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Harmonics when scanning surface


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i'm getting some harmonics, high pitch noises while scanning over alum 6061 with a scanning speed of 10mm/s using a 3mm ruby, the probe was also calibrated with 200nm of force. is it possible that i am not applying enough force to the surface?
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Be cautious when measuring aluminum with a ruby ball. The ruby balls are synthetic and made from aluminum oxide, so after scanning aluminum material with these probes, you will possibly have buildup occur. You cannot remove the buildup either.

I would suggest a different probe material to not run into this issue.
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Actually you can remove aluminum build up with either sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide, with a mix of like ~10%. Just dont expose the probes too long since then it will also solve the glue that holds the ruby.
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No disrespect meant.
I use CraTex sticks or discs (Very fine), removes aluminum buildup easily, doesn't harm the glue holding the ruby in place.
With a microscope, the stylus and CraTex it takes a few minutes to clean, been doing this for about 16 years now. When finished clean with Lint free isopropyl alcohol based wipes.
I have yet to see a stylus fail qualification from normal cleaning with this method.
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I don't have any experience first hand with trying to remove the aluminum, but every manufacturer that I have ever talked to strongly suggests to avoid trying to remove the buildup yourself. I've always been told that when trying to remove the buildup yourself that you can inadvertently remove some of the "probe" as well.

I would also be extremely cautious with using Sodium Hydroxide as it is extremely corrosive, and can cause some severe burns to the skin (think of Fight Club).

At the end of the day, we can only suggest best practices. If someone wants to assume the risk themselves to save a probe, that is their choice.
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I've thrown many rubies away because they developed flats from abrasive wear through normal scanning on steel parts. I can't imagine trusting a ruby that I had intentionally and repeatedly rubbed with an abrasive. But I don't know what constitutes "failing qualification" for Rick.

I would also shy away from regularly using something like NaOH if I could.

I read somewhere that Silly Putty actually works well for removing aluminum buildup from Rubies. I don't know how reliable that info is, and have no experience to back it up. (We rarely deal with Aluminum.)

I also know that Silicon Nitride balls are supposed to be much less susceptible to adhesive wear. In most cases, the price difference is quite small, especially when you consider the cost of regularly spending time cleaning rubies, and a potential for ruining them in the process. (Or worse, the risk/headaches of not realizing they are ruined...)
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They are definitely the best option if you are worried about wear or buildup.

Zeiss does a great job of helping people justify the cost of them as well.
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