The evaluation of texture
geometries of automotiveengine cylinder liners
produced by femtosecond
pulsed laser processing
Laser processing enables the development of engineered surfaces by applying
textures, producing enhanced functional performance such as surface friction, tactile
behavior, wetting properties, and many more. Laser processing using ultra-shortpulses durations in the picosecond and femtosecond region allows surface texturingwith highly defined micro geometries, edges, and finishes. 5-axis laser processing
enables the seamless texturing of three-dimensional components to be carried out
having complex profiles.

The Manufacturing Technology
Centre, located in Coventry, United
Kingdom, is an independent RTO
founded in 2011. As one of theUK’s High Value Manufacturing
Catapults (HVMC), the MTC
facilitates the industrialization of
innovative manufacturing ideas andmanufacturing system solutions.
Under the MTC’s Component
Manufacturing Technology group,
Laser Processing forms a significant
part of MTC’s capabilities, covering
advanced machining, surface
engineering, and material joining.
The study was carried out by Niall
Burtt, Paul Butler-Smith, Tian LongSee.

CASE STUDY THE EVALUATION OF TEXTURE GEOMETRIES OF AUTOMOTIVE ENGINE CYLINDER LINERSPRODUCED BY FEMTOSECOND PULSED LASER PROCESSING1

■ Measurements
The Sensofar S neox 3D optical profilometer has become an integral part of thedevelopment of surface textures at the MTC. In a collaborative experimental
study with an automotive company, as part of the European funded Prometheus
project, surface textures were developed at the MTC and applied to the curved
surfaces of automotive combustion engine cylinder liner segments using afemtosecond laser system. Figure 1 provides an example of a laser textured
cylinder liner segment and the texture features using 3D profilometry.

Figure 1. A automotive cylinder liner segment showing the laser produced texture
and a 3-D profile capture of the textured surface

The Sensofar’s integrated confocal microscope and Z axes adjustment enables
the complete 2D topography layer to be captured (Figure 2).

Figure 2. Topography capture and micrograph of a laser produced texture in an
automotive cylinder liner segment.

CASE STUDY CHARACTERIZING PROCESS-INDUCED FORM AND SURFACE TEXTURE CHANGE IN
ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING

2

Then using the SensoMAP software, the texture can be analyzed using thecapture sequence shown in Figure 3. Firstly, a profile curve of the texture
features is extracted from the topography layer (Figure 3a); this allows thecritical dimensions of the texture geometry, such as groove width and depth,
to be determined. Both the step height analysis tool (Figure 3b) and distancemeasurement function (Figure 3c) can be used to identify this key data, whichenables the analysis of the transition between untextured surface and texture
geometry, critical to the indicative frictional performance of the laser textured
surface. While distance measurements give the dimension of 2 points on thecurve, as manually set by the user, the step height provides the mean height
difference giving a more accurate assessment of the change in depth from thelaser texturing process.

Distance measurement - Extracted profile

Profile curve - Extracted profile
Figure 3. SensoMAP process steps for laser surface texturing profiling and analysis (a)extracted profile curve, (b) step height analysis, and (c) distance measurement.

CASE STUDY CHARACTERIZING PROCESS-INDUCED FORM AND SURFACE TEXTURE CHANGE IN
ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING

3

■ Conclusions
In this study with an automotive company, the S neox optical profiler has
been essential to understanding how laser texturing enhances the functional
performance of cylinder liner segments. Specifically, Confocal has proven tobe the top performer technology within the three of the S neox. Adding up
the analysis software capabilities, we have assessed the frictional performanceof the laser-textured surface.
Using the Sensofar and supporting software, we can rapidly evaluate texture
designs and develop our laser texturing process to deliver results for ourcustomers.

CASE STUDY CHARACTERIZING PROCESS-INDUCED FORM AND SURFACE TEXTURE CHANGE IN
ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING

4SENSOFAR is a leading-edge technology
company that has the highest quality standards
within the field of surface metrology
Sensofar Metrology provides high-accuracy optical profilers
based on confocal, interferometry, focus variation and fringe
projection techniques, from standard setups for R&D andquality inspection laboratories to complete non-contact
metrology solutions for in-line production processes. TheSensofar Group has its headquarters in Barcelona, also known
as a technology and innovation hub in Europe. The Group isrepresented in over 30 countries through a global networkof partners and has its own offices in Asia, Germany and theUnited States.
HEADQUARTERS

SENSOFAR METROLOGY | BARCELONA - Spain | T. +34 93 700 14 92 | info@sensofar.com
SALES OFFICESSENSOFAR ASIA | SHANGHAI - China | T. +86 21 61400058 | info.asia@sensofar.com| TAIPEI - Taiwan | T. +886 988106002 | info.asia@sensofar.com

sensofar.com

SENSOFAR is a trademark of SENSOFAR-TECH, SL. All other brand, product and logo are marks of their respective owners.
Copyright © 2023 SENSOFAR. All rights reserved. The information in this publication is based on SENSOFAR’s internal research and knowledge at the time of printing and is subject to change without notice. Appearance of products may vary.

CS25-05A-EN-MTC

SENSOFAR DACH | LANGEN - Germany | T. +49 151 14304168 | info.germany@sensofar.com
SENSOFAR USA | CONNECTICUT - United States | T. +1 617 678 4185 | info.usa@sensofar.com