Laser Profilometry

Laser Profilometry Testing Services

Laser Profilometry is a portable, non-destructive and non-contact characterization technique. Light laser profilometers are utilized in maintaining the quality during road constructions, large area surveys and are also used in all those projects which require accurate surface roughness. As  it is used to measure the surface profile of the material to quantify the roughness and cracks, it is also known as laser mapping. A portable laser profilometry instrument is small and lightweight which consists of cable, a power supply and a controller box. It doesn’t only scan the surface but also provides corrosion mapping. 

As far as a road surface profiler is concerned, it is a meteorological instrument and its effectiveness is increased when stresses are induced due to friction, progressive wear and reduced lubrication. Calibration of such instruments are necessary before using it for measurement for each batch. 

The tip of the profilometer is in microns and is capable of measuring the Ra and Rz as low as 0.005 and 0.02 micrometers. Several measuring ranges of profilometers are available in the market and they are selected by keeping the roughness of the surface in mind.

Video 01: Laser Profilometry

Common Uses of Laser Profilometry:

• It is used to measure the roughness of the road.
• It is used for corrosion mapping.

Advantages of  Laser Profilometry:

• High accuracy.
• It can evaluate surface characteristics such as mean quadratic deviation (Rq), height of the highest projection (Rp) and depth of deepest profile depression (Rv) of the surface which is under observation.

Limitations of Laser Profilometry:

• When employing a non-contact profilometer, speed of the test is entirely dependent on the light reflection from the surface and data execution and result in 3D scanning. 

Industrial Applications of Laser Profilometry

• Sensors are developed by using the optical triangular principle with the capacity of measuring 0.25 inch diameter tubing to map a 24 inch diameter which is 70 feet underwater. 
• 3D contour mapping is also carried out by utilizing this technique with high speed and accuracy.