2.

0 OBJECTIVE

To obtain the value of the roughness of a specimen by the CENTER LINE AVERAGE (CLA) or
ROUGHNESS AVERAGE (Ra) method by using a Computerized Roughness Measuring
Machine.

3.0 INTRODUCTION

Surface roughness often shortened to roughness, is a component of surface texture. A surface can
never be perfectly smooth and will always have two components of surface texture namely
roughness and waviness as shown in figure 1. They may vary from fine to coarse according to
the machine process used.

Figure 1

Roughness plays an important role in determining how a real object will interact with its
environment. Rough surfaces usually wear more quickly and have higher friction coefficients
than smooth surfaces. Although roughness is usually undesirable, it is difficult and expensive to
control in manufacturing. Decreasing the roughness of a surface will usually increase
exponentially its manufacturing costs.

Figure 2

a) Waviness height
The peak to valley distance of the surface profile, measured in millimeters.
b) Flaw
The surface irregularities occurring at one place or at relatively infrequent or widely
varying intervals. Flaws include cracks, blow holes, checks, ridges and scratches
c) Roughness width
The distance parallel to the nominal surface between successive peaks or ridges which
constitute the predominate pattern of the roughness. It is measured in millimeters.
d) Roughness height
It is the height of the irregularities with respect to a reference line. It is measured in
millimeters or microns or microinches. It is also known as the height of unevenness.
e) Waviness width
This refers to the irregularities which are outside the roughness width cut off values.
Waviness is the widely spaced component of the surface texture. This may be the result of
workpiece or tool deflection during machining, vibrations or tool runout.
f) Roughness-width cutoff
The greatest spacing of respective surface irregularities to be included in the
measurement of the average roughness height. It should always be greater than the
roughness width in order to obtain the total roughness height rating.

A means of measuring surface finish that is normally used by ISO is the CLA method. It
measures the average value of the departures of both that are above and below the center line
average of the surface through a prescribe sample length L. The Mean results if several sampling
lengths taken consecutively will give the actual roughness value of the surface of the component.

CLA = A / (L x Mv)

Where:A

= Sum of area above and below the center line

= Sample length (graph)

Mv

= Vertical Magnification

4.0 APPARATUS

4.1 INDUSTRIAL APPARATUS

5.0 EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES

1. The computerized Surface Roughness Machine was turned on

2. A cutoff wavelength of 0.8 mm by 8 sections were selected on the machine. The
machines vertical magnification was set to AUTO and horizontal to 100.
3. The component was placed on the auto leveling table at a suitable position such that
when the pickup head is lowered, its ball point stylus contacts the surface of the
specimen.
4. The machine was set and ready to record the measurement
5. The roughness profile graph of the specimen was obtained.
6. A cycle was selected from the profile graph.
7. Two vertical lines were drawn for the cycle to mark its start and end point.
8. A centerline (CLA) line was drawn.
9. The areas above and below the CLA line was measured using a digital planimeter.
10. Three measurements were taken and the average of the measurements was calculated.
11. The value of CLA was calculated.
12. The computerized result for CLA was compared with the manual result

6.0 RESULTS & DATA ANALYSIS

The value of the roughness of the piston cylinder can be obtained by the CENTER LINE
AVERAGE (CLA) or ROUGHNESS AVERAGE (Ra) method by using a Computerized
Roughness Measuring Machine.

i.

ROUGHNESS AVERAGE (Ra)

For this, the roughness value was simply taken from the computerized result.
Ra = 3.40 m

ii.

CENTER LINE AVERAGE (CLA)

Sum of area above and below the

center line (cm)
A1
A2
A3

= (4.8+4.6+4.6) / 3
= 4.67 cm
= 4.67 x10 m

= 6.9 cm
= 0.069 m

Mv

= 2000

CLA

= (4.67 x10) / (0.069 x 2000)

= 3.384 x10 m
= 3.384 m

4.8
4.6
4.6

Percentage of error
= [(Theoretical - Experimental) / Theoretical] x
100%
= [(3.4 3.384) / 3.4] x 100%
= 0.47 %

7.0 DISCUSSION

From the result, the roughness value that we get using Center Line Average (CLA) method is
3.384 m and the percentage of error is 0.47%. The obtained percentage of error shows that the
CLA method has been done with correct technique.
One of the key factor to obtain a good result such as this, is the ability to avoid the planimeter
from moving out of track as much as possible when taking the area of the graph. This can be
done by having a good handling of the planimeter. When the handling is bad, the result will be
affected. Besides that, tracing speed can also affect the result obtained as it can directly affecting
the handling of the planimeter. Since different person was used to obtain each reading, the
tracing speed of each reading may be vary and affecting the result. However, the consistency of
the hand movement cannot be controlled since it is normal for each people.
Other than that, the selection of the cutoff wavelength can also affect the ACL value. This is
because selecting the incorrect cutoff length could make the values appear larger or smaller than
the desired values. The cutoff wavelength must be at the centre or close to the center of wave.
In our opinion, it is fine to suddenly stop or taking a rest during the measuring process and will
proceed to complete the measurement afterwards because it may give us back some
concentration to move the planimeter more consistently due to some distraction. However, some
mistakes may occur when we try to restart the tracing process such as moved the planimeter
abruptly when we try to restart the tracing process.
Besides that, the workspace must be flat and cleaned before taking the reading. This is to make
sure that there is no dirt or thing that can become a distraction when taking the reading because
the digital planimeter is a sensitive device. A slight error might cause the final result to be
different from the real value. The graph paper can also be taped to avoid it from moving when
taking the reading.
In our opinion, we believe that the value of Ra depends on the peak value and how often the peak
occur. If the peak occurs too many times, it will affect the value of area and directly affect the
value of roughness that we get from manual calculation. Since the value of Ra is calculated by
the computer, we know that it will give more accurate value compared to the manual result. The
manual result will give us more error since it can be affected by environment factor.
Lastly, students should consider taking at least three measurements and take the average to get a
better result. Also, students should make sure that the person who is in charge of measuring the
graph area has steady hands and of the same person to get accurate and consistent results.

8.0 CONCLUSION

From this experiment, we found that the value of the roughness of a specimen can be obtained by
using CENTER LINE METHOD (CLA) method and the Roughness Average (Ra) method. The
error can be overcome if we do the experiment carefully. Other than that, in order to get the
result that is close to the Ra method, we must take the reading three times atleast. The more
reading that we take, the more accurate value we will achieved. Besides that, we also must
know the error that might occur in this experiment to prevent the mistake occur in the next time.
As a conclusion, the objective of this experiment is successfully achieved since we had got the
value of roughness by using CLA method or Ra method. We also have
succeeded to determine the error and the method to overcome it in this experiment.

9.0 RECOMMENDATION

Students should take measurements using the digital planimeter at least three times and calculate
its average. This is to ensure accurate data and result is obtained. It is also recommended that the
students should pick the suitable place on the table to put the roughness profile graph so that the
person who is going to use the digital planimeter is comfortable when measuring. Students
should handle the equipment with care especially the digital planimeter as it is a very sensitive
equipment. The screw below the digital planimeter should not be disturbed to ensure exact and
accurate measurement were taken. It is recommended that the same student who measures the
area of the graph using the digital planimeter should also calculate the area of the graph
themselves.
Nowadays, the quality of product is very important in manufacturing area since many companies
are competing with each other. Usually, the product which has rough surface is undesirable. This
problem is difficult and expensive to control in manufacturing. So, we must have a machine that
can measure the roughness of the product. The Computerized Roughness measuring machine are
recommended because it can reduce the problem error and faster than manual method. This
machine is also more accurate than manual method. We suggest that each company has this kind
of machine so they can determine their product surface roughness and improve it from time to
time.

10.0 REFERENCES

1. Metrology of Engineers; J.F.W.Galver & C.r shotbolt.

2. Industrial Metrology: Surfaces and Roundness. G.T. Smith. Springer-Verlag, 2002.
3. Manufacturing Engineering and Technology: Serope Kalpakjian.
4. Metrology and Properties of Engineering Surfaces : Evaristus Mainsah, Jim A.
Greenwood, Derek G. Chetwynd - Technology & Engineering - Kluwer Academic
Publishers (1998)
5. http://www.mfg.mtu.edu/cyberman /quality/sfinish/terminology.html