TIME 3221 Portable Roughness Tester for Advanced Surface Profile Analysis (Multi-Parameter)

Time instruments Tester for surface roughness with multiple parameters — Surface-finish checks on machined parts

This product is most relevant to manufacturing, machining, and QA personnel who need fast instrument-based checks outside a full laboratory setup. Good use cases include incoming inspection, maintenance work, shop-floor verification, and reporting on parts that are too large, too installed, or too numerous for slower bench methods.

Professional Surface Finish Measurement for Quality Control

This high-precision surface roughness tester is designed for accurate measurement of surface texture and profile parameters across metal and non-metal components. Equipped with a high-sensitivity inductive pickup and advanced filtering methods (2RC and GAUSS), it delivers reliable, repeatable results in demanding industrial environments.

Compatible with ISO1997, ANSI, and JIS2001 standards, this instrument is ideal for production lines, inspection departments, laboratories, and research institutions that require comprehensive roughness evaluation and traceable quality control.

The Multiparameter Surface Roughness Tester is used by quality control technicians, manufacturing engineers, and inspection professionals to measure detailed surface finish characteristics on metal, plastic, and machined parts. These instruments capture multiple surface profile parameters such as Ra, Rz, and Rq, helping ensure components meet finish specifications as part of precision fabrication quality control.

Professionals value this tester for its ability to generate comprehensive surface texture data and its portable design that supports on‑site evaluation without sending parts to a metrology lab. Compared with single‑parameter or visual comparison methods, a multiparameter tester provides quantified surface finish metrics that improve quality control in manufacturing, inspection, and maintenance workflows.

Features

• Multi-parameter measuring: Ra, Rp, Rv, Rt, Rz, Rq, Rsk, Rku, Rc, RPc, RSm, Rmr(c), tp, Rmr, Rpm, Rz1max, RzJIS, Rmax, Htp, Rδc, RΔq, RΔa, Pa, Pp, Pv, Pt, Pz, Pq, Psk, Pku, Pc, PSm, Pmr(c), Pmr, Pz1max, PzJIS, Pδc, PΔq, Rk, Rpk, Rvk, Mr1, Mr2, A1, A2
• High-accuracy inductance pickup for stable and precise readings
• Filtering methods: 2RC and GAUSS
• Compatible with ISO1997, ANSI and JIS2001 standards
• TFT LCD displays all parameters and measurement graphs
• Optional connection to TIME TA230 printer for full parameter and graph printout
• Built-in RS232 and USB interfaces for data transfer and software connection
• Language options: Simplified Chinese / English
• Automatic or manual shut-off function
• External pickup design with compact driver for easy operation

Applications

• Automobile industry
• Manufacturing of mechanical parts and gearing
• Metal processing facilities and lathe accessories
• General machinery and metal forming equipment
• Surface polishing and finishing processes
• Metallurgy, rolling and forging equipment
• Pneumatic and hydraulic components and pressure vessels
• Mould and die manufacturing
• Press, packaging, light industry, textile and medical equipment manufacturing
• Petroleum, chemical engineering, coal, cement and agricultural machinery
• Pharmaceutical machinery
• Electric power, automation and electronic communication equipment
• Aviation and aerospace industries
• Universities and research institutes
• Paper-making industry
• Ceramics, piezoelectric ceramics, electric ceramics and high-aluminum ceramics
• Epoxy and polyethylene components
• Liquid channels and composite glass fiber tubes
• Construction hardware such as alloy doors and windows, handles, stainless steel cups and dishware, taps
• Crystal, silicon carbide, graphite, diamond films and magnetic materials
• Chrome-plated components and precision tubes
• Copper foil products, hard alloy balls and precision bases
• Medical equipment and garment machinery

Surface Roughness Testing in Mechanical Manufacturing

In mechanical and metal manufacturing industries, surface roughness testing is critical to ensure part performance, wear resistance and proper assembly fit. This tester is particularly effective for evaluating hard machined surfaces such as automotive components, shafts, gears, bearings and precision-engineered parts.

Accurate roughness control helps improve product durability, reduce friction and ensure compliance with international quality standards.

Measurement of Non-Metal Materials

With the growing use of advanced materials such as ceramics, plastics and polyethylene, surface finish inspection is no longer limited to metal parts. Bearings made from technical ceramics or pump valves manufactured from engineered polymers also require strict roughness control.

This instrument supports reliable testing across both metallic and non-metallic surfaces, making it suitable for modern multi-material production environments.

Additional Industrial Uses

Beyond mechanical processing, surface roughness measurement is widely used in power generation, electronics, communications, consumer goods, stationery, and household products where surface quality directly affects function and appearance.

Standard Delivery

• TIME 3221 main unit
• Standard pickup stylus transducer with driver
• Connection cable
• Calibration certificate
• Roughness standard
• Software and USB cable
• Portable magnetic base with 360° fixture

Technical Q&A

What parameters can this surface roughness tester measure?

This instrument measures a comprehensive range of roughness and profile parameters including Ra, Rz, Rq, Rt, Rsk, Rku, Rk family parameters (Rk, Rpk, Rvk), material ratio parameters (Mr1, Mr2), and many additional ISO, ANSI and JIS-compliant values.

Is this roughness tester suitable for both metal and non-metal materials?

Yes. It is designed for accurate measurement on metals, ceramics, plastics, polyethylene and other engineered materials used in modern manufacturing.

Does the device comply with international surface roughness standards?

Yes. It supports ISO1997, ANSI and JIS2001 standards, making it suitable for global quality control and export-oriented production.

Can measurement results be exported or printed?

Yes. The unit includes RS232 and USB interfaces for data transfer to software, and it can be connected to a compatible printer to print measurement parameters and graphs.

Is this tester appropriate for laboratory and research use?

Absolutely. With multi-parameter capability, graphical display and standard compliance, it is well suited for research institutes, universities and industrial laboratories.

Application Q&A

Where is this kind of instrument commonly used?

It is commonly used in manufacturing, repair, asset integrity, and quality assurance where rapid screening or repeat verification is needed.

Who gets the most benefit?

Manufacturing, machining, and qa personnel benefit most when they need portable, repeatable measurements close to the workpiece rather than sending every part to a separate lab.

Because it combines High accuracy inductance pickup, Filtering methods of 2RC, GAUSS, TFT LCD displays all parameters and graphs, this instrument is well suited to surface-finish checks on machined parts in field and shop-floor environments.