ACS A1212 MASTER User manual

Ultrasonic flaw detector А1212 MASTER
Operation Manual
1
ACOUSTIC
CONTROL
SYSTEMS
ULTRASONIC
FLAW DETECTOR
Acoustic Control Systems – ACS Group
Saarbrücken, Germany 2019
А1212
MASTER
OPERATION MANUAL

Ultrasonic flaw detector А1212 MASTER
Operation Manual
2
ACOUSTIC
CONTROL
SYSTEMS

Ultrasonic flaw detector А1212 MASTER
Operation Manual
3
ACOUSTIC
CONTROL
SYSTEMS
CONTENTS
1 DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION............................................................................................................................6
1.1 INTENDED USE..................................................................................................................................................................6
1.1.1 Intended use and area of application .................................................................................................................................6
1.1.2 Operating conditions......................................................................................................................................................................6
1.2 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS ..................................................................................................................................6
1.2.1 Main parameters.................................................................................................................................................................................6
1.3 DESIGN AND OPERATION .........................................................................................................................................8
1.3.1 Design .........................................................................................................................................................................................................8
1.3.2 Transducers............................................................................................................................................................................................9
1.3.3 Interface....................................................................................................................................................................................................9
1.3.4 Operation modes..............................................................................................................................................................................9
1.3.5 Display of information on the screen ................................................................................................................................10
1.3.6 Keyboard ..................................................................................................................................................................................................11
1.3.7 Working with icons ..........................................................................................................................................................................13
2 INTENDED USE..............................................................................................................................................................14
2.1 OPERATING LIMITATIONS..........................................................................................................................................14
2.2 PREPARING THE DEVICE FOR USE .....................................................................................................................14
2.2.1 Turning the instrument On/Off..............................................................................................................................................14

Ultrasonic flaw detector А1212 MASTER
Operation Manual
4
ACOUSTIC
CONTROL
SYSTEMS
2.2.2 Selecting the transducer............................................................................................................................................................14
2.3 OPERATING MODES.....................................................................................................................................................16
2.3.1 SETTING mode ....................................................................................................................................................................................16
2.3.2 FLAW DETECTOR mode.............................................................................................................................................................46
2.3.3 The STOP mode.................................................................................................................................................................................51
2.4 Surface preparation for measurements...........................................................................................................56
3 TECHNICAL MAINTENANCE....................................................................................................................................57
3.1 ELECTRIC POWER SUPPLY AND POWER CONSUMPTION.....................................................................57
3.1.1 Checking the power source .......................................................................................................................................................57
3.1.2 Checking of the power adapter.............................................................................................................................................57
3.2 REGULAR MAINTENANCE.........................................................................................................................................57
3.3 MALFUNCTIONS .............................................................................................................................................................57
4 STORAGE .........................................................................................................................................................................58
5 TRANSPORTATION ......................................................................................................................................................59
APPENDIX A.......................................................................................................................................................................60

Ultrasonic flaw detector А1212 MASTER
Operation Manual
5
ACOUSTIC
CONTROL
SYSTEMS
2.2.2 Selecting the transducer............................................................................................................................................................14
2.3 OPERATING MODES.....................................................................................................................................................16
2.3.1 SETTING mode ....................................................................................................................................................................................16
2.3.2 FLAW DETECTOR mode.............................................................................................................................................................46
2.3.3 The STOP mode.................................................................................................................................................................................51
2.4 Surface preparation for measurements...........................................................................................................56
3 TECHNICAL MAINTENANCE....................................................................................................................................57
3.1 ELECTRIC POWER SUPPLY AND POWER CONSUMPTION.....................................................................57
3.1.1 Checking the power source .......................................................................................................................................................57
3.1.2 Checking of the power adapter.............................................................................................................................................57
3.2 REGULAR MAINTENANCE.........................................................................................................................................57
3.3 MALFUNCTIONS .............................................................................................................................................................57
4 STORAGE .........................................................................................................................................................................58
5 TRANSPORTATION ......................................................................................................................................................59
APPENDIX A.......................................................................................................................................................................60
The current operation manual (hereinafter referred to as “Operation Manual”) includes in-
formation on the technical specifications, design and operation of the А1212 MASTER Ultrasonic
Flaw Detectors (hereinafter referred to as “flaw detector” or “instrument”) and their operation
principle, as well as information on the proper use of the instrument.
Please carefully read the operation manual prior to starting to work with the device.
Only properly trained personnel who carefully read the operation manual, and knows the
general principles of the theory of ultrasonic vibrations should be allowed to work with the device.
For proper ultrasonic testing the following preparatory works shall be performed: the control
tasks shall be defined, the testing schemes and the transducer shall be selected, and the inspec-
tion conditions of the given materials shall be evaluated and etc.
During the production of the instrument some modifications can be introduced to it due
to the constant improvement of its reliability and serviceability. They do not affect the technical
specifications of the instrument. Some of the modifications may not be described in current
revision of the Operation Manual.
Manufacturer:
ACS-Solutions GmbH
Science Park 2
66123 Saarbrucken, Germany
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Е-mail: inf[email protected]
Website: www.acs-international.com

Ultrasonic flaw detector А1212 MASTER
Operation Manual
6
ACOUSTIC
CONTROL
SYSTEMS
1.1.1 Intended use and area of application
The instrument is a portable general-purpose ultrasonic device.
The instrument is designed for searching, evaluation and localization of various discontinuities, defects and irregularities
in different objects made of metal and plastic.
The flaw detector allows generation, registration and recording of time realizations of pulse ultrasonic signals in its memory.
A color TFT display indicates the ultrasonic signals in form of A-Scans. The instrument provides both manual and automatic
measurement of time intervals, signal amplitudes as well as automatic determination of locations of the flaws.
1.1.2 Operating conditions
The instrument is designed to operate under the following conditions:
- temperature from - 30 to +55 ˚С;
- relative air humidity up to 95 % at + 35 ˚С upper temperature limit.
DESCRIPTION
AND OPERATION
1.1 INTENDED USE
1
Name of the parameter Value
Ultrasonic reconstruction range from 500 to 14,999 m/s
Operating frequencies of transducers from 0.5 to 15.0 MHz
Tuning range of amplification (gain) of the receiving transducer (gain regulation range) from 0 to 100 dB
Gain deviation ±1.0 dB
Measurement range of the time intervals at frequency 2.5 MHz from 0 to 1 900 µs
Limits of permissible absolute measurement errors of the time intervals, where Тmeas. – mea-
sured value of time interval ±(0.1+0.0001·Тmeas.)
Table 1
1.2 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
1.2.1 Main parameters of the device
The main technical specifications of the instrument are presented in the Table 1.
▼

Ultrasonic flaw detector А1212 MASTER
Operation Manual
7
ACOUSTIC
CONTROL
SYSTEMS
1
Table 1
Parameter Value
Measurement range of the depth of the flaw location (steel) with straight beam transducers:
transducer S3568 2.5A0D10CL
transducer D1771 4.0A0D12CL
from 7 to 6,000 mm
from 2 to 3,000 mm
Limits of permissible absolute measurement error of the depth of the flaw location (steel) with
the straight beam transducers, where H is the measured depth of the flaw location in mm ±(0.02·H+1.00)
Measurement ranges of the flaw locations (steel) with angle beam transducers:
transducer S5182 2.5А65D12CS
transducer S5096 5.0А70D6CS
from 2 to 1,300 mm
from 2 to 500 mm
Limits of permissible absolute measurement errors of the flaw locations (steel) with angle
beam transducers:
Depth, where H is the measured depth of the flaw location in mm
Length over the surface, where L is the measured length over the surface to the flaw in mm
±(0.03·H+1.00)
±(0.03·L+1.00)
Power supply specifications
Power supply source battery
Rated supply voltage of the battery unit 11.1V
Period of continuous operation of the instrument powered from the battery under normal cli-
matic conditions, min. 9.0 hours
Overall dimensions of the electronic unit 260×157×43 mm
Maximum weight of the electronic unit 0.8
Mean time between failures 18 000 hours
Average service life, min. 5 years
Operating conditions:
– air temperature
– relative air humidity at 35°С, max.
from – 30 to 55 ºC
95%
▼

Ultrasonic flaw detector А1212 MASTER
Operation Manual
8
ACOUSTIC
CONTROL
SYSTEMS
1.3.1 Design
The flaw detector includes an electronic unit to which the removable piezoelectric transducers (PTs) are connected via cables.
1.3 DESIGN AND OPERATION
Figure 1
11.3.1.1 Electronic unit
The electronic unit provides the generation of electrical impulses for excitation of the piezoelectric transducer,
amplification of the signals received from the PT. The electronic unit generates and processes measurement results
and provides their display in digitalized form, records data into nonvolatile instrument’s memory and allows their
transfer to the external PC.
The external design of the electronic unit is presented in the Figure 1.
The instrument is controlled by means of a membrane keyboard. The display and LEDs on the housing of the
device indicate the signals, measurement results and state of the instrument.
The PT is connected via coaxial cables (included in the delivery kit) by means of the LEMO connectors.
The instrument is powered from the battery unit or a power adaptor included in the delivery kit.
1.3.1.2 Power adapter
The power adapter provides external power supply of the instrument and charging of the battery unit from AC
mains (15 V).
The charge time depends on the depletion of the accumulator unit; it can last up to 3 hours. The instrument can
be operated during charging of the battery.
Always connect the cable of the power adapter to the electronic unit first, then connect the network cable to the
power adapter, and then connect the network cable to the AC mains to prevent damage of the instrument.
1.3.2 Transducers
The flaw detector is designed to operate with single crystal and double-crystal PTs with operating frequencies
from 0.5 to 15.0 MHz.

Ultrasonic flaw detector А1212 MASTER
Operation Manual
9
ACOUSTIC
CONTROL
SYSTEMS
Figure 3
Figure 2
1
Two cable types are used with the instrument depending on the type of the transducer. Hence, two connection ways of
the PT exist:
Single crystal transducers (S type) shall be connected via LEMO-LEMO single cable to the unmarked connector (Figure 2).
Double-crystal transducers (D type) shall be connected via LEMO-LEMO double cable. The connector marked with a red
dot is used for connection of the transmitting piezoelectric element, and the unmarked connector for the receiving piezoelectric
element (Figure 3).
1.3.3 Interface
The instrument has an intuitive interface. The content-addressable icon menu in different modes, names and schematic
indications of the keys allow quick understanding of instrument operation.
The display continuously indicates all information required for on-line inspection.
The library of configurations facilitates work with the instrument. The user can assign a unique name to each configuration.
Consequently, the user can adjust the instrument to be operated under different conditions and for inspection of various objects
in a good time. Then the only recourse the user has is to select the configuration from the list.
All settings of the device shall be saved if the instrument is switched off, stored without the battery unit or if the battery
unit goes dead.
1.3.4 Operation modes
The main operation modes of the instrument are as follows: FLAW DETECTOR, provided additionally are STOP and SETTINGS modes.
In the operating mode the instrument generates the sounding impulses, amplifies the received echo signals and displays
them, as well as performs measurements.
In the STOP mode the user can stop (freeze) the signal realizations (snapshots) displayed on the screen, record them into
the memory, as well as view and delete saved snapshots.
Red
Red

Ultrasonic flaw detector А1212 MASTER
Operation Manual
10
ACOUSTIC
CONTROL
SYSTEMS
1
Figure 4
Name of the of the configuration
Current date and time
Indicator of the accumulator
charge level
Menu of icons
Panel of measurement results
Measuring cursor
Marker
Display area of signal
First strobe
In the SETTING mode the user can select and configure the parameters of the instrument settings. Always start working
with a new testing object in this mode.
1.3.5 Display of information on the screen
A color TFT display (640х480) indicates the measurement results and service information required to control the instrument.
The workspace of the screen is divided into several functional areas in each mode. In the Figure 4 the display in the FLAW
DETECTOR operating mode is shown.

Ultrasonic flaw detector А1212 MASTER
Operation Manual
11
ACOUSTIC
CONTROL
SYSTEMS
1
1.3.6 Keyboard
The keyboard is presented in the Figure 5.
Figure 4
Icon selection keys
Selection key
State indicator
of the instrument
SETTING mode
access key
ENTER key
Control keypad
Indicators of AFAS
actuation
STOP key
CANCEL key
Instrument On/Off key
Figure 5
The green LED informs the user that the flaw detector is
switched On.
The below-located LED indicates the battery charging. The
yellow light indicates that charging process is going on; the green light indi-
cates that charging is completed.
Two red indicators show actuation of the automatic defect signalization
function (AFAS) for the first and the second strobe
correspondingly.
The keys bear characters describing their main functions. English symbol
names of the keys are used for unification of the design and operating docu-
mentation on the instrument provided that it could be used in various countries.
The user controls the main functions and parameters by means of the
icon selection keys, the functional keys (F), located just below the screen. The
corresponding information icon is provided above each key.
The user selects active parameters and adjusts them by means of the
keys of the control keypad. Their operating process is similar for different
operating modes of the instrument in order to provide intuitive learning of
the user. In other words, symbols on these keys describe the principle of the
action carried out.
Some keys allow working in the auto repeat mode with acceleration pro-
vided that the key is being pressed and hold for longer than 1 second.
A brief description of the keys in the main modes is presented in the Table 2

Ultrasonic flaw detector А1212 MASTER
Operation Manual
12
ACOUSTIC
CONTROL
SYSTEMS
1Key Key functions in the modes
FLAW DETECTOR SETTINGS
Turning On/Off the instrument.
Press and hold the key for at least 0.5 s
Enter the SETTING mode Exit the SETTING mode
Inactive
Cursor movement Edit value of the active parameter
Cancel the operation
Change the length of the sweep
(horizontal arrows) Select the parameter for configuring
(vertical arrows)
Change the amplifier (gain) value
(vertical arrows)
Enter the STOP mode Delete the configuration
Switch On/Off the reference level
Start configuration of the parameters marked
with the ▶ sign.
Start memory cleaning procedure in the process
of editing of the system parameters
Icon selection and control keys
Table 2

Ultrasonic flaw detector А1212 MASTER
Operation Manual
13
ACOUSTIC
CONTROL
SYSTEMS
1
1.3.7 Working with icons
Content-addressable icon menu is a characteristic property of the interface. The icons are located in six rectangular
windows at the bottom of the screen. The icons represent symbols associated with a tested object or property. Each mode has
its own icon set.
The icons can be either in passive or active state. Active state allows configuration of those instrument settings/parame-
ters which correspond to the active icon.
Note: Further as the text goes a conventional numbering of the icon windows and corresponding functional keys is used
from le to right – from 1 to 6 (Figure 6).
Figure 6
F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 F6

Ultrasonic flaw detector А1212 MASTER
Operation Manual
14
ACOUSTIC
CONTROL
SYSTEMS
2The instrument is designed to be operated under conditions specified in the section 1.1.2.
The protection glass against cracks during manufacturing and transportation is protected with a polyethylene film.
Remove the polyethylene film prior to work with the instrument so that to see brighter images rich in contrast.
2.2.1 Turning the device on/off
2.2.1.1 Turning on
To turn ON the instrument, press the key. At that the state
indicator of the instrument will light green. In a few seconds the
screen will display a start-up window with the name, firmware ver-
sion and a corporate logo of the ACS (Figure 7). In the next in 5 to
10 seconds the instrument will automatically enter the mode being
active before it was switched off, al the corresponding settings are
saved.
2.2.1.2 Turning off
To turn OFF the instrument, press the key.
ATTENTION: THE INSTRUMENT WILL AUTOMATICALLY SWITCH OFF
AFTER TIME PERIOD SET IN THE SYSTEM SETTINGS EXPIRES, IF NO
KEY IS PRESSED AND NO MEASUREMENT IS PERFORMED!
2.2.2 Selecting the transducer
The testing is performed using the flaw detector as followings:
2.2 PREPARING THE DEVICE FOR USE
2.1 OPERATING LIMITATIONS
INTENDED
USE
Figure 7

Ultrasonic flaw detector А1212 MASTER
Operation Manual
15
ACOUSTIC
CONTROL
SYSTEMS
2
echo, echo-mirror, mirror-through-transmission (echo-shadow) and through-transmission. Different transducers are used in
the instrument to realize these inspection methods: straight beam, angle beam, single crystal and double-crystal PTs with
operating frequencies from 0.5 to 15.0 MHz.used;
Straight beam single crystal PTs are used for non-destructive inspection and thickness
measurement of the objects of big thickness.
The maximum testing depth depends on the operational frequency of the transducer, diameter of
its working surface and attenuation of ultrasonic waves in the material of the tested object. The dead
area at that is defined by damping the quality of the ultrasonic transducer.
Straight beam single crystal PTs provide high wear resistance due to ceramic protector.
These transducers are well suited for thickness measurement of the objects made of polymer mate-
rials due to their electroacoustic properties.
Straight beam double-crystal PTs are used for inspection of objects of moderate thickness with
greatest possible sensitivity. Typically, these transducers are used to inspect thicknesses from 0.8
to 50.0 mm.
Angle beam PTs are used for non-destructive testing of the objects and their segments at the
spots with no access to the surface above the inspection area.
Angle beam transducers with an angle of incident from 400 to 900 and operational frequency
from 1 to 5 MHz can be as well used depending on the geometrical dimensions of the object, the most
probable position and direction of the flaw, acoustic properties of the material and testing procedure.
Table 3 contains general recommendations for choosing values of frequency, angle of incident
and other parameters of the angle beam transducers used for testing of the carbon steel welding
seams of various thicknesses.

Ultrasonic flaw detector А1212 MASTER
Operation Manual
16
ACOUSTIC
CONTROL
SYSTEMS
2.3 OPERATING MODES
2Thickness of
the seam, mm
Frequency,
MHz
Maximum size of the
piezoelectric-crystal
plate, mm
Minimum
X-value,
mm
Angle of incident, 0
during inspection
direct beam reflected beam
4 – 8 5 6 5 70 70
8 – 12 2.5; 5 8 – 12 8 65; 70 65; 70
12 – 20 2.5 8 – 12 12 65 65
20 – 40 2.5 12 12 65 50
40 – 70 1.8 18 22 50 40
70 – 120 1.8 18 22 50
Table 3
Detailed guidelines of selection of the ultrasonic transducers are described in specific methods, documents and other guidance
materials on the ultrasonic non-destructive testing of the objects, see Appendix A.
2.3.1 SETTING mode
The SETTING mode is used for correction and adjustment of the parameters. The main screen of the SETTING mode is
presented in the Figure 8. An active icon is always presented in the icons menu.
A list of configurations is contained in the le column list; names of the parameters and their values are contained on the right.
Press the key for editing of the parameter values.
Functions of the icons in the SETTINGS mode are presented in the Table 4

Ultrasonic flaw detector А1212 MASTER
Operation Manual
17
ACOUSTIC
CONTROL
SYSTEMS
2
Figure 8
Key Icon Description
F1 Adjustment of PT’s parameters
F2 Adjustment of signal parameters
F3 Adjustment of parameters of the tested object
F4 Adjustment of the amplitude correction parameters
F5 Adjustment of imaging parameters
F6 Adjustment of the system settings
Key Description
Line-by-line scrolling to select the parameter to be edited
Change the parameter value
Exit the editing mode of parameters
Exit the SETTING mode
Activate/deactivate some parameters. Start adjustment of the
parameters marked with the “▶” sign
Table 4
Table 5
The functions of the keys applicable for parameter editing are presented in the Table 5.

Ultrasonic flaw detector А1212 MASTER
Operation Manual
18
ACOUSTIC
CONTROL
SYSTEMS
2.3.1.1 Parameters of PT
In the figure 8 the screen of the instrument when setting the parameters of PT is shown.
Names of the parameters of PT and their permissible values are presented in the Table 6.
Parameter name Value Description
Type of PT single-crystal /
double-crystal
Selecting the type of PT being used:
single-crystal;
double-crystal
Operating frequency, MHz 0.5 / 0.8 / 1.0 / 1.25 / 1.5 / 1.8 /
2.0 /2.25 /2.5 /3.5 / 4.0 / 5.0 /
6.0 / 7.5 / 10.0 / 15.0
Frequency of the PT shall be selected depending on the proper-
ties of the material
Angle of incident, ˚
from 0.0 to 90.0 with step 0.5
Setting an angle of incident of the PT.
If zero value is set, then the THICKNESS (section 0) parameter
value of the tested object will be automatically set into OFF state.
Press the key to start calibration with the V2/25 sample
Delay, µs from 0.00 to 100.00 with
step 0.01 Setting the delay value in the PT’s prism
X-value, mm from 0.0 to 50.0 with step 0.1 Setting an X-value of the PT
2Table 6
Automatic calibration of the angle beam PT
A refractive prism is being deteriorated while the angle beam transducer is in operation. Consequently, the angle of incident
and signal delay in the PT’s prism change. An automatic calibration procedure with the V2/25 sample is provided for on-line
correction of the angle of incident.

Ultrasonic flaw detector А1212 MASTER
Operation Manual
19
ACOUSTIC
CONTROL
SYSTEMS
2
The calibration consists of two stages: determination of the delay in the PT’s prism and
calculation of the angle of incident of the PT.
Note: do not severely offset the PT relative to the guidelines of the corresponding angle to
prevent false measurement results.
Prior to entering the calibration mode always set the certified value of the angle of incident
of the transducer.
Do the following to calibrate with the V2/25 sample:
- select the “Angle of incident” parameter line and press the key;
- to determine the delay in the transducer’s prism, scan the radial part (R50) of the V2/25
sample on the side of the longer edge (Figure 9); receive the time envelope of the signals
(Figure 10) and press the key;
- scan the hole in the sample (Figure 11), get the time envelope of the signals (Figure 12)
and press the key ;
Figure 9
Figure 10
Figure 11
Angle of the PT being calibrated
is less than or equal to 62˚
Angle of the PT being calibrated
is more than 62˚

Ultrasonic flaw detector А1212 MASTER
Operation Manual
20
ACOUSTIC
CONTROL
SYSTEMS
Figure 12 Figure 13
2
Note: If an angle of the PT being calibrated is less than or equal to 620., the scanning of the hole shall be performed by
the large contact surface of the V2/25 sample. If the angles exceed 620, the scanning shall be performed by the small contact
surface of the V2/25 sample. At that by means of the amplifier make the envelope to exceed the strobe though do not go off
the top edge of the screen.
- to accept the calibration results press or to cancel them press (Figure 13).