Surface texture metrology for metal additive manufacturing: a review

• Published in: Precision engineering Vol. 46; pp. 34 - 47
• Main Authors: Townsend, A., Senin, N., Blunt, L., Leach, R.K., Taylor, J.S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 01.10.2016
• Subjects: Metal additive manufacturing; Metrology; Surface texture; Metrology; Metal additive manufacturing; Surface texture
• ISSN: 0141-6359; 1873-2372
• DOI: 10.1016/j.precisioneng.2016.06.001

•This paper reviews surface texture metrology literature for metal additively manufactured parts.•AM processes and materials used in the literature are presented.•The types of surfaces, measurement technologies and strategies employed are analysed.•Data processing, filtering and surface characterisation are discussed. A comprehensive analysis of literature pertaining to surface texture metrology for metal additive manufacturing has been performed. This review paper structures the results of this analysis into sections that address specific areas of interest: industrial domain; additive manufacturing processes and materials; types of surface investigated; surface measurement technology and surface texture characterisation. Each section reports on how frequently specific techniques, processes or materials have been utilised and discusses how and why they are employed. Based on these results, possible optimisation of methods and reporting is suggested and the areas that may have significant potential for future research are highlighted.