Surface profile estimation using a profilometer and digital filtering

A new technique is suggested for estimating the profile of an original unworn surface using a profilometer and digital filtering. The profile signals from the digital profilometer are divided into two types: waviness-low frequency signals, and roughness-high frequency signals. The original profile of a wear track was estimated by combining the waviness and the roughness taken from the surface before the wear test. The results of the study show that this technique results in an accurate estimate of the original profile. Comparing the estimated profile of an original unworn surface with the profile of a measured worn surface can be utilized in the calculation of wear volume