The ranks of the devices that measure and map surfaces such as brake rotors and camshafts have grown by one. To the list of measurement devices such as the stylus and the focused-laser beam, add a new noncontact alternative called Lasercheck.
The Lasercheck is a surface roughness gage from Optical Dimensions LLC (Lake Forest, CA) that uses a laser beam to capture hundreds of data points in seconds in a handheld application or in an automated production process. Laser-check works by positioning the 1-pound measurement head above the surface of the part to be measured. The Lasercheck head rides one-tenth of an inch from the surface of the part, separated from the surface by a removable "shim" plate in a handheld operation and by the part fixturing in an automated line.