Surface Notes

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

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

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

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

“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

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

We spend a lot of time in the world of manufacturing—measuring cylinder walls, additive plastics, and the like. But 3D surface texture analysis goes into so many interesting place…sometimes even back in time! Dr. Thilina De Silva, an ornithologist and evolutionary biologist, is currently part of a team that’s creating a database of the surface

We write a lot about how controlling surface roughness can help you find untapped performance. It’s not often, however, that we get to write that it made the difference between a company staying in business or closing! Kyle Duernberger is the owner of KD Customs, a Wisconsin-based diesel engine machine shop. The company specializes in

Just about every week a company contacts us saying they’re stuck with a quality problem with no clear solution. Do any of these issues sound familiar to you? • Our parts meet spec, but they’re failing in the field   • We can’ t trust our suppliers’ components, because we don’t know what they’re measuring   •