The only items that I would offer here are:

If you use CimStation you are certain to generate 'pure' DMIS code.

If you use IMS (with which I am not familiar) you may have 'translation' problems should the need ever arise to transfer your code for use on another cmm platform (LK, ZEISS, etc. all seem to use their own 'flavor' of dmis).

As for the $5,000.- cmm model. Better to test for collisions there than on the actual cmm. No matter how good you are... stuff happens. (not that it ever happens to me of course!)

And of course there is the issue of making use of your company's initial investment in the CimStation software. It seems a waste to just throw it away. Especially since you may find CimStation to be every bit as useful as we have here!

Best Regards,
Joe Corrado

Quality Specialist / CMM Programming
Tower Automotive, Corporation
Granite City, IL