A new magnet-inductive precision measuring probe for the coating thickness measurement of coatings on ferromagnetic steels extends the range of application of the modular QNix® 8500 Coating Thickness measuring system.

The development of a new and innovative magnet-inductive QNix® 8500 pen-shaped measuring probe MI Fe 20 mil extends the modular QNix® 8500 coating thickness measuring system, particularly regarding precision measurements of thin coatings to open up new applications in quality management for small parts and measurements near edges.

In addition to our standard probes operating with the Hall sensor principle, the MI Fe 500µm operates with the Magnetic Inductive principle, precisely measuring non-ferromagnetic coatings (chromium, copper, zinc, etc) as well as lacquer, enamel or plastic coatings on steel substrates and within the lowest measuring range. For highest precision, the pen shape probe is available with a coating thickness gauge stand. Using the pen shape probe with the coating thickness gauge stand will improve on repeatability and reproducibility of readings. This coating Thickness probe, in combination with the modular system QNix 8500 Paint Meter, will find its application with corrosion protection and tool making industries.

Figure 1: The MI Pen Shape Fe probe allows comes with a Stand for precision measurements.

Precise measurements of micro-coatings on small parts.
In praxis, small steel parts such as screws or bolts are protected against corrosion by applying a coating. Only the correct coating thickness usually within the lower micrometer range guarantees a good adhesion and a sufficient corrosion protection. Due to optimizing the new QNix® pen-shaped probe MI Fe 500µm, interfering measurement effects at the edges are reduced considerably, allowing measurements closer to edges and therefore accurate measurements on small parts. This guarantees a reliable quality control of corrosion protection on small surfaces or near edges.

Figure 2: Measuring galvanized coating on small parts made easy

Thus, precise coating thickness measurements of thin, non-ferromagnetic metal coatings such as chromium, zinc etc as well as lacquer, enamel or synthetic coatings on steel substrates are now possible. The precision measurements are taken according to DIN EN ISO 2178, ISO 2808 and ASTM B499 standards based on the magnetic inductive measuring method. In addition, the new probes pen shape offers an optimum of control when manually aligning the probe to the measuring object. Furthermore, if particularly high accuracy is required, the measuring probe can be mounted on a measuring stand, for which sample holders are also available.

Flexibility in Quality management.
The well-known user-oriented advantages of the QNix® Coating Thickness (gauges) measuring devices, their reliable quality and easy operation also characterize the new pen-shaped probes, allowing easiest use and particularly convenient measurements of thin-coated small parts by means of customer-specific calibrations. As a module of the QNix® 8500 Coating thickness measurement system the new pen-shaped probe increases application flexibility, opening up a wide range of new applications of coating thickness measurements on brackets, washers, screws, bolts, nuts and frictional connections. Thus, a reliable inspection of the protective coating of steel pins and nuts is now possible during the quality management of large steel structures, as used for instance for rotor mounts of wind energy plants, for bridges or window fastenings. Moreover, the new pen-shaped probe is especially suited for PVD coatings such as TiN, TiCrN, CrN and TiAIN.

Practical device development "Made in Germany"
Quality by Excellence: constantly proven by the particularly user-oriented details of the QNix® product range of Paint gauges: The new interchangeable pen-shaped probe now allows for optional combination of magnet-inductive and Hall-effect measuring methods in one single gauge. The probe alignments are exceptionally easy, due to the special pen shape. The digital measurement electronics are linked to the measuring probe keeping a zero balance even after changing probes. Individual naming of calibration programs and memory also show that this innovation from AUTOMATION Dr. Nix is the result of practical realistic development work. The modular QNix® 8500 (paint meter) measurement system can be combined with various measuring probes and is supplemented by a user-oriented PC software offering a variety of options for practical device configurations and data analysis. A wireless data connection of the software to the PC allows statistical analysis.

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

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