Checkline 6000TCX User Manual

Introduction

Principles of Operation

F probes use the magnetic principle to measure the thickness

of non-magnetic coatings on ferrous metals.

N probes use the eddy current principle to measure the

thickness of non-conductive coatings on non-ferrous metals.

FN probes combine the full abilities of both the "F" and "N"

probes.

Throughout this manual, the symbol indicates more information about the particular topic or feature is available on our website. Go to: www.defelsko.com/manuals

NOTE:

Certification

All probes include a Certificate of Calibration. For organizations with re-certification requirements, gages may be returned at regular intervals for calibration. DeFelsko recommends that customers establish gage calibration intervals based upon their own experience and work environment. Based on our product knowledge, data and customer feedback, a one year calibration interval from either the date of calibration, date of purchase, or date of receipt is a typical starting point.

The PosiTector 6000 hand-held, electronic Gage non- destructively measures the thickness of coatings on all metals, quickly and accurately. A PosiTector 6000 consists of a Gage body and probe (see pg.19).

Plastic Lens Shield

The LCD is covered with a thin plastic film for protection against fingerprints and other marks during shipment. This film, while usually removed before using the instrument, can be left in place to protect against paint overspray. Replacements can be purchased.

Wrist Strap

We recommend attaching and wearing the supplied wrist strap.

1.Remove red protective rubber cap (if supplied) from probe.

2.Power-up Gage by pressing the center navigation button.

3.Place the probe FLAT on the surface to be measured. HOLD

STEADY. When a valid measurement is calculated, the Gage BEEPS twice and the measurement is displayed.

4.Lift probe AT LEAST 2 INCHES (5cm) from the surface between

measurements - OR - leave probe on the surface in the same location for continuous measurements.

Golden Rule

Measure your uncoated part first! This quick zero-check determines if a calibration adjustment is needed for your substrate. (see pg.5)

Next, lay the included plastic shims onto a bare surface and measure them individually to ensure the Gage measures a known thickness within tolerance.

Operation Overview

The PosiTector 6000 powers-up when the center navigation button is pressed. To preserve battery life, the Gage powers-down after approximately 5 minutes of no activity. All settings are retained.

If memory is ON while continuous measurements are

being taken, only the last value on the display (when the probe is lifted) is stored into memory. Scan (pg.17) stores ALL measurements into memory.

NOTE:

Substrate

Current

Measurement

Battery Indicator

Typical Screen

Unit of

Measurement

Microns

Memory

Statistics

Cal Settings

Setup

Connect

Sync Now

USB

Auto Sync

Updates

Menu Operation

Gage functions are menu controlled. To access the Menu, turn the Gage on, then press the center navigation button.

Some buttons have a tick box to their right to indicate current status. An empty box indicates that feature is not active.

Current selection is displayed with darkened background

Down

Center

To navigate, use the Up and Down buttons to scroll and to SELECT.

Select Exit to exit from any menu.

Navigation Button

PosiTector.net

To enhance the operation of their Gage, all PosiTector users have access to the features provided by PosiTector.net. It is a free web- based application offering secure centralized management of thickness readings.

PosiTector Desktop Manager (PDM) is a small Windows based application which allows automatic two-way communication (synchronization) between the Gage and PosiTector.net (internet connection required). When installed, PDM runs as a start-up application and resides in the Windows notification area (system tray) of a PC. PDM is available as a free download within your PosiTector.net account.

Calibration, Verification & Adjustment

Three steps ensure best accuracy…

1. Calibration: typically done by the manufacturer or qualified lab

2. Verification of Accuracy: as done by the user

3. Adjustment: to a known thickness

Calibration

Calibration is the controlled and documented process of measuring traceable calibration standards and verifying that the results are within the stated accuracy of the Gage. Calibrations are typically performed by the Gage manufacturer or by a certified calibration laboratory in a controlled environment using a documented process.

Verification

Verification is an accuracy check performed by the user using known reference standards. A successful verification requires the Gage to read within the combined accuracy of the Gage and the reference standards.

Adjustment

Adjustment, or Calibration Adjustment is the act of aligning the Gage's thickness readings to match that of a known sample in order to improve the effectiveness of the Gage on a specific surface or in a specific portion of its measurement range. 1-point or 2-point calibration adjustments are possible.

The symbol disappears whenever a calibration

adjustment is made to the Gage.

The PosiTector 6000 is factory calibrated and performs an automatic self-check each time it takes a measurement. For many applications, no further adjustment is necessary after a Reset (pg.16). Just check ZERO on the uncoated substrate, then measure.

NOTE:

Sometimes Gage readings can be influenced by changes in substrate shape, composition, surface roughness or by measuring in a different location on the part. This is why Calibration Adjustments are made possible.

1- or 2-point Calibration Adjustments may be performed if readings are not falling within the expected range of thickness for the application being measured.

If a calibration adjustment method has not been specified, use a 1-point method first. If measuring the included shims reveals inaccuracies, use the 2-point method. Factory Calibration

settings can be restored at any time by performing a Reset

(pg.16), creating a NEW calibration setting (pg.9), or by DELETING the adjustments made to the Cal 1 calibration setting (pg.9). The symbol appears on the display whenever factory calibration settings are in use.

With “FN” probes, calibration adjustments for “F” and “N” prin-

ciples are stored independent of one another.

Once adjusted, you may “lock” the current calibration

adjustment to prevent further modification. (See “Cal Lock” on pg.8)

1-point Calibration Adjustment

Also known as an offset or correction value, there are 4 ways to perform this adjustment:

(1) Simple

Zero Calibration Adjustment

Measure your uncoated part. If the Gage does not read "0" within the tolerance of the probe being used, lift the probe from the surface and adjust the display down (-) or up (+) until it reads "0". Measure and adjust until the average of a series of readings on the uncoated surface is within tolerance of "0" .

(2) Average

Zero Calibration Adjustment

To establish “0” on a rough or curved surface a preferred method is to take several readings on the uncoated part and average the result.

NOTE:

1.Select the Zero menu option.

2.Press (+) to select the number of readings to be used to obtain

an average, typically 3 to 10 readings. The greater the variation between readings, the more readings should be taken to obtain an average.

3.Repeatedly measure the uncoated part. The Gage will wait 2

seconds between readings to allow the user to correctly position the probe on the surface. After the last measurement the Gage will calculate and display "0" which represents the average of all the Zero readings taken.

(3) Simple Adjustment to a Known Thickness

It is sometimes desirable to adjust the Gage to a known thickness, such as a shim, rather than adjusting it to zero.

Measure the object. If the expected reading is not obtained (within tolerance), lift the probe from the surface and adjust the displayed reading down (-) or up (+) to the expected thickness. Hold the button down to increase the rate of adjustment.

(4) Average Adjustment to a Known Thickness

On rough or curved surfaces a preferred method is to take several readings on the known thickness and average the result.

1.Select 1 Pt Adjust from the Cal Settings menu.

2.Press (+) to select the number of readings to be used to obtain

an average, typically 3 to 10 readings. The greater the variation between readings, the more readings should be taken to obtain an average.

3.Repeatedly measure the known thickness reference. The Gage

will wait 2 seconds between readings to allow the user to correctly position the probe on the surface. After the last measurement the Gage will calculate and display the reading which represents the average of all the measurements taken. If the expected reading is not obtained (within tolerance) lift the probe from the surface and adjust the reading down (-) or up (+) to the expected thickness and press .

Zero

1 Pt Adjust

2-point Calibration Adjustment

Preferred method for very unusual substrate materials, shapes or conditions. Provides greater accuracy within a limited, defined range.

This method requires taking two readings at known thickness values: a thin value (often zero) and a thicker value. These values should be on either side of the thickness range to be measured.

1.Select 2 Pt Adjust from the Cal Settings menu.

2.Press (+) to select the number of readings to be used to obtain

an average on the thinner item, typically 3 to 10 readings. The greater the variation between readings, the more readings should be taken to obtain an average.

3.Repeatedly measure the thinner item. The Gage will wait for 2

seconds on the surface to allow the user to correctly position the probe on the surface. After the last measurement the Gage will calculate and display a thickness value which represents the average of all the readings taken using the factory calibration settings.

4. Lift the probe from the surface and adjust the displayed reading

down (-) or up (+) to the known thickness value of the thin item. Press to accept this value.

5.Repeat steps 2 - 4 for the thicker item.

When selected, the icon will appear and all calibration settings are “locked” to prevent further user adjustments.

2 Pt Adjust

Cal Lock

Select Non-Ferrous Lock (N Lock) when operating regularly on non-ferrous substrates. The icon will appear and the probe will only use the eddy current principle when measuring. N Lock is useful when measuring coatings on plated steel.

N Lock

(FN ferrous/non-ferrous combination probes only)

+ 14 hidden pages

Checkline 6000TCX User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual