3D Surface Roughness and Wear Measurement, Analysis and Inspection
Surface Texture Answer Book - Carl Musolff and Mark Malburg

The Surface Texture Answer Book

June 15, 2022

I’ve been working with surface roughness for over 30 years…yet I am always looking for ways to expand my knowledge. This book has been in heavy rotation for me since

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Stylus profilometer and optical profiler correlate - Surface Roughness Analysis Blog - Michigan Metrology

Can stylus and optical measurements correlate?

June 8, 2022

Many companies use both stylus and optical measurement technologies to measure surface texture. A question that we are often asked is, “Can the measurements between these different systems correlate, and

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Why stitch surface texture data?

June 1, 2022

How would you go about measuring these coins? In terms of value, the most precious would likely depend upon your age, and possibly the time left on your parking meter!

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sliding friction - surface roughness analysis blog - michigan metrology

Smoother is better…?

May 25, 2022

It’s a common intuition that smoother surface texture is “better” for rotating or sliding over another component. It seems natural that a smoother surface would wear less, have lower friction,

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What is the F-Operator (and why can’t I find it on my machine)?

May 18, 2022

You may have heard the term “F-Operator” and wondered what it is, and how it’s used. As we mention often, surface texture consists of a spectrum of spatial wavelengths, ranging

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Real area of contact

May 11, 2022

Scientists and philosophers through the ages have struggled with the concepts of friction. Leonardo da Vinci studied many aspects of friction, bearings, etc. In one set of experiments, he tied

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Sticky: The Secret Science of Surfaces

May 4, 2022

I just finished reading this great book that nicely covers many aspects of surface roughness and tribology. The author, Laurie Winkless, is a physicist who loves communicating about science and

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Remembering Frank Bowden

April 27, 2022

May 2 will mark the birthday of Frank Philip Bowden who, along with David Tabor, laid the groundwork for much of our modern understanding of friction and lubrication. “Putting two

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Surface Roughness Measurement - Michigan Metrology - Don Cohen

Surface texture: a GD&T lab may not have the measurement tools

April 20, 2022

High-precision surface texture measurement systems are more widely available now than they were 10 or 15 years ago. Yet, purchasing such systems can still be difficult to justify for small

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Typical Average Roughness values for various machining operations

April 13, 2022

Ra (Roughness Average, or average roughness) is the average height of all measured points on a surface. Ra is the most widely used surface texture parameter. As we’ve mentioned elsewhere

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