1. Surface Finish: Introduction, Instruments and Correlation
What you'll learn
- Why is surface texture important?
- Instruments for measuring surface texture
- Correlation between surface measurement instruments
- Roughness, waviness and form
Requirements
- No prerequisites. This module is Part 1 of the Surface Texture and Tribology Short Course. The remaining modules are available on udemy
Description
Surface finish affects how well parts will perform in a vast range of applications, from engines to footwear to faucets. Many in industry tend to think of surface texture as a number, some target value to be achieved. But the reality is much more interesting and complex.
In the Surface Texture and Tribology Short Course we introduce the important concepts of surface texture measurement and analysis. The full course is available on udemy, or you can select the individual course modules of interest to you. Enter "surface roughness texture tribology" in the udemy search bar to browse the full course and modules.
In this first module we discuss why surface texture matters. We review the types of instruments that are used to measure surface texture—there are many technologies for measuring surface finish both in two dimensions and in three dimensions.
"This was one of the best classes I have ever taken. It really helped me understand surface texture and simply it made me a better inspector. It helped me see the bigger picture and that things aren’t only points, lines, arcs and numbers. I guarantee you’re going to want to learn more."
Agustin Guzmán, Inspector at SpaceX
With all these different ways to measure texture, we have to consider how to correlate results from one type of instrument to another. We discuss some strategies for making this correlation, as well as looking at the limitations that need to be considered.
Following this introductory material we encourage you to consider Module 2, which covers the process of "filtering" surface texture into roughness, waviness and form. Filtering is central to surface texture analysis, and misunderstandings regarding filtering have led to many quality and warranty issues, so we hope you will take a look.
The 9 additional units of this course build upon the fundamentals in this module, so it is our recommended starting point. We encourage you to consider the other modules for a more in-depth understanding of surface texture.
Who this course is for:
- Scientists, engineers, technicians and students in the fields of automotive, medical device, aerospace, materials, polymers, and others
Instructor
![Donald Cohen](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 64 64"%3E%3C/svg%3E){kind=avatar}
- 4.7 Instructor Rating
- 46 Reviews
- 665 Students
- 11 Courses
In 1994, Dr. Cohen established Michigan Metrology to help engineers and scientists solve problems related to “Squeaks, leaks, friction, wear, appearance, adhesion and other issues,” using 3D Surface MicroTexture Measurement and Analysis.
Dr. Cohen is a past Chairman of the STLE-Detroit section and has been active with the ASME B46.1 committee on surface texture since 1988, having served as Chair from 2005-2011. Dr. Cohen is also a Subject Matter Expert for the ISO surface metrology activities.
Dr. Cohen has an undergraduate degree in Physics from the University of Michigan, Dearborn, and graduate degrees in Physics and Optical Sciences from the University of Arizona. Early in his career, Dr. Cohen worked with IBM on optical disk drive development. He later joined WYKO Corporation as Product Manger and later became Vice President, leading the development of 3D surface texture metrology instrumentation.
Dr. Cohen has developed this class over the past 20 years having presented the material at numerous client locations as part of his training and consulting activities. Typically once a year the class is offered to a general audience in the Livonia, MI area.