Roughness Sensor Enables the Inspection of Surface Waviness

The Zeiss Rotos roughness sensor enables coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) to inspect surface waviness and roughness, even on complex workpieces, in a single measurement run without any reclamping. This ability speeds up the measurement of all surface parameters.

The sensor enables the user to check the size, form, location tolerances and roughness parameters on a single machine. With the sensor, the Prismo and CenterMax CMMs eliminate the need to use separate stylus instruments to capture significant form deviations. The user can exchange the sensor as needed using an interface on the CMM probe.The sensor also enables the user to capture Ra roughness values ranging to 0.03 µm.

The Rotos sensor enables the inspection of nearly all workpiece characteristics. Because of the sensor’s three rotatable, multiple-stylus arms, the user can measure deep bores, overhead areas and other difficult-to-reach surfaces. Surface roughness, size, form and location can be analyzed and visualized in a customized display in PiWeb reporting. 

New features include skidless styli intended for measuring roughness and waviness on sealing faces. The company says that programming the surface parameters is quick and easy because the sensor is completely integrated in Calypso, the company’s measuring software.