Used Sheffield Inspection & Metrology Equipment for Sale

Sheffield traces its origins to 1941, when Louis F. Polk founded the Sheffield Corporation in Dayton, Ohio, by merging City Machine and Tool Works with Sheffield Machine and Tool. The company quickly gained recognition for its Precisionaire comparators and column-type gages, which became essential inspection tools during World War II. Sheffield went on to pioneer computer-controlled dimensional measurement, delivering one of the first computer interfaces for a CMM in 1967 and, by 1970, the first commercially viable servo-driven, computer-controlled CMM. After passing through Bendix, Giddings and Lewis, and ThyssenKrupp, the CMM business was acquired by Hexagon AB in 2004 and reorganized as Sheffield Measurement Inc. in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

Sheffield built its reputation on a broad portfolio of coordinate measuring machines spanning quality lab and shop floor environments. The Cordax series anchored the lineup for decades as a dependable moving-bridge CMM available in both manual and DCC configurations. The Endeavor series delivered high-accuracy inspection with volumetric accuracy to 0.00032 inches and strong thermal tolerance for production environments. The Discovery and Discovery III lines brought affordable shop floor CMMs with hardened linear guides and recirculating ball bearings, while the Cordax Pioneer introduced a Tricision slant-bridge design with optimized aluminum air bearings in a compact, entry-level moving-bridge package. The Apollo series addressed large-part gantry-style inspection for heavy industry. All Sheffield CMMs shipped standard with PC-DMIS metrology software.

Sheffield CMMs served a wide range of precision manufacturing industries. Automotive suppliers and aerospace contractors were among the heaviest users, relying on Sheffield machines for dimensional verification of machined components, castings, and assemblies. Defense, medical device manufacturing, general metalworking, and job shops also adopted Sheffield CMMs for first-article inspection, in-process quality control, statistical process control, and reverse engineering applications.

Used Sheffield CMMs remain in strong demand because the machines were engineered for decades of service, and many Cordax, Endeavor, and Pioneer units installed in the 1990s and 2000s continue to hold calibration and perform reliably today. The widespread adoption of PC-DMIS as an industry-standard software platform means operators familiar with any modern CMM can transition to a used Sheffield machine with minimal retraining. Granite tables, robust air bearing systems, and Heidenhain scales on models like the Pioneer contribute to lasting mechanical integrity, and an active aftermarket for Renishaw probe heads and controllers keeps support costs manageable for buyers seeking capable dimensional inspection at a fraction of new-machine pricing.

Meadoworks is your trusted source for used Sheffield equipment. As third-generation industrial equipment dealers and AMEA-certified appraisers with over 50 years of experience, we offer quality-inspected Sheffield machines at competitive prices. Browse the 1 used Sheffield machine listed above, or call 800-323-0307 for equipment not yet listed.

Every machine includes detailed specifications and high-resolution photos, and inspection visits are available for most equipment. We ship worldwide with experienced rigging partners and offer financing for qualified buyers. Have Sheffield equipment to sell? Get a free valuation or contact our team.