Impetus for surface metrology

Two intensive days with twelve top-class technical presentations, accompanied by reflective panel discussions and an engaged audience – that was Mahr's first High Performance Surface Summit. The "Summit of Surface Function" was aimed at specialists and managers from research & development, production and manufacturing, quality assurance and materials technology – and thus at all those who not only want to qualify technical surfaces, but also understand them and design them in a targeted manner.

The first day of the event focused on tribological models, manufacturing processes and modern metrology of high-performance surfaces. What properties characterize low-friction and low-wear workpiece surfaces, and how can they be reliably manufactured and quantified? "The participants received highly interesting insights into the current state of research and teaching, new perspectives on characterization and innovative measurement methods for the latest industrial requirements – from the most renowned professors in the field as well as excellent practitioners, practical and well-founded," summarized Mahr CEO Manuel Hüsken. "It was important to us to bring research, teaching and practice into direct dialog." The focus was on questions such as: "What requirements are placed on functional surfaces today and how can they be reliably characterized?" or "What metrological, analytical and model-based methods are currently available for this?"

The day ended with a panel discussion entitled "Measurement processes between standard and innovation", moderated by Peter Ebert, editor-in-chief of the trade journal InVision. The subsequent evening event in the "Spitzbub-Almhütte" in Göttingen offered the opportunity for personal exchange and to make new professional contacts, accompanied by music and in the spirit of a hearty Oktoberfest.

Reproducible production and testing of high-precision surfaces

The second day of the event focused on the measurement of high-performance surfaces in industrial practice. Among other things, the speakers highlighted the metrological requirements for sealing systems, the influence of steel surface topography on the tribology of ball joints and the grinding of calender rolls. Other topics included the measurement of ball screws in noise and efficiency-critical applications and their quantification using the scattered light method in accordance with VDA 2009. Aspects such as knowledge management in the age of artificial intelligence and the presentation of a new surface model based on cylinder tracks were also met with great interest.

The event concluded with an open forum in which participants and speakers jointly discussed how functionally relevant surfaces can be manufactured and measured in a reproducible and cost-efficient manner - and the role played by the combination of classic methods with the scattered light method as an innovative multi-sensor approach. The focus was on the question of how to bridge the gap between laboratory findings and industrial series production.

Between characteristic value and practice: HPS gets experts talking

In his conclusion, Peter Ebert put it in a nutshell: "The industry's need for information seems to be enormous. The breaks and forums often went into overtime because the discussions simply didn't want to end." According to Ebert, "you have to be able to come together in one place to discuss these topics openly." The debates on classic parameters such as Rz and Ra were particularly noteworthy: Apparently, there are measurement processes that do not meaningfully describe the functional behavior of technical surfaces, but still need to be applied for legal reasons.

The first HPS in October offered space for joint reflection, a change of perspective and in-depth discussions on current challenges. "Due to the great demand and the consistently positive response, we want to continue the format," announced Kai Meine, Global Head of Sales Optical Technologies & Managing Director of OptoSurf GmbH. "Next year, we will once again be presenting new topics and top-class guests at the High Performance Surface Summit."

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Highest precision, modern technology and international presence – that is what the name Mahr has stood for, for more than 160 years. Today, the Mahr Group, with its three business units Metrology, Mixing & Metering, and Rotary Stroke Bearings, is active worldwide in a wide range of demanding industries, such as automotive, mechanical engineering, medical technology, aerospace, optics, electronics. All products incorporate the passion and know-how of more than 1,800 employees worldwide.