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Improving additive manufacturing with accurate surface metrology

Bruker Nano Surfaces and Metrology
25 Jun 2023

In the past few years, manufacturing has undergone a series of major evolutions. Standard formative techniques (molding, injecting, casting, stamping, forging) and subtractive processes (CNC milling and turning, drilling, cutting) have been challenged by new, rapidly growing disruptive technologies, such as additive manufacturing, 3D printing, and laser surface texturing, among others. This application note positions some of these new technologies versus legacy approaches to understand the underlying parameters and challenges. Bruker Nano also discusses how Bruker 3D optical profiling technologies fit into new and evolving manufacturing approaches. Finally, several case studies illustrate how optical profiling can contribute to the optimization of new manufacturing processes.

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ContourX-500

Bruker Nano Surfaces and Metrology

The ContourX-500 Optical Profilometer is the world’s most comprehensive automated benchtop system for fast, non-contact 3D surface metrology. The gage-capable ContourX-500 boasts unmatched Z-axis resolution and accuracy, and is easily customized for the widest range of complex applications, from QA/QC metrology of precision machined surfaces and semiconductor processes to R&D characterization for ophthalmics and MEMS devices.

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ProfilometersProfilometers are instruments used to measure a surface's profile, in order to quantify etch depth, deposited film thickness, and surface roughness. They operate in either contact or non-contact modes and may use optical or stylus techniques to make the actual measurements.Light MicroscopyLight microscopes or optical microscopes are used to visualize microscale objects under magnification, including cells, clinical specimens and materials. Lab equipment for light microscopy includes confocal microscopes, fluorescence microscopes, zoom and stereo microscopes. Microscope slides and imaging reagents are available for visualizing samples, as well as various microscope stages and incubators for large or temperature-sensitive samples. Find the best light microscopes in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Electron MicroscopyElectron microscopes (EM) are used to create high-resolution images of samples at the nanoscale by means of an accelerated beam of electrons as a source of illumination. Types of electron microscope include scanning electron microscopes (SEM), transmission electron microscopes (TEM), scanning transmission electron microscopes (STEM) and cryo-electron microscopes. Focused ion beam (FIB) microscopes are useful for modifying or milling a sample surface with nanometer precision, as well as imaging. Find the best electron microscopes in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Atomic Force Microscopy / Scanning Tunneling MicroscopyAtomic force microscopes (AFM) and scanning tunneling microscopes (STM) are high-resolution forms of scanning probe microscope (SPM) used to generate topological information of a sample down to the atomic scale. Instruments can generate an image of the surface topology, manipulate objects and reveal information on localized properties such as Young’s modulus, conductivity, and magnetism. High-quality STM and AFM probes optimized for your application are available, as well as other SPM-based instruments such as scanning ion conductance microscopes (SICM) & near-field scanning optical microscopes (NSOM). Find the best AFM and STM equipment in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.3D Printing3D printing is becoming an increasingly popular fixture in modern labs. From making bespoke equipment and replacing broken parts, to fabricating biological structures that imitate natural tissue characteristics, 3D printers can be used for a broad range of applications. MetrologyMicroscopyMicroscopy is a technique used to observe small objects in detail, from cells to materials, using light or electron microscopes. It enables researchers to examine structures with high resolution, aiding in fields such as biology, medicine, and materials science. With advanced microscopy techniques, scientists can gain insights into cellular processes, tissue structures, and material properties. Explore the best microscopy solutions in our peer-reviewed product directory, compare products, read customer reviews, and get pricing directly from manufacturers.

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