The acceptable range of roughness instrument calibration factor

Abstract

There were no studies that show an acceptable range of calibration factor value on precision surface roughness instruments. It is generally known that the calibration factor plays an essential role in precision surface roughness instruments. This study demonstrates the acceptability range for the calibration factor using the Shewhart control chart method. Calibration factor data were obtained by comparing the calibration certificate of a type A artifact with the measurement results obtained from a surface roughness instrument. During the last five years, the calibration factor data from the Talysurf i120 surface roughness machine were analysed using the Shewhart control chart to determine the lower (LCL) and upper control limits (UCL) the range of acceptability. The results showed that the acceptance range was between 0.849 and 1.041, with a doubt level of 1%. These results are expected to be useful for metrologists, industries, and surface roughness practitioners in general to analyse the reliability of their surface roughness instruments/profilometer.