MITECH MFD500B User Manual
MITECH ULTRASONIC
FLAW DETECTOR
MFD500B
User’s Manual
MITECH CO.,LTD.
www.mitech-ndt.com
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CONTENTS
1 Introduction...........................................................................................................................................................3
1.1 Features of the Instrument...........................................................................................................................3
1.2 Specifications................................................................................................................................................. 4
1.3 Instrument Standard Configuration............................................................................................................ 5
2 Understanding the Keypad, Menu System and Display...........................................................................5
2.1 Structure Feature...........................................................................................................................................5
2.2 Screen Display...............................................................................................................................................6
2.3 Keys and Rotary Knob Features.................................................................................................................8
2.4 Menus and Functions....................................................................................................................................9
2.5 Alarm Lights.................................................................................................................................................... 9
3 Initial Start-up.......................................................................................................................................................9
3.1 Power Supply................................................................................................................................................. 9
3.2 Connecting a Probe.................................................................................................................................... 10
3.3 Starting the Instrument............................................................................................................................... 10
4.0 Operation......................................................................................................................................................... 10
4.1 Adjusting the Display Range..................................................................................................................... 10
4.2 Setting the Material Velocity...................................................................................................................... 10
4.3 Setting the Display Delay...........................................................................................................................10
4.4 Selecting the Probe Test Mode................................................................................................................. 11
4.5 Selecting a Rectification Mode..................................................................................................................11
4.6 Setting the A-Scan Reject Level............................................................................................................... 11
4.7 Setting the Gain...........................................................................................................................................12
4.8 Changing the Gain-Adjustment Increment (DB STEP).........................................................................13
4.9 Auto Gain Feature.......................................................................................................................................13
4.10 Configuring the Gates.............................................................................................................................. 13
4.11 Setting the Damping Level.......................................................................................................................14
4.12 Setting the Pulse Energy Level.............................................................................................................. 14
4.13 Setting the Pulse Width............................................................................................................................17
4.14 Adjusting the Pulse Repetition Frequency (PRF)................................................................................17
4.15 Specifying the Probe Frequency............................................................................................................ 17
4.16 Specifying the Piezo Crystal Size.......................................................................................................... 17
4.17 Setting the Probe X-Value....................................................................................................................... 17
4.18 Probe Delay Calibration...........................................................................................................................17
4.19 Setting the Angle of Incidence................................................................................................................ 17
4.20 Magnifying the Contents of a Gate........................................................................................................ 18
4.21 Freezing the A-Scan Display...................................................................................................................18
4.22 Setting the Display Grid........................................................................................................................... 18
4.23 Selecting Units...........................................................................................................................................18
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4.24 Scale Setting..............................................................................................................................................18
4.25 Fill function................................................................................................................................................. 19
4.26 Setting the Display Brightness................................................................................................................19
4.27 Setting the Display Color......................................................................................................................... 19
4.28 Setting the A-Scan Color......................................................................................................................... 19
4.29 Setting the Menu Color............................................................................................................................ 20
4.30 Key Sound..................................................................................................................................................20
4.31 Date and Time Setting..............................................................................................................................20
4.32 Display the System Information..............................................................................................................21
4.33 Resetting the Instrument..........................................................................................................................21
4.34 Connecting to a Computer.......................................................................................................................21
5 Calibration and Measurement....................................................................................................................... 21
5.1 Calibration with Straight-and Angle-Beam Probes................................................................................ 21
5.2 Calibration with Dual-Element (TR) Probes............................................................................................23
5.3 Distance Amplitude Curve......................................................................................................................... 23
5.4 Measuring with DGS/AVG..........................................................................................................................26
5.5 Curved Surface Correction........................................................................................................................28
5.6 AWS D1.1 Weld Rating Feature............................................................................................................... 28
5.7 Crack Height Measuring Feature..............................................................................................................28
5.8 Envelope Function...................................................................................................................................... 29
5.9 Peak Hold Feature...................................................................................................................................... 29
5.10 B-Scan Feature......................................................................................................................................... 30
5.11 Weld Figure Feature................................................................................................................................. 30
5.12 Coded Echo color......................................................................................................................................30
5.13 Data Storage..............................................................................................................................................32
6 Maintenance and Care..................................................................................................................................... 33
6.1 Care of the Instrument................................................................................................................................33
6.2 Care of the Batteries................................................................................................................................... 34
6.3 Maintenance.................................................................................................................................................34
6.4 Warranty........................................................................................................................................................34
6.5 Tips on Safety.............................................................................................................................................. 34
Appendix.................................................................................................................................................................35
Appendix A: Charging the Batteries................................................................................................................35
Appendix B: Menu Structure............................................................................................................................36
User's Note: ..........................................................................................................................................................36
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1 Introduction
The MFD500B is an advanced digital ultrasonic flaw detector featuring full digital TFT LCD and a host of
new features to meet challenging inspection requirements. Combined with powerful flaw detection and
measurement capabilities, extensive data storage, it is capable for transfer detailed inspection data to
the PC via its high-speed USB port.
The instrument incorporates many advanced signal processing features including a 10MHz RF
bandwidth to permit testing of thin materials, narrow band filters to improve signal to noise in high gain
applications, a spike pulse for applications required higher frequencies and a adjustable square wave
pulse to optimize penetration on thick or highly attenuating materials.
The instrument can be widely used in locating and sizing hidden cracks, voids, disbands and similar
discontinuities in welds, forgings, billets, axles, shafts, tanks, pressure vessels, turbines and structural
components.
1.1 Features of the Instrument
The instrument extends the performance and range of applications that are capable of being satisfied by
a portable instrument. The quality, portability, durability, and dependability that you have come to expect
from the popular Mitech MFD Series instruments remain.
1 Leading Technology including full English menu, master-slave, shortcut key and rotary key
design, it is easy for operation.
2 Adopted with full digital TFT LCD, clear screen brightness, capable for choosing the
background color, waveform color and menu color. Adjustable brightness freely, suitable for operating
under different environments.
3 High performance security battery module is easy to assemble and disassemble, the instrument
can work continuously more than eight hours.
Display
Hi-resolution (320×240 pixels) full digital TFT LCD with adjustable brightness, it is capable of providing
high contrast viewing of the waveform from bright, direct sunlight to complete darkness.
The hi-resolution TFT LCD display with fast 60 Hz update gives an “analog look” to the waveform
providing detailed information that is critical in many applications including nuclear power plant
inspections.
Range
Up to 6000 mm in steel; range selectable in fixed steps or continuously variable, suitable for use on large
work pieces and in high-resolution measurements.
Pulse
Pulse Energy selectable among Low (300V), Medium (500V) and High (700V)
Pulse Repetition Frequency adjustable from 10 Hz to 1 KHz in 1 Hz increments
Damping selectable among 100Ω, 200Ω and 400Ω for optimum probe performance
Test Modes including Straight, Angle, Dual and Thru-transmission
Receiver
Sampling：10 digits AD Converter at the sampling speed of 160 MHz
Rectification：Positive Halfwave, Negative Halfwave, Fullwave and RF
Analog Bandwidth: 0.5MHz to 15MHz capability with selectable frequency ranges (automatically set by
the instrument) to match probe for optimum performance.
Gain：0 dB to 110 dB adjustable in selectable steps 0.1 dB, 2 dB, 6 dB, and locked
Gates
Two fully independent gates offer a range of measurement options for signal height or distance using
peak triggering.
The echo-to-echo mode allows accurate gate positioning for signals which are extremely close together.
Gate Start: Variable over entire displayed range
Gate Width: Variable from Gate Start to end of displayed range
Gate Height: Variable from 0 to 99% Full Screen Height
Alarms: Threshold positive/negative
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Memory
Memory of 100 channel files to store calibration set-ups
Memory of 1000 wave files to store A-Scan patterns and instrument settings.
All the files can be stored, recalled and cleared.
Video Recorder
Screen scenes can be captured as movie files. About 2 minutes movie can be saved to the inside
memory. They can be re-played using the instrument or the PC software delivered with the instrument.
Video Recorder is useful in many situations, convenient for those who want to analyze the probing
activities later.
Functions
Semiautomatic two point calibration: Automated calibration of transducer zero offset and/or material
velocity
Flaw Locating：Live display Sound-path, Projection (surface distance), Depth, Amplitude,
Flaw sizing: Automatic flaw sizing using AVG/AVG or DAC, speeds reporting of defect acceptance
or rejection.
Digital Readout and Trig. Function: Thickness/Depth can be displayed in digital readout when using
a normal probe. Sound-path, Surface Distance and Depth are directly displayed when using angle
probe.
Both the DAC and the AVG method of amplitude evaluation are available.
Curved Surface Correction Feature
Crack Height Measure Function
Weld Figure Feature
Magnify Gate：spreading of the gate range over the entire screen width
Video Recording and Play
Auto-gain Function
Envelope: Simultaneous display of live A-scan at 60 Hz update rate and envelope of A-scan display
Peak Hold: Compare frozen peak waveform to live A-Scans to easily interpret test results.
A Scan Freeze：Display freeze holds waveform and sound path data
B Scan display feature
AWS D1.1 Feature
Real Time Clock
The instrument clock keeps running tracking the time.
Communication
High Speed USB2.0 Port
The DataPro software helps manage and format stored inspection data for high-speed transfer to the PC.
Data can be printed or easily copied and pasted into word processing files and spreadsheets for further
reporting needs. New features include live screen capture mode and database tracking.
Battery
Internal rechargeable Li-ion battery pack rated 7.2V at 8800 mAh
8 hours nominal operating time depending on display brightness
8-10 hours typical recharge time
Knob
Operating adjustments are easily and quickly made using the rotary knob.
1.2 Specifications
Range: 0 to 9999mm, at steel velocity
Material Velocity: 300 to 15000m/s
Display Delay: -20 to 3400 µs
Probe Delay/Zero Offset : 0 to 99.99µs
Sensitivity Leavings:>60dB (flat-bottomed deep hole 200mmФ2)
resolution :>40dB (5P14)
Noise Level: ≤ 8%
Test Modes: straight ,angle, dual element and thru-transmission
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Pulse Repetition Frequency ranges from 10 Hz to 1000 Hz
Pulse Energy: Low (300V), Medium (500V) and High (700V) spike pulse.
Damping: 100Ω, 200Ω and 400Ω
Bandwidth (amplifier bandpass ): 0.5 to 15MHz
Gate Monitors: Two independent gates controllable over entire sweep range
Rectification: Positive half wave, negative half wave, full wave, RF
System Linear Error: Horizontal: +/-0.1% FSW, Vertical: 0.25% FSH, Amplifier Accuracy +/-1 dB.
Reject (suppression): 0 to 80% full screen height
Units: Inch or millimeter
Transducer Connections: BNC or LEMO
Power Requirements: AC Mains 100-240 VAC, 50-60 Hz
Overall Dimensions:263H×170W×61D mm
Relative Humidity:(20 ~ 95)% RH
Power Supply:DC 9V
Operating Temperature: -10℃ to 50℃
Storage Temperature: -30℃ to 50℃
1.3 Instrument Standard Configuration
No.
Item
Qty
Remarks
Standard
config.
1
Main unit
1
with full digital TFT LCD Display
2
Straight Beam Probe
1
4 MHz, Φ10
3
Angle Beam Probe
1
4 MHz, 8 mm×9 mm, 60°
4
Probe Cable
1
Q9-C5，or optional C9- C5
5
Battery Module
1
8.8 amp hour (MB-02)
6
Power Adapter
17Supporting pillar
1
8
Attached files
1
9
Datapro Software
1
10
USB Cable
1
11
Power Cable
1
12
ABS Case
1
Optional
config.
1
Protective Cover for Main Unit
2
Dual-crystal Straight Probe
2 Understanding the Keypad, Menu System and Display
2.1 Structure Feature
The right figure gives an overview
of the instrument system.
1、The Main Unit
2、Probe (Transducer)
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The Main Unit
1.Belt 2.LCD Display 3.LOGO 4. Hooks 5. Menu Keys
6. Alarm LED 7. Power LED 8. Keypad 9. Rotary Knob
10. Product Label 11.Support Pillar Screw 12. Battery Case
13. Power adapter port 14. Battery Switch 15. USB Socket
16., Probe Cable Port (Transmit) 17. Probe Cable Port (Receive)
2.2 Screen Display
The instrument displays are designed to be easy to interpret.
The Instrument has a
digital screen for the
display of A-Scan.
The status line below
the wave display shows
values of range settings
and measured values.
On the first status line
Echo height is displayed as: 24.5%. It means that the peak echo height inside the current selected
gate is 24.5% FSH (Full Screen Height of the wave area).
Flaw size value means ERS (Equivalent Reflector Size) of the reflector signal inside the current
selected gate. It is displayed after the AVG curve is switched on. When the DAC curve is on, this
value will be displayed as the dB offset of the peak echo inside the current selected gate to the
reference DAC curve (DAC→OFFSET→SIZE REF).
The icon ‘ ’ indicates that the horizontal scale is displayed as sound path (S-PATH). It can be
changed to ‘ ’ (Projection value) or ‘ ’ (Depth) by simply pressing repeatedly.
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On the second status line, it shows the channel file name, the beam angle and the measured value of
the peak echo ( : Sound path. : Projection. :Depth) inside the current selected gate.
“A 61.3” means gate mode is single; current selected gate is gate A; and peak echo position: sound
path 61.3 mm.
“AB 24.0” means Echo-Echo mode of the gates; selected gate is gate A; sound path: 24.0 mm.
The names of the menus or submenus
are displayed at the bottom of the screen.
The selected menu or submenu is
highlighted.
Indicated at the right of the display, next
to the A-Scan, are the functions of the
corresponding menu.
The status area at the bottom-right corner
shows the system status. The following
status will be showed:
: Indicates the battery capacity
: Straight beam probe
: Angle beam probe
: Dual element probe
: Through-transmit mode
: Envelope function on
: Peak hold function on
: USB online; : A-Scan freezed
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The status area at the top-right corner
indicated shows the system gain and the
sound velocity.
2.3 Keys and Rotary Knob Features
To access any function:
Press one of the five menu keys (F1~F5) to select a menu. The menus across the
bottom of the display will immediately be replaced with the submenus contained in the
selected menu
Press a menu key (F1~F5) again to select the submenu containing the desired function.
Press and to move the cursor to select the desired function.
Change the value listed in the function box with the rotary knob. Some values can also
be adjusted with repeatedly pressing the knob.
Special keys such as Gain, Gate, Range, Probe Zero-Offset Calibration, Angle Calibration,
Freeze, Save Waveform, Auto-Gain, Envelop, Peak Hold and etc. are grouped together for
easy thumb control. This design allows direct access to important instrument set-up
parameters and provides easy and fast operating in difficult inspection environments
Functions of the keys:
Home key immediately returns the instrument to the main screen (full screen)
Freeze key freezes the A-Scan
Magnify key expands the gate range to full screen
For turning the instrument On/Off
Db-Step key selects the gain submenus or switch the db step
A
/
B
Gate key - Gate functions selecting gate functions and Gate A/B switch
Range key - Range function selecting
Probe-Delay key – Probe Delay calibration
Probe-Angle key selects the angle calibration functions
Save key performs a data-storage of the A-Scan pattern
G
A
I
N
A
U
T
O
Auto-Gain key starts or stops the Auto-Gain function
L
O
P
E
E
N
V
E
Envelope key turns the Envelope function on and off
The instrument is designed to
give the user quick access to all
of the instrument’s functions.
Its easy-to-use menu system
allows any function to be
accessed with no more than
three key presses.
The instrument is designed to
give the user quick access to all
of the instrument’s functions.
Its easy-to-use menu system
allows any function to be
accessed with no more than
three key presses.
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P
E
A
K
H
O
L
D
Peak-Hold key turns the Peak-Hold function on and off.
V
I
D
E
O
Video key starts or stops recording a segment of the display
D
A
C
A
V
G
DAC-AVG key selects the menus of DAC/AVG
Up Arrow key – Move the cursor up to select the desired function
Down Arrow key – Move the cursor down to the desired function
searches next echo towards left, or move the cursor to left when inputting digit numbers.
searches next echo towards right, or move the cursor to right when inputting digit numbers.
confirms or switches current selection
Rotary knob makes it convenient for handling device parameters and functions. It supports three
operations: turn clockwise, turn counter-clockwise and single press.
Turn clockwise: increase the selected parameter, or change the selection.
Turn counter-clockwise: decrease the selected parameter, or change the item selection.
Single press: changes mode between coarse and fine parameter adjustments or changes item selection.
2.4 Menus and Functions
The instrument menu system consists of several menus, submenus, and functions. It allows the operator
to select and adjust various features and instrument settings.
Available menus are accessed via the Home Menu. Note that the menus visible on your particular
instrument depend on which options are installed.
Each menu contains several submenus.
Menus and submenus are selected by pressing the key below the desired item (F1 to F5).
When a submenu is selected, the functions contained in that submenu are listed in the Function Bar
down the right-hand side of the display screen.
Functions are then selected by pressing and .
Turning the Function Knob will change the value shown in the selected function’s box.
Note that some functions, like RANGE, have both coarse and fine adjustment modes. There are three
steps in the fine adjustment mode. Coarse and fine modes are selected by pressing the knob more than
once. An icon of “ ” will appear on the left of the function name when the function is in fine adjustment
mode. When the function is in coarse adjustment mode, turning the function knob will produce large
changes in the selected function’s value. When the function is in fine adjustment mode, rotating the
function knob will change the value by smaller amounts.
2.5 Alarm Lights
Two alarm lights appear at the top-right corner front of the instrument’s keypad. One alarm light is
marked as ALRM, which is assigned to the gate alarm. When a gate alarm is triggered, this light will
illuminate. The other light is marked as PWR indicating power and battery status.
Status
ALRM LED
PWR LED
Gate alarm
Red on
×
Battery charging
×
Flash red/green
Battery charge completed with
external power connected
×
Green on
External power connected
No battery installed
×
Green on
No external power
×
off
3 Initial Start-up
3.1 Power Supply
The instrument can be operated with an external power adapter or with batteries.
You can connect the instrument to the mains supply system even if it carries batteries. A discharged
battery is charged in this case, viz. parallel to the instrument operation.
Operation Using the Power Supply Unit
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Connect the instrument to the mains socket-outlet using the power supply unit. The plug receptacle is at
the top left of the instrument. Push the plug of the power supply unit into the plug receptacle until it snaps
into place with a clearly audible click. The PWR LED on the keypad of the instrument will light in green
color if the connection is properly aligned
Operation Using Batteries
Use a lithium-ion battery pack provided with the instrument for the battery operation.
The battery compartment is situated at the instrument back. The cover is fastened with 4 screws To
insert the battery pack
Loosen the four screws of the battery cover.
Lift the cover off upward.
Insert the battery into the battery compartment.
Close the battery compartment and fasten the screws.
Turn on the instrument to make sure the battery is installed correctly and firmly.
Note:
The battery switch on the top of the instrument must be set to ON when operating with the battery
pack or charging it.
When not using the instrument, set the switch to OFF to save power.
3.2 Connecting a Probe
To prepare the instrument for operation, you have to connect a probe to it. The instrument is available
with the probe connectors BNC (LEMO connectors are optional).
When connecting a probe to the instrument, it’s not only important that the probe’s physical connection
be properly made. It’s also important that the instrument is properly configured to work with the installed
probe. The Instrument will operate with one or two single-element probes or with a dual-element probe.
To install a single-element probe, connect the probe cable to either of the two ports on the front of the
instrument. When two probes or a dual-element probe is connected to the instrument, the “Receive”
probe connector should be installed in the right port and the ‘Transmit’ probe connector in the left port.
3.3 Starting the Instrument
To start the instrument, press the switch-on key . If it operates on the internal battery pack, make sure
to set the battery switch to ON position before starting.
The start display of the instrument appears; here you will also see the current software version and the
serial number of the instrument. The instrument carries out a self-check and then switches over to
stand-by mode.
The settings of all function values are the same as before switching-off of the instrument.
The instrument will shut off automatically when the battery capacity level is too low.
4 Operation
4.1 Adjusting the Display Range
The function group BASE enables you to make the basic adjustment of the display range. The display on
the screen must be adjusted for the material to be tested and for the probe used.
Calibration requires the use of calibrated standard made of the same material as the test piece. Prior to
calibrating the instrument/probe combination, the A-Scan display-screen range (the material thickness
Connect one single element
probe to either port.
Connect leads from a Dual
Element Probe to both ports.
For through-transmission,
connect two single element
probes to the transmit (left,
labeled as ) and receive
(right, labeled as ) ports.
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value represented by the full horizontal width of the screen) will normally be set to a value equal to or
slightly larger than the calibrated standard.
1 Activate the BASE submenu (located in the BASIC menu) by pressing the menu key below it.
Three functions will appear down the right side of the display screen.
2 Select the function item titled RANGE. You’ll note that RANGE has both coarse and fine
adjustment modes. Coarse and fine modes are selected by repeatedly pressing .
3 To change the range, turn the knob.
4 The display’s horizontal range will remain as set.
Range is adjustable in fixed steps or
continuously variable.
4.2 Setting the Material Velocity
Use VEL to set the sound velocity within the test object. Always ensure that the function VEL is correctly
set. The instrument calculates all range and distance indications on the basis of the value adjusted here.
Velocity range：300m/s～15000m/s
Coarse adjustment, in steps as follow
2260m/s 2730m/s 3080m/s 3230m/s
4700m/s 5920m/s 6300m/s
4.3 Setting the Display Delay
Here you can choose whether to display the adjusted range (for example 300 mm) starting from the
surface of the test object, or in a section of the test object starting at a later point. This allows you to shift
the complete screen display and consequently also the display zero. If the display should for example
start from the surface of the test object, the value in D-DELAY must be set to 0. To set the display delay
1 Activate the BASE submenu (located in the BASIC menu) by pressing the menu key below it.
Three functions will appear down the right side of the display screen.
2 Select the function item titled D-DELAY.
3 To change the display delay, turn the knob. You’ll note that the displayed echoes shift to the left
or right.
D-DELAY range: -20~3400 µs
Coarse adjustment: 12 pixel space (in µs)
Fine adjustment: 1 pixel space (in µs)
4.4 Selecting the Probe Test Mode
You can use the function PROBE to activate the pulse-receiver separation. The following modes are
available:
STRAIGHT- For single straight beam transducer operation ( will be displayed).The probe
connection sockets are connected in parallel.
ANGLE- For single angle beam transducer operation ( will be displayed)
DUAL – For the use with dual-element (TR) probes ( will be displayed); the right-hand socket is
connected with the amplifier input whereas the initial pulse is available at the left-hand socket.
THRU – Through-transmission mode for the use with two single-element probes ( will be
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