DAKOTA ULTRASONICS MX-1 Operation Manual Download Page 14

Dakota Ultrasonics 

 

12

At this point, the 

MX-1

 has successfully calculated it's internal error 

factor, and will compensate for this value in any subsequent 

measurements.  When performing a "probe-zero", the 

MX-1

 will always use 

the sound-velocity value of the built-in probe-disc, even if some other 

velocity value has been entered for making actual measurements.  Thoug h 

the 

MX-1

 will remember the last "probe-zero" performed, it is generally a 

good idea to perform a "probe-zero" whenever the gauge is turned on, as 

well as any time a different transducer is used.  This will ensure that the 

instrument is always correctly zeroed. 

 

Calibration 

In order for the 

MX-1

 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, 

versus that of aluminum, which is about 0.248 inches-per-microsecond.  If 

the gauge is not set to the correct sound-velocity, all of the measurements 

the gauge makes will be erroneous by some fixed percentage. 

Programming the Sound Velocity 

Since the 

MX-1

 is a fixed velocity gauge, the correct sound velocity for 

the material being measured must be programmed into the gauge via the 

serial port on the bottom of the unit.  Approximate sound velocities for 

common materials can be found in appendix C. 

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Summary of Contents for MX-1

Page 1: ...OPERATION MANUAL DAKOTA ULTRASONICS MODEL MX 1 ULTRASONIC THICKNESS GAUGE P N P 139 0002 Rev 1 90 January 2008 www calcert com sales calcert com 1 888 610 7664 0 5 10 15 20 25 30...

Page 2: ...sent of Dakota Ultrasonics Every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this publication Dakota Ultrasonics assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions Neither is any liability assumed...

Page 3: ...OMMON MATERIALS WARRANTY INFORMATION 1 3 3 5 7 8 10 11 12 12 14 17 19 23 25 DISCLAIMER Inherent in ultrasonic thickness measurement is the possibility that the instrument will use the second rather th...

Page 4: ...one side of the material being measured This manual is presented in three sections The first section covers operation of the MX 1 and explains the keypad controls and display The second section provi...

Page 5: ...all of the segments in the display After one second the gauge will display the internal software version number After displaying the version number the display will show 0 000 or 0 00 if using metric...

Page 6: ...d Metric units This key may be used at any time whether the gauge is displaying a thickness IN or MM or a velocity value IN s or M s The BACKLIGHT key switches the display backlight between three avai...

Page 7: ...is made Additionally when the battery voltage is low the entire display will begin to flash When this occurs the batteries should be replaced These eight vertical bars form the Stability Indicator Whe...

Page 8: ...s exceeds 199 99 millimeters the decimal point will shift automatically to the right allowing values up to 1999 9 millimeters to be displayed When the IN symbol is on in conjunction with the s symbol...

Page 9: ...be fitted to either socket in the MX 1 The transducer must be used correctly in order for the MX 1 to produce accurate reliable measurements Below is a short description of the transducer followed by...

Page 10: ...ce of the material being measured This is accomplished with the use of a coupling fluid commonly called couplant This fluid serves to couple or transmit the ultrasonic sound waves from the transducer...

Page 11: ...transducer selection While the transducer is in contact with the material being measured the MX 1 will perform four measurements every second updating its display as it does so When the transducer is...

Page 12: ...cer coupling Extremely rough surfaces such as the pebble like finish of some cast irons will prove most difficult to measure These kinds of surfaces act on the sound beam like frosted glass on light t...

Page 13: ...ure that the connectors are fully engaged Check that the wearface of the transducer is clean and free of any debris 3 On the top of the MX 1 above the display is the metal probe disc Apply a single dr...

Page 14: ...or the MX 1 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...

Page 15: ...click in the text field and type in the appropriate velocity number The second option is a list box with a material type displayed To change the material type click the down arrow located to the right...

Page 16: ...red such that a strong stable echo is received by the MX 1 Several factors affect the strength of ultrasound as it travels These are outlined below Initial Signal Strength The stronger a signal is to...

Page 17: ...be too large to be used in tightly confined areas Also the surface area available for contacting with the transducer may be limited requiring the use of a transducer with a small wearface Measuring o...

Page 18: ...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 choosing a transducer and offers a broad select...

Page 19: ...ducts Power Source Two AA size 1 5 volt alkaline or 1 2 volt NiCad cells 200 hours typical operating time on alkaline 120 hours on NiCad Display Liquid Crystal Display 4 5 digits 0 500 inch high numer...

Page 20: ...ler pipe diameters two measurements should be performed one with the wearface gap perpendicular another with the gap parallel to the long axis of the pipe The smaller of the two displayed values shoul...

Page 21: ...surface for as short a time as needed to acquire a stable measurement While the transducer is in contact with a hot surface it will begin to heat up itself and through thermal expansion and other eff...

Page 22: ...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 thic...

Page 23: ...8 Iron 0 232 5 8 9 3 L e a d 0 085 2 1 5 9 M a g n e s i u m 0 228 5 7 9 1 Mercury 0 057 1 4 4 8 N i c k e l 0 222 5 6 3 9 Nylon 0 102 apprx 2 5 9 1 Paraffin 0 087 2 2 1 0 Platinum 0 156 3 9 6 2 Plex...

Page 24: ...product Dakota Ultrasonics specifically disclaims any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose Some states or provinces do not allow limitations on the duration of an...

Page 25: ...Hazardous Polymerization will not occur Hazardous Decomposition or Byproducts none known SECTION 6 HEALTH HAZARD AND FIRST AID DATA Routes of Entry 1 Skin not likely Ingestion not normally Eyes not no...

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