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CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
The Dakota Ultrasonics model
ZX-5
is a basic dual element thickness gauge with the
ability to locate blind surface pitting and internal defects/flaws in materials. Based on
the same operating principles as SONAR, the
ZX-5
is capable of measuring the
thickness of various materials with accuracy as high as
0.001 inches, or
0.01
millimeters. The principle advantage of ultrasonic measurement over traditional
methods is that ultrasonic measurements can be performed with access to only one
side of the material being measured.
Dakota Ultrasonics maintains a customer support resource in order to assist users
with questions or difficulties not covered in this manual. Customer support may be
reached at any of the following:
Dakota Ultrasonics Corporation
1500 Green Hills Road, #107
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
Tel: (831) 431-9722
Fax: (831) 431-9723
www.dakotaultrasonics.com
1.1 Disclaimer
Inherent in ultrasonic thickness measurement is the possibility that the instrument will
use the second rather than the first echo from the back surface of the material being
measured. This may result in a thickness reading that is TWICE what it should be.
Responsibility for proper use of the instrument and recognition of this phenomenon
rest solely with the user of the instrument. Other errors may occur from measuring
coated materials where the coating is insufficiently bonded to the material surface.
Irregular and inaccurate readings may result. Again, the user is responsible for
proper use and interpretation of the measurements acquired.
