This project establishes a profile measurement laboratory. The equipment includes state of the art equipment to trace the profiles of engineering surfaces, necessary filters, a powerful microcomputer system for on-line date recording and analysis, and a high resolution monitor to display the profiles and results. The system uses standard specimens from the National Bureau of Standards for reference measurements. This project enables students in four manufacturing engineering courses to use the equipment and measure the profiles and roughness of engineering surfaces. It also effectively illustrates several manufacturing concepts including the usefulness of surface roughness data in determining the functionally of parts as well as in diagnosing the condition of production processes. Experiments focus on the effect of cutoff, cutting conditions, use of cutting fluid, wear, and different production processes on the surface roughness of parts. Databases developed as a part of this project are used by students for the improvement of their skills in designing quality specifications and selecting manufacturing processes to meet customer quality requirements with optimum cost effectiveness. The award is being matched by an equal amount from the principal investigator's institution. //
