MarMonix MCT-822 User manual

Coating thickness Tester
Products Code: MCT-822
User Manual
WWW.MARMONIX.CO

Contents
1. General information
1-1 Application
1-2 Description of the gauge
1-3 Supply schedule
1-4 Probe
1-5 Specifications
1-6 Front View
2. Preparing
2-1 Power supply
2-2 Replacing the battery
2-3 Menu System and Basic Settings
3. Measuring, Storage and Data processing in
DIRECT and GROUP mode
4. Calibration and measurement
4-1 General Hints for Calibration
4-2 Special hints for Calibration
4-3 General Remarks on Measurement
5. Limit Function
6. Measurement Using Statistics

1. General information
The coating thickness gauges work either on the
magnetic induction principle or on the eddy current
principle, depending on the type of used. You can select
the type of probe via MENU system, or it will be work
automatically.
The gauges conform to the following industrial
standards:
GB/T 4956-1985
GB/T 4957/1985
JB/T 8393-1996
JJG 889-95
JJG 818-93
Features
 Measured Coating: Non-magnetic coatings(e.g. paint,
zinc) on steel;
Insulating coating(e.g. paint, anodizing coating)on no-
ferrous metals
 Operating with MENU easily
 Two measuring mode: CONTINUE and SINGLE mode
 Two working mode: DIRECT and GROUP mode(4 groups)
 Statistic Display: AVG, MAX, MIN, NO., S.DEV
 One point calibrating and two points calibrating
independently for each working mode

 Zero calibrating easily
 Memory for 320 readings (80 for each group)
 Delete single readings and all group readings easily
 High alarm and Low alarm for all working mode
 Low battery, error indication
 USB interface for PC analysis software
 Disable Auto-Power function via MENU setting.
1-1 Application
 This compact and handy gauge is designed for non-
destructive, fast and precise coating thickness
measurement. The principal applications lie in the field
of corrosion protection. It is ideal for manufacturers and
their customers, for offices and specialist advisers, for
paint shops and electroplaters, for the chemical,
automobile, shipbuilding and aircraft industries and for
light and heavy engineering.
 MCT-822 gauges are suitable for laboratory, workshop
and outdoor use.
 The probe can work on both principles, magnetic
induction and on the eddy current principle. One probe
only is required for coating measurement both on
ferrous and non-ferrous metal substrates. It is
adaptable to specific tasks: i.e. they can be used on
special geometries or on materials with special
properties.

1-2 Description Of The Gauge
 For measurement on steel substrates, the gauge work
on the magnetic induction principle, for measurement
on non-ferrous metal substrates, it works on the eddy
current principle.
 Measurement values and user information are shown
on LCD, A display backlight ensures easy reading of
screen data in dark conditions.
 Two different operating modes are available: DIRECT
mode and GROUP mode.
 DIRECT mode is recommended for simple, quick,
occasional measurements. It provides statistical
analysis. Single values are not saved. The statistical
analysis program can evaluate 80 readings.
 GROUP mode permits measurement and storage of
readings in a free programmable memory. A maximum
of 400 readings and 4 series of measurements can be
analyzed according to various statistical criteria.
1-3 Supply Schedule
 Gauge with two 1.5V battery, plastics carrying case,
operating instructions (English), steel and aluminum
substrate.
 USB connecting cable
 Program disc for windows 98/2000/xp/Vista/7

1-4 Probe
The Probe systems are spring-mounted in the probe
sleeve. This ensures safe and stable positioning of the
probe and constant contact pressure. A V-groove in the
sleeve of the probes facilitates reliable readings on
small cylindrical parts. The hemispherical tip of the
probe by the spring mounted sleeve and put on
measuring object.

1-5 Specifications
Sensor
probe F N
Working
principle
Magnetic
induction
Eddy current
principle
Measuring
range
0~1250μm
0~49.21mils
0~1250μm
0~49.21mils
Guaranteed
tolerance
(of reading)
0~850μm
(±3%+1μm)
850μm~1250
μm
(±5%)
0~850μm
(±3%+1μm)
850μm~1250μm
(±5%)
0~33.46mils
(±3% +
0.039mils)
33.46mils~49
.21mils
(±5%)
0~33.46mils
(±3% + 0.039mils)
33.46mils~49.21mi
ls
(±5%)
Precision
0~5μm
(0.1μm)
50μm~850μ
m (1μm)
850μm~1250
μm
(0.01mm)
0~5μm (0.1μm)
50μm~850μm
(1μm)
850μm~1250μm
(0.01mm)
0~1.968mils
(0.001mils)
0~1.968mils
(0.001mils)

1.968mils~33
.46mils
(0.01mils)
33.46mils~49
.21mils
(0.1mils)
1.968mils~33.46mi
ls
(0.01mils)
33.46mils~49.21mi
ls
(0.1mils)
Minimum
curvature
radius 1.5mm 3mm
Diameter of
Minimum
area 7mm 5mm
Basic critical
thickness 0.5mm 0.3mm
Working
temperature 0˚C~40˚C (32˚F ~ 104˚F)
Working
relative
humidity 20%~90%
Size (HxDxW): 110x50x23mm
Weight: 100g
1-6 Front View
1- Probe
2- Power ON/OFF key
3- Zero Calibration key
4- Down/Right key

5- Blue key for ESC/NO/BACK function in menu mode, or
backlight ON/OFF In working mode
6- Main display for coating thickness
7- Measuring unit
8- NFe: indicates reading on non-
ferrous metals;
Fe: indicates readings on ferrous
metals
9- Indicates the probe working
principle: AUTO, Magnetic
induction or eddy current
10- Indicates that the gauge is
currently controlled via pc
11- USB connecting port
12- Low battery
13- Working mode indication:
DIRECT or Group
14- Statistic display: AVG,MAX,MIN, SDEV
15- The statistic number of measuring
16- Red key for OK/YES/MENU/SELECT in menu mode
17- Up/left key
2. Preparing
2-1 Power Supply
For checking the battery’s state of charge please press
key:

No LC display: Battery missing or battery charge too low
to illuminate display.
Display: gauge switches off after about one second:
Replace battery immediately.
Note that the gauge will make faulty measurements if
the voltage is very low.
2-2 Replacing The Battery
 Place the gauge upside down on a suitable surface.
 Remove the screws from the battery compartment with
a cross tip screwdriver.
 Raise the lid of the compartment.
 Remove the battery.
 Close the lid and fasten with screw.
Caution: make sure the anode and cathode are
correctly positioned.
2-3-1 Menu System
Press to power on; the gauge will work in
measuring mode. Press red-bar button into MENU
mode. See following MENU system arranges:
NOTE: MENU system arranges need to be known well
for your works.
Menu
>Statistic view
>> Average view
>> Minimum view

>> Maximum view
>> Number view
>>Sdev. View
>Options
>>Measure mode
>>>Single mode
>>>continuous mode
>>Working mode>Limit
>>>Direct>>Limit settings
>>>Group 1>>>High limit
>>>Group 2>>>Low limit
>>>Group 3>>Delete limit
>>>Group 4>Delete
>>Used probe>>Current data
>>>AUTO>>All data
>>>Fe>>Group data
>>>No Fe>Measurement view
>>Unit settings>Calibration
>>>um>>Enable
>>>mils>>Disable
>>>mm>>Delete Zero N
>>Backlight >>Delete Zero F
>>>ON
>>>OFF
>>LCD Statistic
>>>Average

>>>Maximum
>>>Minimum
>>>Sdev.
>>Auto power off
>>>Enable
>>>Disable
2-3-2 Basic Settings
Please refer to the MENU arrange. According to the LCD
indication,
Press red-bar button for OK/YES/MENU/SELECT
operating functions.
Press blue-bar button for ESC/NO/BACK operating
functions. Press the UP/DOWN button to switch the
selected item.
2-3-2-1 Measure mode
 Continuous measurement mode: It can sometimes be of
advantage if the probe does not need be raised
between each measurement so that there is a running
display of readings. In continuous mode, readings are
not accompanied by a bleep. All readings taken in this
mode will automatically be entered into the statistics
program as long as sufficient memory is available.

 Single mode: In Single mode, readings are accompanied
by a bleep. Besides, Others are same as Continuous
measurement mode.
2-3-2-2 Used probe
The probe can work in three modes.
AUTO: The probe can automatically select the working
mode. When placed on steel (magnetic substrates), it
will work in magnetic induction principle. When placed
on no-ferrous metals, it will work in eddy current
principle.
Fe: The probe works in magnetic induction principle.
No-Fe: The probe works in eddy current principle.
2-3-2-3 Unit settings
You can switch from metric units (μm, mm) to imperials
(mils). In “μm” mode, the unit will switch to “mm”
automatically when value of reading exceeds 850um,
see the specification section for more details.
2-3-2-4 Total-Reset
A total reset erase data from all memories. This includes
all sets of readings of all work modes plus their
associated statistics, calibration values and tolerance
limits.
 Switch off gauge.

 Press ZERO+ simultaneously.
 The LC display “sure to reset”, Press red-bar button for
YES, or blue-bar button for NO.
 The gauge will start automatically.
2-3-2-5 Backlight
You can select ON/OFF in MENU system. Besides, in
measuring mode, Press the blue-bar button once to
switch ON/OFF backlight.
2-3-2-6 LCD Statistic
In Menu system mode, the statistic display can be
selected between Average, Maximum, Minimum and
Sdev. .When returns to measurement mode, it will be
displayed on the lover right of LCD. At the same time,
the statistic number of measuring readings is displayed
on the lower left of LCD. Via “statistic view” item in
MENU system, you can look through all statistic values
for current group.
2-3-2-7 Measurement view
Via “measurement view” in MENU, you can look
through all measurement readings for current group.
2-3-2-8 Auto power up
You can disable Auto-power-off via MENU system or the
gauge will power off automatically for about 3 minutes.

3. Measuring, storage and data processing in direct and
group mode
This gauge offers two operating modes: DIRECT and
GROUP mode.
The GROUP mode includes GRO 1~4.
 DIRECT mode is intended for quick occasional readings.
In this mode, individual readings are logged to memory
provisionally. When power off or switch to group mode,
all readings will be cleaned. But the statistic value won’t
be changed until logging new measurement readings.
The readings and statistical values can be shown on the
LC display. The statistical analysis program can evaluate
80 readings. When the memory is full, new readings will
replace old readings. In this mode, it has individual
calibration values and limit values.
 In GROUP mode, every group memory can store a
maximum of 80 single readings, and 5 statistic values.
Calibration values and limit values can individually be
set and stored for every group. When the memory is
full, measuring will make sequentially, but not be stored
and statistic values won’t be changed. If need, you can
delete group data and statistic values, and reset
calibrate values and limit values.
 You can select DIRECT and GROUP mode in MENU
system.

NOTE: in order to work in GROUP mode, e.g. to
calibrate, take readings, set limit, the word “GROX”
must appear on the LC display, if not, you can set
measurement mode in MENU system.
 Press while holding the probe in the air. The gauge
will work in DIRECT mode. And the last reading will be
shown (if available).
4. Calibration and Measurement
4-1 General Hints for Calibration
4-1-1 Calibration methods
There are four different methods available for
calibration:
 Basic calibration: recommended for measurement
on even surfaces and if the measuring object has the
same material, size and curvature as the zero plate
attached in the casing.
 Zero-point calibration: recommended if
measuring errors up to ±(3% of reading plus constant
error of probe) are permitted. (example for constant of
probe be error: Fe 1um; no-Fe 1.5um)
 One-point calibration (calibrating using a
calibration foil): recommended if readings to be
expected will be close to the calibration value and if the
permitted error of probe will be max. ±(1%...3% of
reading plus constant probe error)

 Two-point calibration (using a set of two
calibration foils):
A) Recommended for measurements on rough surfaces.
B) Recommended for precise measurements on smooth
surface if the thickness to be expected lies between that
of the two calibration foils.
4-1-2 Storing Calibration Values
If the gauge is calibrated for a particular purpose, the
calibration values will be stored in memory until
changed.
NOTE: the calibration procedure should be restarted
from the beginning if
 An incorrect reading has been taken.
 An incorrect command has been entered.
 The gauge has switched off.
4-1-3 Calibration Example
Calibration is the most important requirement for
accurate measurement. The more closely the
calibration sample matches the product sample, the
more accurate the calibration, and therefore the
reading, will be.
If for instance, a product is to be measured on a steel
cylinder, quality ST37 (mild steel), diameter 6mm, the

calibration of the uncoated sample must take place on a
steel cylinder of similar quality with the same diameter.
The calibration sample must correspond to the product
sample in the following ways:
 Curvature radius
 Substrate thickness
 Size of measuring area
 The point at which the calibration is made on the
calibration sample must always be identical with the
point of measurement on product itself, especially in
the case of corners and edges of small parts.
4-1-4 High accuracy Calibration
To achieve high accuracy readings, it is advisable to log
calibration values ( both zero values and calibration foils
values) several times in succession. In this way, the
gauge will automatically established a mean calibration
value. For more details see 4-2 special hints for
calibration. The high-accuracy calibration is an obvious
advantage when calibrating on uneven, e.g. shot-
blasted, surfaces.
4-1-5 Cleaning the Measuring Point
Before calibration the measuring point the probe tip
must be free from grease, oil, scraps of metal, etc. the

slightest impurity will affect measurement and distort
readings.
4-2 Special Hints for Calibration
The basic calibration stored in the gauge should only be
used for measurements on even surfaces, i.e. on steel
components made of conventional steel(mild steel) or
on aluminum components. Firstly, you can turn into
Calibration Mode via MENU (Menu-> Calibration->
Enable) system. Then the LC will display “Cal n(or 1~2)
Zero n(or y)”. The “n” means not any point calibration
and Zero calibration, and “y” means “there is Zero
calibration”. “Cal 1~2” means “There is One or Two
point Calibration”. After finishing all Calibration task, we
advise that you disable calibration via MENU system.
Preparing to make calibration:
 Switch the gauge on (far from any metal at least 10cm).
 Substrate sample and necessary foils (calibration
standard).
 Set work mode: continuous or single via MENU.
4-2-1 Zero-point Calibration (no need to enable
calibration)
 Place the probe on uncoated sample (zero coating
thickness) vertically and rapidly. The LC display

<x.xμm>. Operating is different in continuous mode and
single mode. See the work mode section for more
details. Then, raise the probe rapidly (far from metal
substrate at least 10cm)
 Press and hold Zero button for about 1.5 seconds, the
LC display 0.0 um. The calibration is finished.
 Repeat this procedure several times. The calibration
system always saves the mean value of the previous
calibration point.
NOTE: you can delete the old zero point calibration
before making a new zero point calibration via MENU
system if existent. The meter always calculates the
mean of 5 calibration readings furthest. When full, the
newest calibration value will replace the oldest
calibration value. We suggest that you make a Zero
calibration when starting a measurement.
4-2-2 One point Calibration
This method is recommended for high precision
measurements, measurements on small parts and on
hardened and low-alloy steel.
 Zero-point calibration according to section 4-2-1
 Lay the calibration foil on an uncoated sample, apply
the probe and raise it if steady. Press UP or DOWN to
adjust required foil thickness. The thickness of the foil