The Sonocon Thickness Gauge+ is an innovative thickness gauge combining the functionality of a conventional thickness gauge and a corrosion mapping solution.
The Sonocon B Thickness Gauge+ employs the same hardware and operating platform as the Sonocon B Flaw Detector. When coming with both UT and Thickness Gauge+ versions of software, the Sonocon B turns into a state-of the-art powerful device capable of measuring material thicknesses as well as locating flaws.
The Sonocon B with Thickness Gauge+ software option is suitable for a wide range of ultrasonic thickness and corrosion applications, with measurement results presented as A-scan, B-scan and C-scan.
The instrument offers an effective solution for processing and storing measurement results. To organize the results, the operator is to select one of the provided templates, which streamlines data analysis, even with large test objects.
General features
Performance
Dual Mode Pulser
The Sonocon B employs two pulser modes: Spike Wave and Square Wave (SWP). This as well as a damping feature allow controlling echo shape, length and amplitude in wide ranges.
Waveform Averaging
This function permits averaging A-Scan from ×2 to ×64. This greatly raises Signal / Noise ratio, thus enabling comfortable operation at even very high gain and making measurements more precise.
Quick and Comfortable Operation
Direct A-Scan and Gate Control
After just pushing a single button, the operator can intuitively control A-Scan and gates.
Quick Access Menu
The QAM button grants access to a queue of circular menus which allow a quick change of measurement and alarm parameters.
“UT” version
Indication Search and Evaluation Aids
"Legs Marking" Mode
The “Legs marking” mode changes A-Scan background by marking A-Scan parts corresponding to downgoing legs in yellow and to upgoing legs – in pink. This helps to visually estimate the depth of the reflector (defect) which causes an indication.
“Smart Zoom” Mode
In this mode, both zoomed A-Scan (from one of two gates) and a full 0 unzoomed A-Scan are displayed. This prevents the operator from losing an off gate indication.
“Estimate” Mode
The “Estimate” mode is very useful for evaluation of “hard to catch” indications. It also makes evaluation of usual indications much more quickly. When this mode is on, the operator needs only to make a blind scanning of the area of interest and the flaw detector will monitor all echoes in the 1st gate, find the best one (according to the amplitude), automatically adjust gain to put that echo to the evaluation level and freeze it. The “best” indication can be then evaluated and saved for reporting if needed. After the “Estimate” mode is off, the scanning gain is automatically retrieved.
Flaw Evaluation Systems
DAC System
A built-in DAC system allows building DAC curves according to the following codes: ASME (single curve and 3 curves), EN 1712, EN 1713, EN1714, JIS Z3060, GB 11345, GB 4730. User presets are also available. Base curve can contain up to 128 points. Up to 6 additional curves can be built. Besides all standard functions used in any DAC system, the Sonocon B offers such advanced functions like “20-80” function, DAC ↔ TCG conversion function, etc.
DGS (AVG) System
The DGS system allows building up to 3 DGS curves for given equivalent diameters (area) for straight beam and angle beam single element transducers. It also gives direct readings of De and / or Se for gated indication.
AWS (D rating) System
The Sonocon B also employs the automated calculation of D-rating, according to American Welding Society Structural Welding Code, Section D1.1, D1.3.
“Thickness Gauge +” Version
Setup Automation
Probes Library
To set up the selected probe parameters, it is enough to select a corresponding item from the Probe Library and all related settings will be loaded automatically.
Automatic Calibration
The Sonocon B offers a variety of automated calibration procedures: in air, on a built-in calibration block, and classical single and dual point calibration.
Result Storage and Processing
Structured Files
One of the most important and difficult tasks in thickness measurement with large test pieces is to correctly organize measurement results to facilitate their analysis. Using the Sonocon B, the operator can choose one of the several templates corresponding to almost any type of test piece:
- “Line” (1D) is ideal for tank truck, small diameter pipes, etc.
- “Line+” (2D) is used for a linear group of “Line” objects, for section by section thickness measurement of large diameter pipes, etc.
- “Grid” (2D) is used for testing of large semi planar object like ship hulls, storage tanks, large diameter fluid conductors, etc.
- “Line++” (3D) is used for testing of a 2D group of “Line” objects.
- “Grid+” (3D) is used for a linear group of “Grid” objects.
- “Boiler” (3D) organizes measurement points on pipes and pipes on levels.
On-the-Go Measurement Statistics
The Sonocon B allows not only reviewing organized measurement data, but also analyzing them, providing statistics for the whole file and each of measurement sites.
Corrosion Monitoring
Thickness B-Scans
The Thickness B-Scan, a slice of the test piece produced by the ultrasonic beam, is easy to acquire with any 1D scanner with an encoder. It shows a back wall profile, which is useful for evaluating the corrosion type.
Thickness C-Scans
Thickness C-Scans are acquired with a 2D scanner or a series of linear scans with 1D scanner and are used for corrosion mapping.
PC Software
The Sonocon B goes with the PC software package corresponding to the inner software – UT, Thickness or both.
PC software is used for organizing instrument settings and testing results, testing result analysis and reporting.
Thickness Gauge +:
UT:
Display | |
Size | 4.5” |
Resolution | 800×480 |
Connectors | |
Probe connectors | 2 × BNC or 2 × LEMO-1 or 2 × LEMO-00 |
Analog output | Alarm |
USB1 | Type A |
LAN | ✔ |
Pulser | |
Type | Square Wave (SWP) |
Autofit of the pulser parameters to the chosen probe | Voltage, Energy, Damping |
Measurement frequency (readings refresh rate) | 1 to 100 Hz |
PRF mode | Auto (Calculated from set readings refresh rate, accounting for averaging rate) |
Receiver | |
Range (at steel longitudinal wave) | 8 000 mm (314 in) |
AGC | Individual to reach at 2 gates |
AGC Modes | OFF / Edge / Peak |
AGC Max Gain Modes | High, Medium, Low, Manual, Off |
Auto filters choice (according to the probe type) | ✔ |
Measurement | |
Sound velocities range | 250 to 16000 m/s (.01 to .629 in/µs) |
Measurement range | 0.4 to 16 000 mm (.016 to .629 in) |
Readings resolution | 0.01 / 0.1 / 1 mm (0.001 / 0.01 / 0.1 in) |
Number of gates | 2 |
Modes | 1, 1-2 |
TOF Modes | Edge, Edge Zero Crossing |
Units | mm / in |
Min & Max capture mode | ✔ |
Differential mode | ✔ |
% of wear mode | ✔ |
Temperature compensation | ✔ |
Acquisition of a:
| ✔ ✔ |
Measurements on the previously acquired:
| ✔ ✔ |
Alarm & Display | |
Alarm types | Min, Max, Min&Max |
Coupling loss alarm | ✔ |
Last reading (in coupling loss) | ✔ |
A-Scan | ✔ |
Cursor (Detect Line) | ✔ |
Thickness B-Scan | ✔ |
Thickness C-Scan | ✔ |
Multidimensional files: Browsing | ✔ |
Multidimensional files: File Statistics | ✔ |
Multidimensional files Meas. Site Statistics | ✔ |
Calibration | |
1-point | ✔ |
2-points | ✔ |
Zeroing in the air | ✔ |
Zeroing on a built-in block | ✔ |
Memory | |
Setups | ✔ |
Multidimensional structured files | 1-3 dim |
Number of readings per file | Up to 100 000 |
Number of files format | 6 |
Data attachments | Comments, A-Scans, Thickness B-Scans, Thickness C-Scans, Microgrids |
Capacity | 2 GB (up to 64 GB) |
PC software | ✔ |
Other Features | |
Keyboard backlight | ✔ |
Smart (Context) keyboard backlight | ✔ |
Smart zoom | ✔ |
Number of keyboard shortcuts2 | 29 |
Flaws evaluation | |
AWS | ✔ |
DGS (AVG) | ✔ |
DAC | ✔ |
DAC: Number of points | 128 |
DAC codes | ASME & ASME III, EN 1712, EN 1713, EN1714, JIS Z3060, GB11345, GB 4730 |
Custom DAC curves | up to 6 |
DAC 20-80 | ✔ |
DAC & TCG | ✔ |
Memory | |
Setups | ✔ |
Datasets (with A-Scans) | ✔ |
Capacity | 2 GB (up to 64 GB) |
Physical | |
Dimensions | 241×112×134 mm3 |
Weight incl. battery | 0.95 kg |
Operating temp. range | -30°C to 50°C (-22°F to 122°F) |
Dust & water protection | IP65 |
Battery life | 8 h |
Replaceable battery | ✔ |
1 USB Type A (aka Host or Master) allows connecting external devices (a USB stick, a mouse, etc).
2 Number of instrument functions one can access with a couple of button presses.
Name and description | Quantity pcs. |
Electronic unit | 1 |
Piezoelectric transducer:TSD5-10 | 1 |
Connection cable probe / Electronic unit (2lemo00×2BNC) | 1 |
Mascot Type 2542 Charger | 1 |
Hand strap | 1 |
Software for processing the testing results on PC “Thickness gauge +” | 1 |
Battery unit | 1 |
Bag or Case | 1 |
Documentation | |
Operating manual for Sonocon B version “Thickness gauge +” | 1 copy |
Operating manual for PC software for version “Thickness gauge +” | 1 copy |
Operating manual for Mascot charger | 1 copy |