Waygate Technologies USM 36 Operating Manual

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USM 36
Technical Reference and Operating Manual
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This issue 2 (12/2013) applies to the following software version:
4.00 (August 2013)
You will find the software version and the serial number of your instrument on the second operating level (CONFIG1 - ABOUT)
© GE Sensing & Inspection Technologies GmbH | Technical content subject to change without notice.
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First operating level (Base)

To change between the first and the second operating level press Home key for 2 seconds.
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First operating level (Options)

To change between the first and the second operating level press Home key for 2 seconds.
0-4 Issue 2 (12/2013) USM 36
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Second operating level

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Second operating level (continued)

0-6 Issue 2 (12/2013) USM 36
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Status display icons

Icon Meaning Icon Meaning
SD memory card is inserted, flashes when the SD card is accessed
Angle-beam probe 30° … 90°, flat surface, Reflection from the backwall
Freeze active (Freeze), Display is „frozen“.
Angle-beam probe 30°, curved surface, Reflection from the inner surface of tube
Magnify gate is active Angle-beam probe 80°, curved surface,
Reflection from the outer surface of tube
Pulser-receiver separation is turned off Angle-beam probe 90°, surface wave
Pulser-receiver separation is turned on DAC mode = TCG is active
Pulser-receiver separation is turned on and set
DGS reference echo has been recorded
to through-transmission mode
Reject function is active DGS reference echo has been recorded,
transfer loss > 0
AGT is active dB REF is active
Calibration reminder
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Power level indicators

Icon Meaning
Battery charge level, remaining operating time in hours (approximate value)
Charger/power adaptor is connected, percentage of battery charge level (approximate value)
Warning: Low battery charge level, remaining operating time in minutes (approximate value)
0-8 Issue 2 (12/2013) USM 36
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Keypad functions

1
2 2 3
1 Left rotary knob for direct gain adjustments
2 Selection keys, for selecting and confirming,
for Zoom (long key press)
3 Right rotary knob, for selection of function group or
function, changing settings
4 A-Scan freeze direct access key
5 Programmable function keys F1 … F4,
alternatively navigation keys, (second operation level, function group CONFIG3)
6Home key for exit from function group or function,
or alternate between the two operation levels (long key press)
7 On/Off key to switch the instrument on or off
4
5 6 7
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0-10 Issue 2 (12/2013) USM 36
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Contents
0 Overview
First operating level (Base). . . . . . . . . . . . 0-3
First operating level (Options). . . . . . . . . . 0-4
Second operating level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0-5
Second operating level (continued) . . . . . 0-6
Status display icons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0-7
Power level indicators. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0-8
Keypad functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0-9

1 Introduction

1.1 Safety information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Battery operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Defects/errors and exceptional stresses. . 1-3
FCC compliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3
1.2 Important information on ultrasonic
testing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Prerequisites for testing with
ultrasonic test equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Operator training. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Technical test requirements . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Limits of testing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Ultrasonic wall thickness measurement . . 1-5
Effect of the test object material . . . . . . . . 1-6
Effect of temperature variations . . . . . . . . 1-6
Measurement of remaining wall thickness 1-6
Ultrasonic evaluation of flaws . . . . . . . . . . 1-7
Flaw boundary method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-7
Echo display comparison method . . . . . . . 1-7
1.3 The USM 36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9
Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11
Special features of the USM 36 . . . . . . . 1-12
1.4 How to use this manual . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13
1.5 Layout and presentation in
this manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13
Attention and note symbols. . . . . . . . . . . 1-13
Listings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14
Operating steps. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14
USM 36 Issue 2 (12/2013) 0-11
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Contents

2 Standard package and accessories

2.1 Standard package . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
2.2 Add-on functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4
2.3 Recommended accessories. . . . . . . . . . 2-5

3 Initial start-up

3.1 Instrument positioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
3.2 Power supply. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Operation with charger/power adaptor . . . 3-2
Operation using a battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Charging the batteries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8
3.3 Connecting a probe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9
3.4 Inserting the SD memory card. . . . . . . 3-10
3.5 Starting the USM 36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11
Powering On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11
Powering Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11
Factory default setting (Reset) . . . . . . . . 3-12

4 Principles of operation

4.1 Overview of operator's controls . . . . . . 4-2
4.2 Display screen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3
A-scan representation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3
Functions on the display screen . . . . . . . . 4-4
Gain. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5
Measurement line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5
Status display icons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-6
Alarms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-6
4.3 Keys and rotary knobs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7
Power key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7
Navigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7
Rotary knobs and arrow keys . . . . . . . . . . 4-7
Function keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-8
4.4 Operational concept . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-9
Operating levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-9
Selecting and setting functions . . . . . . . . . 4-9
Function HOME. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-11
Choosing the start value . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-11
0-12 Issue 2 (12/2013) USM 36
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Contents
Functions of the second operating level . 4-12
4.5 Important default settings . . . . . . . . . . 4-13
Language setting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-13
Units setting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-14
Decimal separator. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-14
Date format, Date, and Time . . . . . . . . . 4-15
4.6 Default settings of the display. . . . . . . 4-16
Selecting the color scheme. . . . . . . . . . . 4-16
Selecting the A-scan color . . . . . . . . . . . 4-17
Selecting the grid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-17
Setting the brightness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-18
4.7 Saving the settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-19
Recalling settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-21
Displaying dataset name . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-22

5 Operation

5.1 Overview of the functions . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Function groups first operating level . . . . . 5-3
Function groups second operating level . . 5-4
5.2 Setting the gain. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
Setting the dB increment of gain. . . . . . . . 5-5
5.3 Assignment of function keys. . . . . . . . . 5-7
5.4 Setting the display range
(function group RANGE) . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9
RANGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10
PROBE DELAY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10
VELOCITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
DISPLAY DELAY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12
5.5 Setting the pulser
(function group PULSER). . . . . . . . . . . 5-13
VOLTAGE (pulser voltage) . . . . . . . . . . . 5-13
ENERGY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14
WIDTH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-15
DAMPING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-16
USM 36 Issue 2 (12/2013) 0-13
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Contents
PRF MODE (pulse repetition frequency) 5-16
5.6 Setting the receiver
(function group RECEIVER). . . . . . . . . 5-18
FREQUENCY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-18
RECTIFY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-19
DUAL (pulser-receiver separation) . . . . . 5-19
REJECT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-20
5.7 Setting the gates (function groups GATE A
and GATE B) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-21
Tasks of the gates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-21
A-START/B-START
(starting point of the gate) . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-22
A-WIDTH/B-WIDTH
(width of the gates) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-22
A-THRESHOLD/B-THRESHOLD (response and measurement
threshold of the gate) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-23
TOF MODE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-24
Starting point of gate B . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-26
Automatic gate height . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-27
5.8 Calibrating the USM 36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-28
Calibrating the display range. . . . . . . . . . 5-28
Choice of the measuring point . . . . . . . . 5-28
Calibration with straight-beam and
angle-beam probes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-29
Calibration using dual-element probes . . 5-33
5.9 Making measurements . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-36
General notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-36
5.10 dB-difference measurement
(function group dB REF) . . . . . . . . . . . 5-37
Recording a reference echo . . . . . . . . . . 5-38
Deleting a reference echo . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-38
Echo height comparison . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-39
5.11 Rating of welds
(function group AWS D1.1) . . . . . . . . . 5-40
Rating of welds according to
AWS D1.1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-41
5.12 Flaw position calculation with
angle-beam probes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-44
PROBE ANGLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-45
0-14 Issue 2 (12/2013) USM 36
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Contents
THICKNESS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-46
X VALUE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-47
O-DIAMETER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-47
COLOR LEG. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-48
5.13 Defining the probe angle . . . . . . . . . . . 5-49
BLOCK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-50
5.14 Enabling options (Upgrade). . . . . . . . . 5-51
5.15 Configuring the USM 36 for
test tasks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-52
TOF MODE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-52
Phantom echo detector. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-57
Configuring the measurement line . . . . . 5-58
Enlarged display of reading . . . . . . . . . . 5-62
LARGE (alarm signal). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-64
MAGNIFY GATE (spanning the gate). . . 5-65
Activating the magnify gate function. . . . 5-66
Automatic A-scan freeze (Freeze) . . . . . 5-68
5.16 Setting the display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-70
ASCAN FILL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-71
Working with Echo Max . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-72
5.17 General setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-73
EVAL MODE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-73
Gate logic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-74
Selecting the pulser type. . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-75
Configuring the alarm output. . . . . . . . . . 5-76
Analog output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-78
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-78
Power saving mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-79
VGA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-80
TOF in LAYER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-81
Backwall echo attenuation (BEA) . . . . . . 5-83
Displaying the envelope curve
(ENVELOPE) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-84
Automatic gain control
(Auto Gain Control) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-85
Calibration reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-87
Password protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-89
5.18 Distance-amplitude correction (DAC) . 5-93
Recording a DAC curve . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-94
Setting up the DAC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-96
Turning the DAC evaluation off. . . . . . . . 5-97
USM 36 Issue 2 (12/2013) 0-15
Page 16
Contents
Deleting the DAC curve . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-98
Editing DAC points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-98
Adding DAC points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-99
Multiple DAC curves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-99
AWS D1.1 in DAC/TCG . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-101
Sensitivity correction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-101
Echo evaluation using DAC/TCG . . . . . 5-102
5.19 Distance-amplitude curve according to
JIS Z3060-2002 (JISDAC) . . . . . . . . . . 5-104
Activating JISDAC
(DAC according to JIS) . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-104
Recording a DAC curve . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-105
Setting up JISDAC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-107
Sensitivity correction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-108
Turning the JISDAC evaluation off . . . . 5-108
Deleting the DAC curve . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-109
Echo evaluation using DAC . . . . . . . . . 5-109
5.20 Distance-amplitude curve according to JB/T4730 and GB 11345 (CNDAC) . . . 5-111
Evaluations according to CNDAC . . . . . 5-111
Standards and reference blocks . . . . . . 5-112
Activating the CNDAC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-113
Recording a DAC curve . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-113
Setting up CNDAC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-116
Sensitivity correction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-117
Adjusting reference lines. . . . . . . . . . . . 5-118
Turning the CNDAC evaluation off . . . . 5-118
Deleting the DAC curve. . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-119
Echo evaluation using DAC . . . . . . . . . 5-119
5.21 Evaluation according to the
DGS method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-121
Using the DGS for measurements . . . . 5-121
Validity of the DGS method. . . . . . . . . . 5-123
Starting the echo height evaluation
according to DGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-125
Basic settings for the DGS
measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-125
Recording a reference echo and
turning the DGS curve on . . . . . . . . . . . 5-127
Locks, error messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-129
Sound attenuation and transfer
correction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-130
0-16 Issue 2 (12/2013) USM 36
Page 17
Contents
Using multiple DGS curves. . . . . . . . . . 5-130
Turning the DGS evaluation off . . . . . . 5-131
Deleting a DGS reference echo . . . . . . 5-131
Probe data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-132
trueDGS angle-beam probes . . . . . . . . 5-135

6 Documentation

6.1 Test reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
Storing test reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
Displaying test reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Printing test reports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7
Deleting test reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7
Storing the A-scan and parameters in
the test report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-9
6.2 Storing memos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-10
Creating a new memo file . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-10
Editing a memo file . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-11
Attaching a memo file to test report . . . . 6-12
6.3 Storing a report header . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-13
Creating a new header file . . . . . . . . . . . 6-13
Editing a header file . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-14
Including a header file in the test report . 6-15
6.4 Videos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-16
Recording a video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-16
Viewing a video. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-19
6.5 Documentation using UltraMATE . . . . 6-21
6.6 Data Recorder (option) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-21
Creating a Data Recorder file . . . . . . . . . 6-22
Activating a Data Recorder file . . . . . . . . 6-25
Storing readings in the grid matrix . . . . . 6-26
Deleting readings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-27
A-scan preview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-27
Viewing Data Recorder files . . . . . . . . . . 6-27
Turning the grid matrix on/off . . . . . . . . . 6-28

7 Maintenance and care

7.1 Instrument care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2
7.2 Battery care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2
Battery care. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2
USM 36 Issue 2 (12/2013) 0-17
Page 18
Charging the batteries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-3

9 Appendix

7.3 Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-3
7.4 Software updates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-4
Download of update files. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-4
Installing an update. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-5

8 Interfaces and Peripherals

8.1 Interfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-2
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-2
USB interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-3
Service interface (LEMO-1B) . . . . . . . . . . 8-3
8.2 VGA output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-4
8.3 Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-4
9.1 Function directory. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
9.2 Manufacturer/Service addresses. . . . . 9-11
9.3 Environmental protection regulations 9-13
WEEE directive (Waste Electrical and
Electronic Equipment) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-13
Disposal of batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-14
9.4 Recycling directives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-16
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-16
Materials to be disposed of separately . . 9-18
Other materials and components . . . . . . 9-20
Recycling data of the USM 36. . . . . . . . . 9-22
0-18 Issue 2 (12/2013) USM 36
Page 19

10 Specifications

10.1 Specifications of USM 36 . . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
Display screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Pulser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
Receiver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-5
Gates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-6
Memory. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-6
General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-7
Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-9
10.2 Specifications according to
EN 12668 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-10

11 Index

Contents
USM 36 Issue 2 (12/2013) 0-19
Page 20
0-20 Issue 2 (12/2013) USM 36
Page 21

Introduction 1

Page 22
1 Introduction Safety information
ATTENTION

1.1 Safety information

The USM 36 has been designed and tested according to DIN
EN 61010-1: 2011-07, Safety requirements for electrical equipment for measurement, control and lab oratory use, and was technically in perfectly safe and faultless condition when leaving the manufacturing works.
In order to maintain this condition and to ensure a safe operation, you should always read the following safety information carefully before putting the instrument into operation.
The USM 36 is an instrument for materials testing. Any use for medical or any other applications is not permitted!
The instrument may only be used in industri­al environments.
The USM 36 is waterproof according to IP66. It can be operated either with the corresponding lithium-ion bat teries or with the charger/power adaptor. The charger/ power adaptor meets the requirements of electrical safety class II.
-

Battery operation

For the battery operation of the USM 36, we recom­mend the corresponding lithium-ion battery. You should only use this battery for the battery operation.
­You can charge the lithium-ion battery either within the instrument itself or in an external charger. If a lithium-ion battery is inserted, charging starts automatically as soon as you connect the charger/power adaptor to the USM
36 and to the mains power supply.
For power supply, please also see Chapter 3.2 Power supply, page 3-2. For the use of batteries, please also see Chapter 7.2 Battery care, page 7-2.

Software

According to the current state of the art, software is nev­er completely free from errors. Before using any soft­ware-controlled test equipment, it is therefore neces­sary to make sure that the required functions operate perfectly in the intended combination.
If you have any questions about the use of your test equipment, please contact your nearest GE representa tive.
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1-2 Issue 2 (12/2013) USM 36
Page 23
Safety information 1 Introduction

Defects/errors and exceptional stresses

If you have reason to believe that a safe operation of your USM nect the instrument and secure it against unintentional re-connection. Remove the lithium-ion battery.
A safe operation is no longer possible for example
if the instrument shows visible damages,
if the instrument no longer operates perfectly,
after prolonged storage under adverse conditions
(e.g. exceptional temperatures or especially high air humidity, or corrosive environmental conditions),
after being subjected to heavy stresses during trans­portation.
36 is no longer possible, you have to discon-

FCC compliance

This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Op­eration is subject to the following two conditions:
1 This device may not cause harmful interference.
2 This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired operation.
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interfer ence when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment.
This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accor dance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference, in which case the user will be required to correct the interference at his own ex pense.
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Page 24
1 Introduction Important information on ultrasonic testing

1.2 Important information on ultrasonic testing

Please read the following information before using your USM
36. It is important that you understand and ob­serve this information to avoid any operator errors that might lead to false test results. Such false test results could result in personal injuries or property damages.

Prerequisites for testing with ultrasonic test equipment

This operating manual contains essential information on how to operate your test equipment. In addition, there are a number of factors that affect the test results, but a description of all these factors goes beyond the scope of this operating manual. The three most important pre requisites for a safe and reliable ultrasonic inspection are:
Operator training
Knowledge of special technical test requirements and
limits

Operator training

The operation of an ultrasonic test device requires prop­er training in ultrasonic test methods.
Proper training comprises for example adequate knowl­edge of:
the theory of sound propagation,
the effects of sound velocity in the test material,
the behavior of the sound wave at interfaces between
different materials,
the propagation of the sound beam,
the influence of sound attenuation in the test object
and the influence of surface quality of the test object.
Lack of such knowledge could lead to false test results
­with unforeseeable consequences. You can contact for
example NDT societies or organizations in your country (DGZfP in Germany; ASNT in the USA), or also GE, for information on the existing opportunities for training of ultrasonic inspectors as well as on the qualifications and certificates that can finally be obtained.
Choice of appropriate test equipment
1-4 Issue 2 (12/2013) USM 36
Page 25
Important information on ultrasonic testing 1 Introduction

Technical test requirements

Every ultrasonic test is subject to specific technical test requirements. The most important ones are:
the definition of the scope of inspection
the choice of the appropriate test method
the consideration of material properties
the determination of limits for recording and evalua-
tion.
It is the task of the those with overall responsibility for testing to ensure that the inspector is fully informed about these requirements. The best basis for such infor mation is experience with identical test objects. It is also essential that the relevant test specifications be clearly and completely understood by the inspector.
GE regularly holds specialized training courses in the field of ultrasonic testing. The scheduled dates for these courses will be given to you on request.

Limits of testing

The information obtained from ultrasonic tests only re­fers to those parts of the test object which are covered by the sound beam of the probe used.
Any conclusions from the tested parts to be applied to the untested parts of the test object should be made with extreme caution.
Such conclusions are generally only possible in cases where extensive experience and proven methods of sta tistical data acquisition are available.
The sound beam can be completely reflected from boundary surfaces within the test object so that flaws
­and reflection points lying deeper remain undetected. It is therefore important to make sure that all areas to be tested in the test object are covered by the sound beam.

Ultrasonic wall thickness measurement

All ultrasonic wall thickness measurements are based on a time-of-flight measurement. Accurate measure ment results require a constant sound velocity in the test object. In test objects made of steel, even with varying alloying constituents, this condition is mostly fulfilled. The variation of sound velocity is so slight that it is only
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Page 26
1 Introduction Important information on ultrasonic testing
of importance for high-precision measurements. In oth­er materials, e.g. nonferrous metals or plastics, the sound velocity variations may be even larger and thus affect the measuring accuracy.

Effect of the test object material

If the material of the test object is not homogeneous, the sound waves may propagate at different velocities in dif ferent parts of the test object. An average sound velocity should then be taken into account for the range calibra tion. This is achieved by using a reference block with a sound velocity equal to the average sound velocity of the test object.
If substantial sound velocity variations are expected, then the instrument calibration should be adjusted to the actual sound velocity values at shorter time intervals. Failure to do so may lead to false thickness readings.

Effect of temperature variations

The sound velocity within the test object also varies as a function of the material's temperature. This can cause appreciable errors in measurements if the instrument has been calibrated on a cold reference block, whereas the measurement is carried out on a warm test object. Such measurement errors can be avoided either by ad justing the temperature of the reference block used for
­calibration or by taking the temperature effect into con
sideration on the basis of a correction factor obtained
­from published tables.

Measurement of remaining wall thickness

The measurement of the remaining wall thickness on plant components, e.g. pipes, tanks, and reaction ves sels of all types which are corroded or eroded from the inside, requires a perfectly suitable gauge and special care in handling the probe.
The inspectors should always be informed about the corresponding nominal wall thicknesses and the likely amount of wall thickness losses.
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1-6 Issue 2 (12/2013) USM 36
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Important information on ultrasonic testing 1 Introduction

Ultrasonic evaluation of flaws

In present-day test practice, there are basically two dif­ferent methods of flaw evaluation:
If the diameter of the sound beam is smaller than the ex­tent of the flaw, then the sound beam can be used to ex­plore the boundaries of the flaw and thus determine its area.
If, however, the diameter of the sound beam is larger that the extent of the flaw, the maximum echo indication from the flaw must be compared with the maximum echo indication from an artificial flaw provided for com parison purposes.

Flaw boundary method

The smaller the diameter of the probe's sound beam, the more accurately the boundaries, i.e. the actual flaw area, can be determined by the flaw boundary method. If, however, the sound beam is relatively broad, the flaw area determined can substantially differ from the actual flaw area. Care should therefore be taken to select a probe which will give a sufficiently narrow sound beam at the position of the flaw.

Echo display comparison method

The echo from a small, natural flaw is usually smaller than the echo from an artificial comparison flaw, e.g. cir cular disc flaw of the same size. This is due, for in­stance, to the roughness of the surface of a natural flaw, or to the fact that the sound beam does not impinge on it at right angles.
If this fact is not taken into account when evaluating nat­ural flaws, there is a risk of false evaluation.
In the case of very jagged or fissured flaws, e.g. shrink holes in castings, it may be that the sound scattering oc
­curring at the boundary surface of the flaw is so strong that no echo at all is produced. In such cases, a different evaluation method should be chosen, e.g. use of the backwall echo attenuation in the evaluation.
The distance sensitivity of the flaw echo plays an import­ant part when testing large components. Pay close at­tention to choosing artificial comparison flaws which are as far as possible governed by the same "distance laws" as the natural flaws to be evaluated.
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Page 28
1 Introduction Important information on ultrasonic testing
The ultrasonic wave is attenuated in any material. This sound attenuation is very low, e.g. in parts made of fine­grained steel, likewise in many small parts made of oth
­er materials. However, if the sound wave travels larger distances through the material, a high cumulative sound attenuation can result, even with small attenuation coef
­ficients. There is then a danger that echoes from natural flaws appear too small. For this reason, an estimate must always be made of the effects of attenuation on the evaluation result and taken into account if applicable.
If the test object has a rough surface, part of the incident sound energy will be scattered at its surface and is not available for the test. The larger this initial scattering, the smaller the flaw echoes appear, and the more errors oc
­cur in the evaluation result.
It is therefore important to take the effect of the test ob­ject's surfaces on the height of the echo into account (transfer correction).
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The USM 36 1 Introduction

1.3 The USM 36

The USM 36 is a lightweight and compact ultrasonic flaw detector which is especially suitable for:
for locating and evaluating material flaws,
for measuring wall thicknesses,
for saving and documenting test results.
Page 30
1 Introduction The USM 36
Due to its design, the USM 36 can be used in most flaw detection applications in a wide range of industries, in cluding aerospace, power generation, automotive, as well as oil and gas. These include:
Weld inspection
Trigonometric projections
AWS
DAC
DGS
Inspection of forgings and castings
Manual PRF adjustment
Phantom echo detector
DGS
Rail inspection
High PRF (up to 2000 Hz)
Lightweight: 2.2 kg
Small and ergonomic
Inspection of composites
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RF display
3 gates A, B, and C
Gate B is triggered by the event in gate A
For even more demanding applications
Narrow band-pass filters
Low-noise digital amplifiers
Optional square pulsers
DAC (TCG)
Backwall echo attenuation (BEA)
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The USM 36 1 Introduction

Options

Various options extend the basic functions of the USM
36 and can be enabled by a code in each case.
USM 36
Basic version, for universal ultrasonic test jobs
USM 36 DAC
DAC amplitude evaluation using up to 16 points ac­cording to EN 1712, EN 1713, EN 1714, ASTM 164, ASME, and ASME GB
11345
DAC (TCG)
Amplitude evaluation according to AWS D1.1 for the
weld inspection
Square-wave pulser, enables the fine adjustment of initial pulse parameters
III, in conformity with JIS Z3060,
USM 36 S
DAC amplitude evaluation using up to 16 points ac­cording to EN 1712, EN 1713, EN 1714, ASTM 164, ASME, and ASME GB
11345
III, in conformity with JIS Z3060,
DAC (TCG)
Amplitude evaluation according to AWS D1.1 for the
weld inspection
Square-wave pulser, enables the fine adjustment of initial pulse parameters
DGS amplitude evaluation according to EN 1712
PPRF phantom echo detector
BEA backwall echo attenuation
3Gate 3rd gate C
DL wall thickness data logger
USM 36 Issue 2 (12/2013) 1-11
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1 Introduction The USM 36

Special features of the USM 36

lightweight
dust-tight and waterproof housing according to IP66
long operating time (13 hours) due to lithium-ion bat-
tery with internal and external charging possibility
handy, equipped with a non-slip, ratcheting prop-up stand, also used as handle
rotary knobs for direct adjustment of gain as well as for changing the currently selected function
two independent gates for accurate wall thickness measurements from the material surface up to the first echo or between two backwall echoes, including a measurement on coated materials with a resolution of 0.01 mm (up to 100 mm), referred to steel
Magnify gate: spreading of the gate range over the entire display range
high-resolution color display (800 × 480 Pixel) for the representation of digitized signals
color display of gates and the corresponding readings for easy distinction
easily perceptible reflection geometry when using an­gle-beam probes due to changing A-scan or back­ground color at every reflection point
high memory capacity with 8 GB SD card.
increased calibration range: up to 9999 mm (steel),
depending on the frequency range
semiautomatic two-point calibration
pulse repetition frequency adjustable in 3 steps
(AUTO LOW, MED, HIGH) or MANUALLY in steps of 5
Hz.
optional connection of phantom-echo detector
choice of the frequency range for the connected
probe
Signal display: full-wave rectification, positive or neg­ative half rectification, and radio frequency
display of seven user-selectable measured readings at the top of the A-scan, one of which is displayed in enlarged mode, or four user-selectable measured readings displayed in enlarged mode
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How to use this manual 1 Introduction
ATTENTION
Note

1.4 How to use this manual

This operating manual applies to all instrument versions of the USM justment values are marked in each case.
Before operating the instrument for the first time, it is ab­solutely necessary that you read the chapters 1, 3, and
4. They will inform you about the necessary prepa­rations of the instrument, give you a description of all keys and displays, and explain the operating principle.
In doing this, you will avoid any errors or failures of the instrument and be able to use the full range of instru ment functions.
You will find the specifications of the instrument in Chapter 10 Specifications.
36. Any differences in the functions or ad-
-

1.5 Layout and presentation in this manual

To make it easier for you to use this manual, all operat­ing steps, listings, and special notes are always pre­sented in the same way. This will help you find individual pieces of information quickly.

Attention and note symbols

The ATTENTION symbol indicates peculiar­ities and special aspects in the operation which could affect the accuracy of the re sults.
Note contains e.g. references to other chap­ters or special recommendations for a func­tion.
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USM 36 Issue 2 (12/2013) 1-13
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1 Introduction Layout and presentation in this manual

Listings

Listings are presented in the following form:
Variant A
Variant B
● ...

Operating steps

Operating steps appear as shown in the following exam­ple:
– Loosen the two screws at the bottom.
– Remove the cover.
–…
1-14 Issue 2 (12/2013) USM 36
Page 35

Standard package and accessories 2

Page 36
2 Standard package and accessories Standard package

2.1 Standard package

Product code Description Order number
Ultrasonic testing kit
consisting of:
USM 36 Compact Ultrasonic Flaw Detector, basic version
with Lemo-1 connectors or with BNC connectors
or
USM 36 DAC Compact Ultrasonic Flaw Detector, DAC version,
DAC/TCG, AWS, SWP, with Lemo-1 connectors or with BNC connectors
or
2-2 Issue 2 (12/2013) USM 36
37 400
37 401
37 460
37 461
Page 37
Standard package 2 Standard package and accessories
Product code Description Order number
USM 36 S Compact Ultrasonic Flaw Detector, DAC/TCG and
DGS evaluation, DAC/TCG, AWS, SWP, DGS, PPRF, BEA, 3GATE, DL, with Lemo-1 connectors or with BNC connectors
37 462
37 463
and
LI-ION Li-Ion battery, 11.25 V, 8.8 Ah 113 393
UM 30 Transport case 35 654
AC power supply/battery charger 113 355
SD card, 2 GB 49 222
Quick start guide 49 223
CD Operating manual 49 222
Page 38
2 Standard package and accessories Add-on functions

2.2 Add-on functions

Product code Description Order number
DAC/TCG Echo evaluation method DAC, JISDAC, CNDAC, TCG 021-383-397
DGS Echo evaluation method DGS 021-383-398
AWS Echo evaluation method AWS D1.1 021-383-402
SWP Square-wave pulser 021-383-400
PPRF Phantom echo detector 021-383-401
BEA Backwall echo attenuation 022-510-546
3Gate Third gate C 021-383-321
DL Wall thickness data logger 021-383-399
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Page 39
Recommended accessories 2 Standard package and accessories

2.3 Recommended accessories

Product code Description Order number
DR36 Battery charger for external charging of the Li-Ion battery 35 297
UM 32 Protection bag including neck strap 35 655
UM 25 Analog cable, 8pol. Lemo (Instrument),
free cable ends for user
UM 31 VGA adaptor for connecting an external monitor 35 653
USB 36 USB cable A/B, 1 m 109 397
35 268
Page 40
2 Standard package and accessories Recommended accessories
2-6 Issue 2 (12/2013) USM 36
Page 41

Initial start-up 3

Page 42
3 Initial start-up Instrument positioning

3.1 Instrument positioning

Fold out the prop-up stand on the rear side of the USM
36 and position the instrument on a flat base so
that you can easily read the display.
If the instrument has been moved from a cold room into a warmer one, wait until it has adapted to the room tem perature before you power it on (to avoid condensation).
If (in rare cases) condensation has developed inside the instrument, the cover may mist up from the inside. In this case, open the cover until the damp has dried up. You should not power the instrument on until this has hap pened.
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3.2 Power supply

The USM 36 can be operated either with an external charger/power adaptor or with the corresponding lithi um-ion battery.
You can also connect the USM 36 to the mains power supply if the battery is in the instrument. A discharged
­battery is charged in this case, during the instrument op eration.

Operation with charger/power adaptor

Connection to power supply
For the operation using a charger/power adaptor, you should only use the charger/power adaptor included in the standard package.
The charger/power adaptor is automatically adjusted to every AC voltage between 90 voltage).
V and 240 V (nominal
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Power supply 3 Initial start-up
ATTENTION
2
3
Connecting the instrument
Connect the USM 36 to the mains socket-outlet by
1
means of the corresponding charger/power adaptor. The socket-contact for connecting the charger/power adaptor is located on the top of the USM
36.
– Loosen the knurled screw (1) and remove the cover.
– Align the Lemo plug of the charger/power adaptor
with the socket (2).
– Push the plug into the socket until it locks into place
with a clearly audible click.
– When removing the Lemo plug, pull the metal sleeve
on the plug back first in order to open the lock.
In order to power the instrument off correctly, press the power On/Off key (3) for 3 sec onds. If the power supply is interrupted (re­moving the battery, disconnecting the power
-
plug), the operation does not end correctly.
Page 44
3 Initial start-up Power supply
2
1

Operation using a battery

You should only use the supplied lithium-ion battery for the battery operation.
Inserting batteries
The battery compartment is located on the rear of the in­strument. The cover is fastened with two locks.
– Press the two locks (1) of the battery compartment
downwards to open them.
– Lift the cover off upward. In the open battery compart-
ment, you will see several connector pins (2) on the right.
3-4 Issue 2 (12/2013) USM 36
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Power supply 3 Initial start-up
2
1
– Place the battery in the battery compartment so that
the marking faces upwards and the contacts are pushed against the connector pins (2).
– Insert the cover of the battery compartment with the
side opposite to the locks at first, and push the lugs
into the housing recesses.
– Press the cover firmly downward on the side of the
screws until it locks into place.
– Press the two locks (1) down to lock the battery com-
partment.
Page 46
3 Initial start-up Power supply
1
2
Checking the charge level of the lithium-ion battery
The lithium-ion battery is provided with a battery charge level indicator. Four light-emitting diodes
(1) indicate the level of battery charge. Check the battery charge level before inserting it into the instrument.
The number of diodes that are lit up has the following meaning:
4 LEDs: Battery charge level 100 … 76 %
3 LEDs: Battery charge level 75 … 51 %
2 LEDs: Battery charge level 50 … 26 %
1 LED: Battery charge level 25 … 10 %
1 LED is flashing: Battery charge level <10 %
– Press the key (2) next to the LEDs. The LEDs indi-
cate the battery charge level.
3-6 Issue 2 (12/2013) USM 36
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Power supply 3 Initial start-up
Note
Power level indicator
The USM 36 is equipped with a power level indicator that allows to estimate the remaining operating time of the instrument. A battery icon with the corresponding charge level is displayed in the top right corner on top of the A-scan.
Icon Meaning
Battery charge level, remaining operating time in hours (approximate value)
Charger/power adaptor is connected, percentage of battery charge level (approximate value)
Warning: Low battery charge level, remaining operating time in minutes (approximate value)
The USM 36 is automatically powered off if the opera­tion is no longer ensured. All settings are retained during battery exchange and are immediately available again afterwards.
If the battery charge level is low, it is abso­lutely necessary that you finish your test job, power off the instrument, and replace the battery. You should carry a second battery along with you if you cannot use mains pow er supply to operate the instrument.
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Page 48
3 Initial start-up Power supply

Charging the batteries

You can charge the lithium-ion batteries either directly within the instrument or in an external charger.
Internal charging
If a lithium-ion battery is inserted, charging starts auto­matically as soon as you connect the charger/power adaptor to the USM You can carry out ultrasonic tests and charge the batter ies at the same time.
The charging time is approx. ten hours with simultane­ous ultrasonic testing. If the instrument is not used for ul­trasonic testing, the charging time is approx. eight hours. This charging time applies to ambient tempera tures of 25 … 30 °C.
36 and to the mains power supply.
-
Charging status
The LED on the charger/power adaptor indicates the status of charging.
off: Charger/power adaptor is not con-
nected to the power supply
yellow steady light: Charger/power adaptor is not con-
nected to the instrument or no bat­teries are inserted into the instru-
-
ment
flashing green light: Charging
green steady light: Charging is completed, batteries
are charged
External charging
You can charge lithium-ion batteries with an external charger of the USM
36. Do not use any other chargers
for charging the lithium-ion batteries for the USM
36.
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Connecting a probe 3 Initial start-up
ATTENTION

3.3 Connecting a probe

To prepare the USM 36 for operation, you have to con­nect a probe to it. Any GEIT probe can be used for the USM
36, provided the appropriate cable is available and
the operating frequency is within an adequate range.
If a probe is connected incorrectly, the con­sequence would be a mismatching which may lead to considerable power losses or even to echo waveform distortions.
The probe is connected to the sockets on the top of the instrument casing.
Both connector sockets are equally suitable (connected in parallel) for connecting probes equipped with only one ultrasonic element (ultrasonic transducer) so that it does not matter which one of the two sockets is used.
When connecting a dual-element (TR) probe (having one transmitter or pulser element and one receiver ele ment) or two probes (of which one is transmitting and the other one receiving), attention should be paid to the correct allocation of connecting cables:
Red ring – receiver connection
Black ring – transmitter/pulser connection
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Page 50
3 Initial start-up Inserting the SD memory card
2

3.4 Inserting the SD memory card

1
You can use any standard SD memory card in the USM
36.
– Loosen the knurled screw (1) and remove the cover.
– Insert the SD memory card into the card slot (2) so
that the contacts of the card face the instrument rear panel.
– Press the card down into the card slot until it locks
into place.
– Close the cover and lock it by means of the knurled
screw.
– To remove the SD card, open the cover and shortly
press down the card to unlock it.
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Starting the USM 36 3 Initial start-up

3.5 Starting the USM 36

Powering On

To start the USM 36, press the power On/Off key (1) briefly.
The software is initialized. After that, the start display showing the name of the instrument and information on the software, serial number, and the installed options will appear.
The instrument carries out a self-check and then switch­es over to stand-by mode.
The settings of all function values and the default set­tings (language and units) are the same as before pow­ering the instrument off.

Powering Off

To power off the USM 36, press the power On/Off key
for 3 seconds.
The settings of all function values and the default set­tings (language and units) are retained after powering off.
USM 36 Issue 2 (12/2013) 3-11
1
Page 52
3 Initial start-up Starting the USM 36

Factory default setting (Reset)

If you can no longer use the functions of your instrument or if the instrument no longer reacts as expected, you can reset it to the factory default settings. Any data saved to the SD card will be retained, all other individual settings, e.g. language and units, will be reset to the fac tory default settings.
– Power the instrument off.
– Press the Freeze key (1) and the power On/Off
key
(2) simultaneously and keep the two keys
pressed down until the start screen appears.
The instrument starts with the factory default settings (for language selection,
see Section Language setting,
page 4-13).
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21
3-12 Issue 2 (12/2013) USM 36
Page 53

Principles of operation 4

Page 54
4 Principles of operation Overview of operator's controls
1
4
5 6 7
2 2 3

4.1 Overview of operator's controls

1 Left-hand rotary knob: Changing the gain level in
increments
2 Selector keys: Selecting the setting to be changed,
saving the setting, Zoom (long press of the key)
3 Right-hand rotary knob: Selecting the function
group or function, changing the setting
4Freeze key: Freezing the A-scan
5 Function keys F1 to F4: user-assignable, can be
alternatively used as navigation keys (second op erating level, function group CONFIG3)
6Home key: Function group or function exit, tog-
gling between the first and the second operating level (long press of the key)
7 Power On/Off key: powering on or off
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Display screen 4 Principles of operation

4.2 Display screen

A-scan representation

The USM 36 has a high-resolution display screen for the display of the A-scan.
A-scan display in the normal mode
A-scan display in the zoom mode
The gain and the adjusted dB step value are always shown in the top left corner of the display screen. The access to all other instrument functions is disabled in the zoom mode of the A-scan display.
Toggling the A-scan display mode
To toggle between the normal and the zoomed A-scan display, press one of the two selector keys next to the display screen for 3
seconds.
Page 56
4 Principles of operation Display screen

Functions on the display screen

Function groups
The names of the seven function groups are shown at the bottom of the display screen. The currently selected function group is highlighted.
First operating level (A-scan):
Second operating level (settings):
Functions
On the first operating level, the functions of the currently selected function group are shown on the left of the dis play screen, next to the A-scan.
The functions are hidden in the zoomed A-scan display mode; no operation is possible in this case.
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Display screen 4 Principles of operation
Note

Gain

The current gain value and the adjusted dB step value are always displayed in the top left corner of the screen.

Measurement line

The measurement line on top of the A-scan shows sev­en different measurement readings. One reading can be displayed in enlarged mode in a box on the far right. The readings for the individual boxes are user selectable (
see Section Configuring the measurement line,
page 5-58).
One or four measurement readings can be displayed in enlarged mode. The number of the other boxes of the measurement line is then reduced ( larged display of reading, page 5-62).
see Section En-
In addition to the measurement reading, the measuring point (peak or flank) is displayed with a symbol in sound path measurements:
^ = measuring point Peak
/ = measuring point Flank
Examples:
SA^ = sound path within gate A, at the measuring point Peak
SA/ = sound path within gate A, at the measuring point Flank
The measuring point for amplitude is marked for the corresponding gate bar at the top edge of the display by a triangle pointing up wards in the color of the gate, the measuring point for distance is marked by a triangle pointing downwards.
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Page 58
4 Principles of operation Display screen

Status display icons

To the left of the A-scan, below the measurement line, there is an area for various status displays. The status display icons inform about active functions and certain settings ( the beginning of the present operating manual).
see Section Status display icons, page 0-7 at

Alarms

You can display an alarm signal in the form of a virtual LED in the far right box on top of the A-scan ( tion LARGE (alarm signal), page 5-64).
When an alarm is triggered, the color of the alarm signal changes from green to red.
see Sec-
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Page 59
Keys and rotary knobs 4 Principles of operation

4.3 Keys and rotary knobs

Power key

The key for powering the instrument on and off is locat­ed on the far right below the display screen.

Navigation

The two rotary knobs to the left and right of the display screen, as well as the arrow keys below the display screen are used for navigation between the function groups and functions.
The navigation is used
for toggling between the operating levels,
for toggling between the function groups,
for toggling between the functions,
for setting functions.

Rotary knobs and arrow keys

The USM 36 is equipped with two rotary knobs.
Use the left-hand rotary knob to directly set the gain; the right-hand rotary knob is meant for setting the currently selected function.
You can use the two rotary knobs to make both incre­mental and accelerated settings. You can achieve an in­cremental setting by turning the rotary knob slightly until it locks into the next setting. Use the rotary knob contin uously at a constant speed to achieve an accelerated setting. In this way, you can change the values quickly.
As an alternative, you can use the arrow keys below the display screen for changing the settings. If you keep the arrow key pressed down, the value changes faster.
-
Page 60
4 Principles of operation Keys and rotary knobs

Function keys

The arrow keys below the display screen are meant for navigation and for changing values or settings after se lecting a function.
As an alternative, the arrow keys can be set up as func­tion keys F1 to F4 for triggering individually assigned functions (
see Chapter 5.3 Assignment of function
keys, page 5-7).
In that case, the arrow keys cannot be used for naviga­tion any longer.
The key Freeze on the far left below the display screen is permanently assigned to the function Freeze. This as signment cannot be changed.
The selector keys to the left and right of the display screen are used for selecting a function in order to change the corresponding setting or the corresponding value afterwards.
A long press of one of the two selector keys effects tog­gling between the normal and the zoomed A-scan dis­play.
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Operational concept 4 Principles of operation

4.4 Operational concept

Operating menus

The USM 36 is an easy-to-use instrument. It is provided with two operating levels between which you can toggle by a long press of the key Home below the display screen.
The first operating level shows the A-scan and is used during normal operation.
It contains seven function groups for the settings during normal operation.
The second operating level contains all functions for the instrument configuration. This is where you will also find functions for saving and printing, for data management using the data logger, and for special applications, e.g. software updates.

Selecting and setting functions

Shown below the A-scan are the seven function groups which you can directly select using the right-hand rotary knob or the arrow keys. The name of the currently se lected function group is highlighted and the correspond­ing four functions are displayed on the left, next to the A­scan.
-
Page 62
4 Principles of operation Operational concept
Note
To change the setting of a function, you have to select the function first and then press one of the selector keys next to the display screen.
– Use the right-hand rotary knob to select the required
function group.
– Press one of the selector keys next to the display
screen to select the function group.
– Use the right-hand rotary knob to select the required
function.
As long as a function is selected, you can only change the corresponding value but you cannot toggle between the functions or func tion groups.
To toggle between the function groups, you have to exit the current function group first (key Home below the display screen).
– Press one of the selector keys next to the display
screen to select the selected function. You can then change the value or the setting.
– Use the right-hand rotary knob or the arrow keys be-
low the display screen to change the value or the set­ting.
– Finally, press one of the selector keys next to the dis-
play screen to complete the setting.
– Press the key Home below the display screen to exit
the function group.
-
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Operational concept 4 Principles of operation
Coarse adjustment and fine adjustment
You can choose between coarse and fine adjustment for some functions.
The fine adjustment is made using the right-hand rotary knob or the two arrow keys below the display screen Up (increasing the value) and Down (reducing the value).
The coarse adjustment is made using the two arrow keys below the display screen Right (increasing the val ue) and Left (reducing the value). The value will then change either in large increments (e.g. for the function RANGE) or you can choose from a series of factory­saved values (e.g. for the function VELOCITY).
During the fine adjustment, the name of the function is displayed in lower-case letters (range), whereas it is displayed in capital letters during the coarse adjustment (RANGE).

Function HOME

You can or must select the function HOME in various cases (e.g. to confirm certain settings). To do this, the function HOME must be assigned to one of the function keys (
see Section Assignment of function keys,
page 5-7).

Choosing the start value

-
For some functions, you can quickly choose the start value of the adjustment range. To do this, press the two arrow keys below the display screen Right and Left si multaneously after selecting the function. In this way, you can e.g. set the value of the function DISPLAY DE LAY to 0.000 µs.
This quick adjustment option is available for the follow­ing functions:
Function Function group
PROBE DELAY RANGE
DISPLAY DELAY RANGE
-
-
REJECT RECEIVER
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Page 64
4 Principles of operation Operational concept

Functions of the second operating level

Shown on the second operating level are the functions, arranged in function groups, which you can directly se lect using the right-hand rotary knob or the arrow keys. The name of the currently selected function is always shown inverted. When you navigate between the func tions, you automatically change the function groups.
To change the setting of a function, you have to select the function first and then press one of the selector keys next to the display screen.
– Press the key Home below the display screen for 3
seconds to switch to the second operating level.
– Use the right-hand or left-hand rotary knob or the ar-
row keys below the display screen to select the re­quired function.
– Press one of the selector keys next to the display
screen to select the selected function. You can then change the value or the setting.
– Use the right-hand rotary knob or the arrow keys be-
low the display screen to change the value or the set­ting.
­– Finally, press one of the selector keys next to the dis-
play screen to complete the setting.
-
– Press the key Home below the display screen for 3
seconds to change to the first operating level.
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Important default settings 4 Principles of operation

4.5 Important default settings

Language setting

Use the function LANGUAGE (function group CON­FIG1 on the second operating level) to choose the lan-
guage for the displayed texts.
The following languages are available:
Bulgarian Chinese German
English Finnish French
Italian Japanese Dutch
Norwegian Polish Portuguese
Romanian Russian Swedish
Spanish Czech Hungarian
– Switch to the second operating level.
– In the function group CONFIG1, select the function
LANGUAGE.
– Select the required language. The language changes
immediately.
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Page 66
4 Principles of operation Important default settings

Units setting

You can use the function UNITS (function group CON­FIG1 on the second operating level) to select the re-
quired units (mm, in, or µs). You can change the units any time. All values are adjusted accordingly.
– Switch to the second operating level.
– In the function group CONFIG1, select the function
UNITS.
– Select the required units.

Decimal separator

You can choose the decimal separator mark. All data are displayed and saved using the selected decimal separator.
– Switch to the second operating level.
– In the function group CONFIG1, select the function
DECIMAL.
– Select the required decimal separator.
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Important default settings 4 Principles of operation
ATTENTION

Date format, Date, and Time

The date is saved together with the inspection results. You can set the date format, the date, and the time us ing the corresponding functions of the function group CONFIG1 on the second operating level.
Always ensure that you are using the correct date and time for documentation purposes. Remember to adjust accordingly for Daylight Savings.
– Switch to the second operating level.
– In the function group CONFIG1, select the function
DATE FORMAT.
– Select the required date format. The time format is
changed together with the date format.
– Select the function DATE.
– Use the arrow keys Right and Left to change be-
tween day, month, and year.
– Change the setting by means of the arrow keys Up
and Down.
– Select the function TIME.
– Change the time in the same way as you did previ-
­ously for the date. The new values apply immediately.
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4 Principles of operation Default settings of the display
Note

4.6 Default settings of the display

The USM 36 is equipped with a high-resolution color display. You can optimize the display according to your own viewing habits and to the operating environment.

Selecting the color scheme

You can choose one of four color schemes using the function COLOR (function group CONFIG1 on the sec ond operating level). The color scheme determines the color of all displays and of the background. You can set the color of the A-scan separately (please see the sec tion below).
All color schemes are suitable for indoor use. For outdoor use, we recommend Scheme 3 and Scheme 4.
– Switch to the second operating level.
– In the function group CONFIG1, select the function
COLOR.
– Select the required color scheme.
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Default settings of the display 4 Principles of operation

Selecting the A-scan color

You can choose the color of the A-scan using the function A-SCAN COLOR (function group CONFIG2 on the sec ond operating level). The color options depend on the se­lected color scheme (see Section Selecting the color scheme, page 4-16).
– Switch to the second operating level.
– In the function group CONFIG2, select the function
A-SCAN COLOR.
– Choose the required color for the A-scan.

Selecting the grid

Using the function GRID (function group CONFIG1 on the second operating level), you can choose a grid for
­the A-scan. Two grids, each with and without a ruler at the bottom edge of the display, are available as options.
– Switch to the second operating level.
– In the function group CONFIG1, select the function
GRID.
– Choose the required grid for the A-scan.
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4 Principles of operation Default settings of the display
Note
Note

Setting the brightness

To set the brightness of the display, use the function BRIGHTNESS (function group CONFIG1 on the second operating level). You can choose a value from 1 to 10.
Change to the higher brightness value re­duces the time in battery operation.
– Switch to the second operating level.
– In the function group CONFIG1, select the function
BRIGHTNESS.
– Choose the required value.
You can extend the operating time by means of the power saver function (
see Section
Power saving mode, page 5-79).
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Saving the settings 4 Principles of operation
ATTENTION

4.7 Saving the settings

The filename can be up to 14 characters long for saving data sets. However, only the first 7 characters are shown in the display on top of the A-scan ( name, page 4-22).
Please note this limitation when saving data sets in order to avoid any confusions be tween filenames starting with the same char­acter.
– Switch to the second operating level.
see Section Displaying dataset
-
You can save the current instrument settings to a file on the SD memory card. The files for the USM filename extension UGO.
USM 36 Issue 2 (12/2013) 4-19
36 have the
– In the function group FILES, select the function
DIRECTORY and press one of the two selector keys. The directory of the SD memory card appears.
– Press the arrow keys to select a directory on the SD
card.
– Press one of the two selector keys to choose the se-
lected directory.
– Switch to the function ACTION.
– Select the function STORE DATASET.
Page 72
4 Principles of operation Saving the settings
Note
– Switch to the function FILENAME.
– Choose the option <NEW FILE> and press one of the
two selector keys.
– Choose the first character of the filename.
– Use the arrow key Right to switch to the next posi-
tion, and choose the next character.
– Press one of the two selector keys to complete the
filename entry.
– Switch to the function ENTER and press one of the
two selector keys.
The current instrument settings are saved to the select­ed directory on the SD memory card under the name en­tered here.
You can create and delete directories by in­serting the SD memory card into the SD card reader of your PC or by connecting the USM
36 to a PC via a USB cable (see Sec-
tion USB interface, page 8-3).
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Saving the settings 4 Principles of operation
Note

Recalling settings

You can recall and use instrument settings saved to the SD memory card.
You can only recall datasets having the file­name extension UGO. Other files on the SD memory card are not displayed as options.
– Switch to the second operating level.
– In the function group FILES, select the function
DIRECTORY and press one of the two selector keys. The directory of the SD memory card appears.
– Press the arrow keys to select a directory on the SD
card.
– Press one of the two selector keys to choose the se-
lected directory.
– Switch to the function ACTION.
– Select the function RECALL DATASET.
– Switch to the function FILENAME.
– Select the name of the required file. The selection
switches automatically to the function ENTER.
– Press one of the two selector keys.
The instrument settings of the selected dataset are re­called and they are immediately active after closing the recalling process.
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4 Principles of operation Saving the settings
Note

Displaying dataset name

You can display the filename of the currently recalled in­strument settings (dataset name) in the measurement line on top of the A-scan.
The dataset name can only be displayed in the box on the far right.
– Switch to the second operating level.
– Select the function group EVAL.
– Select the function LARGE.
– Select the setting DATASET.
– Switch to the first operating level.
After recalling the instrument settings, the correspond­ing filename (dataset name) is displayed in red letters in the measurement line on top of the A-scan in the box on the far right.
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Saving the settings 4 Principles of operation
ATTENTION
The filename can be up to 14 characters long for saving data sets (on the second operating level). However, only the first 7 characters are shown in the display on top of the A-scan (on the first operating level).
Please note this limitation when saving data sets in order to avoid any confusions be
­tween filenames starting with the same char­acter.
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4-24 Issue 2 (12/2013) USM 36
Page 77

Operation 5

Page 78
5 Operation Overview of the functions
Note
Note

5.1 Overview of the functions

The functions of the USM 36 are combined into function groups on two operating levels.
– Press the key Home below the display screen for 3
seconds to switch to the second operating level.
– Use the right-hand rotary knob or the arrow keys be-
low the display screen to select the required function.
– Press one of the selector keys next to the display
screen to select the selected function. You can then change the value or the setting.
You will find detailed descriptions of how to use the operator's controls in ciples of operation.
The gain is always directly available to you by means of the two keys at the top, next to the display.
You will find an overview of the function groups and their corresponding functions on the first pages of this oper ating manual.
Chapter 4 Prin-
The first operating level contains seven function groups in the default view.
If certain functions are selected using one of the selector keys, further related function groups appear. You can return to the previ ous view by pressing the Home key.
The second operating level contains seven function groups.
First operating level
Second operating level
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-
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Overview of the functions 5 Operation

Function groups first operating level

RANGE This is where you will find functions required for the basic setting of the signal representation on the
display screen.
PULSER This group is a combination of functions used for setting the pulser.
RECEIVER This group is a combination of functions used for setting the receiver.
dB REF This group contains functions for evaluation. The name and functions of this group vary depending
on the selected evaluation method.
AUTOCAL This is where you will find the functions for the semi-automatic calibration of the instrument.
GATE A In this group, you will find all functions required for setting the gate A.
GATE B In this group, you will find all functions required for setting the gate B.
GATES Only if the option 3B is enabled: All functions for setting the gates A, B, and C.
The function groups GATE A and GATE B are then no longer visible.
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5 Operation Overview of the functions

Function groups second operating level

FILES This is where you will find functions used for the management of files, test reports, and videos.
EVAL This group is a combination of functions for evaluation methods. In addition, you can configure the
measurement line here (
CONFIG1 This is where you will find various default settings, e.g. language, color, and A-scan display options.
CONFIG2 This is where you will find special functions for the instrument setup for test and measurement
applications.
CONFIG3 This is where you will find additional functions for the instrument setup for test and measurement
applications.
CONFIG4 This group contains functions for the automatic gain control.
DR This group contains all functions for the Data Recorder (option).
see Section Measurement line, page 4-5).
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Setting the gain 5 Operation

5.2 Setting the gain

To be able to quickly and directly set the gain, use the left-hand rotary knob.
You can use the gain to adjust the sensitivity necessary for making echoes from reflectors to be detected visible on the display screen at the required height.
– Turn the left-hand rotary knob in order to set the gain.
The current gain is displayed in the top left corner of the display screen.

Setting the dB increment of gain

By turning the left-hand rotary knob, you will always set the gain by a certain dB increment. You can define this dB increment.
Page 82
5 Operation Setting the gain
Note
The following settings are possible:
LOCK (locked)
0.2 dB
0.6 dB
1.0 dB
2.0 dB
6.0 dB
0.2 … 60.0 dB
The LOCK setting locks the gain preventing a mistaken adjustment.
– Switch to the second operating level.
– In the function group CONFIG3, select the
function dB STEP.
– Select the required setting.
You can define the dB increment of the seventh level us­ing the function USER GAIN STEP.
– Select the function USER GAIN STEP.
– Select the required setting.
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Assignment of function keys 5 Operation

5.3 Assignment of function keys

You can assign various functions to the four function keys F1 to F4 below the display screen so that you will be able to trigger these functions any time without switching the operating level.
The following settings are possible:
NONE (no function selected)
FREEZE (see page 5-68)
COPY (see page 6-2)
AUTO80 (see page 5-94)
MAGNIFY GATE (see page 5-65)
dB STEP (see page 5-5)
RECALL DATASET (see page 4-21)
ENVELOPE (see page 5-84)
HOME (see page 4-11)
ANGLE+
ANGLE-
BW GAIN+ (see page 5-83)
BW GAIN- (see page 5-83)
Page 84
5 Operation Assignment of function keys
To be able to use the arrow keys as function keys, you have to choose the corresponding setting.
– Switch to the second operating level.
– In the function group CONFIG3, select the function
F#
KEY.
– Select the setting FUNCTION.
– In the function group CONFIG3, select the function
FUNCTION
1 to assign the function key F1.
– Choose the required function for the function key F1.
– Choose the functions for the other function keys in
the same way.
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Setting the display range (function group RANGE) 5 Operation
Note

5.4 Setting the display range (function group RANGE)

For an exact adjustment of the sound veloci­ty and the probe delay, please start by read­ing Chapter 5.8 Calibrating the USM 36, page 5-28.
You need the function group RANGE for the basic set­ting of the display range. The display range must be ad­justed to the sound velocity used (function VELOCITY) and to the probe used (function PROBE DELAY).
– Switch to the first operating level.
– Select the function group RANGE.
Page 86
5 Operation Setting the display range (function group RANGE)
Note
Note

RANGE

You can use the function RANGE to set the range (the display range) for making measurements.
You can set the display range by coarse adjustment steps or by fine adjustment ( justment and fine adjustment, page 4-11).
The adjustment range is 0.5 … 20000.00 mm.
The adjustment range for display range depends on the sound velocity setting and on the frequency range setting (function
FREQUENCY in the function group RECEIVER).
– Select the function RANGE.
– Set the required display range.
– Press the two arrow keys Left and Right simultane-
ously in order to quickly set a mean value (254.00
mm).
see Section Coarse ad-

PROBE DELAY

Every probe is equipped with a delay line between the transducer and the coupling face. The sound pulse must first pass through this delay line before it can enter the test object. You can compensate for this influence of the delay line in the probe in the function PROBE DELAY.
You can set the probe delay by coarse adjustment steps or by fine adjustment ( and fine adjustment, page 4-11).
The adjustment range is 0 … 1000.000 µs.
If the value for the probe delay is not known, please read USM 36, page 5-28 to determine this value.
– Select the function PROBE DELAY.
– Set the probe delay.
– Press the two arrow keys Left and Right simultane-
ously in order to set the value to zero.
see Section Coarse adjustment
Chapter 5.8 Calibrating the
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Setting the display range (function group RANGE) 5 Operation
Note
ATTENTION

VELOCITY

Please always make sure that the setting of
If µs are selected as units, the function VELOCITY is deactivated for safety reasons and it does not appear on the display screen.
You can use the function VELOCITY to set the sound velocity in the test object.
You can choose between different materials and their sound velocities. The additional information TR. and TRANS refer to the sound velocities in transverse wave excitation mode. In longitudinal wave excitation mode, the material name remains without additional informa
-
tion.
If you deviate from a specified material velocity when using the navigation, the material name is automatically replaced by the information CUSTOM. You can set the sound velocity by coarse adjustment steps or by fine ad justment (see Section Coarse adjustment and fine ad- justment, page 4-11).
– Select the function VELOCITY.
– Set the sound velocity.
-
the function VELOCITY is correct. The USM
36 calculates all range and distance in­dications on the basis of the value adjusted here.
The adjustment range is 250 … 16000 m/s.
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5 Operation Setting the display range (function group RANGE)

DISPLAY DELAY

You can use this function to choose whether to display the adjusted display range (for example 250 mm) start ing 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.
For example, if the display should start from the surface of the test object, you have to adjust the value 0 for DIS PLAY DELAY.
You can set the display delay by coarse adjustment steps or by fine adjustment (
see Section Coarse ad-
justment and fine adjustment, page 4-11).
The adjustment range is -15.000 … 3500.000 µs.
– Select the function DISPLAY DELAY.
– Set the sound velocity.
– Press the two arrow keys Left and Right simultane-
ously in order to set the value to zero.
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-
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Setting the pulser (function group PULSER) 5 Operation

5.5 Setting the pulser (function group PULSER)

You will find all functions for setting the pulser in the function group PULSER.
– Switch to the first operating level.
– Select the function group PULSER.

VOLTAGE (pulser voltage)

You can use the function VOLTAGE to set the pulser voltage.
The following settings are possible:
HIGH – high voltage
LOW – low voltage
The setting HIGH is recommended for all tests in which maximum sensitivity is important, e.g. for the detection of small flaws. Choose the setting LOW for broadband probes or if narrow echoes are required (better lateral resolution).
Square-wave pulser
If your USM 36 is equipped with a square-wave pulser (option) and if the square-wave pulser is chosen as pulser type ( page 5-75), then you can set the pulser voltage within the range of 120 … 300 V in steps of 10 V. Instead of the function ENERGY, the function WIDTH is then avail able.
see Section Selecting the pulser type,
-
USM 36 Issue 2 (12/2013) 5-13
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5 Operation Setting the pulser (function group PULSER)
ATTENTION
Note

ENERGY

Use the data sheet for your probe to check which maximum voltage is allowed to be ap plied.
The pulser voltage and the pulse width can be automatically limited, depending on the pulse repetition frequency ( MODE (pulse repetition frequency), page 5-16) setting. This function helps to avoid heat accumulations in the pulser elec­tronics.
– Select the function VOLTAGE.
– Select the required pulser voltage.
see Section PRF
You can use the function ENERGY to set the penetra­tion or sound energy.
­The following settings are possible:
HIGH – high energy
LOW – low energy
The setting HIGH is recommended for all tests in which maximum sensitivity is important, e.g. for the detection of small flaws. Choose the setting LOW for broadband probes or if narrow echoes are required (better lateral resolution).
– Select the function ENERGY.
– Select the required setting.
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Setting the pulser (function group PULSER) 5 Operation
Note

WIDTH

This function is only available if the option square-wave pulser is chosen as pulser type (
see Section Selecting
the pulser type, page 5-75).
You can use the function WIDTH to adjust the pulse width for the square-wave pulser. You can adjust a val ue within the range of 30 … 500 ns (nanoseconds) in steps of 10
ns.
The following equation produces an approximation for the suitable pulse width:
Nominal width in nanoseconds
= 500/probe frequency in MHz
For example, the equation for a 2.25 MHz probe results in:
Nominal width in nanoseconds
= 500/2.25 ns = 222 nanoseconds
The pulser voltage and the pulse width can be automatically limited, depending on the pulse repetition frequency ( MODE (pulse repetition frequency),
-
page 5-16) setting. This function is used for limiting the signal loss.
– Select the function WIDTH.
– Choose the required value.
see Section PRF
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5 Operation Setting the pulser (function group PULSER)

DAMPING

This function is used for matching the probe. By setting the damping of the probe oscillating circuit you can vary the height, width, and resolution of the echo display.
The following settings are possible:
1000 Ohm
low damping, the echoes become higher and broad­er.
50 Ohm
reduces the echo height but produces narrower echoes with a higher resolution.
– Select the function DAMPING.
– Choose the required value.

PRF MODE (pulse repetition frequency)

The pulse repetition frequency indicates the number of times an initial pulse is triggered per second. You can decide whether you need the highest possible PRF val ue or whether you are satisfied with a low value. You have three fixed steps and one user-variable step avail able for the adjustment.
The larger your test object, the smaller PRF values are needed to avoid phantom echoes. However, the A-scan update rate becomes lower in the case of smaller PRF values; high values are therefore required if a test object should be scanned fast.
The best way to determine the suitable PRF value is by experimenting: Start from the highest step and reduce the value until there are no more phantom echoes.
-
-
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Setting the pulser (function group PULSER) 5 Operation
Note
The following settings are possible:
AUTO LOW 400 Hz
AUTO MED 1000 Hz
AUTO HIGH 1500 Hz
MANUAL
You can detect and avoid phantom echoes by means of the optional function phantom PRF (
see Section Phantom echo detector,
page 5-57).
– Select the function PRF MODE.
– Choose the required value.
– If you have selected MANUAL, set the required val-
ue.
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5 Operation Setting the receiver (function group RECEIVER)

5.6 Setting the receiver (function group RECEIVER)

You will find all functions for setting the receiver in the function group RECEIVER.
– Switch to the first operating level.
– Select the function group RECEIVER.

FREQUENCY

In this function, you can set the frequency of the receiver according to the frequency of your probe.
The following settings are possible:
BROADBAND
1 - 5 MHz
2 MHz
2.25 MHz
4 MHz
5 MHz
10 MHz
13 MHz
15 MHz
– Select the function FREQUENCY.
– Choose the required value.
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Setting the receiver (function group RECEIVER) 5 Operation

RECTIFY

You can use the function RECTIFY to select the rectifi­cation mode of the echo pulses according to your appli­cation.
The following settings are possible:
FULLWAVE
All half-waves are displayed above the base line on the screen.
POS HALFWAVE
Only positive half-waves are displayed above the base line on the screen.
NEG HALFWAVE
Only negative half-waves are displayed above the base line on the screen.
RF (radio frequency)
There is no rectification. Both positive and negative wave portions are displayed with true amplitude.
– Select the function RECTIFY.
– Select the required setting.

DUAL (pulser-receiver separation)

You can use the function DUAL to activate the pulser­receiver separation ( probe, page 3-9).
OFF
Single-element operation; the probe connector sock­ets are connected in parallel.
ON
Dual mode for using dual-element probes; one probe connector is connected to the amplifier input, the ini tial pulse is applied to the other probe connector.
THROUGH
Through-transmission mode for using two separate probes; the receiver is connected to one probe con nector and the pulser is connected to the other. As the sound wave passes through the test object only once in through-transmission mode, all range and wall thickness measurement functions are adjusted accordingly.
– Select the function DUAL.
– Select the required setting.
see Chapter 3.3 Connecting a
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USM 36 Issue 2 (12/2013) 5-19
Page 96
5 Operation Setting the receiver (function group RECEIVER)
ATTENTION

REJECT

You can use the function REJECT to suppress unwant­ed echo indications, e.g. structural noise from the test object.
The height in % indicates the minimum height that the echoes must attain in order for them to be displayed on the screen at all. The reject setting cannot be higher than 80
– Select the function REJECT.
– Choose the required value.
%.
You should handle this function with great caution as it may of course happen that you suppress echoes from flaws as well. Many test specifications expressly forbid using the reject function.
5-20 Issue 2 (12/2013) USM 36
Page 97
Setting the gates (function groups GATE A and GATE B) 5 Operation

5.7 Setting the gates (function groups GATE A and GATE B)

You will find all functions for setting the gates A and B in the function groups GATE
– Switch to the first operating level.
– Select the function group GATE A or GATE B.
A and GATE B.

Tasks of the gates

The gates monitor the area of the test object where you expect to detect a flaw. If an echo exceeds or falls below the gate, an alarm signal is output ( Alarms, page 4-6).
The gates A and B are independent of each other. Gate
A can also assume the function of an echo start
gate for gate
The gate chooses the echo for the digital time-of­flight and amplitude measurement. The measured value is displayed in the measurement line ( tion Measurement line, page 4-5).
Display of the gates
Gates are displaced in different colors for ease of iden­tification.
B.
see Section
see Sec-
USM 36 Issue 2 (12/2013) 5-21
Page 98
5 Operation Setting the gates (function groups GATE A and GATE B)

A-START/B-START (starting point of the gate)

You can set the starting point of the gates A or B within an adjustment range of 0
You can set the value by coarse adjustment steps or by fine adjustment ( fine adjustment, page 4-11).
– Select the function A-START or B-START.
– Set the required value.
see Section Coarse adjustment and
… 27940 mm.

A-WIDTH/B-WIDTH (width of the gates)

You can set the width of the gates A or B within an ad­justment range of 1.00 … 27940.00 mm.
You can set the value by coarse adjustment steps or by fine adjustment ( fine adjustment, page 4-11).
– Select the function A-WIDTH or B-WIDTH.
– Set the required value.
see Section Coarse adjustment and
5-22 Issue 2 (12/2013) USM 36
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Setting the gates (function groups GATE A and GATE B) 5 Operation

A-THRESHOLD/B-THRESHOLD (response and measurement threshold of the gate)

You can define the threshold value of the gates A or B within the range of 5 ing an alarm if this value is exceeded or not reached.
In RF mode, you can additionally set the threshold with­in the range of –5 … –95 %.
– Select the function A-THRESHOLD or
B-THRESHOLD.
– Set the required value.
… 95 % screen height for trigger-
USM 36 Issue 2 (12/2013) 5-23
Page 100
5 Operation Setting the gates (function groups GATE A and GATE B)

TOF MODE

The sound path measurement by means of the echo evaluation depends on the choice of the measuring point.
The following settings are possible:
PEAK (peak measurement)
The amplitude and the time-of-flight are measured at the absolutely highest amplitude value within the gate with maximum resolution of the instrument.
FLANK (flank measurement) The amplitude is measured as in the case of PEAK, however, the time-of-flight is measured at the first point of intersection between the echo and the gate with maximum resolution of the instrument.
J-FLANK
The time-of-flight is measured as in the case of FLANK, the amplitude measurement before the 1st change of direction downwards if the gate threshold is afterwards not reached yet another time. In the case of larger values for the function RANGE, it may happen that several points are combined into one. In these cases, the evaluation no longer corresponds to the displayed A-scan.
FIRST PEAK
The measurement is made as in the case of J­FLANK, however, with screen resolution. If the eval
uation using the displayed A-scan is of prime impor­tance, FIRST PEAK should be preferred.
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5-24 Issue 2 (12/2013) USM 36
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