The surface evaluation of wood in its processed form is vital to ensure surface quality. Surface roughness of wood can be both from wood irregularities and or from processing. It is crucial to understand the quality of the end product so as to control surface parameters for the endless applications that wood can be used.

3-D Non Contact Profilometer for Wood Measurement
Because roughness the wood surface is vital to its’ end use, it will be crucial to monitor and control the end result. Understanding surface texture, consistency, directional patterns and others can lead to the best selection of processing and control measures.

Insuring the quality control of such parameters will heavily rely upon quantifiable, reproducible and reliable inspection of the wood surface. The Nanovea 3D Non-Contact Profilometers utilize chromatic confocal technology with unique capability to measure wood surface. Where other techniques fail to provide reliable data, due to probe contact, surface variation, angle, absorption or reflectivity, Nanovea Profilometers succeed.

Measurement Objective
In this application, the Nanovea ST400 is used to measure the surface of an oak wood sample. There is an endless list surface parameters that can be automatically calculated after the surface scan. Here we will review a full 3D surface and select 2 areas of interest to further analyze, including a 3D roughness parameters and 2D extraction for depth calculations.

A white paper on measurement of oak wood surfaces using a Profilometer describes the application.