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MX-3 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge 

 

 

OPERATION 

The 

MX-3

 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 turn the 

MX-3

 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.  After displaying the version number, the 

display will show "0.000" (or "0.00" if using metric units), indicating the 

gauge is ready for use. 

The 

MX-3

 is turned OFF by pressing the 

ON/OFF

 key.  The gauge has 

a special memory that retains all of its settings even when the power is off.  

The gauge also features an auto-powerdown mode designed to conserve 

battery life.  If the gauge is idle for 5 minutes, it will turn itself off. 

Summary of Contents for MX-3

Page 1: ...OPERATION MANUAL DAKOTA ULTRASONICS MODEL MX 3 ULTRASONIC THICKNESS GAUGE P N P 112 0002 Rev 1 90 January 2008...

Page 2: ...onics 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 for damages resulting...

Page 3: ...OUND VELOCITIES OF COMMON MATERIALS WARRANTY INFORMATION 1 3 3 6 8 9 11 12 13 17 18 21 23 27 29 DISCLAIMER Inherent in ultrasonic thickness measurement is the possibility that the instrument will use...

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Page 5: ...This manual is presented in three sections The first section covers operation of the MX 3 and explains the keypad controls and display The second section provides guidelines in selecting a transducer...

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Page 7: ...rm 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 After displaying the version number the display...

Page 8: ...3 s calibration mode This mode is used to adjust the sound velocity value that the MX 3 will use when calculating thickness The gauge will either calculate the sound velocity from a sample of the mat...

Page 9: ...he DOWN arrow key has two functions When the MX 3 is in the CAL mode this key is used to decrease numeric values on the display An auto repeat function is built in so that when the key is held down nu...

Page 10: ...red until a new measurement 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...

Page 11: ...in millimeters If the displayed thickness 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 symbo...

Page 12: ...e MX 3 The transducer must be used correctly in order for the MX 3 to produce accurate reliable measurements Below is a short description of the transducer followed by instructions for its use This is...

Page 13: ...d commonly called couplant This fluid serves to couple or transmit the ultrasonic sound waves from the transducer into the material and back again Before attempting to make a measurement a small amoun...

Page 14: ...r is in contact with the material being measured the MX 3 will perform four measurements every second updating its display as it does so When the transducer is removed from the surface the display wil...

Page 15: ...gouging which will inhibit proper transducer 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...

Page 16: ...sducer into the MX 3 Make sure 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 3 above the display is the metal p...

Page 17: ...on In order for the MX 3 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...

Page 18: ...and the Stability Indicator should have nearly all its bars on 5 Having achieved a stable reading remove the transducer If the displayed thickness changes from the value shown while the transducer wa...

Page 19: ...he material to be measured 4 Press the CAL key once more to exit the calibration mode The MX 3 is now ready to perform measurements NOTE At any time during the calibration procedure IN MM IN s or M s...

Page 20: ...ckness value and the Stability Indicator should have nearly all its bars on 5 Having achieved a stable reading remove the transducer If the displayed thickness changes from the value shown while the t...

Page 21: ...nd While the transducer is in contact with the material being measured the MX 3 is keeping track of the lowest measurement it finds The transducer may be scrubbed across a surface and any brief interr...

Page 22: ...ergy into the material being measured such that a strong stable echo is received by the MX 3 Several factors affect the strength of ultrasound as it travels These are outlined below Initial Signal Str...

Page 23: ...en job Some transducers may simply 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...

Page 24: ...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 choosing a tr...

Page 25: ...sistant to water and petroleum products 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 Displa...

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Page 27: ...the long axis of the pipe For smaller 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...

Page 28: ...probe be left in contact with the 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 throu...

Page 29: ...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...

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Page 31: ...l d 0 128 3 2 5 1 Ice 0 157 3 9 8 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...

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Page 33: ...s or implied with respect to this product Dakota Ultrasonics specifically disclaims any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose Some states or provinces do not allow...

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Page 35: ...ity Materials to Avoid none known 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...

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