Corrosion protection and safety: Since the discussion about glaring cases of damage on bridges and buildings, corrosion control and safety now attract a lot of public attention. Professionals however have been considering the inspection of large bearing steel structures and ship constructions as indispensable for a long time. Coating thickness measurement and corrosion protection measurements are among the essential duties of safety and quality management. This applies to large bearing steel structures and bridge building as well as the international shipbuilding.

Ship owning companies and ship yards world wide collaborate with steel and lacquer manufacturers, specialized service providers and engineering offices in order to optimize the safety, cost-efficiency and the quality of operating, building and overhauling boats and ships. Now, miniature radio-control probes allow precise measurements in areas that until now were considered inaccessible but crucial to safety. Additionally, the thump-sized probe facilitates a complete documentation of many thousand measurement results quickly, conveniently and secure via radio. It is a new measurement system for a wireless transmission of measurements and documentation. Inspection of constructions as well as monitoring of coating works during construction and renovation of ships can be achieved according to the specified international standards; a verifying documentation of professionally coated multi-layer coating systems is required. Especially including the measurement of coatings in difficult to access areas that are crucial to safety.

A new modular system for determination of coating thicknesses provides a complete documentation even on large surfaces. In combined use with the only thump-sized radio-control probe for wireless transmission of measurements, most precise measurements even in areas considered barely accessible until now and which are often located in areas crucial to safety can be achieved.

The modular coating thickness measurement system QNix® 8500 in the anti-corrosion protection management: Accurate, robust and at the same time easy-to-use measurement devices are required to ensure a high quality standard of professional execution in the anti-corrosion protection and the management of complex projects. Gauges and systems for coating thickness determination are used for a variety of tasks and different areas. Despite varying measurement, conditions such as various kinds of steel in ship building workers must always be able to rely on accurate measurements. In this regard, several measurement principles in accordance to ISO 2808 have been established providing help with the non-destructive determination of coating thickness either in wet state using measuring combs or in dry state using magnetic measuring methods. A coating thickness measurement using small radio control probes. Difficult to access areas in a ships interior provide recesses for humidity and corrosion. These often particularly critical areas are inspected with special care during safety and final inspections, as in such areas especially the danger of to little coating being applied due to streaming conditions, increases the risk of corrosion. In such difficult to access areas, only measurement devices with low installation height can be used. The thump-sized, 30 grams light and independently working radio-control probe QNix® 8500 sat is of special advantage under such difficult conditions, because even in these areas the user can safely and accurately record measurements almost completely free and unhindered.

Statistics and documentation in quality management of major ship building projects:

With modularly attachable probes, the measurement system QNix® 8500 can be adjusted to every measurement task at hand. Furthermore, the availability of the system’s separate modules increases as the measurement probes can be interchanged among the devices. In addition to the simple measurement devices without statistics function for coating workers, devices featuring such a function are required for the general and final inspections of ships as several thousand measurements have to be recorded during these inspections. Fast and structured measurement recording taken from each separate layer of the usually applied multi-layer protection systems depending on location and time is essential, as it allows for efficient and productive operation thus increasing the cost-efficiency of the quality management. The radio transmission of measurements to a PC for statistical analysis and documentation using Microsoft Excel guarantees a fast and convenient operation – without the gauges plugs dirtying in the rough working conditions avoiding related problems. Using the convenient and versatile spreadsheet program, measuring data can be structured and evaluated, printed or send to project partners via internet.

Easy to use, handy, durable, precise are synonyms and quality terms for QNix® coating thickness gauges. The new, thumb-sized wireless radio probe - QNix® SAT extends the scope of coating measurements by being able to measure everywhere, especially where high requirements for human safety is necessitated. It allows for a problem-free one-hand operation and measurement in most extreme conditions.

QNix®8500 is a German-made coating thickness gauge, featuring a modular system with interchangeable probes. Customers will benefit from the bi-directional wireless communication with the PC, the multiple calibration options especially for applications with rough surfaces as is the case with blast cleaning and the configuration language setting. Models are available with and without memory (Basic and Premium versions).

Figure 1: QNix SAT extends the scope of application in Coating Thickness Measurement.

Adding the wireless feature to the QNix® 8500 modular system is a unique solution in the industry. The wireless probes are an invaluable feature for customers that need to climb for quality control (corrosion control on bridges) or for those that may want to integrate this probe to their robotic quality control production line. Manufacturers and suppliers of powder coating equipments, appliance manufacturers, custom spray booths as well as automation for automotive, aviation and marine industry will create immense satisfaction by integrating this miniature (thumb-size device) probe into their systems. Measurements are taken with the probe and transferred to the gauge via wireless technology. There is no need for cables and connectors. The wireless probe is designed to make coating thickness inspection extremely easy.

Where the thumb fits, you can measure. Especially with the restoration and inspection of buildings, bridges, ship body, structural steelworks and airplanes, the need to measure at safety points is increasing. Accordingly, there are high requirements for gauges that measure at such safety points: Gauges must be simple and safe, be durable, reliable and consistent in their long-term use. In extreme conditions, the probes have to be small and be able to guarantee safe accurate measurements. For documentation purpose, one must be able to transfer measured data through the statistics function to the PC for evaluation. In all of the above, the modular concept in the QNix® 8500 creates value for the end user.

Figure 2: taking measurements at difficult-to-access areas.

With the QNix® 8500, product advantages are in reality user advantages:

No calibration, however for customized measurements adjustable.
Broad spectrum of use and application by modular plug system for exchangeable digital probes (Fe, NFe, dual probes) to max. 200 mil measuring range.
Miniaturize radio probe extends application for free hand measurements.
Easy menu operation (guidance).
Display with high resolution.
All languages are presentable.
Background light. Flip display around 180°.
Adjustable to the respective national language.
lighted keypad
Simple and safe data communication.

Available Probes (standard or wireless)
Fe probe 80 mil
Fe probe 200 mil
NFe probe 80 mil
Dual probe 80 mil
Dual probe Fe 200/NFe 80 mil

Software/USB wireless interface
Software is available for transfer to and evaluation of data in Excel as well as gauge configuration. Also available, USB interface Dongle with extension cable for bidirectional data exchange between hand instrument and PC. Extra: Calibration foils, zero-reference plates, also as complete set.

Scope of supply - QNix® 8500 ® Premium/basic:
Body gauge QNix® 8500 (basic or premium versions and optional digital or wireless probe), optional with USB Dongle and Software, 2 Mignon batteries 1.5 V (AA) (Alkaline), Adaptor cable for external probe, Free Test certificate, Soft pouch with belt clip and Plastic case for safe transportation and to storage.

QNix® 8500 coating thickness gauge complies to national and international (DIN, ISO, BS, ASTM) standards and regulations: DIN 50981, 50984; ISO 2178, 2360, 2808; BS 5411 (3, 11), 3900 (C5); ASTM B499, D1400, D1186.

(For Information from TestCoat, Inc. Phone 717-334-3372 or mail us at sales@testcoat-usa.com).

Reference
Ealey, L. (1987, July). QFD Bad Name for a great system. Automotive Industries, CLXVII(7), 21.

TestCoat, Inc.
1685 Baltimore Pike, Suite C
Gettysburg, PA 17325

QNix® 8500 - Modular Coating Thickness Measurement Gaugewith wireless Probe for safe measurement of paint film thickness on steel structures and bridges.

QNix® 8500 - Modular Coating Thickness Measurement Gauge
with wireless Probe for safe measurement of paint film thickness on steel structures and bridges.