusing fast. Do you spend your budget on a dedicated optical light source for non-contact measurement, or put that money into simple fixturing that holds parts still while the probe does its work? These two add-ons sit at opposite ends of that decision, and at opposite ends of the price scale.
Quick verdict
If your CMM is a Mitutoyo BHN506 with the CF20 microscope assembly, the Mitutoyo Scope CF20 Optical Light Source is the illumination piece that keeps optical inspection and edge detection reliable. If you need repeatable part holding without a major outlay, the SUXING CMM Tension Clamp is the workhorse choice for everyday probing setups.
Comparison at a glance
| Product | Listed price | What it's for |
|---|---|---|
| Mitutoyo Scope CF20 Optical Light Source | USD 2,698.00 | Stable illumination for non-contact optical inspection with Mitutoyo BHN506 CMM and CF20 microscope assembly |
| CMM Fixtures Tension clamp Inspection Tooling 1/4 Thread R-CT-160-275-20 KMG | USD 20.21 | Holding parts in place with a 1/4-20 threaded clamp and post for consistent inspection |
Where each product wins
- Mitutoyo Scope CF20 Optical Light Source wins when you already own the Mitutoyo BHN506 CMM and rely on the CF20 microscope assembly. Its low-heat, uniform illumination is built for edge-detection and multi-sensor measurement where consistent lighting directly affects accuracy.
- CMM Tension Clamp wins when your priority is holding parts steady for tactile probing. The 55 mm clamp, 78 mm post, and 1/4-20 thread give you a simple, repeatable fixturing point without the complexity of an optical system.
Mitutoyo Scope CF20 Optical Light Source
This is a specialized illumination unit made in Japan for the Mitutoyo BHN506 coordinate measuring machine. If that is the CMM on your floor, the CF20 light source is the component that makes non-contact optical inspection practical: it supplies bright, stable light for edge detection and helps prevent thermal distortion during long measurement tasks. The used condition is worth factoring into your decision, but the part is built around a specific machine family, so compatibility is clear. The limitation is its narrow scope. This light source is not a general-purpose illuminator; it is intended for the BHN506 and the CF20 microscope assembly. If you don't run that platform or don't need optical measurement, the price is difficult to justify.
CMM Fixtures Tension clamp Inspection Tooling 1/4 Thread R-CT-160-275-20 KMG
The SUXING tension clamp solves the other half of inspection: keeping the part still. It comes as a set with one 55 mm tension clamp and one 78 mm post, both using a 1/4-20 thread, and it is designed to hold a wide range of parts for consistent and accurate probing. The new condition and low entry price make it a natural add-on for shops that want a ready workholding point without committing to a larger fixturing system. The trade-off is that one set covers one clamping point. A complex part may need several of these sets, and the clamp does nothing for optical measurement or illumination. It's a targeted solution for tactile inspection setups, not a complete CMM accessory package.
Final choice by use case
For multi-sensor dimensional metrology on a Mitutoyo BHN506, the Mitutoyo Scope CF20 Optical Light Source is the meaningful upgrade; it supports the optical measurement functions that a standard tactile probe cannot. For everyday fixturing on a CMM worktable, the CMM Fixtures Tension clamp is the straightforward choice-it holds parts securely and is easy to add in the quantities your workholding setup demands. Match the accessory to the job your machine is actually asked to do.
