An Overview Of Surface Profilometer

By Author: Vishal Khosla
Total Articles: 19
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Surface profilometer is an important scientific instrument that is used in many fields but the main function of the device is the measurement of the rough surfaces like that of roads. Both these modes likely operate in either by the methods of optical orstylus which are used to carry out the specific measurements of the sample surfaces.

Surface Profilometer is a scanning device that is used to measure the roughness of the surface. It can also be used for quantifying the surface roughness. There are two modes or classes of profilometer – ‘Contact and Non-contact’. Many of these devices are widely used to measure the vertical difference found between the two points – High And Low Points in the units of nanometers.

It is an important scientific instrument that is used in many fields but the main function of the device is the measurement of the rough surfaces like that of roads. Both these modes likely operate in either by the methods of optical orstylus which are used to carry out the specific measurements of the sample surfaces provided.

Different Types of Profilometers
There are two major ...
... types of profilometers which have their own technique of working in different way with so many advantages such as –

(1) Contact Profilometer – The technology used is very much similar to that of a record player. It possesses a diamond stylus that readily moves vertically in contact with a particular sample that has to be measured. It then moves laterally across the sample with specific contact force and length. As a result, a signal is generated by the stylus in its vertical position and transformed from the analog signal to digital type. Finally, the presentation of signal is carried out for display by storing and analyzing.

There are several advantages of using contact profilometers. These are considered as the most effective type as these exclude the dirt while measuring the surface sample. The accuracy in quantifying the surface roughness can be ensured. This type of profilometer also possesses a stylus with a small tip that helps in the improvement of accuracy in measuring the vertical features which are small in size.

(2) Non-Contact Profilometers – Various techniques which are used include triangulation sensor. Laser beams are used by the sensors and the smaller parts are measured by the use of on-focal microscopy. Profilometer is optical based used in quantifying the surface roughness being measured .Digital Holography is another new technique which can be used in this case. These techniques make it easier to quantify the roughness as less efforts are required as compared to the contact type. Advantages associated with this type of surface profilometer include the speed of the 3D scanning which can be controlled by the reflection of light from the surface as it does not comes in contact with the specific surface. A major benefit of optical type results in the reduction of the cost maintenance of an instrument.

When surface profilometer is used for measuring roughness of roads, several other measuring devices are used along with them that readily connect to the moving test system. The non-contact types of devices are used in the field over a distance. It helps to find the roughness of the stretched roads which helps in determining the resurfacing or repair that a road needs over an extended period of time. They are also used in many advanced industries that include aerospace, cosmetics, automotive, chemical, paints, polymers and many more.

Author of this article is associated with Rtec Instruments that offers equipment such as surface profilometer, nano indenter and more.