Surface Profilometers

Surface profilometers are used to measures surface profiles, roughness, waviness and other finish parameters. They are similar to form gages, inspection tools that are used to measure surface profile, roughness, waviness, and other finish parameters. There are two basic surface profilometer technologies: contact and non-contact. Contact or stylus-based surface profilometers measure surface texture by dragging a sharp, pointed tool across the surface. Height variations of the tip are recorded and then used to form a texture profile. Roughness and waviness are also calculated from the surface profile data. Non-contact surface profilometers measure the surface texture by optically scanning a surface with a light or laser. Optical or light-based instruments may also use triangulation or interferometry to measure or capture a surface profile. Although most surface profilometers provide only a two-dimensional (2D) or line file, some instruments can provide three-dimensional (3D) or areal topography measurements.