Ultrasonic Coating Thickness Gage Instruction Manual v. 3.
Table of Contents Introduction ......................................................... Quick Start .......................................................... Certification ......................................................... Probes ................................................................. How to Measure .................................................. Calibration, Verification and Adjustment ............. Menu Operation .................................................. Cal Settings Menu ..
Connect Menu ..................................................... Sync Now ....................................................... Auto Sync ....................................................... USB Drive ...................................................... Bluetooth ........................................................ Bluetooth Wireless Printer ............................. WiFi ................................................................ Updates ...............................................
Introduction The PosiTector 200 is a hand-held Coating Thickness Gage that uses a non-destructive ultrasonic principle to measure coating thickness on a wide variety of substrates. It consists of a body (Standard or Advanced) and a probe (see Probes pg. 7).
Protective Cap PosiTector 200 gages ship with a protective rubber cap over the probe. Remove this cap prior to use. Replace it when the Gage is not in use to protect the probe. Wrist Strap 2 We recommend attaching and wearing the supplied wrist strap. 1 Protective Lens Shield The LCD is covered with a thin plastic film for protection against fingerprints and other marks during shipment.
PosiTector Body USB Port 200 B probe LCD Display 200 C probe Probe Connector 200 D probe Typical Display Battery Icon 2.1 thou/mils Current Measurement Unit of Measurement Factory Calibration settings in use.
Probes To disconnect a probe from a body, power-down the Gage and slide the plastic probe connector horizontally (in the direction of the arrow) away from the body. Reverse these steps to attach a new probe. When powered-up the PosiTector automatically determines what type of probe is attached and does a self-check. PosiTector 200 probes are available for measuring a wide variety of coating thickness applications. B probe - 13 to 1000 microns (0.
Ultrasonic Thickness Theory of Operation The PosiTector 200 probe emits a high frequency sound pulse that travels into the coating via a coupling gel and reflects from ANY surface that is different in density. Coating thickness readings are obtained by measuring the time taken for the ultrasonic signal to propagate from the probe to the coating/substrate interface and back. The travel time is divided by two and multiplied by the velocity of sound in the coating to obtain the thickness of the coating.
Calibration, Verification and Adjustment Three steps ensure best accuracy… 1.Calibration - typically done by the manufacturer. All probes include a Certificate of Calibration. 2.Verification of Accuracy - typically done by the user on known reference standards such as plastic shims or coated thickness standards. 3.
Menu Operation Gage functions are menu controlled. To access the Menu, power-up the Gage, then press the center navigation button. Below is a sample menu for a PosiTector 200 Advanced model: Memory Cal Settings Setup Connect Help Power Off Exit Current selection is displayed with darkened background Some buttons have a tick box to their right to indicate current status. An empty box indicates that feature is not active.
Cal Settings Menu Zero PosiTector 200 probes must be periodically zeroed using the ZERO menu option to compensate for both extreme temperature and probe wear effects. Before using, allow the probe to reach ambient temperature. If measurements will be made in extreme hot or cold temperatures, it is recommended to ZERO the probe in the working environment. If measurements will be made on rough substrates, it is recommended to periodically ZERO the probe to compensate for wear. 1.
Here are some typical Range settings... Expected paint thickness 500µm (20 mils) on concrete 50µm (2 mils) on wood Lo Range Hi Range 130µm (5 mils) 1000µm (40 mils) 25µm (1 mil) 250µm (10 mils) Thickness The PosiTector 200 measures most polymer coatings accurately out-of-box with no adjustment required. To determine if an adjustment is necessary, select a coating sample of known thickness as close as possible in composition to the intended application.
Setup Menu Reset Reset (soft reset) restores factory settings and returns the Gage to a known condition. The following occurs: - All batches, stored measurements, images, batch names and screen captures are erased. - All calibration and range adjustments are cleared and returned to the Gage’s factory settings. - The icon will appear on the display.
Gage Info Displays the model number & serial number, probe type & serial number, PosiSoft.net registration key, the amount of remaining memory for storage of readings, date and time and software packages. For security purposes, the registration key is required to add the Gage to your PosiSoft.net account. Graphics ü (Advanced models only) When selected, the Gage displays a graphical representation of the ultrasonic pulse as it travels through the coating system.
Use the navigation Up (move left) and Down (move right) buttons to highlight icons on the graphic display. Zoom - Visually magnifies the waveform of the displayed peaks for more visibility. Pressing the (+) or (-) button repeatedly will increase/decrease the zoom. Set Range - Press the (-) or (+) buttons to adjust the Gage’s Lo or Hi measuring range (See pg. 11). Cursor - The Cursor allows for further analysis of displayed waveform.
Layers (Advanced models only) Advanced models of the PosiTector 200 are capable of numerically displaying up to three individual layer thicknesses in a multi-layer system. Example: Two Layer Application Couplant Probe Layer 1 Layer 2 Substrate From the Layers menu option... Total thickness Select up to three individual layer thickness values: Edit: - Edit Layer Names (up to 7 characters) - Edit Layer Color (blue, green or red) - See Display, pg. 21.
Flip Display This option causes the display to rotate 180°. Ideal for right-sideup viewing when the sensors are pointed away from the user. White on Black (Advanced models only) Inverts the LCD display to white on a black background to provide better readability in some surroundings. (Advanced models only) Backlight Selects display brightness (Sun, Normal or Night). All settings will dim slightly after a period of no activity to conserve battery life. Press the Down button to brighten the display.
Memory Management The PosiTector 200 has internal memory storage for recording measurement data. Stored measurements can be reviewed on-screen or accessed via computers, tablets and smart phones. Measurements are date and time-stamped. Button functions with Memory ON: Scroll through display modes (Advanced only) Create a new batch (Advanced only) Delete last reading Restore brightness after dimming (Advanced only) Access the Menu Standard models store up to 250 readings in one batch.
Advanced models store 100,000 readings in up to 1,000 batches. The Memory Menu includes the following options... New Batch Closes any currently opened batch and creates a new batch name using the lowest available number. For example, if only Batch 1 and Batch 3 exist, then Batch 2 would be created and made the current batch. The icon appears and basic statistics are displayed. Each measurement will be displayed and stored into this new batch.
Delete Removes a batch completely from memory. The name is deleted and all measurements are erased. View Scroll using the Up or Down buttons through information, statistical summary, and a list of each reading in the currently opened batch. Press to exit. Annotate Create meaningful batch names and enter notes directly on the Gage using a familiar onscreen QWERTY keyboard. Use the Gage’s navigation and (-)(+) buttons to enter annotations. Annotations can be synchronized with PosiSoft.
Display (appears only if a batch is currently open) The following user selectable display options are available: Chart: A real-time chart of batch readings x-y Chart for Stack Chart for Single Layer Application Multi-Layer Application Image: Batch image Notes: Instructions, descriptions or notes (see Annotate, pg.20) None: Default screen shows statistics When a batch is open, press Up to scroll through the above Shortcut: display options. NOTE: PosiSoft.net (pg. 24) and PosiSoft Mobile (pg.
NOTES: Remove the last reading from the current open batch by pressing (-). Calibration adjustments cannot be made if any measurements were taken with that Cal setting and stored into a batch. Each batch can contain a maximum of 10,000 readings. Summaries (Advanced models only) Displays a summary of all stored batches including the name, probe type, number of readings and type.
Accessing Stored Measurement Data PosiSoft solutions for viewing, analyzing and reporting data: PosiSoft USB Drive - connect the PosiTector to a PC/Mac using the supplied USB cable to access and print stored readings, graphs, photos, notes and screen captures. No software or internet connection required. USB Drive must be selected (See pg. 26). PosiSoft.net - a free web-based application offering secure centralized storage of PosiTector readings. Access your data from any web connected device. Go to: www.
PosiSoft.net: To enhance the operation of your Gage, all PosiTector users have access to the features provided by PosiSoft.net. It is a web-based application offering secure centralized management of readings.
PosiSoft Mobile: Is a Gage-based software application featured in all PosiTector Advanced instruments (serial numbers 730,000+).
Connect Menu Synchronizing (Sync) is the process whereby PosiTector stored measurement data uploads to PosiSoft.net (from both Standard and Advanced models) while images and batch notes are downloaded to the Gage (Advanced model only). This transfer occurs when the Gage is connected via USB, Bluetooth or directly through your WiFi router/hotspot via WiFi. It can be triggered either manually (USB, Bluetooth or WiFi) or automatically (USB only).
When checked, any computer can view readings stored in memory by navigating a virtual drive labeled “PosiTector” using the included USB cable. A formatted HTML report is viewed by selecting the "index.html" or “START_HERE.html” file found in the root directory. Optionally, text ".txt" files located in each batch folder provide access to measurement values. Stored readings and graphs can be viewed or copied using universal PC/Mac web browsers or file explorers.
Retrieving stored screen captures The last 10 screen captures (pg. 22) stored in memory can be accessed by navigating to the “screen_capture” directory within the “PosiTector” virtual drive. Bluetooth (Advanced models only) PosiTector Advanced models have Bluetooth functionality to: - Communicate with the PosiSoft Desktop Manager (PDM) in lieu of a USB cable. - Stream individual readings to a computer or Bluetooth wireless printer as they are taken.
Bluetooth Wireless Printer PosiTector Advanced models can output to the optional battery powered Bluetooth wireless printer one of two ways: • Stream individual readings as they are taken. • Print stored batch readings and summaries. Begin by entering the Connect > Bluetooth menu. Turn Bluetooth ON and “Pair” the PosiTector to the printer. See: www.defelsko.com/bluetooth Streaming: In the Connect > Bluetooth menu, select the Stream tick box.
Securing your Access Point To ensure the PosiTector is only accessible to authorized devices, it is important that you enter a passphrase (password) for the Access Point. The default Passphrase is password. In the Connect > WiFi > Setup menu, select AP Passphrase. Press button to display on-screen keyboard. Enter a Passphrase for the Access Point. The Passphrase will be required for all devices connecting to the PosiTector’s Access Point. The PosiTector is now visible to all WiFi enabled devices.
Accessing your PosiTector PosiSoft Mobile (pg. 25) For use on Apple iOS and Android devices: PosiSoft Mobile Manager apps exist for Apple iOS and Android users. Simply download the App from the Apple App Store or Google Play. Once your smart device/computer has been connected to the PosiTector Access Point, open the PosiSoft Mobile Manager app. Select your PosiTector from the list to open PosiSoft Mobile.
Setup: Allows user to setup a WiFi connection • IP Settings: enter the IP information as follows... IP Type (DHCP or Static), IP Address, Gateway, Netmask, DNS1, DNS2. • Server Enable: enables a connection between the network and the Gage. • Gage Name: enter a name for the Gage (up to 14 Characters). • WiFi Reset: erases all WiFi settings. Updates Determines if a software update is available for your Gage.
Application Notes The PosiTector 200 uses an ultrasonic principle to measure coating thickness of most coatings on most substrates. An ultrasonic signal is a very high frequency sound wave. Like the echoes you hear when you shout in a large hall or canyon the PosiTector 200 listens for echoes from acoustic boundaries within your application. The PosiTector 200 probe emits a high frequency sound pulse that travels into the coating via a coupling gel and reflects from ANY surface that is different in density.
Probe Coating #1 Couplant #2 Substrate Measurement of dense (hard) coatings. A significant echo occurs at the probe/coating interface. The relative strength of this echo compared to the coating/substrate echo requires that Lo Value be increased. Measurement of total thickness in multi-layer coating applications. Multiple coating/coating/substrate interfaces may generate several echoes. The user may need to adjust the Gage’s Set Range (pg. 11) to ignore echoes from coating/coating interfaces.
Gage readings are much higher than expected Gage may be measuring both the coating and substrate. Lower the value of Hi Range (See pg. 11). Gage does not yield accurate or consistent results See the Set Range (pg. 11) and Thickness Adjustment (pg. 12) sections to ensure the Gage has been optimized for your application. Check the Gage on traceable standards.
Power Supply / Battery Indicator Power Source: 3 AAA alkaline, Lithium or optional Nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) rechargeable batteries. For best battery indicator results, ensure the appropriate Battery Type is selected in the Setup > Battery Type menu (pg. 17). The battery indicator displays a full bar with fresh alkaline or fully charged batteries installed. As the batteries weaken, the bar will be reduced.
Use the USB cable alone to connect a PosiTector to your PC's built-in USB port that acts as a continuous power source. Or connect the cable to the included power adaptor which plugs into any AC wall electrical outlet, 110 or 220V. A selection of electrical plugs is included which are capable of dealing with most country’s outlets.The USB cable provided can also be used for Accessing Stored Measurement Data (See pg. 23). USB Cable A USB Cable is provided with every PosiTector.
Coating Thickness Standards Certified Thickness Standards are used to verify the accuracy and operation of coating thickness gages and are an important component in fulfilling both ISO/QS-9000 and in-house quality control requirements. Contracts often specify that coating thickness measurements be taken by gages whose measurement accuracy is traceable to a National Metrology Institute such as NIST or PTB. Standards are typically purchased as an accessory to coating thickness gages.
Technical Data PosiTector 200 Model Measures total thickness B/Std B/Adv C/Std C/Adv D/Std D/Adv X X X X X X Measures Individual Layers X X X Graphic Display X X X Typical Applications Range* Accuracy Polymer coatings on wood, plastic, etc. Thick, soft coatings like polyurea, asphaltic neoprene, very thick polymers, etc. 13 – 1000 microns 50 – 3800 microns 50 – 7600 microns 0.5 – 40 mils 2 – 150 mils 2 – 300 mils +/- (2 microns + 3% of reading) +/-(20um + 3% of reading) +/- (0.
Returning for Service Before returning the Gage for service… 1.Install new or newly recharged batteries in the proper alignment as shown within battery compartment. 2.Examine the probe tip for dirt or damage. 3.Perform a Hard Reset (pg. 13) and a Zero (pg. 11). 4.Place a plastic shim onto a hard surface (i.e. glass) and attempt a measurement. (pg. 8) IMPORTANT: If you must return the Gage for service, please fill out and include the Service Form located at www.defelsko.com/support with the Gage.
