Dakota NDT PZX1-DL Operation Manual
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Dakota NDT PZX1-DL Operation Manual

Precision ultrasonic data logging thickness gauge
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Distributed by: ABQ Industrial LP USA
Tel: +1 (281) 516-9292 / (888) 275-5772 eFax: +1 (866) 234-0451
Web: https://www.abqindustrial.net E-mail: info@abqindustrial.net
OPERATION MANUAL
Dakota NDT
P
Z
X
1
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D
L
P
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X
1
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D
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Precision Ultrasonic Data
Logging Thickness Gauge
Distributed by: ABQ Industrial LP USA
Tel: +1 (281) 516-9292 / (888) 275-5772 eFax: +1 (866) 234-0451
Web: https://www.abqindustrial.net E-mail: info@abqindustrial.net

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  • Page 1 Distributed by: ABQ Industrial LP USA Tel: +1 (281) 516-9292 / (888) 275-5772 eFax: +1 (866) 234-0451 Web: https://www.abqindustrial.net E-mail: info@abqindustrial.net OPERATION MANUAL Dakota NDT Precision Ultrasonic Data Logging Thickness Gauge Distributed by: ABQ Industrial LP USA Tel: +1 (281) 516-9292 / (888) 275-5772 eFax: +1 (866) 234-0451...

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    CONTENTS CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION ..............1  1.1 D ......................... 1  ISCLAIMER CHAPTER TWO KEYPAD, MENU, DISPLAY & CONNECTORS ..... 2  2.1 ON/OFF/ENTER K … ..................... 2  2.2 PRB 0 K … ........................2  2.3 CAL K ….......................... 3  2.4 DATA K …...
  • Page 4 CHAPTER EIGHT ADDITIONAL FEATURES ..........30  8.1 G ..........................30  8.2 H ......................31  PEED 8.3 A ..........................32  LARM 8.4 D ........................33  IFFERENTIAL 8.5 U ..........................35  NITS 8.6 L ........................... 36  8.7 B ..........................37  8.8 P ........................

  • Page 5: Chapter One Introduction

    1.1 Disclaimer While the PZX1-DL is a basic digital instrument, it is equipped with a number of measurement modes and transducer options for additional versatility. It is strongly recommended that the contents of this manual be read in its entirety to avoid erroneous measurements based on operator error.

  • Page 6: Chapter Two Keypad, Menu, Display & Connectors

    2.2 PRB 0 Key The PRB 0 key is used to “zero” the PZX1-DL 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 7: Cal Key

    PZX1-DL Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge 2.3 CAL Key The CAL key is used to enter and exit the PZX1-DL's calibration mode. This mode is used to adjust the sound velocity value that the PZX1-DL will use when calculating thickness. The tool will either calculate the sound-velocity from a sample of the material being measured, or allow a known velocity value to be entered directly.
  • Page 8 3) To enable or edit the status of any feature, press the key. 4) The edit icon will start blinking to indicate that the PZX1-DL is currently in EDIT mode. 5) Press the keys to toggle through the setting options.

  • Page 9: The Display

    2.9 The Display The PZX1-DL uses a custom glass LCD backlit low temperature display for use in a variety of climate conditions. It contains graphic icons, as well as both 7 and 14 segment display areas. Let’s take a closer look and what all these things are telling A.
  • Page 10 PZX1-DL, Refer to page 4 for a list. The PZX1-DL can be locked once calibrated, to avoid accidently changing the calibration. When this icon is illuminated, the PZX1-DL is in lock mode. Refer to page 40 for an explanation on locking the PZX1-DL.

  • Page 11: The Transducer

    Delay Line Contact The Transducer is the “business end” of the PZX1-DL. It transmits and receives ultrasonic sound waves that the PZX1-DL uses to calculate the thickness of the material being measured. The transducer connects to the PZX1-DL using a single shielded coaxial cable with microdot connectors.
  • Page 12 Contact Transducer The single element contact style transducers are commonly used for materials with an approximate range of 0.040” to the maximum range of the PZX1-DL rated in steel and depending on the transducers diameter and frequency. The frequency range is 5.0 to 10 MHz, with diameters available at 0.125, 0.250, 0.375 and 0.500 inches.

  • Page 13: Top & Bottom End Caps

    C female connector. It is designed to connect directly from the PZX1-DL to a standard USB type A port on a PC. The cable supplied with the PZX1-DL is a USB type C to a USB type A (pt# N-003-0330). See page 47 for information on connectivity.

  • Page 14: Chapter Three Principals Of Ultrasonic Measurement

    CHAPTER THREE PRINCIPALS OF ULTRASONIC MEASUREMENT 3.1 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 15: Measurement Modes

    In this mode, a manual zero using the disk (battery cover) will need to be performed prior to calibrating the PZX1-DL. The transducer is placed on the reference disk located on top of the PZX1-DL, and the PRB 0 key pressed to establish a zero point for the transducer connected.
  • Page 16 Dakota NDT successful measurement. Both delay line and contact style transducers can be used for through paint/coating measurements. Interface-Echo (I-E) Mode The interface-echo mode measures from the end of the “‘interface/delay line” to the first return echo/reflection. This mode can be used for thicker materials up to 1”, and for attenuative materials that don’t produce a sufficient second echo.

  • Page 17: Chapter Four Selecting The Measurement Mode

    CHAPTER FOUR SELECTING THE MEASUREMENT MODE 4.1 Which mode & transducer do I use for my application? High penetration plastics and castings The most common mode for these types of applications is pulse-echo. Thicker cast iron and plastics applications will generally require lower frequencies depending on the material type and thickness.
  • Page 18 Dakota NDT Restricted access Measuring materials with extreme curvatures or restricted access are best suited for higher frequencies and smaller diameter transducers or tip options.

  • Page 19: Chapter Five Making Measurements

    If the PZX1-DL is not zeroed correctly, all measurements will be in error by some fixed value. In order to perform a probe zero, you must be in pulse- echo mode.

  • Page 20: Material Calibration

    5.2 Material Calibration In order for the PZX1-DL to make accurate measurements, it must be set to the correct sound velocity of the material being measured. Different types of materials have different inherent sound velocities.
  • Page 21 .100” (2.54mm) to 1.0” (25.4mm), the user should calibrate on a known thickness sample close to 1.0” (25.4mm). Note: It’s always handy to carry a set of mechanical calipers to use in conjunction with the PZX1-DL for calibration of various materials in the field:...
  • Page 22 Dakota NDT Note: Be sure that a probe zero 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.
  • Page 23 .250” (6.35mm) and a two point calibration at .080” (2.03mm), or something close to the min/max values of the measurement range. Note: The PZX1-DL also offers the capability of setting the ‘probe zero’ to use any reference standard as the ‘probe zero’ standard. For clarification, if it’s desired to use a one inch reference of a specific material type as the ‘zero’...
  • Page 24 “1 of 2”, which sets the zero value and returns to the measurement screen. Note: The internal zero of the PZX1-DL is now set. The procedure above can be used in all measurement modes to set the internal zero or offset of the PZX1-DL to use any reference standard as the ‘probe zero’...
  • Page 25 (MATL) list in the PZX1-DL would offer a reasonable approximation of the thickness. There are 9 common materials and 2 user programmable settings available.
  • Page 26 Dakota NDT 4) Use the keys to scroll through the material options. in/µs ALUMINUM 0.250 6350 (2024) 0.233 5918 STEEL (4340) 0.223 5664 STAINLESS (303) 0.180 4572 CAST IRON 0.106 2692 PLEXIGLASS 0.094 2388 0.092 2337 POLYSTYRENE 0.070 1778 POLYURETHANE...
  • Page 27 PZX1-DL Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge 9) Note: Pressing the key prior to pressing the key will abort to the measurement screen without saving any changes.

  • Page 28: Chapter Six Through Paint Measurement

    Since the PZX1-DL is a basic easy to operate gauge without the adjustability you’d get using an advanced A-Scan scope, echo-echo mode is subject to limitations depending on type and thickness of the coating, as well as the type of transducer used.
  • Page 29 PZX1-DL Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge 1) Press the key to toggle between the measurement modes, for a given transducer type (contact or delay line), to echo-echo (E-E) mode. Note: An icon will be illuminated in the top left portion of the display to indicate...

  • Page 30: Chapter Seven Velocity Gauge

    VELOCITY GAUGE 7.1 Velocity Gauge (VX) The PZX1-DL includes a function to convert the unit into a dedicated velocity gauge. With this feature enabled, the PZX1-DL will display all measurements in terms of velocity, inches per microsecond (IN /s) or meters per second (M /s), rather than dimensional inches or millimeters.

  • Page 31: Calibration To A Known Thickness

    7.2 Calibration to a known thickness In order to calibrate the PZX1-DL a ‘known thickness’ on the material or part will be used. The same location will be used for all the other parts in the group/batch to determine the velocity.

  • Page 32: Calibration To A Known Velocity

    Dakota NDT 5) Use the keys to scroll to the known thickness value. Note: The longer the keys are pressed and held, the faster the value will increment/decrement. Note: Pressing the key prior to pressing the key will abort the cal routine without saving any changes.
  • Page 33 PZX1-DL Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge 1) Apply a drop of couplant on the transducer and place the transducer in steady contact with the sample or actual test material. Be sure that the velocity measurement is stable and the repeatability indicator, in the top left corner of the display, is fully lit and stable.

  • Page 34: Chapter Eight Additional Features

    ADDITIONAL FEATURES 8.1 Gain The gain, or amplification of the return echoes, can be adjusted in the PZX1-DL to accommodate a variety of materials and applications. The setting of the 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 material back wall surface.

  • Page 35: High Speed Scan

    8.2 High Speed Scan The High Speed Scan feature of the PZX1-DL increases the overall repetition rate to a maximum of 140Hz with a high speed screen refresh rate of 25 times a second. This allows for making scanned passes over an arbitrary length of the test material, while still maintaining a reasonable representation of thickness over the area or region scanned.

  • Page 36: Alarm

    8.3 Alarm The Alarm feature of the PZX1-DL provides a method of setting tolerances, or limits, for a particular application requirement. This feature may be used for a variety of applications to verify the material thickness is within the manufacturer specifications.

  • Page 37: Differential

    PZX1-DL Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge 1) Press the key to access the menu items/features. 2) Use the keys to scroll through the items/features until the ALRM feature is being displayed. 3) Press the key to edit the alarm status. The edit icon will be illuminated and flashing.
  • Page 38 Dakota NDT The Differential Mode of the PZX1-DL 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 in QA incoming inspections on pipes, plate stock, coils, etc.

  • Page 39: Units

    PZX1-DL Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge 8.5 Units The PZX1-DL will operate in both English (inches) or Metric (millimeters) units. In either option the resolution (RES) can be set to LOW (.001in/.01mm), or HIGH (.0001in/.001mm). The procedure to select the units is outlined as below:...

  • Page 40: Lite

    Dakota NDT 8.6 Lite The PZX1-DL uses a custom glass segmented display that is equipped with a backlight for use in low light conditions. The options are on/off/auto, where the auto setting only lights the display when the gauge is coupled to the material and receiving a measurement.

  • Page 41: Beep

    8.7 Beep The PZX1-DL also has a feature to use the internal beeper, most commonly used with the alarm feature, for the key strokes on the keypad. When enabled, pressing any of the keys on the keypad will sound the beeper.

  • Page 42: Probe Type

    Dakota NDT 8.8 Probe Type The PZX1-DL can use three different probe/transducer styles for different application requirements. The styles are; CONTACT, DELAY LINE, and plastics PLAS. The corresponding option ‘must’ be selected to match the type of transducer connected to the PZX1-DL in order for the gauge to operate correctly.

  • Page 43: Velocity (Vx)

    Only the ‘one point’ calibration can be used with this feature active, and a manual or auto zero is still required. The PZX1-DL can be calibrated by entering the known velocity or entering the know thickness of the material at a given position on the test material.

  • Page 44: Lock

    8.10 Lock The lock feature was built into the PZX1-DL for the purpose of locking the operators out of editing any of the gauge settings, for purposes of consistency between operators. When the lock feature is enabled, the gauge calibration functionality cannot be altered, as well as any of the individual features in the gauge.
  • Page 45 PZX1-DL Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge The PZX1-DL can be reset to factory defaults at any time to restore the original gauge settings. This should only be used if the gauge is not functioning properly, or perhaps multiple features have been enabled and a clean start is needed.

  • Page 46: Chapter Nine Data Storage

    These files can then be transferred to a PC using the USB-C to USB type A cable included in the kit. When PZX1-DL is connected to a PC, it will show up in the list of drives as an external hard drive, or “thumb” drive. Open the external gauge drive, and copy the files to and from the gauge and PC.

  • Page 47: Storing A Measurement

    Note: The FILE and LOC (location) will be displayed in lower left portion of the measurement screen. 9.3 Storing a Measurement Now that a file has been selected and opened, the PZX1-DL is ready to store measurements. The following procedure outlines this process:...

  • Page 48: Clearing A File

    Dakota NDT displayed on the screen indicating a measurement has already been stored at that location. Pressing the key will clear the previously stored measurement from the location. Pressing the key will now store the new measurement. 9.4 Clearing a File If a file contains a large number of previously stored measurements, and has already been downloaded, the file will need to be cleared of its measurements.

  • Page 49: Clear All Files

    9.5 Clear All Files If a number of files in the PZX1-DL contain old data, or data that has been previously downloaded, clearing all the files might prove an efficient option. The following procedure outlines this process:...
  • Page 50 Dakota NDT 4) Press the key for YES, and the key for NO. The edit icon will be illuminated and flashing. Note: Pressing the key prior to pressing the key will abort to the measurement screen without clearing the files.

  • Page 51: Chapter Ten Data Transfer & Power Options

    DATA TRANSFER & POWER OPTIONS 10.1 Connectivity The PZX1-DL is connected to a PC with a USB-C to USB Type A cable, supplied with the kit (part# N-003-0330). The gauge has a file system and the PC will recognize it as an external hard disk, or thumb drive. It functions very similar to a cell phone or camera.

  • Page 52: Line Power

    Text Editor 10.4 Line Power The PZX1-DL can be powered using the standard USB-C to USB-A data cable (N- 003-0330), by connecting directly to a USB port on your computer, or using a standard cell phone power adapter directly to an outlet. This is a convenient way to power the gauge for specific bench top applications in a factory line environment.

  • Page 53: 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 54 Dakota NDT 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 55: Appendix B- Application Notes

    At such elevated temperatures, it is recommended that the user perform calibration on a sample piece of known thickness, which is at or near the temperature of the material to be measured. This will allow the PZX1-DL to correctly calculate the velocity of sound through the hot material.
  • Page 56 Dakota NDT An additional important consideration when measuring laminates is that many included air gaps or pockets which 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.
  • Page 57 Dakota NDT warrants transducers and accessories against such defects for a period of 90 days from receipt by the end user. If Dakota NDT receives notice of such defects during the warranty period, Dakota NDT will either, at its option, repair or replace products that prove to be defective.

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