Contour Measuring System||How to measure accurately||Profile Measuring instrument|| CONTRACER CV2100

Even the most precise cutting, turning, and grinding tools can generate minute surface variations known as roughness, which may be distinguishable visually or by touch. The degree of surface roughness can have significant ramifications to the performance of a component.
Process, or witness marks on the micro-scale (µm), for example, may indicate potentially costly equipment variations that could impact batch-to-batch consistency. Intermediary surface assessments are required to ensure that processing equipment is operating at highly-stringent levels of precision.
Contour measurements are one of the leading surface profiling methods for assessing angles, radii, and distances across a workpiece, and determining deviations from the component’s nominal profile.
Manufactured components are subject to contour measurements to ascertain whether the component is fit for use and to detect variations in processing conditions.
These contour measurements tools are used to detect changes from design data to prevent the recurrent manufacture of components with sub-par performance levels and to reject unsuitable parts based on pre-defined pass/fail parameters.
Contour measurements are therefore qualitative in nature, using best-fit data to assess surface profiles to within acceptable degrees of accuracy.
Full contour measurement typically require wider gauge ranges to map the surface in all planes. A contacting stylus is used to acquire the distance, horizontal, vertical, radial, diametrical, and angular dimensions of a profile to generate a 3D map of the critical points and ridges of an entire surface.
Each of these parameters is assigned a nominal, minimum, and maximum value for integrated pass/fail tolerances. Advanced contour measurements also make use of auto-dimensioning, alongside V-groove and gothic arch analysis.