Graphical Signatures for Manufactured Surfaces

Three dimensional surface signatures were calculated from radial profile measurements of two lapped specimens, two ground specimens and a milled specimen. These signatures are polar autocorrelation function (ACF) maps and R_a maps. The ACF maps were obtained by plotting contours of equal autocorrelation values. The ACF maps reveal more structure than the R_a maps and their shapes appear to be characteristic of the corresponding manufacturing methods. Therefore, radial profile measurement together with the use of ACF maps is a useful technique for relating surface topographies to manufacturing processes.