Cygnus M5-C4P User manual

Cygnus 4+
Multi-Mode Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge
Operating Manual
Covers Gauge Model : M5-C4P
Doc No. M5-CYG4P-M-01_Iss5.doc
17 December 2015

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QUALITY POLICY STATEMENT
Cygnus Instruments’ mission is to be a premier supplier of niche test and
measurement instruments. To achieve this we will:
Customers
•Be dedicated to customer satisfaction by listening to direct and
indirect feedback regarding our performance and product
requirements in general.
•Design state-of-the-art products that are robust, reliable, simple-to-
use and compliant with applicable industry and regulatory
requirements.
•Provide products and services that meet or exceed customer
expectations in terms of performance, reliability and safety.
Internal Systems
•Operate effective and safe working practices that comply with ISO
9001:2008 and EN ISO/IEC 80079-34 and other applicable regulatory
and statutory requirements.
•Provide adequate resources to ensure product and service quality is
maintained.
•Set, communicate and measure performance objectives and targets
to promote continual improvement.
•Ensure employees are competent and involved in improvement and
customer satisfaction matters.
Suppliers
•Use suppliers and subcontractors who share our passion for customer
satisfaction and who consistently perform reliably.

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Contents
1. Important Notice ..............................................................8
2. Introduction......................................................................9
Cygnus 4+Thickness Gauge ....................................................9
Cygnus Instruments.............................................................10
Gauge Kit Contents...............................................................11
Basic Gauge Kit...................................................................11
Kit supplied with Single Element Probe....................................11
Kit supplied with Twin Element Probe......................................11
3. Gauge Preparation..........................................................12
Fitting the Batteries .............................................................12
Connecting the Probe...........................................................13
Fitting the Neck Strap ..........................................................14
4. Selecting the Right Probe................................................15
Measuring Metals.................................................................15
Measurement Modes Explained and Compared .........................16
Multiple Echo Mode (ME) (Mode 3).......................................16
Single Echo Mode (SE) (Mode 2) .........................................16
Echo-Echo Mode (EE) (Mode 3)...........................................17
Measuring Non-Steels ..........................................................17
Measuring Non-Metals..........................................................18
Single Element Probes and Protective Membranes.....................18
Measuring Higher Temperatures..........................................19
Summary of Cygnus Probes ..................................................21
Twin Element probes.........................................................21
Single Element probes.......................................................21
The ‘Probe Type’ Code .......................................................22
5. Gauge Operation.............................................................23
Gauge Controls ...................................................................23
Turning the Gauge On..........................................................24
Turning the Gauge Off..........................................................24
Automatic Power Off..........................................................24
Measurement Screen Views...................................................25
Status Information...............................................................26
Taking Thickness Measurements ............................................27
Zeroing the Probe (twin element probes)..............................27
Taking the Thickness Measurement......................................27
Echo Indicators in Multiple Echo Mode..................................28

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Measurement Stability Indication in SE & EE Modes................29
Measuring Small Diameter Pipe & Tubes..................................30
Display Hold Function...........................................................30
Battery Life.........................................................................31
Battery Level....................................................................31
Low Battery Indication..........................................................32
6. Using the A-Scan Display ................................................33
Single Echo Mode ................................................................33
Measuring Over Corrosion Pits ............................................34
Echo-Echo Mode..................................................................35
Multiple Echo Mode..............................................................36
7. Calibration ......................................................................38
Why should I Calibrate my Thickness Gauge?...........................38
Calibration Options ..............................................................39
Calibrating to a known thickness (Single or 1 Point)..................39
Two Point Calibration ...........................................................41
Ladder Step Wedge...........................................................41
Two Point Calibration Procedure ..........................................42
Probe Zero (twin element probes)..........................................44
Starting a Probe Zero from the Main Menu............................45
Probe Zero Function ..........................................................45
Setting the Velocity of Sound ................................................46
8. Gauge Setup ...................................................................48
Menu Operation...................................................................48
Settings are Saved with the Probe Type ..................................49
Inputting Numeric Values using the Navigation Keys.................50
Inputting Text using the Navigation Keys ................................50
Selecting the Probe Type ......................................................52
Automatic Probe Detection .................................................53
Measurement Units..............................................................54
Resolution Setting ...............................................................54
Limit Functions....................................................................55
Deep Coat Function (multiple echo mode) ...............................58
9. Data Logging...................................................................61
Data Logging Features..........................................................61
Record Types......................................................................62
Reference and Minimum Thicknesses......................................62
Minimum Thickness Limit Alert............................................62
Radial Points.......................................................................62

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Measurement Comments ......................................................63
Loading Measurement Comments from a File ........................64
Grid Records.......................................................................64
Template Records................................................................66
Data Logging Menu..............................................................66
Creating a new Record .........................................................66
Your Choices will be Saved for Next Time .............................68
Using a Template to Create a new Record................................69
User Field Input................................................................69
Reviewing and Editing User Field Choices..............................69
Logging Thickness Measurements...........................................70
Auto-Log Feature..............................................................71
Logging Obstructions and No-Readings.................................72
Changing Measurement Units while Data Logging...................73
Re-taking the Last Measurement............................................73
Stepping Backwards in the Record..........................................74
Adding Radial Points ............................................................75
Adding Measurement Comments............................................77
Closing and Opening a Record ...............................................78
Closing the Record............................................................79
Opening a Record .............................................................79
Protecting a Record..............................................................80
Opening Protected Records.................................................82
Deleting Records .................................................................82
Deleting Individual Records ................................................83
Deleting All Records ..........................................................84
Record Status...................................................................84
10. Data Logging Templates ..............................................86
Templates ..........................................................................86
Integrating with Microsoft Excel ..........................................87
Measurement Points.............................................................87
User Fields .........................................................................88
User Field ‘List’ Type .........................................................88
11. Manual Gain Adjustment..............................................89
Manual Gain Mode ...............................................................89
Turning on Manual Gain.....................................................89
Manual Gain Menu ............................................................90
Adjusting the Gain ............................................................91
Adjusting the Range..........................................................92
Measuring Below the Probes Minimum Thickness Specification .93

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12. Setup Menu..................................................................94
A-Scan Range .....................................................................94
Automatic........................................................................94
Manual............................................................................94
Vibrate Feature ...................................................................94
Brightness Setting ...............................................................94
Power Off Setting ................................................................95
Auto-Log............................................................................95
Comments..........................................................................95
Set Time and Set Date .........................................................96
Set Time and Set Date .........................................................96
13. General Points On Thickness Gauging..........................97
14. Troubleshooting...........................................................98
The Gauge will not Switch On................................................98
Difficulty obtaining a Reading ................................................98
If Readings are Erratic or Unstable .........................................98
Tips for Optimising Battery Life..............................................98
15. Updating your Gauge .................................................100
Update Software................................................................ 100
Gauge Firmware Files......................................................... 100
16. Care and Servicing.....................................................101
Cleaning the Gauge............................................................ 101
Batteries ..........................................................................101
Environmental...................................................................101
Repairs ............................................................................101
Returning the Gauge for Servicing........................................ 102
17. CygLink Computer Software ......................................103
Installing CygLink.............................................................. 104
Requirements.................................................................104
Upgrading......................................................................104
Installing.......................................................................104
Connecting to the Gauge .................................................... 105
First time USB Connection................................................ 105
Connecting the Gauge to CygLink for the First Time ............. 106
Connecting to the Gauge Afterwards..................................107
Disconnecting from the Gauge .......................................... 107
Manual Connection Settings.............................................. 107
Status Bar........................................................................ 107
Surveys ...........................................................................108

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Creating a new Survey..................................................... 108
Opening an Existing Survey..............................................109
Editing the Survey Info.................................................... 109
Managing the Survey ......................................................... 109
Sorting Survey Records ................................................... 109
Viewing Record Information.............................................. 110
Ref and Min Thickness ..................................................... 111
Protection State.............................................................. 112
Measurement Summary Stats........................................... 112
Data Logger Records.......................................................... 112
Transferring Records from the Gauge................................. 112
Viewing Thickness Measurements in a Record...................... 114
Managing Measurements.................................................. 114
Viewing Measurement Information..................................... 115
Adding Comments to Measurements .................................. 116
Viewing an A-Scan Graph................................................. 117
Deleting all Records from the Gauge ..................................118
Measurement Comment List................................................ 119
Material Velocity List.......................................................... 120
Creating a PDF Survey Report .............................................121
Exporting a Survey to a CSV File.......................................... 122
Templates ........................................................................123
Creating New Templates ..................................................123
Editing Templates ........................................................... 124
Sending Templates to the Gauge.......................................127
Deleting Templates from the Gauge...................................128
Other Features..................................................................128
Setting the Time and Date on the Gauge ............................128
COM Port Numbers ............................................................ 128
Finding your COM Port Number .........................................128
18. Information ...............................................................130
Technical Specifications...................................................... 130
Table of Sound Velocities.................................................... 134
Reading Conversions ....................................................... 135
19. EU Declaration of Conformity.....................................136
20. Recycling and Disposal (EC Countries).......................137
21. Warranty Information................................................138
22. Index.........................................................................139

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1. Important Notice
The following important information must be read and
understood by all users of Cygnus ultrasonic thickness
gauges.
The correct use of Cygnus ultrasonic thickness gauges requires
identification of the correct equipment for the specific application
coupled with an appropriately trained and qualified operator or
technician. The incorrect use of this equipment, along with its
incorrect calibration, can result in serious financial loss due to
damage to components, facilities, personal injury and even death.
Neither Cygnus Instruments nor any of its employees or
representatives can be held responsible for improper use of this
equipment. Proper training, a complete understanding of ultrasonic
wave propagation, thorough reading of this manual, proper
transducer selection, correct zeroing of the transducer, correct
sound velocity, correct use of the appropriate test blocks, proper
cable length and proper couplant selection all play a factor in
successful ultrasonic thickness gauging. Of critical importance is
the process of complete and accurate calibration of the
instrument.
This manual will provide instructions in the set up and operation of
the thickness gauge. Additional factors that can affect the use of
ultrasonic equipment are beyond the scope of this manual and to
that end it is understood that the operator of this equipment is a
well-trained inspector qualified by either their own organisation or
another outside agency to the appropriate level of both theory and
practical application of ultrasonics .
Therefore Cygnus Instruments recommends that users of its
ultrasonic thickness gauges should be formally qualified to a
minimum of UT “Level 1” (ASNT or PCN) which will provide
approximately 40 hours of training.

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2. Introduction
Cygnus 4+Thickness Gauge
The Cygnus 4+Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge is a rugged,
handheld, battery-powered instrument designed for high-reliability
thickness measurements in harsh environments using ultrasound.
It features a colour LCD display which can be easily read in most
light situations including sunlight.
The gauge can be used with a choice of Ultrasonic Probes, selected
to suit the material and thickness range to be measured.
The gauge can measure material thickness using three methods;
Single Echo, Echo-Echo or Multiple Echo. Echo-Echo and Multiple
Echo allow measurements through surface coatings which are
ignored. An A-Scan display provides the user with information that
can be used to visually verify the thickness measurement which
can displayed in Metric (mm) or Imperial (inch) units.
A Data Logging function can save thickness measurements and A-
Scans in to a record file which can then be transferred to a
computer for analysis and report generation.
The gauge can easily be calibrated to a known thickness or to a
known Velocity of Sound.
The gauge is able to operate accurately over a wide range of
ambient temperatures and is environmentally sealed to IP67 for
use in wet conditions.
The gauge is a solid-state electronic instrument which, under
normal operating conditions, will give many years of active
service.
Although designed for ease of operation the first time user
should carefully read this manual to familiarise themselves
with the features of the Gauge.

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Cygnus Instruments
Cygnus Instruments Limited, founded in 1983, were pioneers in
the development of the Digital Ultrasonic Multiple-Echo Technique
used for measurement through coatings. This has long been the
standard required to ensure that accurate measurements are
taken without the need to first zero the gauge or remove any
coatings.
Our philosophy is to work closely with each of our customers to
provide a range of products specifically for each application.
Cygnus Ultrasonic Thickness Gauges are designed to be simple to
use and to withstand the harsh environments that they are
intended for. We have built up an enviable reputation with our
customers in over 45 countries around the world.
Cygnus House, 30 Prince of Wales Road,
Dorchester, Dorset DT1 1PW England.
Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone]
www.cygnus-instruments.com [e-mail]
CYGNUS Instruments Inc. CYGNUS Singapore (S) Pte. Ltd.
1993 Moreland Parkway, Suite 202.
Annapolis, Maryland 21401, USA.
63 Jalan Pemimpin #05-01,
Pemimpin Industrial Building.
577219 Singapore.
Tel: [phone] Tel : [phone]
Fax: [phone] Fax : [phone]
www.cygnusinstruments.com www.cygnus-instruments.sg
[e-mail] [e-mail]