Process mapping and functional correlation in surface metrology: a sheet metal case study

This paper presents a case study on process mapping and functional correlation in surface metrology. Stainless steel sheets are used for home and industrial applications in a variety of products. Visual characteristics form the dominant functional aspect in these sheets. Therefore, monitoring and controlling surface finish is critical. Because the process is in the development stage, there are no specifications for surface texture parameters. Therefore, quality control involves visual inspection by human inspectors. There is a need for mapping the process to develop a preliminary specification and researching tools for automating the process of quality assessment. While surface texture is traditionally measured only for tolerance compliance in most industrial situations, the case study developed in this paper captures the larger scope of surface texture measurement and analysis. Also, in developing the case study, novel techniques for functional correlation in surface metrology are explored .