Starrett Portable Surface Roughness Tester

Starrett, also known as "the company that makes a million tools, of which we can use and comprehend only one" (their combo square), has just released their new Portable Surface Roughness Tester. We're sure that all of you DIYers are breathing big sighs of relief at this news. Finally, a surface roughness tester...and one that's portable too. It's about time.

The tool sounds pretty intense and if you're interested in more information, we suggest reading the press release (after the jump). We're not all that bright and trying to say something intelligent about a tool that is so much smarter than we are gives us hives.

STARRETT INTRODUCES PORTABLE
SURFACE ROUGHNESS TESTER

SR100 Measures Roughness of Large Components, Structures and Product Production

ATHOL, MASS., (March 2, 2011) -- The L.S. Starrett Company, a global manufacturer of precision tools and metrology equipment and other tools, today announced its portable SR100 Surface Roughness Tester, the first in a new line of state-of-the-art material testers. The SR100 determines surface roughness of large components, structures, and is a great tool to audit batch production prior to shipment and production line process control.

Weighing only seven ounces, Starrett's easy to use SR100 features a gauge range of 0.008" and an accuracy of 5% of reading plus 4µin. The innovative SR100 separates into two pieces to measure surface roughness. Using a wide base to ensure stability, the bottom half of the unit travels across the measurement surface and sends an electrical signal to the SR100's upper half. The SR100's hand-held upper has a large LCD display and controls. It digitizes the signal from sensor unit and sends it to a microprocessor where it calculates the parameters using standardized algorithms.

"The SR100 uses an infra-red (IrDA) link between the upper and lower units to provide remote, cable free operation up to a distance of one meter," said John Richardson, Starrett Precision Tool Product Manager. "In addition to measuring basic roughness parameters Ra and Rz, the SR100 also measures advanced Rp, Rv and Rt parameters. It is easy to use, right out of the box and requires little or no operator training."

Other features include a five second cycle time, switch between inch and metric mode without re-measuring, and automatic shut-off after five minutes. The SR100 is user friendly with initial configuration set to minimize problems of use by multiple operators and a simple, reliable calibration routine. The complete SR100 package includes the two-piece assembly, calibration standard, batteries, operation guide and a carrying case.

For more details and information about the Starrett's SR 100 Surface Roughness Tester, please contact The L.S. Starrett Company at 978-249-3551 or visit www.starrett.com.

March 7, 2011

Starrett Portable Surface Roughness Tester