Surface Notes

Optical measurement of surface texture is becoming more and more widespread, and new technologies are providing faster measurement of larger areas. However, in the quest to measure faster over larger areas, we sometime lose touch with the ability to resolve smaller features. Most of the time there are hints at performance in the measuring system’s

Many surfaces are dominated by a repeating, pattern or shape in their texture. Sometimes this texture is desired, as on a gripping surface. Other times it is something we try to avoid, such as “orange peel” in paint, or chatter in a bearing raceway. In each of these cases it is helpful to isolate the

Our third edition of the Digital Metrology Surface Matters newsletter is out! In these quarterly emails we keep you up to date on the latest in surface analysis, including new software to explore your surfaces, case studies to share successes, and even free upgrades to your existing tools. In the March edition we introduce you to

For many critical applications, companies are finding it necessary to not just assess the geometric aspects of the surface, but also the quality of the surface. You’ll find specifications with terms such as “torn and folded material,” “porosity,” “pull-outs,” “micro-burrs” and “micro-ledges.” The surface in the image above is marked by torn and folded material

Digital Metrology has addressed one of the most common problems in the display of areal/3D surfaces: The problem of the palette! In the image above you’ll see the new Smart Palette controls in our OmniSurf3D software being adjusted to emphasize the important features of the surface. How does it work? Let me explain… Our eyes

Digital Metrology has recently launched the new Surface Matters newsletter. In these quarterly emails we keep you up to date on the latest in surface analysis, including new software to explore your surfaces, case studies to share successes, and even free upgrades to your existing tools. In the December edition we show our readers how to

Many critical surfaces are comprised of arcs or arc-like geometries. Measuring these surfaces with many traditional stylus-based instruments poses fundamental challenges. In this post we look at several considerations that may affect your ability to properly measure arcs and understand your curved surfaces.

Most engineers specify only basic height-based parameters, such as average roughness or total flatness, in sealing applications. The challenge is that “sealing” is not measurable purely in units of height. Learn how advanced surface texture analysis can be used to predict whether a surface will seal or leak.

Taken any good selfies lately? If you have, then you can thank an aspheric lens, or two. Because of their complexity, analyzing aspheres has long been the domain of expensive metrology software. But we are pleased to report that analyzing aspheric measurement data is a standard feature of both OmniSurf and OmniSurf3D!