Surface Roughness Measurement
Measure Ra, Rz and edge condition consistently during vibratory finishing process validation.
Technical guidance for manufacturers evaluating deburring, polishing, descaling and edge-rounding equipment.
Surface roughness control starts by defining which parameter matters. Ra is useful for general smoothness, while Rz is more sensitive to peak-to-valley height. For coating, sealing and fatigue-sensitive parts, Rz and edge radius often matter as much as average roughness.
| Control item | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Instrument | Specify contact stylus or optical method and keep the same method during validation. |
| Cutoff length | Match the cutoff to machining pattern and surface scale. |
| Direction | Measure parallel and perpendicular to tool marks when surface directionality matters. |
| Sampling | Record multiple readings per part and multiple parts per batch. |
For vibratory finishing trials, measure before and after roughness on the same functional surfaces, not only on easy-to-access cosmetic areas.
Process review
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