Surface Roughness/Finish
This category includes systems used to inspect the surface integrity of a workpiece after it has been processed by any surface modification process, including forming, metal cutting, welding, surface treatment, or other surface alteration. In the fabrication process, a surface’s roughness is a measurement of the height of irregularities and asperities on a finished surface after machining. ‘Finish’ is not a measurable quality, but depend on the viewer’s perception and the requirements of the task. Devices used to measure the roughness of a workpiece’s surface are called profilometers; manual comparison can also be made against a sample of a known surface roughness.
Abrasives Are Not All Created Equal
Many shops hesitate to incorporate abrasive finishing tools in CNC machines for fear of clogging coolant lines and damaging slides and bearings. However, finishing tools generate very little grit.
Many shops hesitate to incorporate abrasive finishing tools in CNC machines for fear of clogging coolant lines and damaging slides and bearings. However, finishing tools generate very little grit.
To remain competitive, more shops are searching for ways to better utilize their quality workforce and supplement them with automation. But Ken Myers of Mitutoyo America explains that what automating metrology means to one person might not mean the same to another.
This high-intensity, multidirectional lighting camera technology makes easy imaging of challenging part features on machined heads to provide a clear advantage for this automotive supplier.
The flawless surfaces required in mold making demand large cutting volumes during the roughing sequence, but a perfectly finished surface at the end. This analysis from Heidenhain examines how, along with high quality machine tool mechanics and control performance, the optimal milling result necessary to do this depends heavily on the measuring technology.
Renishaw’s multisensor REVO 5-axis measurement system provides highly accurate scanning, non-contact inspection and surface finish analysis at ultra-high speeds on one coordinate measuring machine (CMM).
The LEXT OLS5100 laser microscope from Olympus guarantees measurement accuracy that simplify experiment workflows. The software’s several smart features minimize error with push-button scanning and analysis.
Optical Gauging Products’ multisensor TeleStar Plus laser measures a wide range of materials and surface textures with extremely high accuracy. Its through-the-lens (TTL) design eliminates offset between the optical and laser sensors.
Measurement & Inspection Industry News
