Accurate Measurement of Materials Thickness

An ultrasonic device that accurately measures and records the material thickness of all metals, plastics and glass has been produced by a British company.

The Portagauge Datalogger from Wylam Hill, is a compact instrument, measuring only 195 x 100 x35mm, yet it has a store capacity of up to 2500 readings.

It will give an instant LCD readout of each thickness measurement over a range of 1.5 - 199.9mm to an accuracy of within +0.1mm. Each reading can be recorded automatically and given a serial number. self calibration and dual metric/imperial conversion are standard features of the instrument, as is a preprogrammed material- selection facility.

The unit is divided into two sections and operation is straightforward. The upper section measures the thickness of the material and displays it on the LCD. This is achieved by selecting the required mode and material programme with the control keys, and applying the sensor to the test area with a small amount of gel as a couplant. The instrument measures the time taken for the ultrasonic beam to travel through the material and translates this into the thickness displayed in millimetres or inches.

The lower section is for logging the thickness measurement in the serial-numbered programmed memory. This can be printed out or downloaded to a PC via a standard computer 'D' connector; the company has available a miniature thermal printer for this purpose.

Provision is made for searching the memory or starting it from any point, and it is possible to use the measuring facility independent of the recording/logging unit.