Metrology
L8-9: Metrology of Surface Finish
Dr. Poonam Sundriyal
Assistant Professor
Department of Mechanical Engineering
IIT Kharagpur
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Outline
• Surface Finish Metrology
• Sources of Surface Roughness
• Elements of Surface Roughness
• Surface Roughness Measurement Tools.
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Surface Metrology
• Surface roughness's are the variations or irregularities of
the machined surface from its mean value.
• Surface metrology is the measurement of the features
(regular patterns, irregularities, roughness, waviness,
critical dimensions, etc.) of a surface.
• It will affect mechanical and physical properties, e.g.,
friction, adhesion, oxidation, thermal and electrical
conductivity, etc.
• Applications: advanced coatings, bearings, thermal,
optical, electronic/semiconducting devices, etc..
Sources of Surface Roughness in Manufacturing
• Feed marks of cutting tools.
• Chatter marks on the workpiece due to vibrations caused during the manufacturing
operation.
• Irregularities on the surface due to rupture of workpiece material during the metal cutting
operation.
• Surface variations caused by the deformation of workpiece under the action of cutting
forces
• Irregularities in the machine tool itself like lack of straightness of guideways.
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Elements of Surface Roughness
• Roughness: The surface
irregularities that form a
predominant pattern of roughness on
a surface.
• Waviness: A measure of surface
irregularities with a spacing greater
than that of the predominant pattern
measured for roughness.
• Surface Profile : Roughness +
Waviness
11/04/2024 Fig adopted from Google. Engineer Essentials. 5
Surface Roughness Measurement
• A numerical assessment of surface roughness can be done in various ways.
• These numerical values should be measured w.r.t. a reference.
• Generally, the following three methods are used for roughness assessment:
❑ Ten-point Height Average Value.
❑ Root Mean Square Value.
❑ Centre Line Average Value.
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1. Ten-point Height Average Value
• It is also referred to as the peak-to-valley
height.
• In this case, we consider the average
height encompassing a number of
successive peaks and valleys of the
asperities.
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2. Root Mean Square Value (RMS)
• The RMS value is defined as the square
root of the mean of squares of the
ordinates of the surface measured from a
mean line
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3. Centre Line Average (CLA) Value
• The Ra value is the prevalent standard for
measuring surface roughness.
• It is defined as the average height from a
mean line of all ordinates of the surface,
regardless of sign.
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Surface Roughness Measurement
1. Inspection by comparison.
2. Direct Measurement.
1. Inspection by comparison.
• In these methods the surface texture is assessed by observation of the surface. The surface
to be tested is compared with known value of roughness specimen and finished by similar
machining process.
• Qualitative analysis
• Rapid.
• Unreliable.
Surface Roughness Measurement
2. Direct Measurement.
• Quantitative analysis.
• Use a stylus, like the needle of a record player, to
physically measure surface finish by creating a
profile of its roughness parameters.
• Output is amplified to get the profile.
• Non-contact methods replace this stylus with
optical sensors and lights or ultrasonic pulses.
Direct Surface Roughness Measurement
Direct Surface Roughness Measurement
• Stylus probe instruments.
• Tomlinson surface meter. – Mechanical and optical
• Profilometer.
• Taylor-Hobson.
Direct Surface Roughness Measurement
Ra Value for Different Manufacturing Operations
Surface Roughness Symbol Terminology
Surface Roughness Symbol Terminology
Surface Roughness Symbol Terminology- Lay Direction
Fig adopted from Google. Engineer Essentials.
Thank You!
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