How do you check for CMM skills in an interview?

[[Th...]]

Company's trying to find someone with prior programming experience to act as a backup programmer/inspector. I'm expected to be involved in the interview process. What are good ways of determining someone's competency w/ CMMs, Calypso, etc. in at least a general capacity? I doubt I can sit someone down at a machine, and I don't really know how I would structure any whiteboard problems, if they're even a good idea.

[[Er...]]

I would take them on a standard facility tour, show them the CMM. If good questions are asked about the CMM that is a bonus, they know how to sell themselves. I would use the Zeiss Training Block and take pictures from the Calypso Basic Techniques Student Workbook. This could be done in a conference room. Ask a general question like "You are handed this print and part. Assume you are using a Star Probe that can reach all of the features. How would you start programming for it?"

[[Ia...]]

I've conducted a few interviews for CMM programmers, and you can honestly tell within the first few minutes whether they know what they're talking about or not. Like Erik suggested, I gave them a very simple print and ask them what steps they would take to efficiently program everything. If they answer that somewhat correctly, I dive deeper into their GD&T knowledge, evaluation settings, etc. I've found that most people claim they program CMMs, but actually only know how to run it like an operator.

[[Ri...]]

I tend to hand them a difficult, multi sheet blueprint. (if their eyes roll back into their head, not a good candidate).

Ask applicant to define the primary DRF that will control the majority of features. (This should take 10 minutes or less).

Then using Basic dimensions, describe where specific Datums or features are numerically (Typically requires basic math).

These are my three "go to" methods.