What Does A Thickness Gauge Do?
A thickness gauge is a digital tool used to measure the thickness of parts or materials. Different gauges use a different method to measure the thickness. Some thickness gauges employ eddy currents while other gauges employ an ultrasonic sensor to measure the thickness.
Types of Thickness Gauges
- Gauge to Measure Coating Thickness with Eddy Current – Eddy currents can be used to safely measure the thickness of nonconductive coatings on metal materials or parts. When the thickness gauge is placed near the conductive material or part, the changing magnetic field from the gauge can induce eddy currents in the metal material or part. By measuring the strength of the eddy currents, the thickness of the coating can be determined. Eddy currents are an ingenious, nondestructive, and safe method to measure the thickness of the coating on metal materials or parts.
- Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge – Ultrasonic is another method to nondestructively measure the thickness of a solid element made of metal. The gauge fires an ultrasonic wave onto the metal material or part. The gauge then measures the time it takes for an ultrasonic wave to return after bouncing off the surface. Using the time and the velocity of the sound wave, the thickness of the material can be determined.
- Thickness Gauge with Data Storage – Several thickness gauges also support data storage. The data storage enables the gauge to store and record the thicknesses of several materials or parts. As a result, the user can quickly compare parts and materials.
Applications
A Thickness Gauge is an essential tool and is used extensively for quality assurance.
- Ultrasonic thickness gauges are used to measure the extent of corrosion on a wide range of materials and parts. This is an effective way to determine the quality of parts and materials.
- Coating Thickness Gauges are used to measure the paint on ferrous or nonferrous metals. For example, it is used to measure body paint thickness and uniformity on cars so that it can determine the current quality and state of car paint. By placing an eddy current thickness gauge onto the car’s paint it can easily determine the thickness of the body paint on the car.
- Ultrasonic thickness gauges are also regularly used to measure the thickness of pipes, tanks, and plates.
- Ultrasonic thickness gauges are also commonly used to avoid any destruction resulted from mechanical jaw gauges.
Factors Affecting Select a Thickness Gauge
- Type of Material – The type of material to measure is an essential factor when choosing the type of thickness gauge. For example, if you wish to measure non-metal materials, such as paint coatings on a car, then you will use thickness gauges that utilize eddy currents to measure the thickness. However, if you wish to measure metals, especially with a considerable thickness. Then you will require to use an ultrasonic thickness gauge.
- Accuracy – The quality and accuracy of a thickness gauge may be crucial. For example, if you are on a job site where you need the levels to be precise, you may require a gauge with very high accuracy, such as when measuring coatings on a car or any form of material. However, if you are using it to maintain safe levels while determining whether corrosion has occurred on material or part, you may be able to settle for something that does not offer the greatest accuracy.
- Range – Depending on the job site, the range of the gauge is essential. For example, if you are using the gauge to measure small thickness, such as coatings, the range will have to be precise. However, if you require a wide-range gauge to measure big parts and materials, you may require a wider range of thickness gauge.
Detection Process
- Turn on the thickness gauge by pressing the power button, or flipping the switch, to activate the device.
- Wait for the device to automatically calibrate to its surroundings to ensure accurate and reliable readings.
- Using the appropriate buttons, set the desired configuration.
- Carefully place the thickness gauge next to the material you wish to measure.
- Start the measuring process.
Summary
In conclusion, a thickness gauge is a beneficial device. A thickness gauge may employ eddy currents to measure coatings on metal materials or parts. A thickness gauge may employ ultrasonic waves to measure the thickness of metal materials or parts. The type of thickness gauge depends on its method of measuring and whether it supports data storage. Thickness gauges are widely used in quality assurance, for example, measuring coatings on cars or measuring the extent of corrosion on materials and parts. The factors that may affect your choice of thickness gauge are the type of material you are measuring, the accuracy, and range.