INSTRUMART FS-200 Operation Manual

Ultrasonic thickness gauge

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OPERATION MANUAL

FS-200 ULTRASONIC THICKNESS GAUGE

P/N P-105-0007

Rev 1.90, March 2014

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Page 1 OPERATION MANUAL FS-200 ULTRASONIC THICKNESS GAUGE P/N P-105-0007 Rev 1.90, March 2014...
Page 2 INSTRUMART. Every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this publication. INSTRUMART assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions. Neither is any liability assumed for damages resulting from the use of information contained herein.
Page 3 FS-200 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 INTRODUCTION The INSTRUMART model FS-200 is a precision Ultrasonic Micrometer. Based on the same operating principles as SONAR, the FS-200 is capable of measuring the thickness of various materials with accuracy as high as  0.001 inches, or  0.01 millimeters. The principle advantage of ultrasonic measurement over traditional methods is that ultrasonic measurements can be performed with access to only one side of the material being measured.
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Page 7: Operation
The Keypad This key is used to turn the FS-200 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 INSTRUMART The PRB-0 key is used to "zero" the FS-200 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 FS-200 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge The UP arrow key has two functions. When the FS-200 is in calibration mode, this key is used to increase numeric values on the display. An auto- repeat function is built in, so that when the key is held down, numeric values will increment 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 FS-200 is having difficulty achieving a stable measurement, and the thickness value displayed will most likely be...
Page 11 FS-200 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge When the IN symbol is on, the FS-200 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 FS-200 is displaying a thickness value in millimeters.
Page 12 INSTRUMART The Transducer The transducer is the "business end" of the FS-200. It transmits and receives the ultrasonic sound waves which the FS-200 uses to calculate the thickness of the material being measured. The transducer connects to the FS-200 via the attached cable, and two coaxial connectors. When...
Page 13: Making Measurements
The Stability Indicator should have six or seven bars darkened, and a number should appear in the display. If the FS-200 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 FS-200 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
FS-200 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
Check that the wearface of the transducer is clean and free of any debris. 3) On the top of the FS-200, above the display, is the metal probe- disc. Apply a single droplet of ultrasonic couplant to the face of this disc.
Page 17 This will ensure that the instrument is always correctly zeroed. Calibration In order for the FS-200 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/s (or M/s) symbols should begin flashing. The FS-200 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/s). To achieve the most accurate measurements possible, it is generally advisable to always calibrate the FS-200 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 FS-200 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
FS- 200 will display the smallest measurement it found. When the FS-200 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 FS-200. Several factors affect the strength of ultrasound as it travels. These are outlined below: ...
Page 23 FS-200 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge strength of the waves, and thus, the FS-200'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 It may be necessary to experiment with a variety of transducers in order to find one that works well for a given job. INSTRUMART can provide assistance in choosing a transducer, and offers a broad selection of transducers for evaluation in specialized applications.
Page 25 FS-200 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 FS-200 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 FS-200 to correctly calculate the velocity of sound through the hot material.
Page 29 FS-200 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 FS-200 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge APPENDIX C Sound Velocities of some Common Materials M a te r ia l s o u n d v e lo c ity in /u s m /s A lu m in u m 0 .2 5 0...
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Page 33: Warranty Information
 Warranty Statement  INSTRUMART warrants the FS-200 against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of five years from receipt by the end user. Additionally, INSTRUMART warrants transducers and accessories against such defects for a period of 90 days from receipt by the end user.
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