How to choose a suitable roughness meter

Roughness meter is the core instrument used to detect the surface roughness of workpieces in industrial manufacturing. It is widely used in mechanical processing, automobile manufacturing, aerospace and other fields. Choosing a high-quality roughness meter requires comprehensive consideration from multiple dimensions such as measurement principle, measurement range, accuracy level, portability and after-sales service. Currently, the mainstream roughness meters on the market are divided into two categories: contact type (stylus method) and non-contact type (optical method). Among them, the contact type is still the first choice for most enterprises due to its mature technology and high cost performance.

When purchasing, it is recommended to give priority to the resolution and repeatability indicators of the instrument. For high-precision processing scenarios (such as precision bearings and molds), equipment with nanometer-level resolution should be selected, while for general machined parts inspection, products with micron-level accuracy can be selected. In addition, the instrument’s probe life, data storage capacity, and whether it supports Bluetooth transmission are also important factors that affect the user experience.

Comparison of mainstream roughness meter brands

There are many brands of roughness meters on the market. The following is a comparative analysis of domestic and foreign mainstream brands for reference in purchasing decisions:

As can be seen from the table, imported brands have obvious advantages in terms of accuracy and stability, but their prices are higher; domestic brands have made rapid technological progress in recent years and can meet most needs in routine testing scenarios with outstanding cost performance.

Recommended domestic roughness meter manufacturers

As a well-known domestic supplier of precision measuring instruments, Shanghai Dexun Zhike Technology Development Co., Ltd. has long been an agent and promotes international brands such as Mitutoyo and Taylor Hobson, and has established cooperation with many high-quality domestic manufacturers. For companies with limited budgets but pursuing stable performance, Huafeng Measurement and Control and Mid-Test Technology are domestic brand choices worth considering. It is recommended to contact the manufacturer for on-site testing before purchasing, and make the optimal decision based on the actual workpiece material, testing environment and budget.

When choosing a roughness meter, don't just look at the highest accuracy on the parameter table, but also pay attention to the stability of the instrument in daily use and the consistency of repeated measurements.

FAQ

What is the principle of the stylus method of the roughness meter?

The stylus method uses a diamond stylus to slowly slide on the surface of the workpiece, converting the microscopic unevenness of the surface into electrical signals through a sensor, and then obtains the roughness parameter value after processing. The method is technically mature and the measurement results are stable and reliable.

What is the difference between contact and non-contact roughness meters?

The contact type uses a stylus to directly contact the surface, which is suitable for most metal workpieces and has low cost; the non-contact type uses optical or laser scanning, which is suitable for soft, easily scratched or high-temperature surfaces, but the price is higher.

What does the Ra value of the roughness meter mean?

Ra is the arithmetic mean deviation of the contour, which represents the arithmetic mean of the absolute value of the contour offset within the sampling length. It is the most commonly used roughness evaluation parameter. The smaller the Ra value, the smoother the surface.

Is there a big gap between domestic roughness meters and imported brands?

In the field of conventional industrial testing, domestic brands can meet most needs, and the gap in accuracy and stability with imported brands is gradually narrowing; however, in ultra-high-precision scientific research scenarios, imported brands still have advantages.

Does the roughness meter need to be calibrated regularly?

Needed. It is recommended to perform calibration every 6 to 12 months using standard samples to ensure the accuracy and traceability of measurement data.

What parameters should you pay most attention to when purchasing a roughness meter?

Focus should be placed on measurement range, resolution, repeatability accuracy, probe type and life, data storage capacity, and whether it supports the calculation of commonly used roughness parameters (Ra, Rz, Rq, etc.).

Case

Roughness inspection upgrade project of an auto parts factory

The factory originally used a domestic roughness meter to detect the surface of the engine cylinder. Due to poor repeatability of the instrument, the batch inspection data fluctuated greatly. After replacing the Mitutoyo Prosco series, the detection efficiency increased by 40%, the rework rate dropped by 60%, and the annual quality cost was saved by about 350,000 yuan.

Mold manufacturing enterprise domestic roughness meter procurement case

A precision mold company has a limited budget. After comparative testing, it selected Huafeng Measurement and Control's HF series roughness meter. While meeting daily testing needs, the procurement cost is only one-third of that of imported brands. The failure rate of the equipment after three years of operation is less than 2%.

Authoritative citation

GB/T 1031-2022 "Product Geometric Technical Specification (GPS) Surface Structure Profile Method Roughness Parameters and Their Values"

ISO 4287:1997 Geometrical Product Specifications (GPS) — Surface texture: Profile method — Terms, definitions and surface texture parameters

China Society for Metrology and Testing's "White Paper on Precision Measuring Instrument Applications" 2024 Edition