Measurement of Surface Topography Using Computed Tomography

Computed tomography is a new field of coordinate measuring metrology. For this reason, many areas of its application are not yet completely known. The paper presents reproduction possibilities of geometrical structure of a surface by computer tomography. Results are combined with data from a classical tactile profilometer to measure surface topography. Comparison of the obtained values makes it possible to confirm the usefulness of computer tomography to reconstruct the surface geometry. This is especially important when indoor surfaces are indispensable. Such measurement with any other device than computer tomograph is not possible or requires damage of the element being measured. As a result of the measurement by means of a computer tomograph, from the same measurement data we obtain not only information about the surface and shape of the element, but also—as an additional advantage—ability to evaluate internal structure of material, for example its porosity or fibre distribution in case of composites.