Brochure surface metrology for manufacturing

Measuring Drive Technology with Nanometer Precision

Technical surfaces with purposefully created microstructures and nanostructures are key to reducing wear and energy consumption. Manufacturers only stand a chance of improving their products if they use faster, more reliable measuring technology that is repeatable at any time.

Polytec's surface measurement systems allow you to record 3D structures quickly and extensively. You can use special Polytec products within the production line too. Polytec will see you right – even if you need to perform measurements in holes up to 70 mm deep.

Keeping Tolerances Tight in Injection Systems

Maximum precision and compliance with the tightest tolerances are essential for ensuring the energy efficiency of subcomponents and the injection system as a whole. To achieve this, it is necessary to determine not only surfaces' roughness, but also form deviation t, using high-precision instruments with a view to controlling a reliable and high-quality manufacturing process.

And what should you use to complete these measuring tasks? The surface measurement systems from Polytec, of course! They are based on the principle of white-light interferometry and achieve extremely high nanometer resolution. They make “in-line” surface characterization - in other words, performing measurements during production - quick and easy for you. The results you achieve in doing so are traceable and comply with both national and international standards.

A Practical Example:

The demands placed on modern fuel injection systems in the automotive industry are very high to ensure that fuel can combust in an ever cleaner and more efficient way. To meet these increased expectations made of the injection process, the individual components’ surfaces must be manufactured with very tight tolerances. This is a task where Polytec surface measurement systems really do play to their strengths.

Example: Shock Absorbers

Both the surface quality of compensating discs and the pistons are crucial in shock absorber development if a quality product is to be created. That’s because pistons and compensating discs are key components for correct shock absorber function. They control how a shock is absorbed, since they act like a valve for the liquid or gas inside.

Form deviations outside of defined tolerances at moving parts’ contact points may lead to leakage. Precise control and monitoring in the manufacturing process is essential if the targeted absorption effect is to be guaranteed. Both of these tasks are simply inconceivable without production measuring technology. Tactile surface metrology methods used to detect these shortcomings are very time-consuming and only provide an illustration for part of the surface.

With Polytec’s TMS instruments, you not only save some time, but you’re also given a detailed measurement of the entire surface, and particularly of such high-performance components’ critical parameters – such as flatness, parallelism and step height.

Documents

Application note 3D Measuremenf of Shock Absorbers

Reliable Pass-Fail Analysis in-line or at-line

In industrial processes, everything depends on high precision during the manufacturing process, and accordingly tight tolerances must be complied with if this is to be achieved. Modern production measuring technology ensures that these limits are complied with at all times. After all, you will only continuously achieve high product quality if you use precise instruments.

Optical surface measurement systems that can be integrated in the production line as in-line applications detect defective parts within the process. These results enable you to take precautions that adjust production operations in good time. Reliable pass/ fail decisions in production lines increase efficiency and keep your reputation high.

Polytec's white-light interferometers allow you to contactlessly examine both structures and surfaces in the blink of an eye. In many cases, an object’s entire topography needs to be checked prior to certification. Polytec TopMap surface measuring systems increase testing efficiency due to its large areal measurements.

Check and optimize friction

When it comes to tribology – that is, the science of friction, lubrication and wear – surface properties play a very important role. These parameters can be controlled as desired by simply changing the surface. However corresponding measuring instruments are needed for this, since only powerful surface measurement methods enable development of suitable components. The perfect conditions for checking wear and optimizing lubrication are only created by refining surfaces.

The surface measurement systems from Polytec allow you to measure a variety of surfaces, whether they’re polished, rough or textured. Both the form and the function of the test object are maintained thanks to the contactless measuring method. Polytec products provide you with excellent resolution, right down to the nanometer range. You can choose to use integrated filters for different reflections. The special software is easy to use and can be adapted to your working conditions without a single problem.

A Practical Example:

Continuous lubrication and even lubrication distribution can be both determined and optimized in air bearings using the TopMap instruments.