How to measure thin materials using the Elcometer PTG8 Ultrasonic Gauge

When you need to measure thin materials with pinpoint accuracy, the Elcometer PTG6 and PTG8 Ultrasonic Precision Thickness Gauges are designed to measure on virtually any uncoated thin material.
CONTENTS
1:04 - Taking a measurement using the Elcometer PTG
2:00 - How a Single Element Transducer works
2:58 - Choosing a delay line
3:43 - Reading Stability Indicator - ensure accurate measurements
4:00 - Connecting a transducer to the Elcometer PTG
4:40 - Key features of the Elcometer PTG range
6:18 - Maintaining the accuracy of an Elcometer PTG
6:40 - Elcometer PTG and ElcoMaster
When it comes to measuring the thickness of small, thin, or intricate components, 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.
Unlike other ultrasonic thickness gauges, which can be notoriously difficult to operate, with confusing and unclear menus - the Elcometer PTG 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 shows how strong the ultrasonic signal is - a red or orange bar means you may need to adjust how you’re holding the transducer, or where on the material you are placing it; while a full bar means a strong signal, ensuring accurate, reliable measurements.
The Elcometer PTG range uses single element transducers and a suitable delay line to provide precise, 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 material you are measuring will affect the material of the delay line you should use. For example acrylic delay lines are suitable for measuring on steel, aluminium, and titanium; while thin plastics and other similar materials should be measured using a graphite delay line, with the gauge set to Plastic Mode.
You simply input the length and material of the delay line before starting, and the gauge will subtract it from future measurements, leaving just the thickness of the material.
The Elcometer PTG thickness gauges are designed to work with Elcometer’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.
If you already have a range of transducers you wish to use which have Lemo Connectors; they can be connected to the Elcometer PTGs using a single element transducer adaptor - you simply tell the gauge what transducer you are using, as well as the delay line.
The Elcometer PTG 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 top-of-the-range Elcometer PTG8 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 Elcometer PTG8 has a choice of displays which include user selectable statistics, thickness bar graphs, and run charts.
The Elcometer PTG8 is also equipped with B-Scan mode; which shows any changes in the material thickness, visually, as you move across the surface - ideal for quickly identifying large changes in depth within the material.
With Limit Memories, the Elcometer PTG8 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.
In order to easily maintain the gauges’ 1% accuracy, the Elcometer PTG6 and PTG8 have a range of calibration options, with simple, on-screen instructions that guide you through each method step-by-step.
For more information on the Elcometer PTG Precision Thickness Gauges, please contact Elcometer at [e-mail], or visit our website: www.elcometer....
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Click here to download the video script in English: www.elcometer....
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STANDARDS:
EN14127, EN15317