Intron Plus INTROMET ITM-525 User manual

NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTING AND TECHNICAL DIAGNOSTICS
I N T R O N P L U S
Tel.: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
[e-mail]
www.intron-plus.com
Elektrodnaya Str., 11, Moscow, 111524, Russia
I N T R O M E T
ITM – 525
PCB copper thickness gauge
O P E R A T I N G M A N U A L

INTROMET ITM-525
Operating Manual 3
PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
Please read this Operating Manual carefully before start operation. The
instrument includes tiny probes which must be handled with care. The
manufacturer keeps no responsibility for any damage occurred due to wrong
operation.
The INTROMET ITM-525 instrument is designed for accurate non-destructive
measurement of the copper thickness in plated through holes and copper foil on
laminate. It consists of electronic unit (Fig.1, 2) and probes (Fig. 3, 4).
Eddy current probes (US pat. 5,600,240) designed for measurement in through holes.
They are used for etched or unethed PCBs, as well as for tin-lead soldered PCBs. The
eddy current probe tips are acid-protected with special coating and can measure wet
PCB.
To measure copper thickness on laminate four-point electrical resistance method CSP
probe can be used.
Eddy current probes are detachable, consisting of a probe holder and replaceable
cartridge of certain size. To measure copper thickness in the hole, the tip of the
cartridge must be inserted into the hole up to stop.
The instrument must be properly calibrated before getting start. Calibration units
and foils are applied for this purpose. Calibration settings are stored in the instrument
memory. User can apply his own standards and store the calibration settings in the
instrument memory.
PCB parameters, measuring mode, print-out settings, etc. can be set with the
instrument keypad.
Measured data can be stored in instrument memory to be processed afterwards.
Readings and statistics taken can be displayed, downloaded to computer for printing
out.
Precautions
The tips of probes may be easily damaged if wrong operated. Please follow
advices mentioned below to extend probe life:
- use the tip protective cap when the probe is not in use
- insert the probe tip into the hole loosely and at right angles to the PCB
- do not apply force trying to insert tip into the hole
- carefully use cartridges because their tiny tips can be damaged mechanically.
- keep probe tips clean and dry
- keep cartridges away from strong magnetic field.

INTROMET ITM-525
Operating Manual4
CONTENTS
APPLICATION ............................................................................................................... 6
1.1. Applicable PCB .......................................................................................................................................... 6
1.2. Measuring Range and Resolution (copper in PTH) .......................................................................... 6
1.3. Measuring Range and Resolution (copper on laminate)................................................................. 6
FEATURES .................................................................................................................... 7
CONTENT OF THE ITM-525 SET.................................................................................. 7
1.4. Content......................................................................................................................................................... 7
POWER SUPPLY........................................................................................................... 8
OPERATION CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS.................................................................. 8
FACTORS, WHICH EFFECT READINGS.................................................................... 12
1.5. Linear dimensions................................................................................................................................... 12
1.6. Electric conductivity............................................................................................................................... 13
1.7. Tin - Lead alloy coating.......................................................................................................................... 13
1.8. Temperature.............................................................................................................................................. 13
START UP.................................................................................................................... 15
MEASURING OPERATION.......................................................................................... 15
1.9. Measure data storage........................................................................................................................... 16
1.10. Control through Main Menu.................................................................................................................. 16
1.11. Measuring in Auto Start Mode.............................................................................................................. 18
1.12. Measuring with Free-running display................................................................................................. 22
PRELIMINARY SETTING............................................................................................. 23
1.13. Global settings......................................................................................................................................... 24
1.13.1. Clock setting...................................................................................................................................... 24
1.13.2. Measure unit system setting........................................................................................................... 25
1.13.3. Turning on/off the sound and visual alarm ................................................................................... 26
1.13.4. Display illumination setting.............................................................................................................. 27
1.13.5. Downloading setting......................................................................................................................... 28
1.13.6. Data storing....................................................................................................................................... 33
1.13.7. Charge type....................................................................................................................................... 35
1.14. File settings............................................................................................................................................... 36
1.14.1. Definite file selection........................................................................................................................ 36
1.14.2. File name setting.............................................................................................................................. 37
1.14.3. Board thickness value setting......................................................................................................... 38
1.14.4. Copper electric conductivity σvalue setting ................................................................................. 39
1.14.4.1. Electric conductivity value setting. The Direct method........................................................... 39
1.14.4.2. Electric conductivity σvalue setting. The Indirect method..................................................... 40
1.14.5. Copper thickness tolerance limit setting ....................................................................................... 41
1.14.6. Return to the default file settings.................................................................................................... 41
1.14.7. File measure data removal............................................................................................................. 43
1.14.8. File flushing....................................................................................................................................... 44
1.14.9. Creation of new file .......................................................................................................................... 45

INTROMET ITM-525
Operating Manual 5
CALIBRATION..............................................................................................................46
1.15. Calibration modes....................................................................................................................................46
1.16. Base calibration ......................................................................................................................................46
1.17. Master calibration....................................................................................................................................47
1.18. Return to Base calibration.....................................................................................................................49
1.19. Calibration with CSP...............................................................................................................................50
MEASURE DATA PROCESSING...............................................................................51
1.20. Block data selection................................................................................................................................51
1.21. Block name setting..................................................................................................................................52
1.22. Block data display ...................................................................................................................................53
1.23. Block data statistics display.................................................................................................................54
1.24. Block data removal..................................................................................................................................55
1.25. Create block ..............................................................................................................................................56
STATISTICAL TERMS.................................................................................................57
1.26. Mean value.................................................................................................................................................57
1.27. MIN, MAX and Range...............................................................................................................................57
1.28. Standard Deviation..................................................................................................................................57
1.29. Coefficient of Variation (COV) ..............................................................................................................57
1.30. Capability statistics coefficients..........................................................................................................58
1.30.1. Coefficient CP...................................................................................................................................58
1.30.2. Coefficient CR...................................................................................................................................58
1.30.3. Coefficient CPK.................................................................................................................................58
HAND-HELD PROBE GUIDE OPERATION..............................................................59
CARTRIDGE REPLACEMENT....................................................................................61
BATTERIES REPLACEMENT......................................................................................61
ERRORS.......................................................................................................................62
MEASURE DATA STORAGE STRUCTURE...............................................................63
TROUBLE SHOOTING................................................................................................64
SPECIFICATIONS ........................................................................................................65
DELIVERY LIST............................................................................................................66

Operating Manual6
APPLICATION
The ITM-525 is applied to measure copper thickness in plated through holes
(PTH) of PCB and copper thickness on laminate.
1.1. Applicable PCB
♦Single or double cladded, multilayer
♦Non-etched, etched
♦Without or with tin or tin-lead coating
PCB Thickness:
♦From 0.5 mm to 6.0 mm
Hole Diameter:
♦From 0.45 mm to 2 mm
1.2. Measuring Range and Resolution (copper in PTH)
Measuring Range:
♦From 5 µm to 60 µm
Resolution:
♦0.1 µm
1.3. Measuring Range and Resolution (copper on laminate)
Measuring Range:
♦From 15 µm to 80 µm
Resolution:
♦0.1 µm

Operating Manual 7
FEATURES
♦In-process measurement is possible
♦Only one-side access to the holes is required
♦No limitations on PCB size
♦No need for electric contact with plating
♦Reveals cracks in PTH coating
♦acid-protected probe tips
♦measures as small hole as 0.45 mm
♦Measures thickness in µm or mils
♦Two calibration modes
♦Automatic zero setting
♦Storing 15 000 measurements
♦Statistical analysis
♦USB interface
♦Measurement on laminate requires no cleaning surface
CONTENT OF THE ITM-525 SET
1.4. Content
The list of probes, parts and accessories available is as follows.
♦INTROMET ITM-525 electronic unit in leather pouch
♦Cartridge holder
♦Cartridge EP-30 for holes 0.8 to 2 mm
♦Cartridge EP-25 for holes 0.6 to 0.8 mm
♦Probe EP-20 for holes 0.45 to 0.6 mm

Operating Manual8
♦Probe shortened EP-30S for holes 0,8 to 2,0 mm)
♦Probe shortened EP-25S for holes 0,6 to 0,8 mm
♦Calibration unit EP25/30
♦Reference standard RS-52-1 for EP-30
♦Reference standard RS-52-2 for EP-25
♦Reference Standard & calibration unit RS-52-3 for EP-20
♦Probe Guide
♦CSP copper surface probe
♦CSP calibration foils
♦USBA-USBB cable
♦Plug-in type AC adapter
♦2 rechargeable AA batteries
♦Carrying Case
♦Operating Manual
POWER SUPPLY
ITM-525 is power supplied with two AA rechargeable batteries.
Continues working time - 10 hours.
"BAT LOW" displayed when batteries are low. The instrument is turned off
automatically. To charge batteries connect AC adapter and choose one of modes from
the instrument menu: Fast Charge / Normal Charge / Slow Charge. Charging time is 2 /
4 / 14 hours correspondingly. It is possible to use normal batteries (non-rechargeable).
In this case choose the No Charge mode to avoid accidental charge.
Following AC adapter is applied to recharge the batteries:
AC input: 110-240 V / 50-60 Hz
DC output: 9V, 500 mA
Outer pole: “-“
OPERATION CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS
ITM-525 has graphic LCD display and membrane keypad (Fig. 1).
Batteries compartment is from the rear (Fig. 2).
USB, probe, and AC connectors are located in the up.
Probe with cartridge installed is presented on Fig. 3, CSP probe – on Fig. 4.

Operating Manual 9
Fig.1. ITM-525. Front view
AC/DC
connector
Probe
connector
USB port
Display
Measuring
mode: close
current block
of measure
data and
open a new
block
ON/OFF
Call
statistics
for current
measure
data block
Delete the last
entered
measurement
from memory
Select menu
items and
parameter values
Forced
measurement
Select menu items
and parameter values
Direct access to Board
Thickness
1. Measure
data print-out.
2. Exit from
Master
Calibration
mode
Entry/Exit to
Main Menu
Confirm data
of item
selected

Operating Manual10
Fig.2. ITM-525. Rear view. Cover of battery compartment is open