Experimental investigation of a modified Beckmann–Kirchhoff scattering theory for the in-process optical measurement of surface quality

An experimental investigation of a modified Beckmann–Kirchhoff scattering theory applied in an in-process optical measurement of surface quality is described. The proposed theory describes the scattered light intensity distribution from a surface with the additional layers, and can be employed to analyze the surface characteristics in in-process measurement. Based on light scattering principle and machine vision method, the surface roughness is extracted to testify the correction of the modified Beckmann–Kirchhoff scattering theory. The experimental apparatus consists of a collimated laser diode, a beam splitter, a screen, a measuring lens and a camera. Test specimens with different surface roughness are studied. The results obtained demonstrate the feasibility of in-process optical measurement of surface quality using the modified model.