Surface Metrology
Surface Metrology is the measurement of a surface’s features, such as its roughness, waviness, and regular patterns. It’s a branch of metrology that’s important in many disciplines, especially in the machining of precision parts.
About Surface Metrology
Surface metrology is important because a surface’s topography, or surface texture, determines its physical and mechanical properties. These properties include: friction, adhesion, oxidation, and thermal and electrical conductivity.
Surface metrology can be used to control many functions on manufactured objects and mechanical components, such as: reducing wear on moving parts, increasing the lifespan of moving parts, ensuring sealing between shafts and seals, decreasing fuel consumption, and optimizing the efficiency of solar cells.
Surface metrology can be measured using contact or non-contact methods. Contact methods use a measurement stylus that’s dragged across the surface, while non-contact methods include optical methods such as interferometry, digital holography, and confocal microscopy.
Recent Surface Metrology Blog Posts
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Skidded vs Skidless Stylus
Reprinted with permission from The Surface Texture Answer Book. Contact surface texture instruments can be skidded or skidless. A skidded instrument uses a probe with…