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Newsletter

What is spectral analysis?

November 23, 2023

In this article François Blateyron, senior surface metrology expert at Digital Surf, discusses spectral analysis and why it is key to understanding surface texture analysis.

How stable is my surface texture evaluation?

July 17, 2023

Observing a change in value of 0.1% between two versions of your analysis software does not necessarily mean that there is a bug. In this article François Blateyron discusses why results may vary and good practices to ensure they remain stable.

What are the differences between ISO 4287 and ISO 21920?

April 24, 2023

Learn more about the main changes in ISO 21920, a three-part standard published in Dec 2021 that modernizes, corrects and extends the three main international standards for profile parameters. François Blateyron, senior surface metrology expert at Digital Surf and member of ISO Technical Committee 213, explains.

What cut-off value should I use?

November 17, 2022

One of the most common questions we receive from Mountains® users is: what cut-off value should I select to filter my data? The bad news is that there is no single answer. The good news is that our senior surface metrology expert, François Blateyron, has a few tips to help you make the right choice.

5 common mistakes to avoid in presentations & papers

July 19, 2022

François Blateyron gives a short review of the main errors that authors should avoid in conference presentations and papers.

What is a bandpass filter and should I use it?

April 20, 2022

The combination of a high-pass filter and a low-pass filter may be used to establish a narrow bandwidth which can help to study surface behavior at a particular scale. François Blateyron provides further explanations on this type of filtering, a tool for which is released with Mountains® 9.2.

ISO standards: what is the GPS Matrix?

November 12, 2021

The GPS matrix is a convenient way of classifying standards in the various chain links of the specification-verification chain. François Blateyron provides further explanations.

What are multi-channel cubes?

July 20, 2021

Version 9 of Mountains® software sees the introduction of support for several new data types, including multi-channel cubes. Christophe Mignot, Digital Surf CEO, explains the nature of this new kind of “studiable” and highlights the main applications and advantages for users.

Revision of ISO 25178-2: what’s coming?

July 20, 2021

The next few months will see the validation of a revised version of the ISO 25178-2 standard, defining parameters and specifications for areal surface texture analysis . Digital Surf’s senior surface metrology expert François Blateyron outlines the changes to come.

How is surface texture indicated on drawings?

April 19, 2021

Surface texture specifications are indicated using the root symbol. The new ISO 21920-1 series will soon bring changes that may modify common practices. Our senior metrology expert explains.

Is my surface stochastic or deterministic?

November 13, 2020

Stochastic and deterministic are two terms that are used more and more frequently to qualify modern surfaces. What is their meaning? Digital Surf’s senior metrology expert François Blateyron explains.

How can I be sure my results can be trusted?

July 16, 2020

When results differ, which ones can be trusted? Proving that an algorithm is correct is not so straightforward. François Blateyron, senior expert on surface metrology, discusses this complex issue.

Freeform surfaces: can I calculate surface texture?

April 21, 2020

François Blateyron, Digital Surf’s expert on surface metrology, examines the next big change in surface analysis: freeform surfaces.

What’s next for motifs parameters on profiles?

July 23, 2019

R&W motifs (ISO 12085) are soon to be included in the revision of profile standards (ISO 21290). François Blateyron, Digital Surf’s surface metrology expert explains.

What is a “shell” or freeform surface?

April 17, 2019

With the release of Mountains® 8 comes the possibility to load and visualize a new kind of data, known as “Shells” or “Freeform surfaces”. Christophe Mignot takes a closer look at this new data type.

Surface texture parameters: why so complex?

November 13, 2018

Surface texture has always been a difficult discipline to master, due to complex filtration conditions and numerous parameters. ISO expert François Blateyron looks how this could be simplified in the future.

Add color to SEM images containing complex objects

October 31, 2018

Sometimes objects in SEM images are quite complex and you may have trouble colorizing them. Learn how to adjust settings of the click and color tool to colorize complex objects in SEM images.

Using a four-quadrant detector: how to give your SEM images a 3D upgrade

September 6, 2018

A whole new world of 3D awaits users of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with Mountains® software. Christophe Mignot, Digital Surf CEO and specialist in SEM image analysis, runs through one of the coolest techniques available for bringing to life even the tiniest details contained in images.

7 tips for producing SEM stereo pairs

September 5, 2018

The Stereoscopic Reconstruction operator available in Mountains® enables users to obtain a precise 3D model from a stereoscopic pair of SEM images in just a few seconds. However, before running this operator, there are a few things you need to know.

How can I characterize lateral features?

July 13, 2018

Most surface texture parameters are related to heights. But in some applications lateral features and their spacing are as (if not more) important.

What is the Sdr parameter and when can it be used?

April 29, 2018

Have you ever heard of the Sdr parameter? What if it turned out to be the ideal indicator for characterizing the functionality of your surface data?

SEM image 3D reconstruction: what accuracy can I expect?

April 26, 2018

Discover how to set up appropriate experimental conditions before imaging a sample to be used with the Mountains® SEM 3D reconstruction tool

Does it make sense to compare Ra and Sa values?

November 25, 2017

Are you measuring surface roughness over an area? Ever wondered whether it is OK (or not) to compare values calculated (Sa, Sq, Sz etc.) with profile surface texture specifications (Ra, Rq, Rz etc.)? François Blateyron, Digital Surf's ISO surface metrology expert, sheds light on this issue which can easily cause confusion.

The delicate art of applying filters to a surface in order to prepare it for analysis

July 3, 2017

Do I need to use an S-Filter on a surface the same way a λs filter may be used on a profile? Digital Surf's ISO expert François Blateyron sheds light on an important aspect of surface metrology.