Inspection/ Measurement/ Quality Control

Stylus and optical surface metrology: the best of both worlds

Stylus profilers have been the primary tools for surface-finish measurement for many decades, providing cost-effective, rapid and quantifiable surface roughness and form information via single or multiple traces across samples. Most surface-finish standards are based on 2-D stylus parameters such as Ra, Rpm or Rz.

Part measurement methods include physically touching the part with a probe or a micrometer, or using a noncontact approach, such as an optical comparator or vision system. With macroscale parts, touching a part is often acceptable since the part is not affected by the measurement. But with microparts, touch is sometimes not an option, since the measurement process moves or otherwise affects the part.