OPERATION MANUAL DAKOTA ULTRASONICS MODEL MX-3 ULTRASONIC THICKNESS GAUGE P/N P-112-0002 Rev 1.
Copyright 2008 Dakota Ultrasonics. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, translated into another language, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means; electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written consent of Dakota Ultrasonics. Every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this publication. Dakota Ultrasonics assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions.
MX-3 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge CONTENTS I NTRODUCTION 1 OPERATION 3 THE KEYPAD 3 THE DISPLAY 6 THE TRANSDUCER 8 MAKING MEASUREMENTS 9 CONDITION AND PREPARATION OF SURFACES 11 PROBE ZERO 12 CALIBRATION 13 SCAN MODE 17 TRANSDUCER SELECTION 18 APPENDIX A: PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS 21 APPENDIX B: APPLICATION NOTES 23 APPENDIX C: SOUND VELOCITIES OF COMMON MATERIALS 27 W ARRANTY I NFORMATION 29 DISCLAIMER Inherent in ultrasonic thickness measurement is the possibility that the instru
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MX-3 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge INTRODUCTION The Dakota Ultrasonics model MX-3 is a precision Ultrasonic Micrometer. Based on the same operating principles as SONAR, the MX-3 is capable of measuring the thickness of various materials with accuracy as high as ± 0.001 inches, or ± 0.01 millimeters. The principle advantage of ultrasonic measurement over traditional methods is that ultrasonic measurements can be performed with access to only one side of the material being measured.
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MX-3 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge OPERATION The MX-3 interacts with the operator through the membrane keypad and the LCD display. The functions of the various keys on the keypad are detailed below, followed by an explanation of the display and its various symbols. The Keypad This key is used to turn the MX-3 on and off. When the gauge is turned ON, it will first perform a brief display test by illuminating all of the segments in the display.
Dakota Ultrasonics The PRB-0 key is used to "zero" the MX-3 in much the same way that a mechanical micrometer is zeroed. If the gauge is not zeroed correctly, all of the measurements that the gauge makes may be in error by some fixed value. Refer to page 12 for an explanation of this important procedure. The CAL key is used to enter and exit the MX-3's calibration mode. This mode is used to adjust the sound-velocity value that the M X-3 will use when calculating thickness.
MX-3 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge The UP arrow key has two functions. When the MX-3 is in calibration mode, this key is used to increase numeric values on the display. An autorepeat function is built in, so that when the key is held down, numeric values will increment at an increasing rate. When the MX-3 is not in calibration mode, the UP arrow key switches the SCAN measurement mode on and off. Refer to page 17 for an explanation of the SCAN measurement mode. The DOWN arrow key has two functions.
Dakota Ultrasonics The Display The numeric portion of the display consists of 4 complete digits preceded by a leading "1", and is used to display numeric values, as well as occasional simple words, to indicate the status of various settings. When the MX-3 is displaying thickness measurements, the display will hold the last value measured, until a new measurement is made. Additionally, when the battery voltage is low, the entire display will begin to flash.
MX-3 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge When the IN symbol is on, the MX-3 is displaying a thickness value in inches. The maximum thickness that can be displayed is 19.999 inches. When the MM symbol is on, the MX-3 is displaying a thickness value in millimeters. If the displayed thickness exceeds 199.99 millimeters, the decimal point will shift automatically to the right, allowing values up to 1999.9 millimeters to be displayed.
Dakota Ultrasonics The Transducer The transducer is the "business end" of the MX-3. It transmits and receives the ultrasonic sound waves which the MX-3 uses to calculate the thickness of the material being measured. The transducer connects to the MX-3 via the attached cable, and two coaxial connectors. When using transducers manufactured by Dakota Ultrasonics, the orientation of the dual coaxial connectors is not critical: either plug may be fitted to either socket in the MX-3.
MX-3 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge This is a top view of a typical transducer. Press against the top with the thumb or index finger to hold the transducer in place. Moderate pressure is sufficient, as it is only necessary to keep the transducer stationary, and the wearface seated f lat against the surface of the material being measured. Making Measurements In order for the transducer to do its job, there must be no air gaps between the wear-face and the surface of the material being measured.
Dakota Ultrasonics If the Stability Indicator has fewer than five bars darkened, or the numbers on the display seem erratic, first check to make sure that there is an adequate film of couplant beneath the transducer, and that the transducer is seated flat against the material. If the condition persists, it may be necessary to select a different transducer (size or frequency) for the material being measured. See page 18 for information on transducer selection.
MX-3 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge Condition and Preparation of Surfaces In any ultrasonic measurement scenario, the shape and roughness of the test surface are of paramount importance. Rough, uneven surfaces may limit the penetration of ultrasound through the material, and result in unstable, and therefore unreliable, measurements. The surface being measured should be clean, and free of any small particulate matter, rust, or scale.
Dakota Ultrasonics Probe Zero Setting the Zero Point of the MX-3 is important for the same reason that setting the zero on a mechanical micrometer is important. If the gauge is not "zeroed" correctly, all of the measurements the gauge makes will be in error by some fixed number. When the MX-3 is "zeroed", this fixed error value is measured and automatically corrected for in all subsequent measurements.
MX-3 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge At this point, the MX-3 has successfully calculated it's internal error factor, and will compensate for this value in any subsequent measurements. When performing a "probe-zero", the MX-3 will always use the sound-velocity value of the built-in probe-disc, even if some other velocity value has been entered for making actual measurements.
Dakota Ultrasonics Calibration to a known thickness NOTE: This procedure requires a sample piece of the specific material to be measured, the exact thickness of which is known, e.g. from having been measured by some other means. 1) Make sure the M X-3 is on. 2) Perform a Probe-Zero (refer to page 12) 3) Apply couplant to the sample piece. 4) Press the transducer against the sample piece, making sure that the transducer sits flat against the surface of the sample.
MX-3 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge Calibration to a known velocity NOTE: This procedure requires that the operator know the soundvelocity of the material to be measured. A table of common materials and their sound-velocities can be found in Appendix C. 1) Make sure the M X-3 is on. 2) Press the CAL key to enter calibration mode. If the IN (or MM) symbol is flashing, press the CAL key again, so that the IN/µs (or M/s) symbols are flashing.
Dakota Ultrasonics Two Point Calibration NOTE: This procedure requires that the operator has two known thickness points on the test piece that are representative of the range to be measured. 1) Make sure the M X-3 is on. 2) Perform a Probe-Zero (refer to page 12) 3) Apply couplant to the sample piece. 4) Press the transducer against the sample piece, at the first/second calibration point, making sure that the transducer sits flat against the surface of the sample.
MX-3 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge Scan Mode While the MX-3 excels at making single point measurements, it is sometimes desirable to examine a larger region, searching for the thinnest point. The MX-3 includes a feature, called Scan Mode, which allows it to do just that. In normal operation, the MX-3 performs and displays four measurements every second, which is quite adequate for single measurements. In Scan Mode, however, the gauge performs sixteen measurements every second.
Dakota Ultrasonics TRANSDUCER SELECTION The MX-3 is inherently capable of performing measurements on a wide range of materials, from various metals to glass and plastics. Different types of material, however, will require the use of different transducers. Choosing the correct transducer for a job is critical to being able to easily perform accurate and reliable measurements.
MX-3 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge strength of the waves, and thus, the MX-3's ability to detect the returning echo. Higher frequency ultrasound is absorbed and scattered more than ultrasound of a lower frequency. While it may seem that using a lower frequency transducer might be better in every instance, low frequencies are less directional than high frequencies.
Dakota Ultrasonics Selection of the proper transducer is often a matter of tradeoffs between various characteristics. It may be necessary to experiment with a variety of transducers in order to find one that works well for a given job. Dakota Ultrasonics can provide assistance in choosing a transducer, and offers a broad selection of transducers for evaluation in specialized applications.
MX-3 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge APPENDIX A Product Specifications Physical Weight: 10 ounces Size: 2.5W x 4.75H x 1.25D inches (63.5W x 120.7H x 31.8D mm). Operating Temperature: -20 to 120 °F (-20 to 50 °C) Case: Extruded aluminum body / nickel plated aluminum end caps. Keypad Sealed membrane, resistant to water and petroleum products. Power Source Two “AA” size, 1.5 volt alkaline or 1.2 volt NiCad cells. 200 hours typical operating time on alkaline, 120 hours on NiCad. Display Liquid-Crystal-Display, 4.
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MX-3 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge APPENDIX B Application Notes • Measuring pipe and tubing When measuring a piece of pipe to determine the thickness of the pipe wall, orientation of the transducers is important. If the diameter of the pipe is larger than approximately 4 inches, measurements should be made with the transducer oriented so that the gap in the wearface is perpendicular (at right angle) to the long axis of the pipe.
Dakota Ultrasonics above this point, the change in sound velocity of the material being measured starts to have a noticeable effect upon ultrasonic measurement. At such elevated temperatures, it is recommended that the user perform a calibration procedure (refer to page 11) on a sample piece of known thickness, which is at or near the temperature of the material to be measured. This will allow the MX-3 to correctly calculate the velocity of sound through the hot material.
MX-3 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge An additional important consideration when measuring laminates, is that any included air gaps or pockets will cause an early reflection of the ultrasound beam. This effect will be noticed as a sudden decrease in thickness in an otherwise regular surface. While this may impede accurate measurement of total material thickness, it does provide the user with positive indication of air gaps in the laminate.
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MX-3 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge APPENDIX C Sound Velocities of some Common Materials Material sound velocity in/us Aluminum Bismuth Brass Cadmium Cast Iron Constantan Copper Epoxy resin German silver G lass, crown G lass,flint Gold Ice Iron Lead Magnesium Mercury Nickel Nylon Paraffin Platinum Plexiglass Polystyrene Porcelain PVC Quartz glass Rubber, vulcanized Silver Steel, common Steel, stainless Stellite Teflon Tin Titanium Tungsten Zinc W a ter m/s 0.250 0.086 0.173 0.109 0.180 0.206 0.184 0.100 0.
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MX-3 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge WARRANTY INFORMATION • Warranty Statement • Dakota Ultrasonics warrants the MX-3 against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of five years from receipt by the end user. Additionally, Dakota Ultrasonics warrants transducers and accessories against such defects for a period of 90 days from receipt by the end user.
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MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET N/A = not applicable or not available (To comply with 29 CFR 1910.1200) SECTION 1 – PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION NFPA Hazardous Materials Identification System (est) Health……………………0 Flammability…………….0 Reactivity………………..0 Product Name: SOUNDSAFE Generic Name: Ultrasonic Couplant Manufacturer: Sonotech, Inc. 774 Marine Dr.
