CTM 20 Coating Thickness Measurement with innovative ultrasonic technology Information by Krautkramer

Measuring several coatings individually - in a single measurement process

The evaluation of coatings is an important part of the quality assurance process in many industries. It also enables the optimum use of material. A prerequisite for this is that coating thicknesses can be accurately measured. Of course this applies not only to coatings on metal parts but also to such coatings on base materials like wood, plastics, ceramic, glass, etc. Whenever other methods have previously failed, our innovative CTM 20 now provides the solution: paint, varnish or lacquer, plastic and other insulating coatings on non-metallic and metallic base materials can be ultrasonically measured by you.

The ultrasonic method...
can be utilized for accurate coating thickness measurement in a new way. Patented probe technology with an extremely large bandwidth in combination with a specially developed evaluation method for the echo signal have led to the breakthrough in this application. It gives an ultrasonic measuring resolution in the micrometer range, which was previously unobtainable. The ultrasonic pulse emitted by the probe passes through the coating of the test object down to the base material. Reflections occur on every boundary sur face of the individual coating layers and are then detected by the probe. The instrument takes care of the evaluation for you with its intelligent signal processing - and displays the coating thickness as a digital value.

... closes gaps.
And the highlight: the CTM 20 measures multiple coatings in one single measuring process, that means both the total thickness and the thickness of (maximum three) individual coating layers. The Coating Thickness Meter CTM 20 thus opens up a large variety of application possibilities even in cases which in the past only allowed destructive test methods to be used.

Small instrument, mighty performance, maximum ease of operation.

The CTM 20 with printer PRT 1 for the direct on-site documentation of measurement results and statistics

Easy lightweight.
Of course you can use an instrument that only weighs 300 grams everywhere without any problem. It’s not just that the instrument is lightweight, but it’s also easy to handle: a measuring process is for example automatically triggered the minute you place the probe on the test object.

Fast.
It only takes a few seconds, and the measured value for the total coating thickness is digitally displayed on the large-size display. The readings of the individual coating layer thicknesses are simply recalled by pressing a key. Alternatively, you can directly display a particular single layer reading.

Even for wall thickness measurement...
You can carr y out an extremely accurate and high-resolution wall thickness measurement on plastic materials and metals just as easily and quickly. All you have to do is to change the operating mode. The thickness measurement can of course also be carried out through the coating, which means that the coating doesn’t have to be removed.

And for calibration...
We have made the calibration easy for you as well: the CTM 20 offers you a choice between three default settings for the coating material and seven for the base material. In addition, calibration values for special requirements can be determined and saved by means of microsections. This setting can be simply recalled in repetitive measurements. for the CTM 20 and can be connected to it by simply plugging it in. The report printout contains for example the following statistical data on your measurement series: average, standard deviation, variation coefficient, maximum and minimum single reading, process capability index.

Features that make your work easier.
The practice-oriented functions of the CTM 20 help you with the measurement. For example, the possibility to set tolerance limits with an acoustic and visual alarm being given if these limits are exceeded or not reached; a trend display appears at the same time. You can define many functions in the basic setup and in this way individually configure the instrument for your applications.

Documented evaluations.
The CTM 20 provides you with statistical evaluations of your measurement series which you can then transfer to the PC or directly print out. The small printer PRT 1 is especially designed

An intelligent charging concept.
The instrument and printer are operated using a power supply unit or batteries. The batteries are automatically charged in the instrument the moment you connect the instrument to the mains supply. There is no possibility of overcharge.

Where to use the CTM 20

Just a few examples. The CTM 20 opens up a large variety of application ranges, especially in cases which previously did not allow any nondestructive test methods to be applied. Some examples:

... on plastics
The CTM 20 is called for wherever individual coating layers on plastics need to be measured: for example in the automotive industry for car body parts, safety bumpers, or accessories such as instruments and controls.

... on metal
The CTM 20 solves problems in car body construction: it measures the individual layers of primer, base and transparent paint coating on the sheet metal base material - without having to remove the paint coating. In this way it is possible to check the coating thickness of the base paint coating which is essential for the visual color effect. A precision wall thickness measurement through the paint coating is similarly no problem.

... on wood
The CTM 20 is suitable for measuring lacquer or varnish coatings of all types within the wood working industry. The instrument allows the measurement of the coating thicknesses of sealings or protecting lacquer or varnish coatings on all wood bases, for example with parquet floors. A cost reduction can be achieved in these cases by exactly monitoring and controlling the coating volumes.

CTM 20 - Specifications and Accessories

Standard package CTM 20 Coating Thickness Meter with data memory, including: transport case, couplant, operating manual in German or English Operating principle Ultrasonic pulse-echo method Measuring modes Coating thickness measurement; wall thickness measurement Probe CTF 1; active PVDF foil probe (patented) Measuring range Coating thickness: 10 µm - 500 µm / 0.4 mils - 20 mils; up to 3 layers can be measured Wall thickness: 100 µm - 8 mm / 4 mils - 300 mils (steel) 200 µm - 3 mm / 10 mils - 100 mils (plastics) Digital resolution 1 µm / 0.05 mils for all measuring modes Frequency range Large bandwidth, upper limit frequency 50 MHz Unit of measurement Selectable: mm or inch

Duration of measurement 1 - 3 seconds (depending on the test task) Display 4-digit LCD with analog bar display and backlight (switchable; activated for approx. 2 seconds after every measured value detection) Limit value setting With acoustic and visual alarm if exceeded or not reached Range setting Default setting of measurement expectancy ranges Data memory Max. storage capacity for readings: 8,049; max. storage capacity for measurement series: 250 (depending on the memory configuration); max. application memory locations (APPL): 99; max. batch memory locations (BATCH): 98 Interface RS 232 C interface for connecting the printer PRT 1 or another printer having a serial inter face, or a PC Statistical evaluation Average, standard deviation, variation coefficient, maximum and minimum single reading, process capability index

Power supply CTM 20: 1 battery pack or type AA, NiMH batteries PRT 1: 4 x type AA NiMH batteries or plug-in power supply unit (90 - 264 V) Quick charging function 3 hours Operating time >2,500 measurements with 1 battery pack without backlight Operating temperature 0 °C to +50 °C / +32 °F to +122 °F Storage temperature -20 °C to +70 °C / -4 °F to +158 °F (instrument with batteries) -10 °C to +60 °C / +14 °F to +140 °F (probe) Dimensions 150 mm x 82 mm x 35 mm / 5.9“ x 3.2“ x 1.4“ (H x W x D) Weight 300 g / 0.7 lb. including battery pack Other accessories Battery pack, plug-in power supply unit with Euro/US adaptor; probe and probe cable; rubber case with prop-up stand and neck strap; reference blocks with single- or multilayer coating; data printer PRT 1; dual bag for CTM 20 and PRT 1

Krautkramer Branson 50 Industrial Park Road P.O.Box 350 Lewistown PA 17044 Phone: +1-717-242-0327 Fax: +1-717-242-2606 E-Mail: hotline@Krautkramer.com

Krautkrämer GmbH & Co. Robert-Bosch-Str. 3 D-50354 Huerth (Efferen) P.O.Box 1363 D-50330 Huerth Phone: +49-2233-601-0 Fax: +49-2233-601-402 E-Mail: infolink@Krautkramer.com

Buehler Krautkramer Ltd University of Warwick Science Park GB-Coventry CV4 7HS Phone: +44-1203-690069 Fax: +44-1203-693032 E-Mail: buehler@krautkramer.com

Krautkramer France ZAC Sans Souci 68, chemin des Ormeaux F-69760 Limonest Phone: +33-72-179220 Fax: +33-78-475698 E-Mail: krautkramer@compuserve.com