Dakota Digital MX-5 - Manual

MX-5 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge 3 OPERATION The M X-5 interacts with the operator through the membrane keypad and the LCD display. The functions of the various keys on the keypad are detailed below, followed by an explanation of the display and its various symbols. The Keypad This key is used to tur...

Dakota Ultrasonics 4 The PRB-0 key is used to "zero" the M X-5 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. Refer to page 13 for an explanation of this impo...

Dakota Ultrasonics 6 The ALRM key has two functions. By holding down the ALRM key when powering up the M X-5 , the audible beeper will be turned on or off accordingly. After the unit has been turned on, pressing the ALRM key will toggle the alarm mode to the on/off positions and allow the user to en...

MX-5 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge 7 The Display The numeric portion of the display consists of 4 complete digits preceded by a leading "1", and is used to display numeric values, as well as occasional simple words, to indicate the status of various settings. When the M X-5 is displaying thickn...

Dakota Ultrasonics 8 When the IN symbol is on, the M X-5 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 M X-5 is displaying a thickness value in millimeters. If the displayed thickness exceeds 199.99 millimeters,...

MX-5 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge 9 The Transducer The transducer is the "business end" of the M X-5 . It transmits and receives ultrasonic sound waves that the M X-5 uses to calculate the thickness of the material being measured. The transducer connects to the M X-5 via the attached cable, an...

Dakota Ultrasonics 10 This is a top view of a typical transducer. Press against the top with the thumb or index finger to hold the transducer in place. Moderate pressure is sufficient, as it is only necessary to keep the transducer stationary, and the wearface seated flat against the surface of the ...

MX-5 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge 11 If the Stability Indicator has fewer than five bars darkened, or the numbers on the display seem erratic, first check to make sure that there is an adequate film of couplant beneath the transducer, and that the transducer is seated flat against the material. If the...

Dakota Ultrasonics 12 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 unre...

MX-5 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge 13 Probe Zero Setting the Zero Point of the M X-5 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 num...

Dakota Ultrasonics 14 At this point, the M X-5 has successfully calculated it's internal error factor, and will compensate for this value in any subsequent measurements. When performing a "probe-zero", the M X-5 will always use the sound-velocity value of the built-in probe-disc, even if som...

MX-5 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge 15 Calibration to a known thickness NOTE: This procedure requires a sample piece of the specific material to be measured, the exact thickness of which is known, e.g. from having been measured by some other means. 1) Make sure the M X-5 is on. 2) Perform a Probe -Zero ...

Dakota Ultrasonics 16 Calibration to a known velocity NOTE: This procedure requires that the operator know the sound - velocity of the material to be measured. A table of common materials and their sound-velocities can be found in Appendix C . 1) Make sure the M X-5 is on. 2) Press the CAL key to en...

MX-5 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge 17 Two Point Calibration NOTE: This procedure requires that the operator has two known thickness points on the test piece that are representative of the range to be measured. 1) Make sure the M X-5 is on. 2) Perform a Probe -Zero (refer to page 13) 3) Apply couplant t...

Dakota Ultrasonics 18 Scan Mode While the M X-5 excels at making single point measurements, it is sometimes desirable to examine a larger region, searching for the thinnest point. The M X-5 includes a feature, called Scan Mode, which allows it to do just that. In normal operation, the M X-5 performs...

MX-5 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge 19 Alarm Mode The Alarm Mode feature of the MX-5 allows the user to set an audible and visual parameter when taking measurements. When the Alarm Mode is on, the green LED is illuminated. If a measurement falls below a nominal value, set by the user, the red LED will i...

Dakota Ultrasonics 20 Alarm Mode 1) Press ON/OFF key to power up the M X-5 . 2) Press the ALRM key. ALAr OFF, or ALAr followed by a thickness value and flashing IN (or MM ) symbol will be displayed - indicating the alarm mode is enabled. 3) Repeat step 2 to toggle between ALAr OFF or ALAr value and ...

Dakota Ultrasonics 22 Connecting To a Computer 1) Connect the accessory cable (part# N-306-0010) to the 2 pin jack located on the bottom of the M X-5 , and the 9 pin connector to a serial port on the computer. 2) Start the communications software that will be used to collect the measurements (i.e. M...

MX-5 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge 23 TRANSDUCER SELECTION The M X-5 is inherently capable of performing measurements on a wide range of materials , from various metals to glass and plastics. Different types of material, however, will require the use of different transducers. Choosing the correct trans...

Dakota Ultrasonics 24 reduce the strength of the waves, and thus, the M X-5 '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 ins...

MX-5 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge 25 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 cho...

MX-5 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge 27 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. Keypad Sealed membrane,...

MX-5 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge 29 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 ...

Dakota Ultrasonics 30 above this point, the change in sound velocity of the material being measured starts to have a noticeable effect upon ultrasonic measurement. At such elevated temperatures, it is recommended that the user perform a calibration procedure (refer to page 14) on a sample piece of k...

MX-5 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge 31 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...

MX-5 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge 33 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 . 2 5 0 6 3 5 0 B i s m u t h 0 . 0 8 6 2 1 8 4 B r a s s 0 . 1 7 3 4 3 9 4 C a d m i u m 0 . 1 0 9 2 7 6 9 C a s t I r o n 0 . 1 8 0 ( ...

MX-5 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge 35 WARRANTY INFORMATION • Warranty Statement • Dakota Ultrasonics warrants the MX-5 against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of five years from receipt by the end user. Additionally, Dakota Ultrasonics warrants transducers and accessories against such...

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET N/A = not applicable or not available (To comply with 29 CFR 1910.1200) SECTION 1 – PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION Product Name: SOUNDSAFE  Generic Name: Ultrasonic CouplantManufacturer: Sonotech, Inc. 774 Marine Dr., Bellingham, WA 98225 (360) 671-9121 NFPA Hazardous Materials I...