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German Surface Finishes

Q. I'm trying to translate some German drawings and can't seem to find any correlations for German surface finishes. The numbers range from 1-4. How do they correspond to numbers used in the states (32, 63 etc.) Thank you for your time.

David Meade
- Kingsport, Tennessee, USE
2000

A. David:

Germany uses metric measurements. If I assume right, the 1-4 should be micrometers(µm). 1 microinch(µin) = 0.0254 micrometer(µm). 1-4 µm range = 39.37-157.48 µin. I hope this is useful. If I am assuming wrong, I sure someone will lets us both know. Good luck.

Bill Boatright
- Raleigh, North Carolina
2000

A. Hi David. Personally I think it's too risky for you to hazard a guess what "1-4" means. Bill is right that 1-4 microns corresponds to 39.37-157.48 microinch, but we don't know if it means Rz or Rms if it even means those microinch values. Good luck.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey

Q. I HAVE A DRAWING THAT CALLS FOR A SURFACE FINISH OF Y. WHAT DOES THIS EQUATE TO IN ENGLISH SCALE?

Denny Koser
- Texas
March 13, 2014

Hi Deny. Please upload a pic of the symbol in context on the drawing and help may be available.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
March 2014

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