Kontaktprofilmåler

A kontaktprofilmåler, or contact profilometer, is an instrument used to measure the surface topography of a material. It operates by tracing the surface with a stylus, which is typically a diamond tip. As the stylus moves across the surface, it is deflected by irregularities, and these deflections are converted into an electrical signal. This signal is then processed and displayed as a graphical representation of the surface profile, often referred to as a trace or a roughness curve.

The stylus is mounted on a transducer, which is the component that converts the mechanical movement into an electrical signal. This transducer can be of various types, such as inductive, capacitive, or piezoelectric. The profilometer also includes a drive unit that moves the stylus across the surface at a controlled speed and a display unit that shows the measured profile. Parameters such as roughness, waviness, and other surface texture characteristics can be quantified from the recorded profile.

Kontaktprofilmåler instruments are employed in a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, and semiconductor production. They are crucial for quality control, ensuring that components meet specific surface finish requirements. Applications include measuring the smoothness of bearings, the flatness of optical surfaces, and the texture of machined parts. The choice of stylus tip radius and tracing force depends on the nature of the surface being measured and the required level of detail.