How to Measure Thin Materials Accurately using the Dakota PCX8-DL

When it comes to precision measuring the thickness of small, thin, or intricate components, such as machined parts, or small diameter pipes, (tube pipes, plane wings examples etc) how do you quickly and non-destructively measure the thickness of the material when you don’t have access to both sides? Typically, using an ultrasonic precision thickness gauge. ---- CONTENTS 0:00 - Introduction 0:32 - Introducing the Dakota PCX8-DL 1:07 - How to take a reading 1:44 - Introducing the Single Element Delay Line Transducer 2:10 - How does it work? 5:30 - Scan mode 5:48 - Display modes 6:06 - B-Scan mode 6:28 - Differential mode 6:45 - Limit memories 7:11 - For more information ---- When you need to measure thin materials with pinpoint accuracy, the DakotaNDT PCX8-DL Precision Thickness Gauge are designed to measure on virtually any uncoated thin material. The DakotaNDT PCX range’s easy-to-use menu system, in multiple languages, mean they can be used straight out of the-box with little or no training required whilst still delivering highly accurate material thickness measurements. Taking a reading on very thin substrates when accuracy is critical couldn’t be easier - using a very small amount of ultrasonic couplant, press the transducer flat against the surface. When the transducer is placed on the material, the reading stability indicator will show how strong the ultrasonic signal is. A red or orange bar means you may need to adjust how you’re holding the transducer, but if the bar is full, this means that you will get accurate, reliable measurements. The DakotaNDT PCX range uses single element delay-line transducers to provide accurate material thickness measurements to one hundredth of a millimetre, or one thousandth of an inch - of thin uncoated materials, such as steel, titanium, and plastic from as little as 0.15mm thick. The DakotaNDT PCX thickness gauges are designed to work with DakotaNDT’s range of intelligent transducers, which all have automatic probe recognition - so as soon as the transducer is connected to a gauge, it immediately detects what type of transducer you’re working with. All you need to do is set the appropriate length and material of delay line and input the frequency and diameter of the transducer. The DakotaNDT PCX range have user selectable measurement rates of up to 16 readings-per-second (16 Hertz); ideal for quickly scrubbing across a surface, recording multiple measurements. The DakotaNDT PCX8-DL has scan mode for checking large surface areas. Simply scrub the transducer over the test area, and the gauge will display the average, lowest, and highest thicknesses across the scanned area. In addition to displaying the material thickness, the DakotaNDT PCX8-DL has a choice of displays which include user selectable statistics, thickness bar graphs, and run charts. The DakotaNDT PCX8-DL is also equipped with time-based thickness B-Scan mode; which shows any changes in the material thickness visually as you move the transducer across the surface - ideal for quickly identifying large changes in depth within the material. Alternatively, differential mode displays the last reading, and how much it differs from the user definable nominal value – also known as the target thickness – indicating where the material is thinner or thicker than expected. With Limit Memories, the DakotaNDT PCX8-DL allows you to set high and low limits, as well as the previously mentioned nominal target thickness. Once defined, whenever a reading exceeds these limits, the gauge gives you an audio and visual warning, clearly highlighting any problem areas. For more information on DakotaNDT’s full range of NDT inspection gauges, simply visit DakotaNDT.com, or click on one of the links on-screen. And please, don’t forget to subscribe to the DakotaNDT Channel to be notified of any new videos. ---- STANDARDS: EN14127, EN15317