Ultrasonic thickness gauges

Portable Ultrasonic Flaw Detector Sonocon B Version «Thickness Gauge +»

Portable Ultrasonic Flaw Detector Sonocon B Version «Thickness Gauge +»

«Thickness Gauge +» is an ultrasonic version of Sonocon B flaw detector. It is a multifunctional last generation precise thickness gauge which combines the functionality of a traditional thickness gauge and corrosion monitor.

 

 

 
 
Portable ultrasonic flaw detector Sonocon B version «Thickness Gauge +» in the hand


 

Comfortable and Light weighted

Sonocon B is really light weighted inspection equipment – only 0.95 kg (2 lbs). Due to ergonomic shape and hand strap it can be quite comfortable operated with a single hand, which is really important in field and especially on high. Both right- and left-handers can operate the device. High contrast optimal size (800×480) display prevents operator’s excessive eyestrain.


 

Powerful and Multifunctional

Sonocon B is a digital UT tester combining 3 devices in 1:

  • Flaw detector,
  • A-Scan thickness gauge,
  • Corrosion monitor

In the “Thickness gauge +” version it turns into an advanced A-Scan thickness gauge, which also can do corrosion mapping.

Main functions of the portable ultrasonic flaw detector Sonocon B, version «Thickness Gauge +»
 
 

Easy to use

Sonocon B is highly user friendly. Its interface philosophy can be stated as “Don’t browse menus, just push a button!”. All most frequently used functions are placed on its keyboard making them accessible in a single or a couple of button presses. This makes setup and evaluation procedures several times faster. A variety of built in auto calibration procedures allow to perform fast and easy calibration with straight beam, angle beam and Rayleigh wave probes on standards or even a test object.

 
Buttons of the portable ultrasonic flaw detector Sonocon B, version «Thickness Gauge +»

To help new users to get used to its interface, Sonocon B offers a number of options:

  • Context backlight: in modes where a group of buttons considered to be used all relevant buttons are highlighted.
  • Menu items hints: All not trivial menu items show descriptions when activated (changed).
  • Menu presets: User can choose one of 3 menu system presets:
    • Full: contains all menus in 2 pages granting access to all UT instrument functions;
    • Simple1 & Simple 2: contain in one page all basic functions, grouped in a couple of menus. Also gives possibility to add any 3 or 4 extra menus from a Full Menu list.
 
 

Usage in harsh environments

Instrument case has protection level IP65. Operation temperature range is from –30°C to +50 °C (-22°F to 122°F). Flaw detector is resistant to ionizing radiation impact and is meant for operation in increased humidity conditions.

 

General features

Performance

Dual modes pulser

Sonocon B implies two pulser modes: Spike and Square Wave (SWP). This and also a damping feature allow controlling echo shape, length and amplitude in wide ranges.

Waveform Averaging

This function allows to average A-Scan from ×2 to ×64. This greatly raises Signal / Noise ratio allowing comfortably working at even very high gain and making measurements more precise.

 
 

Quick and comfortable operation

Direct A-Scan and Gates control

After pushing just a single button operator can intuitively control A-Scan and gates.

Direct A-Scan and Gates control of the portable ultrasonic flaw detector Sonocon B, version «Thickness Gauge +»

Quick Access Menu

The QAM button grants access to a queue of circular menus which allow quick change of measurement and alarm parameters.

Quick Access Menu of the portable ultrasonic flaw detector Sonocon B, version «Thickness Gauge +»
 
 

“UT” version

Indications search and evaluation aids

“Legs marking” mode

“Legs marking” mode of the portable ultrasonic flaw detector Sonocon B, version «Thickness Gauge +»
 

“Legs marking” mode changes A-Scan background marking A-Scan parts corresponding to downgoing legs in yellow and to upgoing legs – in rose. This helps to visually estimate depth of the reflector (defect) which caused an indication.

“Smart zoom” mode

“Smart zoom” mode of the portable ultrasonic flaw detector Sonocon B, version «Thickness Gauge +»
 

In this mode both zoomed A-Scan (from one of two gates) and a full 0 unzoomed A-Scan are displayed. This prevents operator from losing an off gate indication.

“Estimate” mode

“Estimate” mode of the portable ultrasonic flaw detector Sonocon B, version «Thickness Gauge +»


 

“Estimate” mode is very useful for evaluation of “hard to catch” indications. It also makes evaluation of usual indications much quicker. When this mode is on operator needs only to make a blind scanning of the area of interest and flaw detector will monitor all echoes in the 1st gate, looks for the best one (according to the amplitude), auto adjust gain to put that echo to the evaluation level and freeze it. The “best” indication can be then evaluated and saved for reporting if needed. After the “Estimate” mode is off the scanning gain is automatically retrieved.

 
 

Flaws evaluation systems

DAC system

DAC system of the portable ultrasonic flaw detector Sonocon B, version «Thickness Gauge +»
 

Built-in DAC system allows to build DAC curves according to the following codes: ASME (single curve and 3 curves), EN 1712, EN 1713, EN1714, JIS Z3060, GB 11345, GB 4730. User presets are also available. Base curve can contain up to 128 points. There can be built up to 6 additional curves. Besides all standard functions used in any DAC system Sonocon B offers such advanced functions like “20-80” function, DAC ↔ TCG conversion function, etc.

DGS (AVG) system

DGS (AVG) system of the portable ultrasonic flaw detector Sonocon B, version «Thickness Gauge +»
 

DGS system allows to build up to 3 DGS curves for given equivalent diameters (area) for straight beam and angle beam single element transducers. It also gives direct readings of De and / or Se for gated indication.

AWS (D rating) system

Sonocon B also implies automated calculation of D-rating according to American Welding Society Structural Welding Code section D1.1, D1.3.

 
 

“Thickness gauge +” version

Setup automation

Probes library

Probes library of the portable ultrasonic flaw detector Sonocon B, version «Thickness Gauge +»
 

To set up the chosen probes parameters now it is enough to choose corresponding item from the Probes library and all related settings will be loaded autamtically.

Automatic calibration

Automatic calibration of the portable ultrasonic flaw detector Sonocon B, version «Thickness Gauge +»
 

Sonocon B offers a variety of automated calibration procedures: in the air, on a built-n calibration block and classic single and dual points calibration.

 
 

Results storage and processing

Structured files

 

One of the most important and difficult task in thickness measurement at large objects is to correctly organize measurement results in a way to facilitate their analysis. Using Sonocon B operator can choose one of several templates corresponding to almost any type of testing objects:

  • “Line” (1D) is ideal for tank truck, small diameter pipes, etc.
  • “Line+” (2D) is used for a linear group of “Line” objects, for section by section large diameter pipes thickness measurement, etc.
  • “Grid” (2D) is used for testing of large semi planar object like ship’s hull, storage tanks, large diameters fluid conductors, etc.
  • “Line++” (3D) is used for testing of a 2D group of “Line” objects.
  • “Grid+” (3D) is used for a linear group of “Grid” objects.
  • “Boiler” (3D) organizes measurement points on pipes and pipes on levels.

Measurements statistics on the go

Measurement data on the screen of the portable ultrasonic flaw detector Sonocon B, version «Thickness Gauge +»
 

Sonocon B allows not only to review organized measurement data, but also to analyze them, providing statistics for the whole file and each of measurement sites.

 
 

Corrosion monitoring

Thickness B-Scans

Thickness B-Scans of the portable ultrasonic flaw detector Sonocon B, version «Thickness Gauge +»
 

Thickness B-Scan – a slice of the object by the ultrasonic beam are easy to acquire with any 1D scanner with encoder. It shows a back wall profile, which is useful to estimate corrosion type.

Thickness C-Scans

Thickness C-Scans of the portable ultrasonic flaw detector Sonocon B, version «Thickness Gauge +»
 

Thickness C-Scans are acquired with a 2D scanner or a series of linear scans with 1D scanner and are used for corrosion mapping.

 
 

PC Software

Sonocon B goes with PC software package corresponding to the inner software – UT, Thickness or both.
PC software is used for organization of instrument setups and testing results, their analysis and reporting.

Thickness gauge +:

Thickness gauge and PC software of the portable ultrasonic flaw detector Sonocon B, version «Thickness Gauge +»

UT:

Thickness gauge and PC software of the portable ultrasonic flaw detector Sonocon B, version «Thickness Gauge +»
 
Straight Beam Probes (dual element)

Straight Beam Probes (double element)

 


 

Display
Size 4.5”
Resolution 800×480
Connectors
Probe connectors 2 × BNC or
2 × LEMO-1 or
2 × LEMO-00
Analog output Alarm
USB1 Type A
LAN
Pulser
Type Square Wave (SWP)
Autofit of the pulser parameters to the chosen probe Voltage,
Energy,
Damping
Measurement frequency (readings refresh rate) 1 to 100 Hz
PRF mode Auto (Calculated from set readings refresh rate, accounting for averaging rate)
Receiver
Range (at steel longitudinal wave) 8 000 mm (314 in)
AGC Individual to reach at 2 gates
AGC Modes OFF / Edge / Peak
AGC Max Gain Modes High, Medium, Low, Manual, Off
Auto filters choice (according to the probe type)
Measurement
Sound velocities range 250 to 16000 m/s (.01 to .629 in/µs)
Measurement range 0.4 to 16 000 mm (.016 to .629 in)
Readings resolution 0.01 / 0.1 / 1 mm (0.001 / 0.01 / 0.1 in)
Number of gates 2
Modes 1, 1-2
TOF Modes Edge, Edge Zero Crossing
Units mm / in
Min & Max capture mode
Differential mode
% of wear mode
Temperature compensation
Acquisition of a:
  • Thickness B-Scan
  • Thickness C-Scan


Measurements on the previously acquired:
  • Thickness B-Scan
  • Thickness C-Scan



Alarm & Display
Alarm types Min, Max, Min&Max
Coupling loss alarm
Last reading (in coupling loss)
A-Scan
Cursor (Detect Line)
Thickness B-Scan
Thickness C-Scan
Multidimensional files: Browsing
Multidimensional files: File Statistics
Multidimensional files Meas. Site Statistics
Calibration
1-point
2-points
Zeroing in the air
Zeroing on a built-in block
Memory
Setups
Multidimensional structured files 1-3 dim
Number of readings per file Up to 100 000
Number of files format 6
Data attachments Comments,
A-Scans,
Thickness B-Scans,
Thickness C-Scans,
Microgrids
Capacity 2 GB (up to 64 GB)
PC software
Other Features
Keyboard backlight
Smart (Context) keyboard backlight
Smart zoom
Number of keyboard shortcuts2 29
Flaws evaluation
AWS
DGS (AVG)
DAC
DAC: Number of points 128
DAC codes ASME & ASME III,
EN 1712, EN 1713,
EN1714, JIS Z3060,
GB11345, GB 4730
Custom DAC curves up to 6
DAC 20-80
DAC & TCG
Memory
Setups
Datasets (with A-Scans)
Capacity 2 GB (up to 64 GB)
Physical
Dimensions 241×112×134 mm3
Weight incl. battery 0.95 kg
Operating temp. range -30°C to 50°C (-22°F to 122°F)
Dust & water protection IP65
Battery life 8 h
Replaceable battery

1 USB Type A (aka Host or Master) allows to connect external devices (Flash-Stick, Mouse, etc).

2 Number of instrument functions one can access with a couple of button presses.

Name and description Quantity pcs.
Electronic unit 1
Piezoelectric transducer:TSD5-10 1
Connection cable probe / Electronic unit (2lemo00×2BNC) 1
Mascot Type 2542 Charger 1
Hand strap 1
Software for processing the testing results on PC “Thickness gauge +” 1
Battery unit 1
Bag or Case 1
Documentation
Operating manual for Sonocon B version “Thickness gauge +” 1 copy
Operating manual for PC software for version “Thickness gauge +” 1 copy
Operating manual for Mascot charger 1 copy

 

 

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