Surface finish affects how a part will fit, reflect light, transmit heat, wear, distribute lubrication, accept coatings and more. The right finish should ultimately be determined by the part’s function and the engineering requirements of the application.
The proper analysis of these engineered surfaces relies heavily on choosing the right measurement procedure. However, as both tactile and optical procedures can now often be used in surface metrology, the appropriate strategy is not always clear. Three-dimensional measurement devices offer new insights into surface structures and processing alongside established 2D technology. Both are often capable of delivering comparable results.