Surface World September 2019 Surface World September 2019 | Page 61
well as convoluted component designs
largely unable to be easily spot checked
for coating compliance.
In response, industry innovators have
developed a number of advanced designs
for handheld coating thickness test devices.
For units used on the production line and in
the field, these significantly improve accuracy,
versatility, and ease of use.
One example, the LZ990 portable coating
thickness gauge by Kett combines two of the
most widely used measurement methods,
magnetic inductance and eddy current,
in a dual mode device that can measure
the coating thickness of almost any non-
magnetic coating on both ferrous (magnetic)
and non-ferrous (non-magnetic) substrates.
Since the unit is able to automatically
determine the substrate and use the
appropriate measurement circuit, this
enables instant, non-destructive testing on
painting, plating, anodising, and organic
coatings with accuracy up to 0.1 um.
Such testing takes less than a second to
display the measurement. impervious to vibration, with measurement
independent of its orientation.
Because the key to providing accurate,
repeatable measurements is the operator’s
ability to reliably make consistent contact
between the instrument and the test surface,
the unit also utilises a spring-loaded probe to
generate a consistent contact pressure with
the measured surface. This integrated probe
also includes built in edge guides to enable
easy measurement of even curved and edged
surfaces. To ensure device stability during
measurement, the foot of the probe is also
designed to provide a firm platform when
placed onto the test piece. To save time during the testing process,
he recommends utilizing a unit with a large
screen that enables the quick reading of
results. Those results should be able to be
stored in the gauge and transferred to a
computer and/or printer for documentation
and averaging purposes. An instrument
that stores many test measurements is best
so operators can perform numerous tests
before downloading the results.
According to Bogart, a number of other
design considerations in handheld coating
thickness gauges can also simplify
measurement and improve versatility. “Easier, more accurate coating and plating
measurement with handheld units will help
to improve quality checks wherever needed,”
concludes Bogart. “So, defects can be
immediately detected and corrective action
undertaken to minimise scrap and faulty
end-products.”
In order to improve accuracy and durability
on the factory floor or in the field, it is best
for the unit to have no moving parts, other
than the probe. Similarly, the unit should be For more info, contact Kett:
call 800-438-5388;
email [email protected];
or visit www.kett.com.