How Profilometers Work & How We Save You Time & Money

The Advantages of Excedr’s Profilometer Leasing Program:

• Eliminates the upfront cost of purchasing equipment by spreading its cost over time
• Minimizes equipment downtime with included complete repair coverage and preventive maintenance
• Takes advantage of potentially 100% tax deductible* payments, providing you significant cash-savings
• Expedites the administrative work needed for instrument procurement and logistics
• Conserves working capital,  enabling you to reinvest in your core business and operations (staffing, inventory, marketing/sales, etc.)
• Accommodates all manufacturer and model preferences

*Please consult your tax advisor to determine the full tax implications of leasing equipment.

A profilometer is a type of measurement instrument used in both metrology quality assurance (QA) labs and on the machine shop floor.

These devices are also referred to as surface profilers or optical profilers, and are used to measure, or characterize, the surface topography of a product or part, as well as coating thickness and step height.

Topographic measurements are an important part of ensuring the dimensions of fabricated surfaces are meeting all the necessary requirements and standards. Besides surface topography characterization, surface profilers are also used for 3D imaging. 

By measuring the surface of an object, various characteristics like surface roughness, flatness, and other critical 2D and 3D dimensions can be determined. Surface roughness is particularly important to manufacturers who develop high-precision products and want to understand how long the product will last and how well it will perform. 

Although a machined surface may look smooth to the human eye, it often has many tiny heigh, depth, and spacing variations, or deformities.

These small variations, which can occur during the machining processes, often affect the performance and life-span of a complete product or individual part. Surface profilers can catch these variances early and before an entire batch of parts has to be scrapped.

Generally, profilometers consist of two basic components, a surface detection device and a sample stage. The detector measures surface irregularities and the sample stage holds and orients the part being measured.

Some profilometers have detectors that move, while others have moving sample stages. In some cases, both the detector and the sample stage can move. 

Profilometers are typically categorized as contact and noncontact. A contact-type measurement instrument is referred to as a stylus profilometer, or diamond stylus profilometer, and a noncontact instrument is referred to as an optical profiler or profilometer.

Newer measurement techniques, such as 3D non contact profilometry, that can perform measurements without needing to make physical contact with a part’s surface are preferred in advanced systems and processes.

Surface profilers are an important part of roughness measurement systems, providing accurate and reproducible results quickly. With every manufactured part, the International Organization for Standardization’s (ISO) standards must be met. 

One of the main goals of ISO standards is to reduce product failures. Therefore, it is critical to use the most accurate measuring equipment in your  production and assembly process to ensure that you are always compliant with these standards.

High-accuracy quality assurance systems are critical to manufacturing. Investing in an optical profiler will give any machine shop the ability to streamline their processes and manufacture top-of-the-line components. The accuracy of these precise roughness measurement systems will afford you peace-of-mind. 

If you’re interested in a profile projector or confocal microscope, we’re here to help. Our lease program is a cost-effective alternative to buying equipment outright.

Operating Lease

This off-balance sheet financing structure provides three options at the end of the term. The lessee has the option to return the equipment to the lessor, renew at a discounted rate, or purchase the instrument for the fair market value. Monthly payments are also 100% tax deductible which yields additional monetary savings.

Sale-Leaseback

If you recently bought equipment, Excedr can offer you cash for your device and convert your purchase into a long-term rental. This is called a sale-leaseback. If you’ve paid for equipment within the last ninety days, we can help you recoup your investment and allow you to make low monthly payments. This also frees up money in your budget rather than tying it down to a fixed asset.