What does a leader in honing and microfinishing do? They find new ways to keep leading. Nagel is one of the most well-known names in high volume honing and microfinishing, with a worldwide presence in auto manufacturing, aerospace, defense, and medical applications. Nagel Precision is a world leader in microfinishing and honing, with extensive expertise … Read more
Do you measure with a skidded stylus? Are you seeing unexpected “dips” in your data? Here’s the irony: those downward features are most likely the result of upward debris on the surface. When the skid raises up over debris, the stylus has to reach down to stay on the surface. That stylus motion shows up as a “dip” in the measured … Read more
We’ve all seen a chart like the one below, showing that very different surfaces can have the same average roughness (Ra) values: An Ra reading from your gage can’t tell you which of those surfaces you made! So, does that mean that Ra is “bad” and that other parameters may be better? Let’s have a … Read more
A while ago we showed you how you can print 3D surface textures directly from OmniSurf3D. Over the last couple of years we’ve been using some 3D printed cylinder bore samples at our talks and teaching sessions… …and a lot of you requested files so that you could print your own. Well…we heard you, and … Read more
Surface texture parameters tell so much about a surface and how it might perform. But just looking at the equations can’t tell us everything we need to know about how to interpret the values. This new, free series of videos helps explain the meaning of dozens of common surface texture parameters in a simple and graphical way. … Read more
Is it really 2–50 UPR? Don’t be so sure! Whether rolling, sliding, sealing, or simply fitting together, round geometries are everywhere. And controlling the shape of these “ideally round” surfaces is critical to their performance. Historically, roundness has been specified and controlled as what can be described as “waviness around a circle.” Higher frequencies are … Read more
Defaults in standards rarely apply perfectly in all situations. That’s the case with ASME Y14.5-2018 (Section 4.1, Fundamental Rule ‘S’), which states: Unless otherwise specified, elements of a surface include surface texture and flaws (e.g., burrs and scratches). All elements of a surface shall be within the applicable specified tolerance zone boundaries. But what if … Read more
This is the second Case Study in our series on the new ASME Y14.49 supplemental standard. An engine cylinder bore is one of the most critical surfaces/geometries in the world. Courtesy QMP Racing The interface between the bores and the mating piston rings is essential to 90% of the world’s transportation…and is responsible for approximately … Read more
The ASME Y14.5 standard is a foundation for geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) around the world. It provides methods for communicating part sizes, geometries, orientations, and positions. The primary language of Y14.5 is centered around concept of zones and “fit.” But what if “fit” isn’t the function we are working with? When we’re talking about … Read more
In a recent article we talked about applications where a stylus may be the best measurement option and others where optical measurement is preferable. Here’s another interesting case: a Mahle HV385 thermal spray coated piston ring, courtesy of Andy Durham from Durham Racing Engines. Measuring the piston ring with an optical 3D profiler Here is … Read more
“Why would you use that antique measuring system? Today we have optics!” If you use a stylus based system (aka a “profilometer” or a “roughness gage”) to measure surface texture you may have heard some version of that statement over the years. Measuring with a stylus can seem low tech or even old fashioned…but in … Read more
Mold-Tech created a set of standardized surface textures that can be applied to injection molded parts. The Mold-Tech MT-11010 texture is one of the more common surfaces for appliances, automotive panels, and consumer electronics. It’s a sand-like texture that hides plastic shine, molding defects, fingerprints, and minor dings and damage. But what makes an MT-11010…an … Read more