Dakota Ultrasonics Ultrasonic Precision Thickness Gauges

Q: What is the difference between a precision ultrasonic thickness gauge and a corrosion thickness gauge?

A Corrosion Thickness Gauge uses a lower-frequency dual-element transducer (1 MHz to 10 MHz) at 0.001" (0.01 mm) resolution to detect irregular internal pitting on corroded pipes and tanks, with a minimum steel thickness limit of roughly 0.025" (0.63 mm). A Precision Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge uses a high-frequency single-element delay-line or contact transducer (5 MHz to 20 MHz) to achieve 10 times higher resolution ( 0.0001" / 0.001 mm / 1 µm) and measure smooth, thin-walled metals down to 0.006" (0.15 mm) and plastics down to 0.005" (0.127 mm) .

Q: Can precision ultrasonic gauges also measure thick metal parts over 1 inch?

Yes. While the standard delay-line probe measures up to 1.000" (25.4 mm) in Interface-Echo/Echo-Echo mode, connecting an optional Single-Element Contact Transducer (5 MHz to 15 MHz) allows the TI-007X, TI-007DLX, PZX1, and PZX1-DL to measure up to 36.0 inches (914 mm) in Pulse-Echo (P-E) mode (and up to 10.0 inches / 254 mm on the TI-PVX / PMX2-DL ).

High-Resolution Single-Element Ultrasonic Precision Thickness Gauges (0.0001" / 0.001 mm)

ABQ Industrial supplies a complete line of Ultrasonic Precision Thickness Gauges (Ultrasonic Micrometers) manufactured by Dakota Ultrasonics and Checkline. While standard dual-element corrosion gauges are built for rough, pitted pipes at 0.001" (0.01 mm) resolution, Precision Ultrasonic Thickness Gauges utilize high-frequency single-element delay line, pencil, and contact transducers (5 MHz to 20 MHz) to deliver 0.0001 inch (0.001 mm / 1 µm) resolution on smooth, thin-walled metals, plastics, glass, ceramics, and composites.

F.A.Q.

What is the difference between a precision ultrasonic thickness gauge and a corrosion thickness gauge?

A Corrosion Thickness Gauge uses a lower-frequency dual-element transducer (1 MHz to 10 MHz) at 0.001" (0.01 mm) resolution to detect irregular internal pitting on corroded pipes and tanks, with a minimum steel thickness limit of roughly 0.025" (0.63 mm). A Precision Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge uses a high-frequency single-element delay-line or contact transducer (5 MHz to 20 MHz) to achieve 10 times higher resolution (0.0001" / 0.001 mm / 1 µm) and measure smooth, thin-walled metals down to 0.006" (0.15 mm) and plastics down to 0.005" (0.127 mm).

Why do I need a Graphite Delay Line Tip when measuring very thin plastics?

Standard delay-line tips are made of acrylic or PEEK plastic. Because the acoustic impedance of an acrylic tip is nearly identical to a plastic test piece, sound energy passes straight through the boundary with a very weak interface echo—making it difficult for the gauge to detect where the delay tip ends and the thin plastic sample begins. A Graphite Delay Line Tip (X-633-0000 or X-533-0000) creates a sharp acoustic impedance mismatch at the contact interface, generating a strong, clean interface echo required for Plastics Mode (PLAS) on walls from 0.005" to 0.250" (0.127 to 6.35 mm).

When should I choose the TI-PVX / Dakota PMX2-DL (PVX) over the TI-007X / PZX1 series?

Choose the TI-007X / TI-007DLX or Dakota PZX1 / PZX1-DL for fast digital measurements on flat or gently curved sheet metal, tubing, and plastic parts using a standard 1/4" 15 MHz delay-line probe.

Choose the TI-PVX or Dakota PMX2-DL (PVX) when measuring inside tight radii, concave grooves, turbine blades, or multi-layer aerospace/medical components where you need a 1/16" or 1/8" 10 MHz Pencil Probe and a live A-Scan waveform to manually position gates, blanking, and gain.

Can precision ultrasonic gauges also measure thick metal parts over 1 inch?

Yes. While the standard delay-line probe measures up to 1.000" (25.4 mm) in Interface-Echo/Echo-Echo mode, connecting an optional Single-Element Contact Transducer (5 MHz to 15 MHz) allows the TI-007X, TI-007DLX, PZX1, and PZX1-DL to measure up to 36.0 inches (914 mm) in Pulse-Echo (P-E) mode (and up to 10.0 inches / 254 mm on the TI-PVX / PMX2-DL).