Surface Texture and Inspection 201

The class “Surface Texture and Inspection” provides information on surface finish and methods involved for its inspection. The surface finish achieved by a machining process determines how well a surface performs its given function. Surface inspection compares the specified nominal surface and real surface to find the measured surface. Measurement can be completed by comparison, direct measurement with a stylus-type instrument, or noncontact methods. A real surface contains irregularities (flaws, roughness, waviness, and lay) that make up its surface texture. Roughness is the most common irregularity used to inspect surfaces. The desired finish of a surface changes how precisely a part must be machined. Inspecting for surface roughness reduces the cost of surface finish by allowing companies to produce parts to customer specifications. After the class, users should be able to describe commonly used methods for tolerancing a part's surface roughness in a production environment.

details Other tabs

Class Details

Class Name:: Surface Texture and Inspection 201
Version:: 2.0
Difficulty:: Intermediate
Number of Lessons:: 18
Related 1.0 Class:: Surface Measurement 140

Class Outline

Surface Finish
Static and Dynamic Surfaces
Surface Finish Production
What is Surface Texture?
Surface Terminology
Flaws
Lay
Roughness
Average Roughness
Waviness
Surface Texture Categories
Measured Surface Roughness
Surface Replica Blocks
Stylus-Type Instruments
Profilometers and Surfometers
Mastering Surface Measuring Instruments
Surface Inspection
How Surface Finish Affects Cost

Objectives

Explain surface finish and how it affects a part's function.
Distinguish between a static and dynamic surface.
Describe how machining processes cause surface finish.
Define surface texture. Distinguish between the actual surface and its specifications.
Identify flaws.
Identify lay.
Identify roughness.
Define average roughness.
Identify waviness.
Identify the methods used to measure roughness.
Describe surface replica blocks and the fingernail test.
Describe how a stylus-type device measures roughness.
Explain the method for mastering surface measuring instruments.
Describe how surface finish affects cost.

Job Roles

Certifications

NIMS

CNC Lathe Operations
CNC Milling Operations
CNC Milling Programming, Setup, & Operation
CNC Turning Programming, Setup, & Operation
Drill Press I
Grinding I
Job Planning, Benchwork, & Layout I
Measurement, Materials, & Safety I
Milling I
Turning Operations: Turning Chucking Skills

Glossary

Vocabulary Term	Definition
abrasive grains	A small hard particle or crystal of material used to machine, grind, or finish a workpiece. Abrasive grains are capable of producing a very smooth surface finish, but still leave marks on the surface of a part.
average roughness	The average distance between the peaks and valleys that characterize a particular surface. Average roughness describes the quality of a surface but does not detect waviness or flaws. Average roughness is abbreviated as Ra.
bushing	A hardened steel tube, either fixed or removable, that is used to constrain, guide, or reduce friction. During use, the inside of a bushing is a dynamic surface, while the outside is static.
casting	A manufacturing process that involves pouring a heated liquid material into a hollow mold until the material cools into a solidified shape. Casting creates a part surface with no clear lay.
comparison measurements	A type of measurement method that involves comparing an unknown measurement with a known measurement. In surface inspection, the surface of a machined part is compared to a standard surface.
cutoff	The sample length on the surface of a part that a stylus-type instrument measures. Cutoff length is often marked on a part drawing.
direct measurements	A type of measurement method that allows an inspector or operator to use a hand-held instrument to directly measure a part feature. For surface inspection, direct measurement calculates the average roughness value by tracing the surface with a stylus-type instrument.
dynamic surface	A surface that moves or makes contact with other surfaces during use. For dynamic surfaces, surface texture may affect how the surface rolls or slides against another surface.
fingernail test	A type of comparison measurement during which inspectors use a fingernail to scrape the surface of the machined part. The inspectors then run that same fingernail along a surface replica block to compare its surface roughness to the roughness of the part.
flaw	An unintentional irregularity that may be random or repeating. In surface inspection, flaws are random surface defects that are generally not included in the measurement of the surface.
grinding	The use of an abrasive tool or wheel to wear away at the surface of a workpiece and change its shape. Grinding produces a finish that is smoother than both sawing and milling.
grinding wheel	A grinding tool made by bonding abrasive grits together and forming them into a circular shape. A grinding wheel rotates and shears away microscopic chips of material and can produce very fine but still imperfect surface finishes.
lay	The overall direction of the pattern created by the production process. Lay cannot be measured because it indicates only a direction.
machining	The process of removing metal to form or finish a part. Machining can occur using traditional methods, like turning, drilling, milling, and grinding, or with less traditional methods that use electricity, heat, or chemical reaction.
measured surface	The surface that represents the real surface after it has been measured. The measured surface determines how much the real surface deviates from the nominal surface.
microinches	One-millionth (.000001) of the U.S. standard inch. Surface roughness is typically measured in microinches. Microinches are expressed as the greek symbol μ.
milling	The use of a rotating multi-point cutting tool to machine flat surfaces, slots, or internal recesses into a workpiece. Milling produces a finish that is smoother than sawing but rougher than grinding.
nominal surface	The surface that represents the desired specifications on a part drawing. The nominal surface does not have surface irregularities and is geometrically perfect.
noncontact measurements	A measurement method involving inspecting a part without actually making physical contact with it. Noncontact instruments often measure the surface of a part optically.
peaks	The point of maximum height. On the surface of a part, peaks lie above the average line, and the distance between peaks and valleys determines average roughness.
precision reference specimen	A small square plate that has standard surface characteristics. Precision reference specimens are used to calibrate stylus-type instruments used to inspect surfaces.
probe	A device that gathers measurement data from the workpiece. On a stylus-type instrument, the probe uses a stylus tip to contact the surface of a part.
process stability	The consistency of a process over a period of time. Average roughness effectively monitors how consistently a process produces surface roughness.
profilometer	A stylus-type device that measures surface roughness. It amplifies its signal to compensate for waviness and indicate only roughness.
real surface	The actual part surface produced by a machining process. The real surface contains imperfections.
roughness	The inherent, fine, closely-spaced irregularities remaining on a part surface after manufacturing. Roughness is created by the production process.
sawing	A basic metal cutting process that uses a blade with a series of teeth on its edge to cut a narrow opening in a workpiece. Sawing produces a rough surface finish.
static surface	A surface that remains fixed in one place during its use. It does not contact other surfaces in motion.
stylus	The precision tip that records measurements. On a stylus-type instrument, the stylus is usually made of diamond and traces surface irregularities to measure surface roughness.
stylus-type device	A measuring instrument with a cone-shaped spherical top connected to a probe. The stylus contacts the part and traces its surface irregularities.
surface	The boundary that separates one object from another object, shape, or form. The surface is the exterior face of a part.
surface finish	The degree of roughness and variation on the surface of a part after it has been manufactured. Due to irregularities created when machining a part, surface finish cannot be perfectly smooth.
surface replica block	A surface that contains a specific standard roughness pattern. Surface replica blocks are used in comparison measurements.
surface texture	The combination of the imperfection on the surface of a part. Roughness, waviness, lay, and flaws on the surface of a part make up its surface texture.
surfometer	A stylus-type device that measures surface roughness. Portable surfometer models can be carried in a pocket on the production floor.
valleys	The point of maximum depth. On the surface of a part, valleys lie below the average line, and the distance between valleys and peaks determines average roughness.
variation	Any change or difference from the standard. Variation in the surface of a part is what creates surface texture.
waviness	The repeating widely-spaced irregularities of surface texture. Waviness is the result of machine deflections and vibration.