stylusprofilometreillä

Stylus profilometers are instruments used to measure the surface topography of a material. They operate by dragging a finely pointed stylus across the surface of the object being measured. The stylus is typically made of a hard material like diamond or sapphire and is attached to a transducer that converts the vertical movement of the stylus into an electrical signal. This signal is then processed by a computer to generate a 2D or 3D profile of the surface.

The stylus is moved across the surface at a constant speed and pressure. The transducer detects the minute changes in the stylus's position as it encounters peaks and valleys on the surface. These variations are amplified and recorded. The resulting data can be displayed as a graph showing the height of the surface features as a function of distance. This allows for the quantification of surface roughness, waviness, and other topographical characteristics.

Stylus profilometry is a contact method, meaning the stylus physically touches the surface. This can be a limitation when measuring soft or easily damaged materials. However, it offers high vertical resolution and accuracy, making it suitable for a wide range of applications in manufacturing, research, and quality control. They are commonly used to inspect machined parts, coated surfaces, and semiconductor wafers. The precision of the measurement depends on factors such as the stylus tip radius, the applied force, and the scanner's movement control.