Precision Engineering

The Easier Way of Determining Surfaces’ Form Parameters

Product requirements in precision engineering – such as precise motion, improved service life, low wear, better packing densities and so on – for the most part go hand in hand with surface properties. Generally speaking, surfaces differ slightly in terms of size and form and satisfying the functional requirements, which is why even designers allow for a certain degree of variation.

Analyzing the surface properties is very easy using large-area measuring white-light interferometers. What’s more, you can measure several samples at the same time thanks to the large measurement ranges of Pro.Surf and Pro.Surf+, Metro.Lab or In.Line.

A Practical Example:

A certain degree of form variation is welcome when it comes to microdrives, so that the desired freedom of movement is guaranteed.

Modifying Material Distribution on Functional Surfaces in a Controlled Manner

Products’ performance can be modified and requirements optimized accordingly by characterizing material distribution on functional surfaces. With white-light interferometers from the TopMap series, you can capture such surfaces quickly and precisely – no matter whether you’re working in your metrology lab or in the production environment.

You should therefore opt for the surface measurement systems from Polytec, and specifically for the TopMap models.

A Practical Example:

In some applications, increased friction brought about by distributing diamond particles on one surface can help to prevent the undesirable relative movement of touching surfaces. The desired level of friction is achieved by modifying the particle size, shape and quantity.

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.

Anticipate wear based on reliable surface analysis

Now you can do more besides simply recording lubricant holding capabilities. The mechanical loading capacity can also be optimized through precise surface characterization. When such surfaces are manufactured, very small surface parameter tolerances are called for, while throughput must remain at a consistently high level. To this end, Polytec’s white-light interferometers from the TopMap range offer contactless surface metrology with a high repetition rate to record the entire surface’s topography in a matter of seconds. 

A practical example:

Wear and tear studies are typical applications for TopMap products, see the figure illustrating a surface topography analysis on a brake disk. The wear is marked in green, making it clearly visible. The results are used in the fault analysis.