DAKOTA ULTRASONICS MX-3 Operation Manual
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DAKOTA ULTRASONICS MX-3 Operation Manual

Ultrasonic thickness gauge
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OPERATION MANUAL
DAKOTA ULTRASONICS MODEL MX-3 ULTRASONIC THICKNESS GAUGE
P/N P-112-0002
Rev 1.90, January 2008

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  • Page 1 OPERATION MANUAL DAKOTA ULTRASONICS MODEL MX-3 ULTRASONIC THICKNESS GAUGE P/N P-112-0002 Rev 1.90, January 2008...
  • Page 2 Dakota Ultrasonics. Every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this publication. Dakota Ultrasonics assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions. Neither is any liability assumed for damages resulting from the use of information contained herein.
  • Page 3 MX-3 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge CONTENTS NTRODUCTION PERATION EYPAD ISPLAY RANSDUCER AKING EASUREMENTS ONDITION AND REPARATION OF URFACES ROBE ALIBRATION RANSDUCER ELECTION A: P PPENDIX RODUCT PECIFICATIONS B: A PPENDIX PPLICATION OTES C: S PPENDIX OUND ELOCITIES OF OMMON ATERIALS ARRANTY...
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  • Page 5 This manual is presented in three sections. The first section covers operation of the MX-3, and explains the keypad controls and display. The second section provides guidelines in selecting a transducer for a specific application. The last section provides application notes and a table of sound velocity values for various materials.
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  • Page 7: Operation

    The Keypad This key is used to turn the MX-3 on and off. When the gauge is turned ON, it will first perform a brief display test by illuminating all of the segments in the display. After one second, the gauge will display the internal software version number.
  • Page 8 Dakota Ultrasonics The PRB-0 key is used to "zero" the MX-3 in much the same way that a mechanical micrometer is zeroed. If the gauge is not zeroed correctly, all of the measurements that the gauge makes may be in error by some fixed value.
  • Page 9 Refer to page 17 for an explanation of the SCAN measurement mode. The DOWN arrow key has two functions. When the MX-3 is in the CAL mode, this key is used to decrease numeric values on the display. An auto-repeat function is built in, so that when the key is held down, numeric values will decrement at an increasing rate.
  • Page 10 When the gauge is making a measurement, six or seven of the bars should be on. If fewer than five bars are on, the MX-3 is having difficulty achieving a stable measurement, and the thickness value displayed will most likely be...
  • Page 11 MX-3 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge When the IN symbol is on, the MX-3 is displaying a thickness value in inches. The maximum thickness that can be displayed is 19.999 inches. When the MM symbol is on, the MX-3 is displaying a thickness value in millimeters.
  • Page 12 MX-3. The transducer must be used correctly in order for the MX-3 to produce accurate, reliable measurements. Below is a short description of the transducer, followed by instructions for its use.

  • Page 13: Making Measurements

    The Stability Indicator should have six or seven bars darkened, and a number should appear in the display. If the MX-3 has been properly "zeroed" (see page 12) and set to the correct sound velocity (see page 13), the number in the display will indicate the...
  • Page 14 While the transducer is in contact with the material being measured, the MX-3 will perform four measurements every second, updating its display as it does so. When the transducer is removed from the surface, the display will hold the last measurement made.

  • Page 15: Condition And Preparation Of Surfaces

    MX-3 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge Condition and Preparation of Surfaces In any ultrasonic measurement scenario, the shape and roughness of the test surface are of paramount importance. Rough, uneven surfaces may limit the penetration of ultrasound through the material, and result in unstable, and therefore unreliable, measurements.

  • Page 16: Probe Zero

    Dakota Ultrasonics Probe Zero Setting the Zero Point of the MX-3 is important for the same reason that setting the zero on a mechanical micrometer is important. If the gauge is not "zeroed" correctly, all of the measurements the gauge makes will be in error by some fixed number.
  • Page 17 This will ensure that the instrument is always correctly zeroed. Calibration In order for the MX-3 to make accurate measurements, it must be set to the correct sound-velocity for the material being measured. Different types of material have different inherent sound-velocities. For example, the velocity of sound through steel is about 0.233 inches-per-microsecond,...

  • Page 18: Calibration To A Known Thickness

    8) Press the CAL key again. The IN/µ s (or M/s) symbols should begin flashing. The MX-3 is now displaying the sound velocity value it has calculated based on the thickness value that was entered in step 7.

  • Page 19: Calibration To A Known Velocity

    (0.233 IN/µs). To achieve the most accurate measurements possible, it is generally advisable to always calibrate the MX-3 to a sample piece of known thickness. Material composition (and thus, its sound-velocity) sometimes varies from lot to lot and from manufacturer to manufacturer. Calibration to a sample of known thickness will ensure that the gauge is set as closely as possible to the sound velocity of the material to be measured.

  • Page 20: Two Point Calibration

    8) Press the Probe key. The display will flash 1OF2. Repeat steps 3 through 8 on the second calibration point. The MX-3 will now display the sound velocity value it has calculated based on the thickness values that were entered in step 7.

  • Page 21: Scan Mode

    MX-3 will display the smallest measurement it found. When the MX-3 is not in calibration mode, press the UP arrow key to turn Scan Mode on and off. A brief message will appear in the display confirming the operation.

  • Page 22: Transducer Selection

    Generally speaking, the best transducer for a job is one that sends sufficient ultrasonic energy into the material being measured such that a strong, stable echo is received by the MX-3. Several factors affect the strength of ultrasound as it travels. These are outlined below: •...
  • Page 23 MX-3 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge strength of the waves, and thus, the MX-3's ability to detect the returning echo. Higher frequency ultrasound is absorbed and scattered more than ultrasound of a lower frequency. While it may seem that using a lower frequency transducer might be better in every instance, low frequencies are less directional than high frequencies.
  • Page 24 Dakota Ultrasonics Selection of the proper transducer is often a matter of tradeoffs between various characteristics. It may be necessary to experiment with a variety of transducers in order to find one that works well for a given job. Dakota Ultrasonics can provide assistance in choosing a transducer, and offers a broad selection of transducers for evaluation in specialized applications.
  • Page 25 MX-3 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge APPENDIX A Product Specifications Physical Weight: 10 ounces Size: 2.5W x 4.75H x 1.25D inches (63.5W x 120.7H x 31.8D mm). Operating Temperature: -20 to 120 °F (-20 to 50 °C) Case: Extruded aluminum body / nickel plated aluminum end caps.
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  • Page 27 MX-3 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge APPENDIX B Application Notes • Measuring pipe and tubing When measuring a piece of pipe to determine the thickness of the pipe wall, orientation of the transducers is important. If the diameter of the pipe is larger than approximately 4 inches, measurements should be made with the transducer oriented so that the gap in the wearface is perpendicular (at right angle) to the long axis of the pipe.
  • Page 28 (refer to page 11) on a sample piece of known thickness, which is at or near the temperature of the material to be measured. This will allow the MX-3 to correctly calculate the velocity of sound through the hot material.
  • Page 29 MX-3 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge An additional important consideration when measuring laminates, is that any included air gaps or pockets will cause an early reflection of the ultrasound beam. This effect will be noticed as a sudden decrease in thickness in an otherwise regular surface. While this may impede accurate measurement of total material thickness, it does provide the user with positive indication of air gaps in the laminate.
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  • Page 31 MX-3 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge APPENDIX C Sound Velocities of some Common Materials M a t e r i a l s o u n d v e l o c i t y i n / u s m / s A l u m i n u m 0 .
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  • Page 33: Warranty Information

    Dakota Ultrasonics warrants transducers and accessories against such defects for a period of 90 days from receipt by the end user. If Dakota Ultrasonics receives notice of such defects during the warranty period, Dakota Ultrasonics will either, at its option, repair or replace products that prove to be defective.
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  • Page 35 MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET N/A = not applicable or not available (To comply with 29 CFR 1910.1200) SECTION 1 – PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION NFPA Hazardous Materials Product Name: SOUNDSAFE® Identification System (est) Generic Name: Ultrasonic Couplant Health……………………0 Manufacturer: Sonotech, Inc. Flammability…………….0 774 Marine Dr., Bellingham, WA 98225 Reactivity………………..0 (360) 671-9121...

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