Ultra Sonic thickness measurement

[confused290181]

Hi Guys.

Anybody used Ultrasonic thickness gauges ?

I would like to purchase an off the shelf gauge, so I can automate the loading and unloading of the part to be measured and send the result to a GUI.

The max thickness to be measures is 5mm
surface could be alu or FE

1. As I would like to automate the loading , how critical is part presentation to the probes ?

2. Do you need to calibrate against a known master ?

3. What is the typical resolution/accuracy and what cost ball park figures.

4. Is the measurement effected by coatings on the material to be measured (usually a think film of varnish 3microns thick.)

Thats all for now sorry if I posted in wrong section

Confused

 

[CoryPad]

1. It is critical - the probe needs to be perpendicular to the surface
2. Usually the device comes with a calibration standard
3. Accuracy can be around +/- 0.025 mm, cost can be around $1000
4. The thin coating you mention should not present a problem

 

[rob768]

2 you will need to calibrate for any unknown material, as the device measures speed of sound through the material, which differs depending on material used.
Obviously, if you have the opprtunity yo calibrate, it enhances accuracy (enormously)

there seems to be devices that can acocunt form coatings. I know of one surveyor that has one, but i have no experience with it.