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What is reasonable Rz finish on stainless steel roller?

January 19, 2010

I have a print on a stainless steel roller (304 HQ Stainless Steel). The finish call out is Rz=16µm. Tolerance on the diameters is +/- .001 inch. Does this finish seem reasonable? To me it seems to be quite rough based on the print specifications.

Craig Outland
importer of automotive components - Bloomfield Hills, MI USA
^- Privately contact this inquirer -^

January 22, 2010

Keep in mind that Rz is the peak-to-valley height, and not the average roughness (Ra) that is more commonly known. Rz can be up to 10x higher than the Ra measurement for a given part. Having said that, Rz 16 sounds a little high to me, especially if the part is supposed to be ground on that surface. Grinding should produce Rz 6 or less.

Toby Padfield
Automotive components supplier - MI, USA

January 30, 2010

Are you sure the about the units, Mr. Outland? A basic rule for engineering drawings is to use only one unit system. The diameter tolerance is in inches whereas the surface roughness is metric. Could it be 16 microinches instead?

Guillermo Marrufo
Monterrey, NL, Mexico

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