Macroscopic examination

Macroscopic examination is the preliminary stage of microscopic examination. It involves the appraisal of an object without microscopic aids. In this way, workpieces can be assessed in terms of their manufacturing processes and environmental conditions, and initial forecasts can be made regarding their functionality and service life. The macroscopic examination does not have to start from a mere eyeball, but aids can be used. In this way, many properties of a workpiece can already be determined in the macroscopic examination: Thus, dimensional accuracy as well as flatness, inclination or roundness can be checked, and general statements about roughness, grooving and other surface properties and elements can be made. Damage and defects can also often be made visible using macroscopic methods. The tools of macroscopic inspection methods include classic measuring tools such as calipers, measuring tapes, rulers, gauges, protractors or micrometer screws. The human sense of touch, as well as a close examination of a workpiece, also usually allows assumptions to be made about the roughness. However, the exact roughness depth cannot be determined in this way; surface measurements using tactile measuring instruments, for example, are suitable for a precise analysis of the roughness.