Checkline DFX-7 User Manual
OPERATION MANUAL
DAKOTA ULTRASONICS
DDFFXX--77
Ultrasonic Flaw Detector
(Manual 2 of 2)
P/N P-220-0002 Rev 1.0, June 2011
CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION ...................................................................... 1
CHAPTER TWO QUICK START GUIDE ............................................................ 3
CHAPTER THREE KEYBOARD, MENU, & CONNECTOR REFERENCE ......... 7
CHAPTER FOUR SETTING UP FOR MEASUREMENT .................................. 23
CHAPTER FIVE CALIBRATION ....................................................................... 35
CHAPTER SIX TRIGONOMETRY MODE ........................................................ 50
CHAPTER SEVEN AWS – WELD INSPECTION ............................................. 55
CHAPTER EIGHT DISTANCE AMPLITUDE CORRECTION (DAC) ................ 60
CHAPTER NINE TIME CORRECTED GAIN (TCG) ......................................... 66
CHAPTER TEN ADDITIONAL FEATURES OF THE DFX-7 ............................. 71
CHAPTER ELEVEN DATA STORAGE – SETUP, EDIT, & VIEW FILES ......... 95
CHAPTER TWELVE SETUPS – CREATE, STORE, EDIT, & RECALL ......... 120
CHAPTER THIRTEEN USING THE UTILITY SOFTWARE ............................ 130
APPENDIX A - VELOCITY TABLE ................................................................. 132
APPENDIX B - SETUP LIBRARY ................................................................... 134
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
The Dakota Ultrasonics model DFX-7 is both, an ultrasonic flaw detector, as well as
an ultrasonic A/B Scan thickness scope, in a single unit. It’s a combination of both
our CMX DL+, as well as our new DFX-7 flaw detector series. Why is this
advantageous? Thickness gauge are specifically setup to very accurately measure
thickness, locate pits, flaws and blind surface corrosion. All the linearity tables,
correction curves for various types of longitudinal transducers and features are built
with dimensional thickness as its primary focus. Flaw detectors are designed to
detect, size, position, and differentiate between flaw types in various materials and
welded joints. A flaw detector must be fast, in terms of its sample and screen refresh
rate, as inspectors are generally scanning the surface of a part or test specimen at a
relatively high speed, rather than looking for the thickness at a specific point or
location. While flaw detectors can also measure material thickness with reasonable
accuracy, they are not designed with precision thickness as their primary focus.
The DFX-7 combines the two types of gauges into one powerful and full featured
instrument, that’s equipped with a number of comprehensive toolkits to provide the
user the arsenal necessary to address a number of common field applications. In
and effort to avoid complexity issues and differential between gauges types, this
manual focuses only on the flaw detector portion of the DFX-7.
Dakota Ultrasonics maintains a customer support resource in order to assist users
with questions or difficulties not covered in this manual. Customer support may be
reached at any of the following:
Dakota Ultrasonics Corporation
1500 Green Hills Road, #107
Scotts Valley, CA 95066 USA
Telephone: (831) 431-9722
Facsimile: (831) 431-9723
www.dakotaultrasonics.com
1.1 General Disclaimer
The manual should be read and understood prior to using the DFX-7. This operating
manual provides the user with all the general information necessary to use and
operate the features of the DFX-7. However, this manual is not a certified NDT
training course, nor is it intended to be one. Ultrasonic training for sound wave
theory, flaw detection and interpretation of defects is highly recommended, and will
be required by most companies and contract services. Contact the local NDT society
in your area to inquire about training available in your locality.
1.2 Electrical Warning
The DFX-7 contains a high voltage pulser. It’s recommended that the gauge be
powered off prior to connecting or disconnecting your transducer, to avoid damaging
the DFX-7.
CHAPTER TWO
QUICK START GUIDE
This section will cover a basic quick start guide to initially get up and running with the
DFX-7 for demonstration purposes only. However, in order to use the gauge and
features for actual applications, a thorough review of this manual is recommended.
2.1 Gauge Type
Power up the DFX-7, by pressing the on/off key located in the bottom right corner of
the keypad. During initial boot up, a flash screen and lights will be displayed,
followed by a GAUGE TYPE selection screen. Since this manual will focus on the
flaw detector portion of the DFX-7, use the UP/DOWN arrow keys to select “flaw
detector”, followed by pressing the OK key start the DFX-7 in flaw mode. If this is the
first time the gauge has been used, a general startup configuration will automatically
be loaded and the DFX-7 is ready for general inspections. If this is not the first time
the gauge has been used, and the user would like to reload the basic default setup
parameters, refer to section 12.5 for further info.
Note: The default setup should only be considered as a basic setup. Proper
calibration and parameter settings should be done prior to an actual inspection.
2.2 Basic Flaw Setup Reference
The following table lists all the settings for the basic flaw setup:
PRB CAL DISP TUNE GT1
Type: Single Matl: Steel 1020 View: +Rect Filters: Wide Alarm: On
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Pulse: Thin Matl 1pt: Uncal Delay: 0.000 Gain: 65 Gate1: 0.484
Max PRF: 66 Matl 2pt: Uncal Range: 5.011 Detect Mode: Z-Cross Thresh1: 40%
Damping: 600 Velocity: .2320 Units: inches Width1: INF
Pulser Volt: 200 Zero: 0.0 Brightness: 15 Detect: Above
View: Green 1 Polarity: Pos
Dim: Off
Rect Wave: Filled
Detect Mark: None
Note: The following features are set to off: GT2, TRIG, AWS, TCG, DAC, DGS.
2.3 Top & Submenu Reference
The following table is a quick menu reference guide. The DFX-7 has 15 top level
menu titles, and multiple submenu items as illustrated below. Refer to Chapter Three
for additional definitions and information on the keypad and menu items.
Start >>
PRB CAL DISP TUNE GT1 GT2 TRIG AWS
TYPE MAT VIEW FILTERS ALARM ALARM TRIG AWS
PULSE MATL 1PT DELAY MAX PRF DETECT DETECT THICKNESS SET REF GAIN
DAMPING MATL 2PT RANGE GAIN GATE1 GATE2 ANGLE % SCRN
HEIGHT
PULSER
VOLTAGE
ZERO BRIGHTNESS THRESHOLD1 THRESHOLD2
COLORS POLARITY1 POLARITY1
DIM
RECT WAVE
DETECT MARK
VELOCITY UNITS DETECT MODE GATE1 WIDTH GATE2 WIDTH X-OFFSET
>> End
TCG DAC DGS SET DATA UTIL XFER
TCG DAC DGS OPEN NEW AUTO FIND BACKUP
SETUPS
DRAW DRAW PROBE
CONFIG
CURVE MEAS TRANS LOSS DELETE ONE OPEN BACKUP DATA
SAVE EDIT GAUGE RESTORE
SETUPS
4
FILE
DFX-7 Ultrasonic Flaw Detector
% SCRN
HEIGHT
TRIGGER MATERIAL
DPOLARITY TB VELOCITY DELETE ALL
TB TYPE
TB SIZE
SIGNAL
CURVE REFLECT
LOSS
LANGUAGE DELETE ONE
LOSS
DEFAULT
SETUP
CLOSE RESTORE
DATA
ABOUT
FILE
DATA
2.4 Loading the Default Setup
If the DFX-7 has previously been used, the basic default settings can be reloaded at
any time, as outlined below:
Load Default Setup
The following section assumes the gauge is powered up, the flaw detector
option selected, and the main measurement screen is being displayed.
1) Press the MENU key once to activate the menu items tab. Press the MENU
key multiple times to tab right and the ESC key multiple times to tab left until
the SET menu is highlighted and displaying the submenu items.
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2) Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to scroll through the sub menu items
until DEFAULT SETUP is highlighted.
3) Press the ENTER key to display the confirmation screen.
4) Press the OK key to load the default setup and return to the measurement
screen.
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CHAPTER THREE
KEYBOARD, MENU, & CONNECTOR REFERENCE
3.1 Menu Key (Operation & Sub Menus)
The Menu key activates the primary menu structure containing 15 menu tab groups.
These tab groups then contain sub menu items, or functions. The sub menu items
have been organized in the tab groups according to how closely they are related to
the individual tab group names. Let’s first get familiar with how to move around in
these tabs before continuing on to the sub menu functions. This procedure is
outlined below:
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Activating and Navigation of the Menu Items
1) Press the MENU key once to activate the menu items tab. Press the MENU
key multiple times to tab right, and the ESC key multiple times to tab left
until the desired tab group is highlighted and displaying the submenu items.
The tab groups are illustrated above (A).
Now that you’re familiar with activating and moving amongst the tab groups,
let’s have a look at how to move around in the sub menu items as follows:
2) Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to scroll through the sub menu items
until the desired function is highlighted. The sub menu items are illustrated
in the diagram above (B).
3) Depending on which function is highlighted, use the LEFT, RIGHT, and
Enter keys to scroll the options or activate the Digit Edit and List Box
options.
The sections to follow will provide the user with an explanation of the sub menu
functions:
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DFX-7 Ultrasonic Flaw Detector
3.2 Probe – Menu
TYPE:
Dual.
PULSE: The DFX-7 has an adjustable pulse width for both high penetration and
resolution applications. The pulse width refers to the duration of time the pulser is
on. The options are Spike, Thin, and Wide. Refer to page 86 for a further
explanation.
MAX PRF: This feature controls the pulse repetition frequency of the DFX-7. The
maximum frequency is 333 Hz. However, the DFX-7 will automatically adjust the
PRF according to what the current delay and range settings have been adjusted to.
Larger the range, the slower the repetition frequency will automatically be set for.
DAMPING: The ability to control the amplifiers output impedance to match the
impedance of the transducer, and optimize overall transducer performance.
Adjustable at: 50, 100, 300, 600, 1500 ohms. Refer to page 90 for further info.
PULSER VOLT: Adjustable pulser voltage: 100, 150, and 200 volt. Refer to page
87 for a further explanation.
Enables the user to select the type of transducer being used, either Single or
3.3 CAL – Menu
Select the material velocity from a chart of basic material types when a known
MAT:
sample thickness, or material velocity cannot be obtained.
MATL 1PT: Performs a single point calibration. Used in conjunction with the MATL
2PT option for the calibration process. Refer to page 35 for further info.
MATL 2PT: Performs a two-point calibration. This option allows the user to
automatically calculate the velocity by entering a second known sample thickness.
Refer to page 35 for further info.
VELOCITY: Function to calibrate the DFX-7 by setting the velocity to a known
material velocity. Refer to page 71 for further info.
ZERO PROBE: Used to zero the transducer and calibrate the screen. The DFX-7 is
zeroed in much the same way that a mechanical micrometer is zeroed. If the DFX-7
is not zeroed correctly, all of the measurements made using the DFX-7 may be in
error by some fixed value. Refer to the section on page 35, for further info.
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3.4 DISP (display) – Menu
VIEW: Selectable RF, +RECT, -RECT, RECTFW views. Refer to page 23 for further
info.
DELAY:
views. Refer to page 24 for further info.
RANGE:
viewable measurement area. It functions a lot like a zoom on a camera. Refer to
page 24 for further info.
UNITS: Toggle between English or Metric units. The readout will change from
inches to millimeters.
BRIGHTNESS: AMOLED high speed color display. An arbitrary scale of 1-20 has
been implemented, with the brightest setting at 20. Refer to page 76 for further info.
SCREEN UPDATE: Toggles how fast the display will redraw. Options are 60Hz or
120Hz. The 60Hz option conserves battery life. Refer to page 88 for further info.
COLORS: Provides the user with a variety of different color schemes to select from.
There are two schemes for each main color option. Refer to page 77 for further info.
DIM: Allows the user to conserve battery life by diming the display after idle for a
specific amount of time – OFF, 30, 60, 90, 120 seconds. Once dimmed, a single
press of any key will restore the screen brightness. Refer to page 79 for further info.
RECT WAVE: Provides the user an outlined or filled view option when the display
setting is in RECT (rectified) wave mode only. Refer to page 80 for further info.
DETECT MARK:
waveform: Line, Box, Dots, None. Offers the user a graphics preference on how
they prefer to view the detection on the waveform.
Provides the user the ability to change the start position of the A-SCAN
Provides the user the ability to change the overall range/depth of the
Selectable graphics option for the point of detection on the
3.5 TUNE – Menu
FILTERS:
19 MHz (-3dB). The DFX-7+ is additionally equipped with selectable narrow band
filters at; 2, 5 & 10 MHz. Refer to page 91 for further info.
GAIN:
used to increase/decrease the strength or amplitude of the signal. This might easily
The DFX-7 is a wide band flaw detector with a frequency range of 1.8 to
The DFX-7 has a 0-110dB gain range with 2dB resolution. This feature is
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DFX-7 Ultrasonic Flaw Detector
be considered as similar to turning the volume up or down on a stereo receiver.
Refer to page 27 for further info.
DETECT MODE: The DFX-7 is equipped with optional detection modes; PEAK,
FLANK, or Z-CROSS (zero crossing). This options allows the user to decide where
the detection is acquired on the waveform echo. Refer to page 84 for further info.
3.6 GT1 – Menu
ALARM: Toggles the alarm function of gate 1; on, off, audible. The audible feature
sounds a beeper when the waveform breaks the threshold level, either above or
below, depending on the current DETECT setting. Refer to page 30 for further info.
DETECT: Enables the user to set the alarm detection to occur either above or below
the gates threshold level. Refer to page 30 for further info.
GATE1: Gates allow the user to view a specific inspection/measurement range, or
specific regions of the waveform, while ignoring others. In order to detect on a
waveform echo, and display the amplitude as a percentage of full screen height, the
echo must be inside the boundaries of the gate settings. The GATE1 feature adjusts
where the gate begins, according to the depth/thickness. Refer to page 30 for further
info.
GATE1 WIDTH: This feature allows the user to set the overall width of the gate, in
terms of distance, from the GATE1 setting. Refer to page 30 for further info.
THRESHOLD1: Enables the user to set the sensitivity level of Gate1 to a calibrated
screen height percentage. The threshold level will act as a starting point for the
alarm trigger, and is directly associated with the DETECT setting outlined above.
Refer to page 30 for further info.
POLARITY:
polarity, or stroke, of the half or full wave cycle. It should be noted that if the VIEW is
set to positive, and the gate negative, the DFX-7 will not display an amplitude
percentage of full screen height. Refer to page 30 for further info.
The gates can be set to detect on either the positive or negative
3.7 GT2 – Menu
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ALARM: Toggles the alarm function of gate 2; on, off, audible. The audible feature
sounds a beeper when the waveform breaks the threshold level, either above or
below, depending on the current DETECT setting. Refer to page 30 for further info.
DETECT: Enables the user to set the alarm detection to occur either above or below
the gates threshold level. Refer to page 30 for further info.
GATE2: Gates allow the user to view a specific inspection/measurement range, or
specific regions of the waveform, while ignoring others. In order to detect on a
waveform echo, and display the amplitude as a percentage of full screen height, the
echo must be inside the boundaries of the gate settings. The GATE2 feature adjusts
where the gate begins, according to the depth/thickness. Refer to page 30 for further
info.
GATE2 WIDTH: This feature allows the user to set the overall width of the gate, in
terms of distance, from the GATE2 setting. Refer to page 30 for further info.
THRESHOLD2: Enables the user to set the sensitivity level of Gate2 to a calibrated
screen height percentage. The threshold level will act as a starting point for the
alarm trigger, and is directly associated with the DETECT setting outlined above.
Refer to page 30 for further info.
POLARITY: The gates can be set to detect on either the positive or negative
polarity, or stroke, of the half or full wave cycle. It should be noted that if the VIEW is
set to positive, and the gate negative, the DFX-7 will not display an amplitude
percentage of full screen height. Refer to page 30 for further info.
3.8 TRIG – Menu
TRIG: This feature toggles trigonometry feature on/off. This feature is used with
angle beam transducers for the inspection of welds, to calculate three
measurements: Beam path distance (Ì), Surface distance (Æ), and Depth (È) from
the index point of the transducer. Refer to page 50 for further info.
THICKNESS: Used to set the thickness of the test material. The thickness will be
used to determine which skip/leg the DFX-7 is detecting on. Refer to page 50 for
further info.
ANGLE:
Refer to page 50 for further info.
X-OFFSET:
function, as is a physical measurement from the index point of the probe to the front
of the wedge/can/shoe/case. Refer to page 50 for further info.
CSC OD: Curved surface correction to compensate for changing sound path
distance and angle. This feature is used in conjunction with ‘thickness’ in order to
calculate a correction factor. Refer to page 50 for further info.
Used to set the angle of the transducer, and used in the calculations above.
This feature is used to calculate the surface distance in the trigonometry
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DFX-7 Ultrasonic Flaw Detector
3.9 AWS – Menu
AWS:
according to American Welding Society’s structural welding code D1.1-94, to
calculate the Indication Rating (IR). Refer to page 55 for further info.
SET REF GAIN:
percentage of full screen height (FSH). This value will typically be set somewhere
between 20%–90%. Refer to page 55 for further info.
ANGLE: This is used to set the angle of the transducer used for the calculations
above. Refer to page Error! Bookmark not defined. for further info.
X-OFFSET: This feature is used to calculate the surface distance in the trigonometry
function, as is a physical measurement for the index point of the probe to the front of
the wedge/can/shoe/case. Refer to page 55 for further info.
This feature toggles the AWS feature on/off. Used in the analysis of welds
The gain (in dB) required to set the indication level to a specific
3.10 TCG – Menu
TCG: This feature toggles the TCG feature on/off. The Time Corrected Gain (TCG)
feature displays reflectors of equal size at equal A-Scan amplitudes, regardless of the
reflector’s depth in the test material. Refer to page 66 for further info.
DRAW: Toggles the DRAW mode on/off, and used to draw the TCG curve. Refer to
page 66 for further info.
CURVE:
screen. Refer to page 66 for further info.
% SCRN HEIGHT: This feature enables the user to set the reference level of the
TCG as a percentage of full screen height (FSH). Refer to page 66 for further info.
Toggles the TCG correction curve on/off, and the curve is displayed on the
3.11 DAC – Menu
DAC: Toggles the DAC feature on/off/audible. A Distance Amplitude Correction
(DAC) curve is used to configure a variable threshold for the gate, using the same
size reflector at different distances. Refer to page 60 for further info.
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DRAW: Toggles the DRAW mode on/off/audible, and used to draw the DAC curve.
Note: TCG curve cannot be drawn in RF view. Refer to page 60 for further info.
MEAS: Toggles the units displayed as a relationship of either the signal amplitude
and DAC curve, or just the signal according to screen height. The units are as:
%FSH, %DAC, and dB. Refer to page 60 for further info.
CURVE: Selectable signal or multi DAC curve options. The displayed curve options
are: DAC, -2dB, -6dB, -10dB, (-6dB/-12dB), (-6dB/-14dB). Once the DAC curve has
been generated, these options can be toggled at any time. Refer to page 60 for
further info.
TRIGGER: Used to set the alarm threshold for the DAC curve. The options are; at
DAC, -2dB, -6dB, -10dB, -12dB, -14dB, or using an independent gate. The list of
trigger options will change according to which CURVE option has been selected.
Refer to page 60 for further info.
DPOLARITY: Used to select the polarity of the DAC curves generated, either
positive or negative. Refer to page 60 for further info.
3.12 DGS – Menu
DGS: Coming Soon.
3.13 SETUP – Menu
OPEN:
These setups can be recalled and used at any time. Refer to page 120 for further
info.
SAVE:
modified or created by the user. Refer to page 122 for further info.
DELETE:
in memory. Refer to page 125 for further info.
DEFAULT SETUP:
setups in the DFX-7 have been corrupted and a computer is not accessible. Refer to
page 127 for further info.
Displays a list of factory and user defined setups currently stored in memory.
Provides the user with the ability to save a custom setup that has been
Provides the user with the ability to delete specific setups previously save
Loads a basic default setup. Use only as a last resort when the
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DFX-7 Ultrasonic Flaw Detector
LANGUAGE: Provides the user the ability to select different languages for the DFX-
7. Refer to page 129 for further info.
3.14 DATA – Menu
NEW: Allows the user the ability to create a new alpha numeric grid, or sequential
log file with auto identifiers. It is equipped with custom parameters, rows, and
columns depending on the user’s application reporting requirements. Refer to page
96 for further info.
EDIT: Gives the user the ability to change parameters of grid or sequential file
previously saved. Note: Pre-defined coordinates cannot be changed once they have
been created. Refer to page 114 for further info.
OPEN: This function provides the user with the ability to recall grids or sequential log
files that currently exist in memory, from a list of grids. Refer to page 116 for further
info.
CLOSE: Provides the user the ability to close a currently opened grid or sequential
log file. Refer to page 118 for further info.
DELETE ONE FILE: This function provides the user with the ability to delete one
individual grid or sequential log file from a list of multiple grids/files previously saved
in memory. Refer to page 111 for further info.
DELETE ALL DATA: This function provides the user with the ability to delete all files
currently stored in memory. Refer to page 112 for further info.
3.15 UTIL (utilities) – Menu
AUTO FIND:
the viewable display area, and automatically sets up the gauges scope settings.
Refer to page 71 for further info.
GAUGE:
detector, or a thickness gauge. Refer to page 3 for further info.
Automatically locates the detection point if the measurement is out of
Gives the user the ability toggle the DFX-7 gauge type to either a flaw
3.16 XFER (transfer) – Menu
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BACKUP SETUPS: Enables the user the ability to backup the setups currently
stored in the DFX-7 to a PC via RS232 port. USB adaptor included. Refer the help
section of the DFX-7 DakView software for a complete electronic manual.
RESTORE SETUPS:
saved on a PC to an DFX-7 via RS232 port. Refer the help section of the DFX-7
DakView software for a complete electronic manual.
BACKUP DATA:
currently stored in the DFX-7 to a PC via RS232 port. Refer the help section of the
DFX-7 DakView software for a complete electronic manual.
RESTORE DATA: Enables the user the ability to restore grids or sequential log files
currently saved on a PC to an DFX-7 via RS232 port. Refer the help section of the
DFX-7 DakView software for a complete electronic manual.
ABOUT: Provides the user with Dakota Ultrasonics contact information and the
DFX-7 software version. Refer to the Dakota Ultrasonics web site for information on
the latest firmware versions available for download.
Enables the user the ability to restore the setups currently
Enables the user the ability to backup grids or sequential log files
3.17 CLR (clear) Key
The primary functions of the CLR key, is to clear a measurement from a grid or
sequential log files cell location or set obstruct, backspace in an Alpha Edit Box, or
clear a DAC reference point used to generate a curve. Use this key to clear saved
measurement & waveform.
3.18 MEAS (measurement mode) Key
The MEAS key puts the DFX-7 into it’s primary mode of operation. In this mode, the
user has a complete view of the LCD. When pressed multiple times, navigates the
hot menu items.
3.19 OK Key
The primary function of the OK key is confirmation of a change or selection. The OK
key also toggles the Hot Menu area, while in measurement mode, to a large digits
display area. If the DFX-7 is displaying a grid log, the OK key toggles an advance to
row number option.
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DFX-7 Ultrasonic Flaw Detector
3.20 ESC Key
The ESC key is used in the MENU, MEAS, and EDIT functions as a back or escape
function. If the DFX-7 is displaying a grid or sequential log, the OK key toggles the
display options: RF, +RECT, -RECT and RECTFW views.
3.21 Arrow Keys
The Arrow Keys are used to navigate through the menus, increase/decrease values,
and toggle specific function keys.
3.22 ENTER key
The ENTER key is used in the overall menu selection process, to activate list and
edit boxes, display and save measurements/waveforms to grid or sequential file
locations.
3.23 MULTI MODE Key
The MULTI MODE key provides the user with a set of flaw mode options: Normal,
Peak, or Freeze. The normal mode is the standard flaw detector mode. The Peak
mode draws, holds, and updates the waveform for the entire duration of the
inspection. The Freeze mode ‘freezes’ the current waveform on the screen, allowing
the user the time to analyze the wave.
3.24 ON/OFF Key
The ON/OFF key simply powers the unit either ON or OFF. Note: Unit will
automatically power off when idle for 5 minutes. All current settings are automatically
saved prior to powering off.
3.25 DFX-7 Overview
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In order to understand how to operate the DFX-7, it’s best to start off with an
understanding of what we’re looking at. The DFX-7 has a lot of great features and
tools that will prove to be a huge benefit for the variety of applications you’re
constantly facing on a continual basis. Let’s have a brief look at the screens you’ll be
looking at most often:
A. Repeatability/Stability Indicator – This indicator shows the
stability/repeatability of the sound path signal. When all the vertical bars are
fully illuminated, the repeatability of the sound path is stable.
B. Battery Icon – Indicates the amount of battery life the DFX-7 has remaining.
C. Height – Shows the signal amplitude height as a percent of 100% full screen
height.
D. Feature Status Bar – Indicates the features currently enabled and in use in
the following order:
• Feature Toolkits
i. Trig – Trigonometry w/ Curved Surface Correction
ii. AWS – American Welding Society
iii. TCG – Time Corrected Gain
iv. DAC – Distance Amplitude Correction
v. DGS – Distance Gain Size
• View
i. RF: Radio Frequency.
ii. R+: Rectified positive.
iii. R- : Rectified negative
iv. FW: Rectified full wave.
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DFX-7 Ultrasonic Flaw Detector
• Detect
i. Zero crossing (ZX)
ii. Flank (FK)
iii. Peak (PK)
• Leg – Skip leg reference, (L1…L4…)
• High Speed Scan Mode
• Alarm Mode
• Gain Setting
E. Leg (skip leg) – Indicates which skip/leg the detection in on. The thickness of
the material is used to calculate the leg.
F. Hot Menu items – We call this menu section our “hot menu”, as these items
are the most commonly adjusted features, requiring quick access from the
user. They can be displayed and scrolled by pressing the MEAS key at
anytime. The ESC key is used in conjunction with MEAS key to reverse the
direction scrolled.
G. Memory – Indicates that the currently displayed measurement screen and
values have been previous stored in memory. When MEM is displayed, all
measurement functions are disabled until the user advances to an empty
storage location, or the current measurement is cleared by pressing the CLR
key.
H. Height – Displays the amplitude of the signal as a percentage of full screen
height. Depending on the quantity selected, this could also be displayed in
dB, or D.
I. Grid or Seq Log Name – References the name of the log file currently open.
J. Log File – Shows the storage cells of the current log file open. Depending on
the quantity currently selected, show either the %height or dB value stored.
K. A-Scan Display – The actual echo reflections returned from the backwall or
defect.
3.26 Navigating the Hot Menu
The diagram above is a screenshot of the “Hot Menu” feature of the DFX-7. The Hot
Menu’s contain all the most regularly adjusted features of the gauge. The primary
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purpose of the design, was to provide the user with an efficient way to make
adjustments on the fly during inspections. The following procedure outlines the steps
to navigate and make adjustments as follows:
Hot Menu
Gate1
1) Press the MEAS key once to activate the Hot Menu. Press the MEAS key
multiple times to advance the cell right, and the ESC key multiple times to
advance the cell left, until the WIDTH1 cell is highlighted.
2) Press the LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys to toggle the value or status.
Note: This is a coarse adjustment. It’s the fastest and easiest way to
increment, decrement, or toggle the status, however it does so in coarse steps.
Set Detect
1) Press the UP and DOWN arrow keys until DETECT is highlighted.
2) Press the LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys to toggle the ABOVE or BELOW.
Note: Above will trigger the alarm when a signal meets or exceeds the height
of the gate, and below will detect on anything that meets or is below the height
of the gate.
3) Alternatively, press the ENTER key to display the Digits Edit Box.
4) Press the UP and DOWN arrow keys to scroll the highlighted value.
5) Press the LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys to scroll the digit locations.
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DFX-7 Ultrasonic Flaw Detector
6) Repeat steps 4 & 5 until the start position is correctly displayed.
7) Press the OK key to set the WIDTH1 position and return to the menu
screen, or ESC to cancel entering the WIDTH1 position.
Note: This procedure is universal for all the features in the Hot Menu cell
locations.
3.27 Top & Bottom End Caps
The top & bottom end panels are where all connections are made to the DFX-7. The
diagram above shows the layout and description of the connectors:
Transducer Connectors
Refer to Diagram: The transducer connectors, and battery cover/probe zero disk are
located on the DFX-7’s top end cap. The transducer connectors are of type LEMO
“00”. A single element transducer must be plugged into the inside LEMO jack as
illustrated above. Note: There is no polarity associated with connecting a dual
element transducer to the DFX-7.
Battery Cover
Refer to Diagram: The Battery cover is the large round disk shown in the diagram.
Be sure to check the polarity indicator diagram, located on the back label of the DFX-
7. Note: Rechargeable batteries can be used, however must be recharged outside
of the gauge in a standalone battery charger.
RS-232 Connector
Refer to Diagram: The RS-232 connector, located on the bottom end cap, is a 2 pin
female Lemo connector. It is designed to connect directly from the DFX-7 to a
standard AT serial port on a PC. The cable supplied with the DFX-7 is a Lemo to 9
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Dakota Ultrasonics
pin serial cable. Note: This connector is also used to upgrade the DFX-7 with the
latest version of firmware.
USB Serial to USB Converter Cable
A converter cable can be attached to the 9 pin serial cable in needed (part no. N-402-
0510).
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CHAPTER FOUR
SETTING UP FOR MEASUREMENT
4.1 Selecting Display View
The DFX-7 includes a variety of viewing options for the waveform display. There are
three primary options waveform options with selectable polarity. These are all outline
below as follows:
Radio Frequency (RF): Displays the entire sine wave signal, much like an
oscilloscope, from a reflector or return echo. This view shows both the positive and
negative peaks.
Rectified (RECT): Displays half sine wave signal, either positive or negative, from
the reflector or return echo. The user can select the polarity or “phase” displayed.
This is typically determined by first using RF view to select the most optimal polarity
“phase”, to fine tune the scopes settings. The RECT view is commonly used as the
primary “flaw detection” view.
Full Wave (RECTFW): Display entire sine wave signal in a rectified view. There is
no polarity.
The following procedure outlines the steps to select the view:
Display View
1) Press the MENU key once to activate the menu items tab. Press the MENU
key multiple times to tab right and the ESC key multiple times to tab left until
the DISP menu is highlighted and displaying the submenu items.
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Dakota Ultrasonics
2) Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to scroll through the sub menu items
until VIEW is highlighted.
3) Use the LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys to scroll the view options (RF,
+RECT, -RECT, RECTFW).
4) Once the view is displayed, press the MEAS key to return to measurement
mode.
4.2 Adjusting the display
This section will cover the procedures for adjusting the viewable range, or area, of
the display, in terms of thickness. A basic overview example for this section would
be as follows: Suppose we had a 50” widescreen television set. The left side of the
television screen is considered the Delay for all view options. The right side of the
television screen is the Range + Delay. By adjusting the left and right side of the
television screen, to control the viewable area/range, we can zoom in and out of any
part of the 50” screen we’d like, and focus on only the specific areas of the screen
necessary.
Setting Delay
The Delay represents the left side of the display, and can be adjusted to start at any
thickness value within the overall range of the DFX-7.
Note: Once the delay is set, it will remain the same for the views: RF, +RECT, RECT, RECTFW.
The procedures to adjust the Delay are outlined below:
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Setting Delay
DFX-7 Ultrasonic Flaw Detector
1) Press the MEAS key once to activate measure menu items. Press the
MEAS key multiple times to move right and the ESC key multiple times to
move left, until the DELAY cell is highlighted.
2) Press the UP, DOWN, LEFT, and RIGHT arrow keys to scroll the highlighted
value.
3) Alternatively, press the ENTER key to display the Digits Edit Box.
4) Press the UP and DOWN arrow keys to scroll the highlighted value.
5) Press the LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys to scroll the digit locations.
6) Repeat steps 4 & 5 until the DELAY value is correctly displayed.
7) Press the OK key to return to the measurement screen, or ESC to cancel
entering the DELAY.
8) Finally, press the MEAS key to return to the measurement screen.
Setting Range
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The Range is the distance from the delay that will be viewable on the screen. It can
be adjusted to any value greater than the Delay. The procedures to adjust the range
are outlined below:
Setting Range
1) Press the MEAS key once to activate measure menu items. Press the
MEAS key multiple times to move right and the ESC key multiple times to
move left, until the RANGE cell is highlighted.
2) Press the UP, DOWN, LEFT, and RIGHT arrow keys to scroll the highlighted
value.
3) Alternatively, press the ENTER key to display the Digits Edit Box.
4) Press the UP and DOWN arrow keys to scroll the highlighted value.
5) Press the LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys to scroll the digit locations.
6) Repeat steps 4 & 5 until the RANGE value is correctly displayed.
7) Press the OK key to return to the measurement screen, or ESC to cancel
entering the RANGE.
8) Finally, press the MEAS key to return to the measurement screen.
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