GWP offers tactile and optical roughness measurements for quality control, series production testing, damage analysis and development. We provide 2D and 3D measurements of almost all surfaces and materials - whether metals, glass, ceramics, semiconductors, polymers or organic materials.
roughness values
The roughness measurement provides comparable technical parameters. These can be used to describe the surface quality. The most common measured values are the roughness depth Rz, the average roughness roughness Ra and the maximum roughness depth Rt, given in micrometers.
roughness depth Rz
The average roughness depth Rz is the mean value of individual roughness depths from five consecutive individual measurement sections in the roughness profile. In each measurement section, the extreme values are added to form a range and divided by the number of measurement sections.
Average roughness Ra
The mean roughness value Ra is the calculated mean of all deviations of the roughness profile from the mean line along the reference distance.
Maximum roughness depth Rt
The maximum roughness depth Rt or Rmax is the vertical difference between the deepest groove and the highest peak within the total measuring distance.
tactile roughness measurement
Tactile roughness measurement is particularly suitable for "coarser" surfaces, such as those produced during grinding or machining. However, it can also be used to monitor the quality of rolled sheet metal. During the test, a probe tip is moved linearly over the surface. This allows the roughness of the surface to be recorded in a 2D profile.
Optical roughness measurement
In optical roughness testing using confocal microscopy, roughness is determined without contact. It is recorded three-dimensionally and thus completely. The method can be used to create a topographical surface image, which is particularly suitable for large-area surface analyses. The 3D scanning method produces an exact image of the surface structure, the heights of which are represented by defined colors. It is therefore primarily suitable for visualizing and measuring surface defects such as scratches, depressions or for recording structures. Optical 3D surface measurements can be used to determine 2D characteristics as well as the 25178D surface parameters specified in ISO 3. Non-contact measurements can also be used to measure very sensitive surfaces, e.g. plastics.
Services Roughness measurement 2D and 3D
We carry out tactile and optical surface measurements on metals and plastics to characterize roughness, waviness, flatness and microstructure. Our measurements provide the most important standard-compliant parameters for describing surfaces. The GWP laboratory relies on modern testing equipment from market leaders to achieve high accuracy. With the GWP systems, vertical resolutions of up to 2 nm are possible.
We are happy to measure the surfaces of your parts as part of series monitoring, as well as in the event of damage or development issues. Our experts will advise you on the selection of suitable tests. Surface characterization can also be supplemented by other methods such as computer tomography, microsection examination or scanning electron microscopy.
