Ultrasonic Thickness Testing
If you’re looking to invest in brand-new ultrasonic thickness measurement inspection devices, look no further than Cygnus Instruments. We design and manufacture top-quality ultrasonic thickness testing devices that utilize the latest technologies, including the industry-standard Multiple-Echo testing mode. And we supply the best selection of probes to suit all needs.
Certain tasks, such as tube inspection, can be time-consuming if disassembly is required. That’s why our inspection systems and probes are so popular with engineering customers. They are robust, intuitive, and efficient at carrying out measuring tasks when only one side of an object is available. Our devices also come with our patented Multiple-Echo mode for maximum accuracy.
Our ultrasonic thickness measurement inspection gauges save time, money, and hassle, getting the job done much quicker.
With devices for different applications, such as ATEX-certified ultrasonic testing devices, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for. To make further enquiries, contact the Cygnus Instruments team today on +13462230415.
What Is Ultrasonic Thickness Testing?
Time was when testing surface thicknesses involved a lot of disassembling machinery and assemblies to get to both sides of a test piece. In addition, sections would often need to be cut or ‘sectioned’, and these parts would need to be replaced afterwards. Long story short, thickness testing was often time-consuming, laborious, and expensive.
Nowadays, the process has changed with a myriad of NDT (Non-Destructive) techniques that have emerged over the last few decades. One of these is the advent of ultrasonic thickness measurement inspection gauges. These gauges make short work of testing surface thicknesses, requiring no disassembly, cutting, or sectioning. They produce accurate results, are easy to use, and save time, money, and hassle.
But what are ultrasonic thickness measurement inspection gauges, and what is ultrasonic thickness testing?
Ultrasonic thickness testing devices and probes (transducers) are commonly used to inspect back-wall pitting and corrosion. As a result, these devices are favored by businesses in various sectors operating globally. From inspecting tube equipment to measuring inside pipes or beneath steel surfaces, ultrasonic thickness gauges are invaluable tools to have.
Of course, if you’re looking to purchase ultrasonic thickness testing devices, you’ll want to shop with a company with a reputation for quality, reliability, and affordability. At Cygnus Instruments, we’ve gone the distance over the last 40 years and continue to do so today to bring our customers the best ultrasonic thickness measurement inspection gauges.
We’ve positioned ourselves at the forefront of ultrasonic thickness testing. Through customer feedback and ongoing research and development, we continue to supply the market with the most accurate technologies available.
Our team has designed ultrasonic thickness gauges that are lightweight, portable, and robust, and some are even ATEX-certified for hazardous and explosive environments. These devices do not generate sufficient thermal or electrical charge to ignite an explosive atmosphere, even in its most easily ignited concentration.
And we have devices designed for rope-access surveys, subsea use, and more. With all that in mind, you’ll find the right devices for your purposes, regardless of your industry.
We cover the following sectors and applications:
- Civil Engineering
- General Industry
- Hazardous Environments
- Offshore
- Oil And Gas Pipelines
- Plant Maintenance
- Rope Access Surveys
- Shipping
- Storage Tanks
- Subsea Inspections
The above list is by no means a complete list of the industries that utilize our ultrasonic thickness measurement inspection gauges. If you use gauges in your line of work, then call Cygnus Instruments today, as we’re sure to have the right gauge to suit your needs.
If you’ve previously used other methods to test for things like back-wall pitting and corrosion, you may be unfamiliar with ultrasonic thickness testing.
Ultrasonic thickness testing is an NDT form of testing that enables users to carry out surface thickness inspections without needing access to both sides of the test piece. This could apply to the hull of a ship or pipe, conduit, etc. If the thickness of a surface has changed in any way, this could indicate the presence of corrosion, erosion, or damage to the surface that might compromise the machinery/ equipment.
This is vital as metal loss can weaken a structure, impacting operations and the safety of your personnel. An ultrasonic thickness measurement aims to determine whether repairs or replacements are needed or whether the test piece needs to be retired altogether.
The beauty of ultrasonic thickness measurement inspection gauges is that a simple test takes seconds to complete. Nothing needs to be cut or sectioned, and you don’t need to dismantle the machinery or equipment you’re testing. In fact, if you use a high-temperature probe, you don’t even need to shut down or isolate the machinery while you test it.
Ultrasonic thickness measurement testing gauges make measuring surface thicknesses easy, saving you time and money. In addition, once you have the readings you need, you can transfer them to a computer to analyze the readings further, a process that ultrasonic gauges make super-easy.
Now that you understand a little more about ultrasonic thickness testing, let’s cover how thickness measuring actually works. An ultrasonic thickness measurement device comprises the unit itself and a probe. Probes (transducers) are the working end of the device, responsible for obtaining the measurements during inspections, while the unit processes the measurements received into actionable data.
Ultrasonic inspection systems utilize probes to transmit a sound pulse through a test piece. This pulse is then reflected back from the inside surface or far wall and is received by the transducers. The time for this pulse to return is measured by the thickness device, which calculates the thickness of the test piece. The return time will vary depending on whether corrosion, erosion, or damage is present.
There are two primary probes (transducers) that can be employed, and the one you choose depends on what testing mode you’re utilizing. Single-Echo is a mode that sends a single focused pulse, making it ideal for surfaces with heavy corrosion/erosion, irregular geometric shapes, highly attenuative materials, or plastic pipes.
Echo-Echo also transmits a single pulse but is strong enough to bypass coatings up to 1mm thick, making it suitable for use on painted metal surfaces with heavy back-wall corrosion or pitting.
Cygnus Instruments pioneered the Multiple-Echo mode – it employs a series of three pulses, increasing accuracy and precision. The big advantage here is that coatings and paints up to 3mm (20mm while in Deep Coat mode) can be ignored, so they won’t need to be removed. In addition, as the intervals between the second and third echoes must match, the Multiple-Echo mode ensures accurate, verified measurements.
Multiple-Echo mode is standard on all our devices – Single-Echo and Echo-Echo modes are available on all our ‘+’ and PRO devices.
Why You Might Require Ultrasonic Thickness Testing
Now that you’ve had an opportunity to read about ultrasonic thickness inspection gauges, you’re likely wondering if they are worth the investment. On the other hand, perhaps you’ve utilized the same methods for countless years, which work just fine for your needs. So, how will ultrasonic thickness testing gauges enhance your operations? What makes them worth considering?
The benefits speak for themselves and include:
- Entirely Non-Destructive – No Need to Take Anything Apart
- One-Sided Measurements
- Quick and Simple to Use
- Lightweight and Portable
- Versatile
- Compatible with Data Logging and Statistical Analysis Programs
- Highly Accurate Results (More So Than Traditional Methods)
Ultrasonic thickness testing is an NDT process, and, as such, there’s no disassembly required and no cutting or sectioning of parts needed. The advantage of this is that this saves you a lot in labor and scrap costs and significantly reduces the downtime of the machinery undergoing testing.
Ultrasonic thickness measurement inspection devices accomplish this feat by sending sound pulses through the test piece. These rebound, are captured by the probe and analyzed by the gauge. Because of this, only one side of the test piece needs to be accessed.
Our ultrasonic thickness inspection equipment is easy to use, requiring only a small amount of operator input. You’ll receive a precise readout with just a few button presses, including a clear and easy to interpret metal thickness reading. Results take just seconds to come through.
There’s nothing worse than lugging large, bulky, heavy equipment around, especially if you’re testing in a remote, hard-to-access location. Ultrasonic thickness measurement gauges are lightweight and portable. They can be placed inside a backpack or carried over the shoulder in their carry case.
They are versatile, too, able to test a range of different materials, such as:
- Metals
- Plastics
- Composites
- Fiberglass
- Ceramics
- Rubber
With pre-programmed setups, it’s as easy as point and shoot – the gauge does all the rest. And ultrasonic gauges can support a wide measurement range, ranging from 0.003in (0.08mm) to 25in (635mm) and achieve a resolution as fine as 0.0001in (0.001mm).
Highly accurate results can be gathered in seconds, and no extensive training or supervision is necessary. Most of the device’s operation requires no user operation. You just select a pre-programmed setup, point, and press the activation button.
Once you’ve collected the results, these can be stored on the device and transferred to a PC for further analysis using the built-in USB or RS232 transferal ports.
Testing Equipment We Supply
Here at Cygnus Instruments, we recognize that no two users will necessarily have the same requirements, and so we offer a range of devices to suit all requirements. These include surface thickness gauges, underwater thickness gauges, probes, etc.
Surface Thickness Gauges
Surface thickness gauges have been discussed at length in this article – the name is another name for ultrasonic thickness measuring gauges. Our surface thickness gauges are available in base versions, ‘+’ and PRO variants. The ‘+’ variants come equipped with Multiple-, Single-, and Echo-Echo testing modes, with the PRO models sporting features for professional users.
Underwater Thickness Gauges
Our underwater ultrasound devices measure assemblies, machinery, pipes, conduits, etc., in subsea environments. We have a range of devices to suit all requirements, such as our Cygnus Dive Underwater Gauge, designed for use while diving. We also supply the Cygnus ROV Mountable and the Cygnus Mini ROV Mountable. These two devices are designed to be installed on a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) for use in subsea conditions where diving is deemed unpractical. And we have other options, too; just browse our website to see what’s available.
Ultrasonic Probes
Choosing the right probes (transducers) is essential when performing inspections with an ultrasonic thickness measurement device. From tube inspections to civil engineering testing, whatever device you’re using, rest assured that we supply all the transducers you’ll need to get the job done.
Every device comes with Multiple-Echo as standard, so single-crystal probes are the universal choice. These probes are calibrated to take readings through coatings up to 3mm (20mm with Deep Coat mode on) thick. Our single-crystal transducers are stainless steel and feature a soft face with a replaceable wear membrane that protects the probe face.
Certain devices, such as our ‘+’ variants, underwater gauges, and the Cygnus 6+ PRO, also support Single-Echo and Echo-Echo modes. These modes require twin-crystal probes as these transducers are designed to measure surfaces with heavy corrosion/ back-wall pitting.
In addition to single and twin-crystal probes, we also supply high-temperature probes designed for high-temperature, in-service thickness measurements. With these probes, you can measure an active piece of equipment without isolating or shutting it down first.
Why Choose Us Cygnus Instruments?
Founded in 1983, we at Cygnus Instruments have spent the better part of 40 years supplying top-tier, lightweight, portable testing devices. We designed the original range of ultrasonic thickness gauges to address a gap in the market. And we developed the Multiple-Echo mode to improve accuracy and reliability and enable testing even through coatings.
Today, our devices are used widely in all manner of environments and industries. Our Multiple-Echo mode has become an industry-standard, highly regarded for enabling users to compile verified, error-checked results even through thick coatings and protective paints.
We draw heavily on our marine inspection industry origins and rely heavily on customer feedback to develop ultrasonic devices that cater to all requirements. And we invest heavily in research and development, ensuring that our customers have access to cutting-edge devices with all the features they need to simplify their work. To top it all off, we’re an ISO-9001-certified company regularly audited to ensure that we comply with this certification.
We also hold BASEEFA and CSA intrinsically safe certifications with ATEX-certified devices designed for explosive and hazardous environments. So, regardless of what device you acquire from us, you can rest assured that you’re making a sound investment.
Lastly, we should mention our service and repair centers, located worldwide. If you should ever need assistance with any of your ultrasonic thickness devices, just look up your nearest center and get in touch. Our team will be more than happy to assist you, from providing helpful advice to fixing, servicing, and even refurbishing complete units.
Contact Us Today
So, if you’re looking for the best supplier of ultrasonic thickness measurement gauges in the US, it should be obvious now who to call – Cygnus Instruments. Ultrasonic testing is the only way to carry out surface thickness testing in the 21st century. It saves you time, money, and hassle and gets the job right the first time. With the latest range available at Cygnus Instruments and all the necessary accessories, you’ll be equipped to tackle anything.
Detect signs of back-wall pitting and corrosion super-fast without dismantling the test piece, all with just the push of a button. And with global repair and service centers available, your new ultrasonic thickness devices will be fully backed by our experienced and capable team.
If you’d like to find out more, call Cygnus Instruments today on +13462230415. Alternatively, complete our online contact form or email sales@cygnus-instruments.com, and we’ll be in touch.