RESULT

We were given a sample to find it surface roughness. The sample were

tested on the computerized surface roughness machine and the result of
Roughness average (Ra) is obtained.
Ra = 3.18m
Then we calculate the surface roughness by using the formula and digital
planimeter to find the center line average (CLA).
CLA= A / ( L x Mv )
where:
A

= sum of the area above and below the centerline

= sample length

Mv

= vertical magnification

The value of L = 0.035 m, Mv = 2200 (refer appendices)

Result of reading by digital planimeter:
Reading

1st reading

Area of the
evaluation curve
(m)
3.210^-4

2nd reading

3.310^-4

3rd reading

3.410^-4

Thus, the average value for A = 3.310^-4 m

Therefore,
CLA = A / ( L x Mv )
= (3.310^-4 ) / (0.035 2200)
= 4.29 10^-6

= 4.29 m

After that, to calculate the value of percentage error:

Percentage Error=

experimentaltheoretical
100
theoretical

4.29 m3.18 m
100
3.18 m

= 34.91 %

Discussion
This experiment was done to find the surface roughness on the
specimen given. Firstly, we used a computerized surface roughness machine
to find its roughness average (Ra). Then we got the value of Ra = 3.18 m.
After that, based on the surfak roughness result, we need to calculate the
area of the curve that obtain from the reading of surface roughness.
Calculation of the surface area of that curves need us to use the digital
planimeter which nedd to control manually by us.
After get the area of the curves, we used the formula of center line
average (CLA) and the result is 4.29 m. From this result, we compared the
data obtained and found that the percentage error is 34.91%. This error can
be accepted because it is not too high. This error may occur during handling
the apparatus of digital planimeter because students need to handle its
manually. Lack of skill and experienced may lead us to do some error
because it is quite complicated to handle the digital planimeter. A lot of
experienced people need in handling this apparatus and the person need to
be very focus in handling it.
The surrounding environment also can affect the result cause the
person that handling the apparatus is a human so the surroundings will
affects him/she during taking the measurement. The place used need to be
inpeace and quite. The table used also be one of the factors that will affects
the reading. The table need to be in steady and stable condition. The surface
of the table also need to be in smooth condition and people around the table
must not bother or give the motion or forces to the table used.
Futhermore, the person that incharge have a different skills with others.
Therefore, different reading will be obtained from different peoples. because
of that, we decided to used reading from three different person so we can get
the average value on each of them. Then to give the accurate results, each of
three students need to take three times the measurement area of that curves
and take the average value from their reading. The person that handle this
apparatus must have constant speed of their hand motion due to the
sensitivity of the digital planimeter.

The digital planimeter is very sensitive as we can see that many factors
can affects the reading of the result. The students should handle the digital
planimeter carefully and we are told to not touch the screw at the back of
the planimeter because it will affect the reading.