Surface measurement unlocks nanomachine potential

With the requirement for higher performance of smaller parts, more emphasis is placed on their surfaces to produce high-value products.

According to Warwick University, two emerging consequences are the use of patterns and structures on the surfaces, and complex forms, both of which have to be controlled in order to optimise areas such as lubrication, adhesion and optical performance.

Key to these improvements is the measurement of these surfaces in order to manufacture to high precision with a minimum of defects, which is problematic for traditional measuring techniques.

A new idea conceived by Prof David Whitehouse of the School of Engineering at Warwick University reportedly promises to be a first step towards addressing these new measurement problems.

He has devised a technique based on Gaussian filtering, but which has a new mathematical stratagem which is described in the Proceedings of the Royal Society. The technique is similar to image analysis except that it takes into account geometry rather than just intensity variations.