Manufactured surfaces usually consist of topographical features which include both those put forth by the manufacturing process, and micro-features caused by disturbances during this process. Surface characterization basically involves study of these features which influence the functionality of the surface. This article focuses on characterization of the surface topography of machined lead brass and lead free brass. The adverse effect of lead on human health and the environment has led the manufacturing sector to focus on sustainable manufacturing of lead free brass, as well as how to maintain control of the surface integrity when substituting the lead content in the brass with silicon. The investigation includes defined areal surface parameters measured on the turned samples of lead- and lead free brass using an optical coherence scanning interferometer, CSI. This paper deals with the study of surface topography of turned samples of lead-and lead free brass. It is important to study the topographical characteristics of the brass samples which are the intermediate link between the manufacturing process variables and the functional behaviour of the surface. To numerically evaluate the sample's surface topography and to validate the measurements for a significant study, a general statistical methodology is implemented. The results indicate higher surface roughness in turned samples of lead brass compared to lead free brass. © 2017 IOP Publishing Ltd

Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) is mostly used to develop functional prototypes and in some applications for end-use parts. It is important to study the surfaces produced by FDM to understand the certainty of process. Truncheon design test artefacts are printed at different print settings and surfaces are measured using stylus profilometer. Taguchi’s design of experiments, signal-to-noise ratio and multiple regression statistics are implemented to establish a concise study of the individual and combined effect of process variables on surface texture parameters. Further, a model is developed to predict the roughness parameters and is compared with experimental values. The results suggest significant roughness parameter values decrease with increase in build inclination and increases with increase in layer thickness except the roughness peak count. © 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V

Interior automotive plastic components are often manufactured by injection moulding since this technique enables cost-efficient manufacturing, large design freedom, and easy integration of functions. However, to obtain a high-quality impression, it is important to produce components with uniformity in texture, colour, and gloss. Unfortunately, this is rather difficult since a large number of material and processing parameters affect the surface topography and thereby the texture, colour, and gloss. It is therefore important to improve the understanding of how different material and processing parameters affect the surface topography, and in the present study, the influence on surface topography of ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) and PP (Polypropylene) by melt temperature, tool temperature, and injection speed is investigated by coherence scanning interferometry. Area scale analysis is used to identify the wavelengths of interest, and areal surface parameters are statistically screened to identify robust surface parameters that can be used to discriminate between the surfaces and quantify the influence on surface topography by different material and process variables. Results from the study suggest that tool temperature and injection speed have significant influence on certain surface parameters and, particularly, arithmetic mean height (Sa) and root mean square gradient (Sdq) by approximately 40%, core material volume (Vmc) by 35%, and core roughness depth (Sk) by 50%. These surface parameters are identified as significant and used to discriminate between the sample surfaces. © 2023, The Author(s).