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"Ever wondered what are the differences between skidded and skid-less profilometers when it comes to surface roughness measurements? Surface measurements are taken for many reasons. For example, surface roughness has implications on the rate of wear and tear of a part. In the same vein, surface roughness has implications on the adhesive ability of a surface. It thus makes sense that manufactured parts are constantly tested for surface roughness and these readings compared to set ideals. In doing this, quality control staff will often use surface roughness testers or profilometers.\n\nProfilometers are devices used to measure surface roughness. Such devices may utilize both contact and non-contact approaches when measuring the surface characteristics of an object. Contact profilometers often use a stylus that runs over the surface of an object and allows for measurement of various parameters. Contact profilometers can further be divided into two types based on the surfaces they can measure. These are skidded and skid-less profilometers.\n\nSkid-Less Profilometer and A Skidded Profilometer\n\nSkidded Proflimeters\n\nSkidded profilometers are used to measure surface roughness of flat surfaces.  These kinds of surface roughness testers will use a probe stylus but will also include a small skid (or foot) that moves along with the probe and uses the surface being measured as the reference. In various models, the skid is placed in different positions relative to the probe stylus. Some models have the skid in front, next to or behind the stylus. These kinds of contact surface roughness testers are usually the less expensive of the two types.\n\nSkid-less Profilometers\n\nThese contact surface roughness testers will also utilize a probe stylus to measure surface roughness. The difference, however, lies in the fact that these surface roughness testers do not have a skid tracking the movements of the probe. Skid-less profilometers are used to measure cylindered surfaces. For this reason, they are likely to have built-in calculation capabilities that help the machine separate the natural waviness of the object from the surface roughness. This way, the machine is able to deliver very accurate results. These kinds of surface roughness testers are likely to be more expensive than their skidded counterparts.\n\nChoosing Between the Two\n\nThe choice between the two largely depends on the kind of surfaces you are measuring among other factors. For example, if a large component of the parts that you are measuring is cylindrical in shape, you are better off using a skid-less surface roughness tester. If you are measuring simple flat surfaces, skidded surface roughness testers can save you some money as they are cheaper.\n\nWhether skidded or skid-less, portable surface roughness testers come with a host of features to help you in your gaging work. These features include the ability to print data on the spot, as well as the ability to connect and transfer data collected to a computer for further analysis and transmission."
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