Surface Roughness Measurement Market

Surface Roughness Measurement Market Outlook (2023 to 2033)

Global surface roughness measurement sales revenue totaled US$ 834.0 million in 2022. Over the next decade (2023 to 2033), global demand for surface roughness measurement is forecast to rise at 6.3% CAGR. Accordingly, the global surface roughness measurement market size is projected to increase from US$ 866.0 million in 2023 to US$ 1600 million by 2033.

A new estimation reveals that contact surface roughness measurement technique segment will continue to dominate the global market through 2033. This is due to rising adoption of contact surface roughness measuring instruments.

According to Persistence Market Research (PMR), contact segment is anticipated to progress at a CAGR of 6.0% during the assessment period. Hence, it will remain a leading market segment throughout the assessment period.

Key Market Shaping Factors:

• Rising focus on improving product quality and manufacturing processes to ensure minute differences and changes are accounted for, like micro-variations in the surface texture, are anticipated to boost the surface roughness measurement industry
• Increasing spending on research and development activities are set to positively impact global surface roughness measurements sales revenue, as smooth surfaces make for better finished products and are less susceptible to wear and damage
• Growing popularity of noncontact surface measurement technique to create new growth prospects for the target market
• Rapid penetration of industrialization coupled with robust growth of manufacturing sector to create lucrative opportunities for surface roughness measurement solution manufacturers
• Evolution of nanotechnology, growing trend of miniaturization, and high performance demands will create a high need for measuring surface roughness of components and industrial products

Over the years, the importance of surface texture has become critical across various sectors. This in turn has put the surface roughness measurement market into the spotlight.

Surface roughness particularly has become an essential factor in determining satisfactory performance of a workpiece in areas such as tribology, biocompatibility, surface coatings, microfluidics, etc.

The measurement of small-scale variations in the height of a physical surface is referred to as surface roughness measurement. Generally, two methods or techniques are used for measuring surface roughness. These include contact-based and noncontact-based.

Rising need for measuring surface roughness to determine tribological properties of various products is expected to boost the global surface roughness measurement industry.

Surface roughness is being constantly measured across several sectors as it plays an important role in various processes including friction and adhesion.

Growing usage of surface roughness measuring instruments such as roughness meters (surface roughness meters) and surface roughness measurement testers across various verticals will fuel market expansion.

Various solutions are being used for accurately measuring surface roughness or surface texture of materials or products. Escalating need for determining the surface texture for enhancing product quality and life as well as ensuring their proper functioning is acting as a catalyst triggering market growth.

Surface roughness is an important indicator of determining how a real object will interact with its environment. Any deviation or problem in a machined surface affects its performance and quality, which in turn can have a significant impact on product performance.

Rough surfaces wear more quickly than smoother ones as they are more prone to cracks and corrosion, although they can facilitate adhesion. To achieve the required smoothness of surfaces, end users employ various surface roughness measurement techniques. This will continue to provide a strong impetus to the growth of the target market.

Rapid industrialization and surge in the number of manufacturing facilities will create high demand for surface roughness measurement systems or equipment.

As geometric and material properties of surfaces significantly affect wear, friction, corrosion, and electrical conductivity of materials, keeping the surface roughness within the controllable limits is essential. This is creating demand for surface texture measuring technologies.

Surface roughness measurement technologies are being increasingly used to measure the roughness of surfaces with the aim of modifying them according to specific needs. They have become ideal solutions for measuring roughness during manufacturing processes as well as in test labs.

Monitoring and measuring surface roughness is essential for improving the quality of products, ensuring their proper functioning, and meeting high performance standards for end products. For this purpose, sectors such as automotive and aerospace continuously use surface roughness measurement instruments. This in turn is fueling market expansion.

Surface roughness is closely allied to function in several applications. For instance, surface roughness will affect sealing and wear properties of two surfaces that are moving closely with each other.

Rising importance of surface roughness measurement in the thriving automotive sector is expected to boost the global market.

Surface roughness is essential for any machined product that uses moving parts, such as engines. It often dictates how one part interacts with another.

Growing need for monitoring the manufacturing process and quality control is expected to boost global surface roughness measurement sales revenues through 2033.

Widening application of surface roughness measurement techniques in energy sector is expected to fuel market expansion.

Surface roughness measurement is being widely used in the energy sector to measure the surface finish of components used in generators, turbines, and other equipment. Expansion of energy sector will therefore play a key role in fostering market development.

2018 to 2022 Global Surface Roughness Measurement Sales Outlook Compared to Demand Forecast from 2023 to 2033

As per Persistence Market Research’s (PMR) latest report, the global market of surface roughness measurement grew at a CAGR of 4.4% during the historical period from 2018 to 2022. Total market value at the end of 2022 reached US$ 834.0 million.

Looking forward, the global market is projected to register a 6.3% CAGR between 2023 and 2033. It is forecast to generate an absolute $ opportunity of US$ 734.0 million during the assessment period.

Growth in the market is driven by growing usage of surface roughness measurement techniques across end-use verticals such as automobile, aerospace & defense, semiconductor, etc.

Surface roughness has become an essential characteristic of a material’s surface that affects its performance, quality, and function. Measuring this crucial parameter enables companies to significantly improve quality and performance of their products.

The accurate measurement of surface roughness is crucial in fields such as manufacturing material science, and engineering.

Solutions such as surface roughness measurement testers, sensors, and profilometers are being used to accurately measure surface roughness of electronic components, machined parts, and medical implants. These solutions are also used to monitor the wear and tear of surfaces and ensure product quality & performance.

Growing need for accurate & precise surface measurements for improving product quality and performance is expected to bolster surface roughness measurement instrument sales.

High penetration of automation in industrial processes and rising trend of miniaturization will further elevate surface roughness measurement equipment demand during the assessment period.

Country-wise Insights:

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Market Value (2033):

Historical CAGR (2018 to 2022):

What Makes the United States a Market Hub for Surface Roughness Measurement Solutions?

As per Persistence Market Research (PMR), the United States surface roughness measurement industry is predicted to exceed a valuation of US$ 228.3 million by 2033. Accordingly, it is anticipated to create an absolute $ opportunity of US$ 90.2 million from 2023 to 2033.

Surface roughness measurement solution demand in the United States is likely to rise at 5.2% CAGR throughout the projection period. Historically, the United States market grew at a sluggish CAGR of 1.4%.

Robust growth of end-use sectors such as automotive, aerospace, and healthcare along with increasing penetration of novel technologies is a prominent factor driving the United States market.

Growing focus on improving manufacturing processes for better product quality across various end-use verticals will further boost surface roughness measurement instrument sales.

Various sectors, such as automotive and aerospace, are increasingly using surface roughness measurement techniques to test the roughness of different machinery processed parts in real time application. These techniques have become ideal solutions for improving product quality across industries.

Will China Continue to Remain a Leader in Surface Roughness Measurement Industry?

China is forecast to remain the most dominant market for surface roughness measurement solutions during the assessment period. This is due to booming manufacturing sector and rising adoption of advanced technologies.

As per the latest report, surface roughness measurement demand in China is likely to increase at 7.8% CAGR between 2023 and 2033. Total market size in China at the end of 2033 is projected to reach around US$ 427.6 million.

From 2023 to 2033, China surface roughness measurement market is anticipated to create an absolute $ opportunity of US$ 225.1 million.

Rising usage of surface roughness measurement solutions across thriving automotive and semiconductor sectors is expected to boost China market.

Surface roughness measurement (SRM) is being widely used in automotive sector to measure and control surface finish of components. The resultant measurements help end users to determine the quality of a products and identify potential problems that could lead to wear to failure.

SRM is also used in combination with other inspection techniques such as profilometry and optical microscopy in the automotive sector. Growing importance of SRM in the automotive sector will create high demand for surface roughness measurement solutions during the assessment period.

Category-wise Insights:

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Which Component is Likely to Create Lucrative Opportunities for Surface Roughness Measurement Solution Providers?

Based on component, the market is segmented into probes, frame grabbers, lighting equipment, cameras, sensing technology, interface standards, imaging technology, processors, software, and others.

Among these, software segment is expected to dominate the global market. This is due to greater importance of software in providing accurate and precise measurement of surface roughness in various applications.

According to Persistence Market Research (PMR), the software segment is projected to thrive at 6.2% CAGR through 2033, in comparison to 4.3% CAGR registered from 2018 to 2022. This will make it a top revenue-generation segment for companies operating in the target market.

Software, in combination with hardware, is employed to extract the pattern from captured image of the examining surface. After that, it matches the extracted data with the predefined requirement and makes the decision to approve or disapprove the component.

Software solutions or tools automatically perform applications such as location analysis, symbol recognition, flaw detection, etc. They are necessary for getting precise and accurate measurements of surface roughness.

Leading companies are constantly working on introducing new software solutions to meet evolving needs of end users. For instance, in November 2022 FARO Technologies launched new edition of FARO Zone 3D Software.

Which is the Commonly Preferred Surface Roughness Measurement Technique?

There are generally two types of surface roughness measurement techniques. These include contact based and noncontact based. Among these, contact-based surface measurement is expected to remain the most commonly used technique for measuring surface roughness.

As per Persistence Market Research’s (PMR) latest analysis, the contact segment recorded a CAGR of 4.2% from 2018 to 2022. Over the projection period, it is likely to progress at 6.0% CAGR.

Growth of the target segment is attributable to various advantages of contact surface roughness measurement techniques.

Over the years, contact-based surface roughness measurement has become one of the popular methods for measuring surface roughness. This is due to its various advantages which include a clear wave profile and optimum level of accuracy. It is also capable of long-distance measurements.

Contact surface roughness measurement is performed by using a probe that slides over the sample object. The stylus top makes direct contact with the surface of a sample in contact-type instruments. Growing adoption of contact type probes for quality control applications in sectors such as aerospace & defense and automotive will trigger growth of the contact segment.

Similarly, advancements in contact-type surface roughness instruments will further boost growth of the target segment.

Competitive Landscape:

Leading players operating in the global surface roughness measurement industry include Carl Zeiss, Taylor Hobson, Mahr, Hexagon AB, Faro Technologies, Nikon Corporation, Keyence Corporation, Mitutoyo Corporation, and The Sempre Group.

These key players are heavily investing in research & development for introducing novel surface roughness measurements solutions or technologies including roughness testers. They are also implementing strategies such as mergers, partnerships, facility expansions, collaborations, and acquisitions to fortify their market positions.

Recent developments:

• In June 2023, Hexagon AB partnered with Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation, a world leader in image sensors, to further advance its leading reality capture solutions. Hexagon will utilize Sony’s advanced time-of-flight technologies to enhance speed & accuracy of the company’s reality capture solutions.
• In September 2018, Zeiss Industrial Metrology unveiled a new line of surface roughness inspection systems called SURFCOM 50 for high accuracy inspection of bigger parts. The new transportable SURFCOM system can inspect horizontal surfaces as well as vertical surfaces in narrow areas with transverse traces.
• In December 2022, FARO Technologies, a world leader in 4D digital reality solutions, acquired SiteScape, a prominent leader in LiDAR based scanning software solutions.
• In August 2018, Talysurf PGI NOVUS with Metrology 4.0 software was introduced by Taylor Hobson. It is one of the most advanced systems for surface contour, 3D and diameter measurement.
• In 2023, new industrial measuring microscopes with better functionality and usability were launched by Nikon.
• Recently, a new surface roughness tester called Surftest SJ-310 was released by Mitutoyo America Corporation. The new surface roughness tester features high accuracy and an economical price point.

Scope of the Report:

Global Surface Roughness Measurement Market Segmentation:

By Component:

• Probes
• Frame Grabbers
• Lighting Equipment
• Cameras
• Sensing Technology
• Interface Standards
• Imaging Technology
• Processors
• Software
• Others - Joysticks, Balancing Systems, Stoppers Motors, Air Bearings, Controllers

By Surface Type:

• 2D
• 3D

By Technique:

• Contact
• Noncontact

By Vertical:

• Automobile
• Aerospace and Defense
• Optics and Metal Bearings
• Medical and Pharmaceuticals
• Semiconductor
• Energy & Power
• Others - Forensic, Gem and Jewellery, Research Vertical

By Region:

• North America
• Latin America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• Middle East and Africa

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