DAKOTA ULTRASONICS PVX Operation Manual
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DAKOTA ULTRASONICS PVX Operation Manual

Precision a / b scan thickness gauge
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OPERATION MANUAL
DAKOTA ULTRASONICS
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Precision A / B Scan Thickness Gauge
P/N P-157-0005
Rev 3.0, Sept 2019

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Summary of Contents for DAKOTA ULTRASONICS PVX

  • Page 1 OPERATION MANUAL DAKOTA ULTRASONICS Precision A / B Scan Thickness Gauge P/N P-157-0005 Rev 3.0, Sept 2019...

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    CONTENTS CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION ..............1  1.1 D ......................... 1  ISCLAIMER CHAPTER TWO QUICK STARTUP GUIDE ............2  2.1 PVX O ........................2  VERVIEW 2.2 T & H ..................5  ABBED EFERENCE 2.3 S ..................7  ELECTING THE RANSDUCER 2.4 P &...
  • Page 4 CHAPTER EIGHT THRU PAINT MEASUREMENT TECHNIQUE....71  8.1 I ..............71  NTRODUCTION TO AINT EASUREMENT 8.2 U ....................71  SING AINT CHAPTER NINE ADDITIONAL FEATURES OF THE PVX ......74  9.1 U ..........................74  NITS 9.2 B ........................75  ACKLIGHT 9.3 B ) ................. 75  RIGHTNESS COLOR VERSION ONLY 9.4 C...
  • Page 5 12.1 C ................135  OMPUTER YSTEM EQUIREMENTS 12.2 I ..................... 135  NSTALLING 12.3 C PVX ..................135  OMMUNICATING WITH THE 12.4 L ........................135  OWER 12.5 U PVX ....................135  PGRADING THE APPENDIX A - VELOCITY TABLE ..............137  APPENDIX B - SETUP LIBRARY ..............139 ...

  • Page 7: Chapter One Introduction

    1.1 Disclaimer The PVX is a full-featured scope that allows a great deal of control over the functionality and electronic performance of the instrument. However, as this provides the user greater control and versatility for a variety of applications, it also requires that the user be comfortable with operation and waveform interpretation of the instrument.

  • Page 8: Chapter Two Quick Startup Guide

    CHAPTER TWO QUICK STARTUP GUIDE Turn the PVX on and off using the switch located on the bottom right corner of the keypad. When PVX is initially turned on, a flash logo and blinking lights will be displayed prior to entering into the main measurement screen. Note: This section is primarily written as a basic startup guide only.
  • Page 9 PVX Precision Thickness Gauge In order to understand how to operate the PVX, it’s best to start off with an understanding of what it is we’re looking at exactly. The PVX has a lot of great features and tools that will prove to be a huge benefit for the variety of applications you’re constantly facing on a continual basis.
  • Page 10 Dakota Ultrasonics M. Hot Menu items – We call this menu section our “hot menu”, as these items are the most commonly adjusted features, requiring quick access from the user. They can be displayed and scrolled by pressing the key at anytime.

  • Page 11: Tabbed & Hot Menu Reference

    The PVX has 11 tabbed menu titles and multiple submenu items as illustrated below. The PVX also has 1 ‘hot menu’...
  • Page 12 Dakota Ultrasonics >> End DATA UTILS XFER AUTO FIND UPGRADE GAUGE EDIT SCAN MODE CAPTURE VIEWER OPEN ALARM ABOUT CLOSE ALARM HIGH DELETE ONE ALARM LOW FILE DELETE ALL DIFFERENTIAL DATA KEY CLICK SET DATE SHOW DATE...

  • Page 13: Selecting The Transducer Type

    2.3 Selecting the Transducer Type The first step for using the PVX is to select the transducer type. There are 7 different types to satisfy a variety of applications. The PVX can use delay line, pencil and contact style transducers. Selecting the type will load a default setup to use as a starting point for fine tuning.

  • Page 14: Probe Zero & Calibration

    2.4 Probe Zero & Calibration The next steps are to perform a probe zero and calibrate the PVX to a specific material type. If the sound velocity is unknown, the PVX can be calibrated to a known thickness sample.
  • Page 15 Note: The value that is displayed will change depending on the current velocity setting in the PVX. Disregard the number that is displayed. It is not important. What is important is accurately performing the steps outlined above to insure reliability of the probe zero calculation.
  • Page 16 Dakota Ultrasonics Using a Known Thickness Note: If a contact transducer was selected, be sure that the probe zero procedure has been performed prior to performing this calibration procedure. 1) Physically measure an exact sample of the material or a location directly on the material to be measured using a set of calipers or a digital micrometer, if a calibration standard will not be used.

  • Page 17: Measure

    If the thickness is not correct, repeat the steps above. 2.5 Measure The PVX is now ready to measure. There are four different measurement view options, each with a specific purpose – Digits, RF, RECT, & B-Scan. The steps...
  • Page 18 Dakota Ultrasonics 1) Press the key once to activate the menu items tab. Press the multiple times to tab right and the key multiple times to tab left until the DISP menu is highlighted and displaying the submenu items. 2) Use the arrow keys to scroll through the sub menu items until VIEW is highlighted.
  • Page 19 PVX Precision Thickness Gauge DIGITS: Displays the digital thickness value using a large font size. This view is useful when the PVX is intended for use as a basic thickness gauge. RF: Displays the actual waveform signal, much like an oscilloscope, from the reflection of the opposite surface.
  • Page 20 Dakota Ultrasonics 2) Press the arrow keys to scroll the DELAY (START) and RANGE (DEPTH) values. 3) Repeat steps 1 & 2 until the range is correctly being displayed. Alternatively, the DELAY (START) and RANGE (DEPTH) values can be adjusted using the Digit Edit Box as follows: 4) Press the key once to activate measure menu items.
  • Page 21 PVX Precision Thickness Gauge Note: The DELAY (START) & WIDTH (DEPTH) can also be adjusted from the tabbed menu item DISP. However, using the hot menu keys is the easiest method.

  • Page 22: Chapter Three Keyboard, Menu, & Connector Reference

    CHAPTER THREE KEYBOARD, MENU, & CONNECTOR REFERENCE 3.1 Menu Key (Operation & Sub Menus) The Menu key activates the primary menu structure containing 8 menu tab groups. These tab groups then contain sub menu items, or functions. The sub menu items have been organized in tab groups according to how closely they are related to the individual tab group names.

  • Page 23: Probe - Menu

    PVX Precision Thickness Gauge Activating and Getting Around in the Menu Items 1) Press the key once to activate the menu items tab. Press the multiple times to tab right, and the key multiple times to tab left until the desired tab group is highlighted and displaying the submenu items.

  • Page 24: Cal - Menu

    If the PVX is not zeroed correctly, all of the measurements made using the PVX may be in error by some fixed value. This option is only active and available if a single contact transducer type has been selected, and is used for pulse echo (P-E) measurement mode only.
  • Page 25 PVX Precision Thickness Gauge DELAY (B-START): Provides the user the ability to change the A-Scan or Digits scanbar delay, and or start position of the B-SCAN view. Refer to page 54 for further info. RANGE (B-DEPTH): Provides the user the ability to change the A-Scan or Digits scanbar Range, or the B-Scan overall depth of the viewable measurement area (zoom).

  • Page 26: Tune - Menu

    Refer to page 87 for further info. GAIN: The PVX has 110dB gain range from (-35 to 75 dB). This feature is used to increase/decrease the power or amplitude of the signal. Similar to turning the volume up or down on a stereo receiver.

  • Page 27: Gt1 - Menu

    PVX Precision Thickness Gauge overcome attenuative materials and boost the output. Refer to page 89 for further info. TDG START: Sets where the time dependent gain slope starts, and is only active in pulse-echo mode. In all other measurement modes the start value is automatic.

  • Page 28: Gt3 - Menu

    Refer to page 130 for further info. DEFAULT SETUP: Loads a basic default setup. Use only as a last resort when the setups in the PVX have been corrupted and a computer is not accessible. Refer to page 132 for further info.

  • Page 29: Util (Utilities) - Menu

    PVX Precision Thickness Gauge NEW: Allows the user the ability to create a new alpha numeric grid, or sequential log file with auto identifiers. It is equipped with custom parameters, rows, and columns depending on the user’s application reporting requirements. Refer to page 105 for further info.

  • Page 30: Xfer (Transfer) - Menu

    PVX. Refer to page 98 for further info. SHOW DATE: Gives the user the ability to display the date and time in the waveform area of the PVX. The options are OFF, DATE, TIME, BOTH. Refer to page 100 for further info.

  • Page 31: Ok Key

    PVX Precision Thickness Gauge 3.15 OK Key The primary function of the OK key is confirmation of a change or selection. It also toggles the Hot Menu area to a large digits display view in measurement mode. When displaying a grid or sequential log in the Hot Menu area, the OK key toggles a “go to row”...
  • Page 32 Dakota Ultrasonics The ON/OFF key simply powers the unit either ON or OFF. Note: Unit will automatically power off when idle for 5 minutes. All current settings are automatically saved prior to powering off.

  • Page 33: Top & Bottom End Caps

    The USB-C connector, located on the bottom end cap, is a mini type C female connector. It is designed to connect directly from the PVX to a standard USB type A port on a PC. The cable supplied with the PVX is a USB type C to a USB type A (pt# N-003-0330).

  • Page 34: Chapter Four Principals Of Ultrasonic Measurement

    CHAPTER FOUR PRINCIPALS OF ULTRASONIC MEASUREMENT 4.1 Time versus thickness relationship Ultrasonic thickness measurements depend on measuring the length of time it takes for sound to travel through the material being tested. The ratio of the thickness versus the time is known as the sound velocity. In order to make accurate measurements, a sound velocity must be determined and entered into the instrument.

  • Page 35: Measurement Modes

    4.6 Measurement Modes In this section we will discuss the different measurements modes the PVX is capable of operating in, the transducers required, and the reasons for using specific modes: Pulse-Echo Mode (P-E) – Contact Style Transducer...
  • Page 36 (reflection). The transducer is placed on a reference disk, located on the top of the PVX, and the zero function is executed to establish a zero point for the transducer. Surface coatings and temperature variations will produce errors in this mode.
  • Page 37 PVX Precision Thickness Gauge Echo-Echo-Verify Waveform Echo-echo verify mode measures between three reflections. Similar to E-E mode, this technique is commonly used to eliminate errors from surface coatings and also as verification of echo-echo mode, as it compares the 1 &...
  • Page 38 Dakota Ultrasonics in the inability to generate suitable echoes. The ‘Single Delay Plastics’ probe type must be selected. Interface-Echo-Echo Mode (I-E-E) – Delay Line/Pencil Transducer Interface-Echo-Echo Waveform Interface-echo-echo mode uses the interface or end of the delay line as a starting point, and measures between the first to the second echo reflections.

  • Page 39: Chapter Five Making Measurements

    This procedure is outlined on page 40. 5.1 Selecting Transducer Type The first step in using the PVX is to select the transducer/probe type from a list in the gauge. This will load the parameters for the type selected, which can be used as a general starting point.
  • Page 40 Dakota Ultrasonics 1) Press the key once to activate the menu items tab. Press the multiple times to tab right and the key multiple times to tab left until the PRB menu is highlighted and displaying the submenu items. 2) Use the arrow keys to scroll through the sub menu items until TYPE is highlighted.

  • Page 41: Probe Zero

    PVX Precision Thickness Gauge 5) Press the key to display the confirmation screen. 6) Press the key to select the type and return to the menu screen, or to cancel selecting the probe type. 5.2 Probe zero If a contact style transducer has been selected, and pulse-echo mode will be used, a ‘probe zero’...
  • Page 42 Dakota Ultrasonics 1) Press the key to enter the main measurement screen and begin the manual zero process. 2) Apply a drop of couplant on the transducer and place the transducer in steady contact with the probe zero disk. Obtain a steady reading.

  • Page 43: Material Calibration

    PVX provides four simple methods for either manually setting a known velocity, or allowing the PVX to calculate the sound-velocity outlined below: Known Velocity If the material velocity is known, it can be directly entered into the PVX. The steps for entering the velocity are outlined below: Entering Known Velocity...
  • Page 44 As previously stated, the PVX has a one or two point calibration option. The one point calibration option is most suited for linearity over large ranges. It’s best to calibrate...
  • Page 45 ‘one point’ calibration is outlined below as follows: Note: It’s always handy to carry a set of mechanical calipers to use in conjunction with the PVX for calibration in the field. One Point Calibration Note: If a contact style transducer was selected, be sure a probe zero has been performed prior to performing the calibration procedure.
  • Page 46 For example, if the measurement range was .080” (2.03mm) to .250” (6.35mm), it’s optimal to select two points close to the minimum and maximum thicknesses range. When a two point calibration is performed, the PVX calculates the zero and the velocity. The following steps outline this procedure:...
  • Page 47 PVX Precision Thickness Gauge 1) Physically measure an exact sample of the material or a location directly on the material to be measured using a set of calipers or a digital micrometer. 2) Apply a drop of couplant on the transducer and place the transducer in steady contact with the sample or actual test material.
  • Page 48 Dakota Ultrasonics 6) Press the arrow keys to scroll the digit locations. 7) Repeat steps 5 & 6 until the known thickness value is correctly displayed. 8) Press the key to calculate the zero/velocity and return to the menu screen, or to cancel the one point calibration.
  • Page 49 PVX Precision Thickness Gauge 1) Press the key once to activate the menu items tab. Press the multiple times to tab right and the key multiple times to tab left until the CAL menu is highlighted and displaying the submenu items.
  • Page 50 Dakota Ultrasonics 7) Finally, press the key to return to the measurement screen and begin taking readings.

  • Page 51: Chapter Six Display View Options

    CHAPTER SIX DISPLAY VIEW OPTIONS The PVX has four different display options; Digits, RF, RECT and B-Scan. All views provide a digital thickness readout, and alarm limit tolerances if active. A key feature of the PVX is the A-Scan waveform display. The waveform is a graphical representation of the sound reflections, similar to an oscilloscope.
  • Page 52 When all the vertical bars are fully illuminated and the last digit on the digital thickness value is stable, the PVX is reliably measuring the same value multiple times per second. B. Battery Icon – Indicates the remaining amount of battery life.
  • Page 53 When all the vertical bars are fully illuminated and the last digit on the digital thickness value is stable, the PVX is reliably measuring the same value multiple times per second. B. Battery Icon – Indicates the remaining amount of battery life.
  • Page 54 Dakota Ultrasonics  Gain Setting (Manual & Automatic (AGC)) E. Digital Material Thickness Value – Smaller font size with hot menu visible, and larger font in full screen mode. F. Scan Bar – Another view of material thickness in a deflection style horizontal bar.
  • Page 55 When all the vertical bars are fully illuminated and the last digit on the digital thickness value is stable, the PVX is reliably measuring the same value multiple times per second. B. Battery Icon – Indicates the remaining amount of battery life.
  • Page 56 Dakota Ultrasonics known as the threshold, and controls the sensitivity of the reflections that trigger a detection from the opposite surface of the material. F. Measurement Scale – Represents thickness values over a defined measurement range, and is labeled at the calibrated hash marks on the display (X) axis.
  • Page 57 When all the vertical bars are fully illuminated and the last digit on the digital thickness value is stable, the PVX is reliably measuring the same value multiple times per second. B. Battery Icon – Indicates the remaining amount of battery life.
  • Page 58 Dakota Ultrasonics F. Measurement Scale – Represents thickness values over a defined measurement range, and is labeled at the calibrated hash marks on the display (X) axis. G. Digital Material Thickness Value – The thickness of the base material. H. Minimum Thickness Value – Dynamically updates the minimum value during a scan, and displays the minimum thickness value found.

  • Page 59: Changing Display Options

    PVX Precision Thickness Gauge 6.2 Changing Display Options The following procedure outlines how to select or toggle the display views: Changing Display View 1) Press the key once to activate the menu items tab. Press the multiple times to tab right, and the key multiple times to tab left, until the DISP menu is highlighted and displaying the submenu items.

  • Page 60: Chapter Seven Adjusting The Scope

    ADJUSTING THE SCOPE This chapter will focus on making adjustments to the A/B scan scope, using all the features available in the PVX. 7.1 Delay & Range (B-Start/B-Depth) The viewable range is set by adjusting the delay and range, with the delay controlling the start position of the left side of the display, and the range controlling the viewable area from the delay setting.
  • Page 61 PVX Precision Thickness Gauge 1) Press the key once to activate hot menu items. Press the multiple times to move right and the key multiple times to move left, until the DELAY cell is highlighted. 2) Press the arrow keys to scroll the highlighted value.
  • Page 62 Dakota Ultrasonics Adjusting the Range (B-Depth) using the Hot Menus 1) Press the key once to activate measure menu items. Press the key multiple times to move right and the key multiple times to move left, until the RANGE cell is highlighted.
  • Page 63 Adjusting the B-Scan Speed The PVX has the capability to adjust the scrolling speed of the time based B-Scan displayed in the gauge. The procedures to adjust the speed, only applicable if B- Scan view was selected, are outlined below:...

  • Page 64: Gain - Manual & Auto (Agc)

    7.2 Gain – Manual & Auto (AGC) The gain, or amplification of the return echoes, can be adjusted in the PVX to accommodate a variety of applications. Gain is crucial in order to obtain valid readings during the measurement process. Too much gain may result in erroneous measurements, detecting on noise rather than the actual test materials back wall reflection.
  • Page 65 PVX Precision Thickness Gauge 1) Press the key once to activate measure menu items. Press the key multiple times to move right, and the key multiple times to move left until the GAIN/AGC cell is highlighted. 2) Press the arrow keys to scroll the highlighted value.
  • Page 66 Dakota Ultrasonics Adjusting the Gain using the Tabbed Menus 1) Press the key once to activate the menu items tab. Press the multiple times to tab right, and the key multiple times to tab left, until the TUNE menu is highlighted and displaying the submenu items.

  • Page 67: Threshold

    The PVX is equipped with three independent gates, each with an adjustable threshold level. All three gates can be enabled only if a contact style transducer has been selected, and the mode is set to echo-echo-verify.
  • Page 68 Dakota Ultrasonics 1) Press the key once to activate measure menu items. Press the key multiple times to move right and the key multiple times to move left, until the THRESH(1-3) cell is highlighted. 2) If the correct THRESHOLD is displayed, press the arrow keys to scroll the highlighted value.
  • Page 69 PVX Precision Thickness Gauge 1) Press the key once to activate the menu items tab. Press the multiple times to tab right, and the key multiple times to tab left, until the GT1 menu is highlighted and displaying the submenu items.

  • Page 70: Understanding The Features Of The Gate

    Dakota Ultrasonics 8) Press the key to set the Threshold and return to the menu screen, or to cancel entering the Threshold. 9) Repeat steps 1-8 to set any additional Threshold level. 10) Finally, press the key to return to the measurement screen and begin taking readings.
  • Page 71 PVX Precision Thickness Gauge Diag. 1 Gate Features vs Modes Diag. 2 Diag. 3 In diagram 1, the gates have been associated with the measurement modes, along with the features available to every gate. For example, echo-echo mode (EE) has 2 gates available, while echo-echo-verify (E-EV) has 3.

  • Page 72: Gates

    1 width, and gate 3 activated by setting a value for width 2. 7.5 Gates The PVX is equipped with up to three gates, depending on the measure mode selected. Gate 1 is active at all times in all measurement modes. These gates are full featured and completely adjustable.
  • Page 73 Refer to the Noise diagram: (A) refers to the noise in front of the actual back wall signal (C). Notice the start position of the gate. As a result, the PVX is detecting on the noise (A) as shown at point (B). However, the true measurement should be taken at point (C).
  • Page 74 If the threshold level was increased in the Noise diagram, so that the vertical position of GATE1 was higher than the amplitude of the noise (A), the PVX would have detected on the true back wall (C). Alternatively, if the gain level was decreased, the signal amplitude of the noise (A) would have decreased below the threshold level, and the PVX would have also detected the true back wall (C).
  • Page 75 PVX Precision Thickness Gauge 3) Alternatively, if the correct ALL is not being displayed, press the to display the List Box. 4) Use the arrow keys to scroll through the List Box items until the correct ALL is highlighted. 5) Press the key to return to the measure screen and Hot Menu items.
  • Page 76 Dakota Ultrasonics 1) Press the key once to activate the menu items tab. Press the multiple times to tab right, and the key multiple times to tab left, until the ALL menu is highlighted and displaying the submenu items. 2) Use the arrow keys to scroll through the sub menu items until ALL is highlighted.

  • Page 77: Chapter Eight Thru Paint Measurement Technique

    With all of the measurement mode and multiple transducer options in the PVX, the primary through paint mode options are echo-echo (E-E) and echo-echo-verify (E- EV) using a contact style transducer, or interface-echo-echo (I-E-E) using a delay line style transducer.
  • Page 78 Note: Once the values of the fields have been changed or modified, these changes must be saved to a setup location prior to powering the PVX off. Failure to do so will result in losing your changes. Refer to page 126 for additional information on setups.
  • Page 79 PVX Precision Thickness Gauge echoes resulting in no reading at all. If we decrease our gain(AGC), reducing the signal amplitudes, we would also lose our detection of both back wall echoes. Notice that the amplitude of the cycle just to the left of (C). The amplitude of the cycle, at (C), is less than the amplitude of the cycle at (B), in terms of overall height.

  • Page 80: Chapter Nine Additional Features Of The Pvx

    CHAPTER NINE ADDITIONAL FEATURES OF THE PVX 9.1 Units The PVX measures in both English and Metric units. Both have a high and low resolution option; IN, IN HR, MM, MM HR. The procedure for toggling the units is outlined below:...

  • Page 81: Backlight

    PVX Precision Thickness Gauge 9.2 Backlight The PVX LCD display is equipped with a backlight to adjust for various light conditions. There’s an ‘auto’ option that will only illuminate the display when coupled. Additionally, there’s a screen ‘invert’ for extreme sunlight conditions.

  • Page 82: Contrast

    9.4 Contrast The PVX LCD display has a contrast feature to control the display light/dark appearance. This used to optimize the display for various light conditions, and has an arbitrary scale of 1-20, with 20 representing the brightest setting.

  • Page 83: Colors (Color Version Only)

    9.5 Colors (color version only) The PVX color version has a variety of display color options to optimize the visibility of the display. The procedure for selecting a color option is outlined below: Selecting Color...

  • Page 84: Landscape (Color Version Only)

    9.6 Landscape (color version only) The PVX is a very portable and compact gauge with a 2.7” AMOLED display that is used in a portrait mode as standard. In order to maximize the viewable A-Scan area of the display, the display orientation can be rotated to a landscape view for either right or left hand use.

  • Page 85: Dim (Color Version Only)

    Note: Portrait and Landscape modes are quickly toggled by using the keys. 9.7 DIM (color version only) The PVX color version has a built-in DIM feature to better manage power. This feature has adjustable time durations, or delay times, until the power of the display is...

  • Page 86: Rectified Wave Options

    5 min power off feature. Example: if the gauge is turned on, set to a DIM value of 120sec and left idle for 5 minutes, the PVX will dim in 2 minutes and power off in 5 minutes. The procedures for adjusting the DIM time are...

  • Page 87: Detect Mark

    9.9 Detect Mark Another graphics option available in the PVX is the detection mark. There are a three options; dots, line, none. When enabled, displays a vertical line or dots where the detection point occurs on the wave.

  • Page 88: Graticule (Color Version Only)

    Dakota Ultrasonics 1) Press the key once to activate the menu items tab. Press the multiple times to tab right and the key multiple times to tab left until the DISP menu is highlighted and displaying the submenu items. 2) Use the arrow keys to scroll through the sub menu items until DETECT MARK is highlighted.
  • Page 89 PVX Precision Thickness Gauge Points Line Dots Selecting Graticule Option 1) Press the key once to activate the menu items tab. Press the multiple times to tab right and the key multiple times to tab left until the DISP menu is highlighted and displaying the submenu items.

  • Page 90: Polarity

    9.11 Polarity The PVX is equipped with an option to select the polarity, or phase +/-, for the purpose of detection. The phase can be a valuable feature when the signal returning from the test material is marginal because of a weak first positive or negative cycle.

  • Page 91: Pulse Width

    9.12 Pulse Width The PVX has an adjustable pulse width option. Pulse width, refers to the duration of time the pulser is left on. This time results in increased energy sent into the test material. There are three width options (SPIKE, THIN, and WIDE). The SPIKE setting may be desirable for high resolution and general applications to decrease the overall noise.

  • Page 92: Pulser Voltage

    9.13 Pulser Voltage The PVX has an adjustable 200 volt square wave pulser. The voltage options are a 100/150/200, or 50 volt cut/boost from the standard 150 volt setting. This offers greater penetration or resolution, depending on the transducer type used.

  • Page 93: Damping

    9.14 Damping The PVX has a built-in damping feature to control the impedance input of the receiver. This enables the user the ability to match and optimize the transducer for better signal quality at various frequencies. The available settings are 35, 50, 75, 300, 600 and 1500 ohms.

  • Page 94: Agc Max

    Dakota Ultrasonics 1) Press the key once to activate the menu items tab. Press the multiple times to tab right, and the key multiple times to tab left, until the TUNE menu is highlighted and displaying the submenu items. 2) Use the arrow keys to scroll through the sub menu items until DAMPING is highlighted.

  • Page 95: Gain Slope (Tdg)

    PVX Precision Thickness Gauge 5) Press the key once to activate the menu items tab. Press the multiple times to tab right, and the key multiple times to tab left, until the TUNE menu is highlighted and displaying the submenu items.
  • Page 96 Dakota Ultrasonics The PVX has a gain slope feature that is similar to a basic linear time corrected gain function, or “time dependent gain” TDG. The slope can be adjusted from 0-40 decibels per inch depth. It can be used in all measurement modes (P-E, E-E, I-E, I- E-E), and automatically tracks and starts from the interface echo or first echo, depending on the mode.

  • Page 97: Tdg Start

    PVX Precision Thickness Gauge 2) Use the arrow keys to scroll through the sub menu items until GAIN SLOPE is highlighted. 3) Use the arrow keys to scroll the GAIN SLOPE value until the correct value is displayed to the right of the GAIN SLOPE menu item.

  • Page 98: Auto Find

    Suppose the PVX is currently setup with a delay of 0.000” and a range of 0.500”, but the target thickness measured is at 1.000”. Using the auto find will automatically adjust and setup the delay and range, bringing the waveform into view on the display.

  • Page 99: High Speed Scan

    9.19 High Speed Scan The High Speed Scan feature of the PVX increases the overall repetition/sample rate to 140Hz with a screen refresh rate of 25 times a second (25Hz). This feature enables a user to make scanned passes over an arbitrary length of the test material, while still maintaining a reasonable representation of thickness over the scanned area or region.

  • Page 100: Alarm Mode

    9.20 Alarm Mode The Alarm Mode feature of the PVX provides a method of setting tolerances, or limits, for a given application. This feature may be used for a variety of applications to verify the material is in allowable tolerance. There is a high & low limit option that can used together or individually.
  • Page 101 PVX Precision Thickness Gauge 2) Use the arrow keys to scroll through the sub menu items until ALARM is highlighted. 3) Use the arrow keys to toggle the ALARM on/off/audible. 4) Continue on to the next section “Setting the Alarm Limits”.

  • Page 102: Differential Mode

    9.21 Differential Mode The Differential Mode of the PVX provides the user with the ability to set a nominal value, according to what the expected thickness should be, and measure the +/- difference from the nominal value entered. This feature is typically used for quality inspections of incoming parts, or inspection during the manufacturing process.

  • Page 103: Key Click

    PVX Precision Thickness Gauge 3) Use the arrow keys to toggle the DIFFERENTIAL on. A value will appear to the right of DIFFERENTIAL. 4) Continue on to the next section “Setting the Nominal Value”. Setting the Nominal Value 1) Assuming DIFFERENTIAL has been enabled and a value is being displayed...

  • Page 104: Set Date & Time

    Dakota Ultrasonics When a key is pressed on the PVX keypad, the user can control whether or not an audible beep is sounded and at what volume level, if any. The procedure for this feature/preference is outlined below: Setting the Key Click 1) Press the key once to activate the menu items tab.
  • Page 105 PVX Precision Thickness Gauge 1) Press the key once to activate the menu items tab. Press the multiple times to tab right and the key multiple times to tab left until the UTIL menu is highlighted and displaying the submenu items.

  • Page 106: Show Date & Time

    Dakota Ultrasonics 9.24 Show Date & Time The PVX can be configured to show the date & time in the active A-Scan window as needed or preferred (off/date/time/both). The procedure for activating and displaying the above options are outlined below: Live Time &...

  • Page 107: Capture Viewer

    PVX Precision Thickness Gauge The procedure to capture the last screen displayed is outlined below: Capturing Screen Shots 1) To capture a file, press the MULT MODE key to freeze the screen and enter the measure mode list. 2) Press the arrow keys until CAPTURE TO FILE is highlighted.
  • Page 108 The capture viewer enables a user to view any of the saved screen captures on the SD card, using the PVX. This is handy if a PC isn’t available, but the user has a need to review the screen shots captured.
  • Page 109 PVX Precision Thickness Gauge 5) Press the key to display the image. 6) Press the key to return to the measurement screen.

  • Page 110: Chapter Ten Data Storage - Setup, Edit, & View Files

    Multiple grids can be created and stored until the PVX’s memory is full. If the user attempts to store a new file in the PVX and the size of the file exceeds the capacity of memory, the PVX will respond with an error message indicating that the memory is unable to store the new file.

  • Page 111: Creating A New Grid Or Sequential Log (File)

    PVX Precision Thickness Gauge Grid File Formats Sequential Log Formats Note: For the duration of this chapter, all references to GRIDS and SEQ LOGS should be considered synonymous with references to FILES. 10.2 Creating a new Grid or Sequential Log (File) This entire section is a step by step guide to successfully create a grid or sequential log.
  • Page 112 Dakota Ultrasonics Grid Log Sequential Log 1) Press the key once to activate the menu items tab. Press the multiple times to tab right, and the key multiple times to tab left, until the DATA menu is highlighted and displaying the submenu items.
  • Page 113 PVX Precision Thickness Gauge 6) Press the key to activate the Alpha Edit Box. 7) Use the arrow keys to highlight the appropriate alpha characters. 8) Press the key to select a character and advance to the next field of the Grid or Seq Name.
  • Page 114 Dakota Ultrasonics Grid Log Sequential Log 1) Assuming the Grid or Seq List Items are displayed, use the arrow keys to scroll through the new Grid or Seq List Items until NOTE is highlighted. 2) Press the key to activate the Alpha Edit Box.
  • Page 115 20 of the same character set. Note: The identifier cannot start or end with a special character. Once a start and end ID are entered into the PVX and the log created, the PVX will automatically generate all the identifiers within that range.
  • Page 116 Dakota Ultrasonics Grid Log Sequential Log 1) Use the arrow keys to scroll through the new Grid or Seq List Items until TOP LEFT or START ID is highlighted. 2) Press the key to activate the Coordinate or Start ID Edit Box.
  • Page 117 PVX Precision Thickness Gauge 4) Press the key to select the coordinate or start ID and return to the Grid or Seq List Items screen, or to cancel the selection and return to the Grid or Seq List Items menu.
  • Page 118 “NOT ENOUGH MEMORY“ will be displayed. Press key to return to the Grid or Seq List Items menu. It may be necessary to free some memory in the PVX at this time. Refer to page 117 for more information on Deleting a File.
  • Page 119 PVX Precision Thickness Gauge 2) Use the arrow keys to toggle the Increment direction NONE, NORTH, EAST, SOUTH, or WEST for a grid, or INC, DEC for a sequential log. 3) Continue on to the next section “Saving a Grid or Seq File”.

  • Page 120: Storing A Reading

    Dakota Ultrasonics Grid Log Sequential Log 3) Press the key to save the New Grid or Seq Log, or the key to cancel the New Grid or Seq Log setup and return to the DATA menu. 4) Press the key to return to the measurement screen and begin storing readings.
  • Page 121 GRID/SEQ View Box, or to display it as necessary. Note: Once the file is open, it will remain open until it’s closed or another file is opened by the user. If the gauge is powered off, the PVX will automatically...

  • Page 122: Viewing Stored Readings

    10.4 Viewing stored readings It is sometimes necessary to go back and view the stored readings and B-Scans using the PVX without a PC. The following procedures outline this process: Viewing Stored Readings & A/B Scans...

  • Page 123: Deleting Grids (Files)

    PVX Precision Thickness Gauge 3) Press the arrow keys to scroll the stored readings and corresponding display view. Notice as the cursor is moved to a different cell, the display will be updated with the display view saved with the reading.
  • Page 124 Dakota Ultrasonics 2) Use the arrow keys to scroll through the sub menu items until DELETE ONE FILE is highlighted. 3) Press the key to display the File List Box. 4) Use the arrow keys to scroll through the stored Files until the target File to delete is highlighted.
  • Page 125 PVX Precision Thickness Gauge 2) Use the arrow keys to scroll through the sub menu items until DELETE ALL DATA is highlighted. 3) Press the key to activate the confirmation screen. 4) Press the key to delete All Files from memory, or the key to abort.

  • Page 126: Editing A Grid (File)

    Dakota Ultrasonics 10.6 Editing a Grid (File) Once a grid has been created and saved to memory, the user can edit the Name, Comments and Increment Direction at a later time. The following procedure outlines this process: Editing a Grid 1) Press the key once to activate the menu items tab.
  • Page 127 PVX Precision Thickness Gauge 5) Press the key to activate the Alpha Edit box – Only used when editing the NOTE. 6) Use the arrow keys to highlight the appropriate alpha characters. 7) Press the key to select a character and advance to the next field of the Comments.

  • Page 128: Changing The Active File - Open

    The user may have transferred grid/seq templates from a PC to the PVX, or setup grids/seq using the PVX at an earlier time. The name of the currently active file is always displayed at the top of the Grid/Seq Box in measurement mode (refer to photo below).
  • Page 129 PVX Precision Thickness Gauge 1) Press the key once to activate the menu items tab. Press the multiple times to tab right and the key multiple times to tab left until the DATA menu is highlighted and displaying the submenu items.

  • Page 130: Closing An Active File - Close

    Dakota Ultrasonics 5) Press the key to activate the confirmation screen. 6) Press the key to load the file from memory. 7) Press the key to return to the measure screen. 10.8 Closing an active File - Close If data storage will not be needed during an inspection, the active file currently open can be closed.
  • Page 131 PVX Precision Thickness Gauge 2) Use the arrow keys to scroll through the sub menu items until CLOSE is highlighted. 3) Press the key to close the active file. Note: Following the key press, the CLOSE text will be grayed out indicating the file has been close and is...

  • Page 132: Chapter Eleven Setups - Create, Store, Edit, & Recall

    The PVX is equipped with the ability to create, name and store 64 custom setups. These setups can be recalled at any time for a given application. The setup file can be bi-directionally transferred to and from a PC, and multiple setup files can be created and cataloged on a given PC or server.

  • Page 133: Saving & Editing A Setup

    11.3 Saving & Editing a Setup Once the PVX parameters and features have been adjusted for an application, the user may elect to save these setting, with a unique name, to a specific setup location for future use.
  • Page 134 Dakota Ultrasonics The following procedure outlines the necessary steps for saving and editing a setup: Saving a Setup 1) Press the key once to activate the menu items tab. Press the multiple times to tab right and the key multiple times to tab left until the SETUP menu is highlighted and displaying the submenu items.
  • Page 135 PVX Precision Thickness Gauge 5) When the parameter to edit is highlighted, press the key to activate the Alpha Edit Box. 6) Use the arrow keys to scroll through the characters, the key to select characters, and the key to backspace through the characters, until the Name or Note fields have been edited.

  • Page 136: Deleting A Saved Setup

    Dakota Ultrasonics 11) Use the arrow keys to scroll through the setups until the target location to save the Setup is highlighted. 12) Press the key to activate the confirmation screen. 13) Press the key to save the Setup, or to cancel saving the Setup.
  • Page 137 PVX Precision Thickness Gauge Deleting a Setup 1) Press the key once to activate the menu items tab. Press the multiple times to tab right and the key multiple times to tab left until the SETUP menu is highlighted and displaying the submenu items.

  • Page 138: Using The Default Setup

    11.5 Using the Default Setup The default setup feature was added to the PVX to use, as a last resort, if there are no setups stored in the gauge –factory or otherwise. The only time this might possibly occur is if the setup file in the PVX was somehow corrupted, and the user does not have access to a computer to re-load the factory setups back into the PVX.

  • Page 139: Selecting Aanguage Laanguagenguaanguagege

    DEFAULT SETUP is highlighted. 11.6 Selecting a Language The PVX is equipped with a language option. Currently, the only languages supported are English, Spanish, German, French, Hungarian, Czech, however the list continues to grow. Check with Dakota for an updated list. The steps to select one of...
  • Page 140 Dakota Ultrasonics 4) Once the desired language is displayed, press the key to return to the measurement screen.

  • Page 141: Chapter Twelve Using The Utility Software

    12.5 Upgrading the PVX The PVX can be upgraded to the latest revision of firmware at any time. Simply download the latest version posted on the Dakota Ultrasonics website, copy the upgrade file to the main drive directory PVX, and use the upgrade utility located in the XFER menu.
  • Page 142 . Note: The PVX will power down during the upgrade process and the illuminate the alarm lights. The upgrade is completed once the lights stop flashing. Do not interrupt the upgrade process and be sure there is...

  • Page 143: Appendix A - Velocity Table

    APPENDIX A - VELOCITY TABLE Material sound velocity sound velocity in/us Aluminum 0.2510 6375 Beryllium 0.5080 12903 Brass 0.1730 4394 Bronze 0.1390 3531 Cadmium 0.1090 2769 Columbium 0.1940 4928 Copper 0.1830 4648 Glass (plate) 0.2270 5766 Glycerine 0.0760 1930 Gold 0.1280 3251 Inconel...
  • Page 144 Dakota Ultrasonics 0.1310 3327 Titanium 0.2400 6096 Tungsten 0.2040 5182 Uranium 0.1330 3378 Water 0.0580 1473 Zinc 0.1660 4216 Zirconium 0.1830 4648...

  • Page 145: Appendix B - Setup Library

    APPENDIX B - SETUP LIBRARY Name Comment 1 Gn/AGC Velocity Enter Custom Name … … … … … … …...
  • Page 146 Additionally, 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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