Internet based Surface Finish Algorithm Testing System
Son H. Bui, T. Brian Renegar, Theodore V. Vorburger
Precision Engineering Division, Surface & Microform Metrology
National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg MD 20899, USA
Mark C. Malburg
Digital Metrology Solutions, Inc., 2024 Iroquois Trail, Columbus, IN 47203,
USA
Surface measurement instruments such as stylus profilers and optical profilers
are used to characterize the roughness of surfaces. Most of the measurement
instruments are microcomputer-based systems, which contain both surface analysis
software and database/data storage. Each measurement instrument has
its own analysis software and data format. When a surface is measured, the
measurement instrument generates a data file and stores it on a local disk.
The data file is then analyzed by the analysis software provided in the surface
measurement instrument. The analysis algorithm may not be verified and different
implementations can yield differences in output parameters. Hence, there
is a need for a standards organization to help ensure traceability in algorithm
development by providing and maintaining a set of master algorithms and data
sets for companies, universities, and instrument manufacturers to compare
and validate their surface analysis systems. This paper presents
the development of peer-reviewed software and a specimen database for parameter
evaluation and algorithm verification in the area of surface texture. The
software and specimen database will be located and run at the National Institute
of Standards and Technology (NIST), USA. Companies, universities, and instrument
manufacturers will have remote access to standard data sets and analysis tools
through the Internet. The software and the database will serve to validate
the accuracy of the implementation of algorithms as well as the calculation
of surface parameters in industry.