sauter TU-US Instruction Manual

Sauter GmbH

Tieringerstr. 11-15 Tel: +49-[0]7433- 9976-174
D-72336 Balingen
E-Mail: [e-mail]

Fax: +49-[0]7433-9976-285
Internet: www. sauter.eu

Instruction Manual

TU_US

TU_US-BA-e-1110 1

DIGITAL ULTRASONIC THICKNESS GAUGE

Model: TU-US

Table of contents

1. Overview

1.1 Product specifications

1.2 Main functions

1.3 Measuring principle

1.4 Configuration

1.5 Operating conditions

2. Structure feature

2.1 Instrument appearance

2.2 Parts of the main body

2.3 Measurement screen

2.4 Keypad definition

3. Preparation

3.1 Transducer selection

3.2 Conditions and preparation of surfaces

4. Operation

4.1 Power on/ off

4.2 Transducer Set

4.3 Zero adjustment

4.4 Sound velocity calibration

4.5 How to perform measurements

4.6 Two- Point Calibration

4.7 Scan Mode

4.8 Limit set

4.9 Changing Resolution

4.10 Unit scale

4.11 Memory management

4.12 Data printing

4.13 System set

4.14 System information

4.15 EL Backlight

4.16 Battery information

4.17 Auto Power Off

4.18 System reset

4.19 Connection to PC

5. Menu operation

5.1 Enter the main menu

5.2 Enter the submenu

5.3 Change the parameter

5.4 Numeric digit input

5.5 Save and exit

5.6 Cancel and exit

6. Servicing

7. Transport and storage
Appendix A Sound velocities
Appendix B Application notes

8. Declaration of conformity

1. Overview

The Model TU-US is a digital ultrasonic thickness gauge.
Based on the operating principles as SONAR, it is capable
of measuring the thickness of various materials with an
accuracy as high as 0.01 mm (or 0.001 inches).
It is suitable for a variety of metallic and non-metallic
materials.

1.1 Product Specifications

Display: 128 x 64 dot matrix LCD with EL backlight

Measuring range: 0.75 to 300mm (in steel)

Sound velocity range: 1000 to 9999m/s

Resolution: 0.1/0.01mm (selectable)

Accuracy: ± (0.5% thickness +0.04) mm, depending on
materials and conditions

Units: Metric/ Imperial units selectable

- Four measurements readings per second at
single point measurement and ten per second at
Scan Mode.

- Memory up to 20 files (up to 99 values for each
file) of stored values

- Upper and lower limit can be preset. It will alarm
automatically if the result value exceeds the limit.

- Case: Extruded aluminium body suitable for use under
Poor working conditions

Power supply: 2x AA, 1.5V alkaline batteries
Typical operating time: about 100 hours
(EL backlight off)

Transfer to PC: RS-232 serial port

Dimensions: 132 x 76.2 mm

Weight: 345g

1.2 Main functions

- Capable of performing measurements on a wide
range of materials including metals, plastic,
ceramics, epoxies, glass and other ultrasonic
wave well- conductive materials.

Sauter GmbH

Tieringerstr. 11-15 Tel: +49-[0]7433- 9976-174
D-72336 Balingen
E-Mail: [e-mail]

Fax: +49-[0]7433-9976-285
Internet: www. sauter.eu

Instruction Manual

TU_US

TU_US-BA-e-1110 2

- Four transducer models are available for special
applications included coarse grain material and
high temperature applications.

- Zero adjustment function

- Sound velocity calibration function

- Two- point calibration function

- Two measurement modes: Single point mode

Scan mode

- Coupling status indicator showing the coupling
status

- Battery indication indicates the rest capacity of
the battery

- “Auto sleep” and “Auto power off” function to
conserve battery’s life
Optional software to transfer the memory data to
PC

- Optional thermal mini- printer to print the

measured data via RS-232 port.

1.3 Measuring principle

The digital ultrasonic thickness gauge determines the
thickness of a part or a structure by accurately measuring
The time required for a short ultrasonic pulse generated by
a transducer to travel through the thickness of the material,
to reflect from the back or inside surface and be returned
to the transducer. The measured two-way transit time is
devided by two to account for the down-and-back travel
path, and then multiplied by the velocity of sound in the
material. The result is expressed in following relationship:

2

tvH×

=

Where: H ---- thickness of the test piece
v ---- sound velocity in the material
t ---- the measured round-trip transit time

1.4 Configuration

No. Item Quan-

tity

Note

1 Main body 1
2 Transducer 1 Model:

N05/90°
3 Couplant 1
4 Instrument Case 1
5 Operating

Manual

1

6 Screwdriver 1
7 Alkaline battery 2 AA size

Stan­dard
Con­figu­ration

8
9 Transducer: N02
10 Transducer: N07
11 Transducer: HT5

See

Table3-1

12 Mini thermal

printer

1

13 Print cable 1

Optio­nal
Con­figu­ration

14 DataPro for

Thickness
Gauge

1 For use

on the

PC

15 Communication

Cable

1

1.5 Operation conditions

Temperature: -20°C up to +60°C

Storage temperature: -30°C up to 70°C

Relative humidity: ≤ 90%

In the surrounding environment any kind of vibrations
should be avoided, as well as magnetic fields, corrosive
medium and heavy dust.

2. Structure feature

2.1 Instrument appearance

1 Main body
2 Transducer

2.2 Parts of the main body

1 Communication Socket
2 Aluminium case
3 Belt hole
4 Battery cover
5 Keypad
6 LCD Display
7 Socket of transducer (no polarity)
8 Control plate (inbuilt)
9 Aluminium case
10 Label

MT200

MiTech

2

1

8. Enter

MiTech Inc. Ltd

5. Switch Selection

6. Save/Delete

7. Exit

3

MiTech

4

8

2. Power On/Off

POWER: 2 X 1.5V

4. Probe Zero

OPERATION GUIDE

1. Plug in the transducer

3. Backlight On/Off

THICKNESS GAUGE

7

MT200

2

9

5

6

SN:

10

Sauter GmbH

Tieringerstr. 11-15 Tel: +49-[0]7433- 9976-174
D-72336 Balingen
E-Mail: [e-mail]

Fax: +49-[0]7433-9976-285
Internet: www. sauter.eu

Instruction Manual

TU_US

TU_US-BA-e-1110 3

2.3 Measurement screen

Battery Information:
Displays the information of the rest capacity of battery
Coupling status:
Indicates the coupling status. While measurements are
performed, this symbol should be on. If it isn’t, the
instrument is having difficulties in achieving a stable
measurement and the thickness value displayed will most
likely be erroneous.
Operating hint:

Shows hints of current operation
FIL: File selection
MEM: Memory data viewing
PRB: Transducer set
VEL: Change velocity
CAL: Velocity calibration
DPC: Dual point calibration state
ZER: Probe zero state
SCA: Indicates that the current thickness measurement
Mode is Scan mode, not Single point mode.

File name:

current file name is shown

Record No./ Count:

The current record number is indicated
while this item is highlighted or the total record counts
while it isn’t highlighted.
Transducer Model:

Current transducer model setting in the
instrument
Sound velocity:

Current sound velocity setting

Thickness reading:

The present Single time measured

value is displayed. ↑ means that the upper measuring limit
is exceeded. ↓ means that the value is lower than bottom
measuring limit.

Units label:

If the mm symbol is on, the instrument is
displaying the thickness value in millimetres and the sound
velocity in m/s.

If the in symbol is on, the instrument is displaying the
thickness value in inches and the sound velocity in

inch/us.

2.4 Keypad definitions

Turn the
instrument on
and off

Exit from
current

selection
Turn on/off the
EL backlight

Enter

Probe Zero
operation

Plus or scroll

up

Switch selection
among items

Minus or

scroll down

Data Save or
Data Delete

3. Preparation

3.1 Transducer Selection

With this instrument it is possible to measure a wide range
of different materials, started from various metals to glass
and plastics. These different types of material require the
usage of different transducers. Choosing the correct
transducer is the most important thing to perform accurate
and reliable measurements. Generally speaking, the best
transducer for an operation is the one that sends sufficient
ultrasonic energy into the material to be measured in the
way that a strong, stable echo is to be received in the
instrument. There are several factors that affect the
strength of the traveling ultrasound. They are described as
followed:

Initial signal strength:

The stronger a signal is at the
beginning, the stronger its echo will return. Initial signal
strength is mainly a factor of the size of the ultrasound
emitter in the transducer. A large emitting area will send
more energy into the material being measured than a small
one. Thus, a so-called “1/2 inch” transducer will emit a
stronger signal than a “1/4 inch” transducer.
Absorption and scattering:

As the ultrasound travels
through a material, it is partly absorbed. If the material has
got any grain structure, the sound waves will start
scattering. Both of these effects reduce the strength of the
waves and thus the instrument’s ability to detect the
returning echo. Ultrasound of higher frequency is absorbed
and scattered more than ultrasound of lower frequency.
While it may seem that using a lower frequency transducer
is better in every instance, it should be mentioned that low
frequencies are less directional than higher ones. Thus, a
higher frequency transducer is a better choice for detecting
the exact location of small pits or flaws in the material to be
measured.

Geometry of the transducer:

Battery

Operating Hint ThicknesReading

Units Label

Coupling
Status

File Name

Sound Velocity

Record
No./count

Transducer
Model

Sauter GmbH

Tieringerstr. 11-15 Tel: +49-[0]7433- 9976-174
D-72336 Balingen
E-Mail: [e-mail]

Fax: +49-[0]7433-9976-285
Internet: www. sauter.eu

Instruction Manual

TU_US

TU_US-BA-e-1110 4

The physical constraints of the environment sometimes
determine a transducer’s suitability for an operation. Some
transducers are simply too large to be used in a confined
area. If the available surface area for contacting with the
transducer is limited, the usage of a transducer with a
small surface is required.
Measurements on a curved surface, in example an engine
cylinder wall, will require a transducer with an adapted
surface.
Temperature of the material:

If exceedingly hot surfaces
are to be measured, high temperature transducers must be
used. These transducers are built with special materials
and techniques that allow them to withstand high
temperatures without being damaged. Additionally, care
must be taken if a “Zero adjustment” or a “Calibration to
known thickness” is being performed with a high
temperature transducer.
The selection of a proper transducer is often a matter of
tradeoffs between various characteristics. Sometimes it is
necessary to experience with a variety of transducers in
order to find the one that works well for a special
operation.
The transducer is the “business end” of the instrument.
It transmits and receives ultrasonic sound waves which the
instrument uses to calculate the thickness of the material
being measured. The transducer is connected to the
instrument via the attached cable and two coaxial
connectors. The transducer has to be installed correctly to
get reliable measurement results. Each plug must be fit
into the adequate socket in the instrument.
Below there are shown two photos and a short description
of the instruction use of a transducer.

The upper figure is a bottom view of a typical transducer.
The two semicircles are visibly separated in the middle of
the surface. One of the semicircles is conducting the
echoed sound back into the transducer. When the
transducer is placed against the material being measured,
this is the area directly beneath the centre of the measured
surface.
The below figure is a top view of a typical transducer.
It is pressed against the top with the thumb or the index
finger to hold the transducer in place. Only moderate
pressure is sufficient to keep it stationary. Its surface must
be placed flat against the surface of the material.

Table 3-1 Transducer selection

Mo­del

Freq
MHZ

Dia
metr
mm

Measurement
range

Lower
limit

Description

N02 2 22 3.0mm～300.0 20 For thick,high-

mm(in steel）
40mm(grey
Cast iron
HT200)

ly attenuating
or highly
scattering
materials

N05 5 10 1.2mm～230.0

mm (in steel)

Φ20mm×

3.0mm

normal

measurement
N05
/90°

5 10 1.2mm～230.0

mm(Stahl

）

Φ20mm×

3.0mm

normal

measurement
N07 7 6 0.75mm～80.0

mm
(in steel

）

Φ15mm×

2.0mm

For thin pipe

wall or small

curvative pipe

wall
HT5 5 14 3～200mm

(Stahl)

30 For high tem-

perature (lower

than 300°C)

measurement

3.2 Conditions and preparation of surfaces

At any kind of ultrasonic measurement, the shape and
roughness of the surface being tested are of paramount
importance. Rough and uneven surfaces may limit the
penetration of the ultrasound through the material resulted
by an unstable and therefore unreliable measurement.
The surface being measured should be clean and free of
any small particulate matter, rust or scale. The transducer
must be placed on a flat and even surface. To get it clean
it might be helpful to use a wire brush or a scraper. In more
extreme cases, rotary sanders or grinding wheels may be
used. Care must be taken to prevent surface gouging
which inhibits a proper transducer coupling.
Extremely rough surfaces such as the pebble-like finish of
cast iron will be measured quite complicated. These kinds
of surfaces comport to the sound beam like frosted glass
on light: the beam becomes diffused and scattered in all
directions.
In addition to this, rough surfaces account for an excessive
wear of the transducer, especially when it is “scrubbed”
along the surface. Transducers should be inspected time
by time if there are any signs of abrasion.
If the transducer is worn off on one side more than on the
other, the sound beam penetrating the test material may
no longer be perpendicular to the surface of the material.
In this case, it is difficult to exactly locate tiny irregularities
in the material, as the focus of the sound beam no longer
lies directly beneath the transducer.

4. Operation

4.1 Power on/ off

The instrument is turned on by pressing the

key.
If the instrument is initially turned on, the model type, the
manufacturer information and the serial number will be
displayed before entering the main measurement screen.

It is turned off by pressing the

key.