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FAQs about Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

Can I measure through more than 0.25 inch (6mm) of coating?

Cygnus thickness meters have a special feature called ‘Deep Coat’ that will allow them to measure metal thickness through up to 0.8 inch (20 mm) of coating. Please contact Cygnus for details of how this feature can be enabled on certain gauges. Please note however the ability to measure through thick coatings depends entirely on the type of coating; we do not guarantee the gauge will measure through every kind of coating.

Cygnus gauges should only be used with Cygnus transducers. The specification of Cygnus probes is carefully controlled to ensure optimum performance from your Cygnus gauge. Using non-Cygnus probes may cause incorrect or unsatisfactory operation.

Yes. The majority of everyday applications see our gauges being used on steel but our gauges can be used on a variety of other materials as well. This is done by:

  1. Either entering the known velocity of sound into the gauge (in feet or meters per second),
  2. Or by calibrating the gauge to a known thickness of the material under test.

Typical examples of materials that can be measured include, HDPE and other hard engineering plastics, magnesium, aluminium, stainless steel, copper, grey cast iron, , nickel, mild steel, tool steel, tungsten, monel, inconel, phosphor bronze and brass.

Yes, otherwise an incorrect reading will be shown. For the Velocity Table click here. This table is also listed in the manual supplied with the gauge.

There is another option too; if only a few measurements are to be taken on a material other than steel, it may be easier to leave the calibration and convert the readings by multiplying by the Conversion Factor for the material being measured:

True Reading = Reading x Conversion Factor

Conversion factors are listed in the Velocity Table.

All Cygnus gauges are calibrated for steel when they leave Cygnus HQ after manufacture.  As seen above, the calibration can be adjusted to suit the type of material under test.

Certificates of Calibration are issued at the factory. The gauges can be returned for recalibration at the customer’s request and in accordance with their own quality requirements. This is usually every 12 months; at this point many customers (or their Quality Systems) want to have their equipment tested, checked and recalibrated using equipment traceable to national standards.

The European Standard BS EN 15317 (‘Characterization and verification of ultrasonic thickness measuring equipment’) recommends all gauges be subject to an annual Performance Check to ensure correct operation.

All new Cygnus gauges are manufactured in accordance with BS EN 15317.

You can find the Multiple-Echo Explanation sheet in ‘Technical Information’.

As always, first check the batteries.  If the batteries are good the next thing to check is that the Probe Membrane is fitted correctly; this includes if the membrane has enough couplant behind it – and that it is not damaged or worn. You can find the Probe Membrane Fitting Instructions sheet in ‘Technical Information’ for more assistance on this detail.

Having a properly fitted membrane is essential for gauge operation in Multi Echo mode.

Some Cygnus gauges also have a manual Gain Setting in their menu:

  1. If the Gain is too low then getting readings will be difficult (or impossible).
  2. If the Gain is too high then the gauge may display “standing readings” when the probe is not in contact with the material surface. Standing readings are measurements that appear constantly on the gauge’s display – even when not in contact with the material being measured.

To correctly set Gain follow these simple steps:

  1. Make sure the probe face is clear of couplant and is in air (not touching any material).
  2. Set the gain to a high value (e.g. 12).
  3. Observe the gauge’s display – If you see more than one flashing bar or a thickness value is displayed, then reduce the gain by 1 and check the display again. Continue to reduce the gain until you see one flashing bar on the display.
  4. You should now have set a gain so that the gauge is consistently displaying one flashing bar only.
  5. The Gain has is now correctly set.

CygLink needs the .NET framework version 3.5 on computers running Windows 10.

Instructions on how to install the .Net Framework 3.5 feature on Windows 10 can be found under ‘Software Downloads‘.

Yes, the Cyglink application will work with all versions of Windows (XP and above, both 32 & 64 Bit versions).

However, the serial to USB converter may require the latest driver installing. You can download the latest drivers for the USB to Serial Converters from ‘Software Downloads‘.  Simply register your details to access it.

The company has BS EN ISO 9001:2000 certification for the design, development, manufacture and repair of ultrasonic measuring equipment and associated accessories.

3 year warranty for all gauges

6 months for the probes

12 months for hatch sure parts

Cygnus recommends Duracell Procell batteries.

That will depend on your requirements. The operation of the Cygnus Instruments range of products is purposely straightforward. Measurements can be taken by a competent operator with minimal training. However if you need to provide certified readings then you may need to have specific training to comply with your customers’ requirements.

Cygnus’ Product Support Policy is, we believe second to none.  We will always go the extra mile to support you using our equipment.  Further to that, it is our aim to support all Cygnus products until 7 years after the date they are discontinued.

For example, when Cygnus introduced its new Mk5 surface gauges in April 2015, support for Mk4 surface gauges will end in April 2022.