Feature Characterization for Profile Surface Texture

TL;DR

This paper introduces a clear algorithm for watershed segmentation and feature characterization of surface profiles, aiming to improve surface analysis and standardization for manufacturing and research applications.

Contribution

It provides an unambiguous, standardized algorithm for watershed segmentation and feature characterization of surface profiles, facilitating future research and standard development.

Findings

Standardized algorithm for watershed segmentation of surface profiles.

Framework enabling analysis of feature parameters related to surface function.

Foundation for future standardization and relationship studies.

Abstract

Conventional field parameters for surface measurement use all data points, while feature characterization focuses on subsets extracted by watershed segmentation. This approach enables the extraction of specific features that are potentially responsible for the function of the surface or are a direct reflection of the manufacturing process, allowing for a more accurate assessment of both aspects. Feature characterization with the underlying watershed segmentation for areal surface topographies has been standardized for over a decade and is well established in industry and research. In contrast, feature characterization for surface profiles has been standardized recently, and the corresponding standard for watershed segmentation is planned to be published in the near future. Since the standards do not provide guidelines for implementation, this paper presents an unambiguous algorithm of the watershed segmentation and the feature characterization for surface profiles. This framework provides the basis for future work, mainly investigating the relationship between feature parameters based on feature characterization and the function of the surface or manufacturing process. For this purpose, recommendations for the configuration and extensions of the toolbox can also be developed, which could find their way into the ISO standards.