/// MEASURING INSTRUMENTATION\\\


Continuous thickness measurement


Measurement gauge closes the gap between simple thickness sensors and dedicated systems


A


new “thicknessGAUGE” system from Micro-Epsilon provides precise thick- ness measurements of strip materials,


plate and sheet up to 25mm thick, filling the gap between basic thickness sensors and higher cost, dedicated inline thickness mea- surement systems. The range uses three different sensor


types: laser triangulation, laser profile and confocal chromatic sensors. The flexibility of technology selection in this range of sensors ensures optimum results are achieved based on the surface type, material to be measured and the performance requirements of each application. The fully assembled thicknessGAUGE


system comprises a stable frame on which two optical distance sensors are fixed, which measure the thickness of the target material using the “difference” principle. The sensors are aligned with each other on the frame and factory- calibrated for each application. The specific linearisation of the sensors in the frame means that the accuracy of the complete sys- tem is better than the individual sensors com- bined. The entire system uses a 24V power source, which makes installation and integra- tion simple. The thicknessGAUGE is mounted on a linear axis with an electromechanical drive that moves the sensor system from “home/park” to the required measuring position. Depend- ing on the application requirements, the sys- tem can be operated in traversing mode, scanning back and forth continuously, or in fixed track mode where a specific point, often the centreline, is taken for gauge control. The system can also be set to edge mode for con- trol of the material edge thickness.


Automatic calibration \\\ A certified gauge block that is measured pe-


riodically as part of the traversing process provides automatic calibration. The gauge block ensures optimum accuracy is main- tained and accounts for the effects of fluctu-


10 /// DAQ, Sensors & Instrumentation \\\ 2021


The thicknessGAUGE keeps inline and lab thickness measurements affordable, above; hand-held coating thickness measuring


instruments can operate with carbon fibre or metal substrates, inset


ating temperatures and changes in the dis- tance of the measurement gap. Calibration cycles are individually adjustable to the cus- tomers’ needs, take just seconds to complete and being part of the gauge means the pro- cess never has to stop. According to Glenn Wedgbrow, business de-


velopment manager at Micro-Epsilon, some- times customers attempt to create simple thickness measurement systems using indi- vidual sensors, without paying attention to the issues of mechanical set-up changes, cal- ibration and usability. “Whilst the costs at first glance may seem


low, this typically ends up with an unsatisfac- tory measurement performance and much more money wasted in attempting to rectify the issues,” he says.


Coating thickness \\\ Micro-Epsilon has also applied its thickness


measuring expertise to the measurement of coatings and paint. Based on microwave tech- nology, the new range of compact, hand-held gauges measures the total layer thickness of


insulating materials with micrometer preci- sion. Two ranges of non-destructive coating thickness gauges are available: n the FSC (fast surface check) series has been developed for aircraft manufacturers, airlines and paint shops; and n the ISC1000 (industrial surface check) se- ries is designed for general industrial and pro- cess manufacturing applications. With FSC and ISC gauges, neither the target


surface (coating or paint) nor the substrate is affected by the measurement. In the case of multi-layer coatings, the total thickness of in- sulating layers is always measured up to the first conductive material layer. The measurement can be performed on


any metallic substrate with the same signal quality regardless of electric and magnetic properties. The gauges are factory-calibrated and can then be individually adjusted to the individual substrates using calibration foils. The adjustment only needs to be done once for measurement on any metal sub- strate. DS&I


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