NDT DC-3000C Series User manual

Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge
DC-3000C series
Instruction Manual
V.2.05

CONTENTS
1. General Description .....................................................................- 1 -
2. Technical Specifications................................................................- 1 -
3. Standard Delivery ........................................................................- 2 -
4. Overview the Display Unit............................................................- 2 -
5. Keypad Functions.........................................................................- 3 -
6. Display Screen..............................................................................- 4 -
7. Preparation before measurement.................................................- 5 -
【7.1】Preparation of the instrument ..............................................- 5 -
【7.2】Selection of the Probe ...........................................................- 5 -
【7.3】Treatment of the measured surface......................................- 6 -
8. Basic Gauge Operations................................................................- 6 -
【8.1】Switch on ...............................................................................- 6 -
【8.2】Probe Zero .............................................................................- 6 -
【8.3】Contrast .................................................................................- 7 -
【8.4】Measurement mode..............................................................- 7 -
【8.5】Setting....................................................................................- 9 -
【8.6】Memory ...............................................................................- 12 -
【8.7】Function...............................................................................- 14 -
9. Measuring technology................................................................- 16 -
【9.1】Measuring methods...........................................................- 16 -
【9.2】Pipeline measurement method.........................................- 17 -
10. Maintenance and precautions ..................................................- 17 -
【10.1】Power check.......................................................................- 17 -
【10.2】Precautions........................................................................- 17 -
10.2.1 General precautions ............................................................ - 17 -
10.2.2 Precaution during the measuring........................................ - 17 -
APPENDIX 1: Sound Velocity Measurement Chart..............................- 19 -

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1. General Description
The Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge DC-3000C/DC-3020C is our new and
improved readout unit with automatic probe recognition, automatic
zeroing and a larger, more easily read LCD. It is a Multi-Mode thickness
gauge that has the ability to measure through painted or coated surfaces
and eliminate the thickness of the paint using a dual element style probe
in echo-echo mode. This instrument can measure with very high
resolution (0.01 mm or 0.001 inches) the thickness of metallic and
non-metallic materials such as steel, aluminum, titanium, plastics,
ceramics, glass and any other good ultrasonic wave conductor. The
DC-3000C/DC-3020C accurately displays readings in either inches or
millimeters.
2. Technical Specifications
Measurement range
T-E : 0.65mm～400.00mm
E-E: 3.00mm～25.00mm
Resolution
0.01mm(0.001〞), 0.1mm (0.01〞)
Velocity range
1000m/s～9999m/s
Measurement rate
4 /s and 10/s in fast mode
Average mode
2 to 9 times average measurement
Limited setting
With Low-high indication and alarm
Measuring Units
mm / inch
Memory (DC-3020C)
Memory of 5,200 readings with location number
Data output
(DC-3020C)
USB to PC
Display
320×240 TFT Color LCD
Battery
2 x AA Batteries
Operating
temperature
-20℃～+50℃
Measuring temp.
-20℃～+350℃(according to the probes)
Dimensions
133mm（L）×75mm（W）×29mm（H）
Weight
0.26kg (including batteries)

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3. Standard Delivery
-- Main Unit
-- Standard 5MHZ probe D5301
-- 75ML Couplant
-- Build-in calibration block
-- Cable (DC-3020C)
--Carrying case
--Operating manual
--Certificate
4. Overview the Display Unit
1. LCD Screen
2. Key Pad
3. Battery Pack
4. Probe connector
5. Standard Test Block
6. USB connector
2
1
3
4
5
6

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5. Keypad Functions
Key
Function
- On/ Off Key
- Esc. Menu
Press this key to switch on or off .
Press this Key to Escape the Menu.
- Menu Key
- Confirm Key
Press This Key to enter the Menu.
Press this Key to confirm the selection.
- Return Key
- Storage Key
Press this key to previous menu (DC-3000C)
Press this key to store current data(DC-3020C)
-Contrast
-Adjustment
Press this key to enter menu of Contrast and make
adjustment
- Up arrow Key
Achieve switch among the menu options in the
menu operation
-Down arrow Key
- Calibration Key
Achieve switch among the menu options in the
menu operation.
Put the probe in the air, press this key to complete
the manual calibration. (Under the measurement)

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- Left arrow key
Achieve switch among the menu options in the
menu operation. (under the measurement)
-Right arrow key
-Shortcut key
Achieve switch among the menu options in the
menu operation(under the measurement)
Resolution setting between mm and inch
6. Display Screen
①Measurement Value
When it is under measurement condition, measurement value is in WHITE
color. When users remove the probe, measurement value is frozen on the
LCD and it is in BLUE color.
②Current Velocity
③Current Probe model
④Gain setting
⑤Battery Life
⑥Resolution
⑦Measurement Mode
⑧Current memory location (DC-3020C)
⑥
⑤
②
①
③
④
⑧
⑦

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7. Preparation before measurement
【7.1】Preparation of the instrument
For the newly purchased instrument, please check the instrument and its
accessory according to the “3 standard delivery”. If you find it is not the
same as the table listed, please contact the manufacture in time. If the
instrument is damaged, please do not use it and contact the manufacture
as soon as possible.
【7.2】Selection of the Probe
Users can select the suitable probe according to the thickness of the
workpiece to be measured.
Type
Freq.
Meas. rang
Temp.
D 5301
5.0MHz
E-E 3.0～25mm
T-E 1.44～200mm
<60℃
D5008
5.0MHz
0.8～300mm
<60℃
D7006
7.5MHz
0.65～50mm
<60℃
D7004
10.0MHz
0.65～20mm
<60℃
D2012
2.0MHz
2.0～400mm
<60℃
D5113
5.0MHz
2.0～200mm
<350℃
Type
Application
D5301
Used in the thickness measurement through the coating
(E-E)and normal measurement (T-E)
D5008
Used common in many measurements, for example when
the measuring surface is flat or with huge curvature, or the
thickness of the workpiece is large than 50mm.
D5113
Used in the thickness measurement when the temperature
is less than 350℃
D7006
Used in the measurement of thin wall thickness and small
curvature surface.

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D7004
Used in the measurement of thin wall thickness and small
curvature surface.
D2012
Used in the measurement of coarse particles such as cast
iron.
【7.3】Treatment of the measured surface
When the surface to be measured is too rough or rusty heavily, please
perform the treatment according to the following methods:
1．Clean the measured surface by grinding, polishing or filing, etc. or use
coupling agent with high viscosity for that.
2．Use coupling agents on the workpiece surface to be measured.
3．Take multiple measurements around the same testing point
8. Basic Gauge Operations
【8.1】Switch on
Select the probe and insert it into the probe socket; and then press
to switch on the instrument, the screen displays: the Series No. and the
version number.
If you did not insert the probe before switching on the instrument, the
screen will prompt you that “Plug in the probe”, at this moment insert the
probe into the socket and waiting to go to the measuring status.
Notice: Please use the standard provided probe, otherwise the
instrument will does not work normally and displaying “Error”.
【8.2】Probe Zero
The gauge does an automatic zeroing of the probe thus eliminating the
need for an on-block zero. And then the gauge came into the
measurement mode directly.

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Notice: Please make sure the probe is not coupled to the test piece when
the gauge is first turned on and that there is no coolant on the end of the
probe. The probe should also be at the room temperature, clean without
any noticeable wear.
【8.3】Contrast
Press to easily enter into the contrast adjustment menu. (Under
the measurement state)
Press or to make fine adjustment
Press or to make rough adjustment
【8.4】Measurement mode
There are 2 measuring modes provided, T-E mode and E-E mode .Users
can select different measuring modes according to their requirements and
measuring environments.
Press into the measurement mode setting
Press or to select desired measurement mode
Press to confirm selection,
Press to Esc. Menu and into the measurement.
8.4.1.1 T-E Mode:
When the T-E mode is selected, all probes are available, and users can
select following measuring modes:
Standard Measurement:

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Display the current value, satisfied with the normal measuring needs.
Minimum Measurement:
Among one measurement, display the point. It is suitable for testing the
curvature surface or needs to get the minimum value which is widely used
in the thickness measurement of pipeline.
Note: it is not recommended to use this function when measuring cast
iron or alloy materials.
Difference mode: (DC-3020C)
Display the accurate differential value between the measured value and
reference value set by the users, suitable for quality check to identifying
the qualified products, whose thickness is in the admissive error.
Average mode: (DC-3020C)
Provides the average value of 2 to 9 measured points and display it
suitable for testing the flat surface.
Limitation setting: (DC-3020C)
Set the upper and lower limit, when the measured thickness exceeds the
preset limit, it will display and give alarm, this measurement mode is more
widely used than differential mode.
Scan:
It is available for measuring the thickness of test piece with high
temperature surface. The gauge will alarm for each fast measurement.
And will display the all measured thickness upon the complete
measurement finished.
8.4.1.2 E-E Mode:
When the E-E mode is selected, only probe D5301 is available. This
function allows you to make measurement between two consecutive back

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wall echoes. Therefore, a good usage of the E-E option is for measuring
through coatings (Max. 2mm) to measure only the true metal thickness.
【8.5】Setting
8.5.1 Velocity rate
Sound velocity played an important role in measurement. Different
material is of different sound velocity. When the sound velocity is
incorrect, it will cause wrong measured results. There are two ways to
select the material's sound velocity, which are Velocity selection and
Velocity measurement.
8.5.1.1 Materials
The gauge gives the sound velocity of 9 different materials which can be
select by yourself. The 9 materials are: aluminum, titanium, steel, stainless
steel, glass, copper, brass, polystyrene, cast iron.
Press into“ SETTING” – “Velocity rate”-“Material”
Press or to select material needed,
Press to confirm.
Notice: the 9 values are just the theoretic values, if users want to get
accurate measurements , please refer to the”Velocity measurement”
and get the more accurate sound velocity.
8.5.1.2 Velocity input
When the sound velocity of 9 materials is not satisfied with the
requirements of the users, there is a sound velocity table which gives the
sound velocity of various materials in the appendix. Use this table to set
the correct sound velocity. The usage is as follows:
Press key into the menu- “SETTING”-“Vel. Rate”-“Vel. input”,

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Press or to move the arrow, press or to change
the new velocity rate,
Press to store this new Velocity.
Press or to select the location where you want to store,
Press to confirm.
8.5.1.3 Velocity measurement
Because the workpiece is made from various materials and even the same
material with different content and processing technology, the sound
velocity will be changed and this change will cause the measuring error. If
the error is not enough to influence the measuring accuracy, it can be
neglect, otherwise it is necessary to get the accurate sound velocity of the
workpiece to be measured. The “velocity measurement” can be used, the
usage is as follows:
Select T-E mode, Velocity can be neglect, and directly measure the sample
which thickness is known.
Press key into the menu- “SETTING”-“Vel. Rate”-“Vel
measurement”,
Press or to move the arrow, press or to
change the value of velocity to determine the thickness as the same as the
value of sample that is measured,
Press to store this new velocity,
Press or to select the location where you want to store,

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Press to confirm.
8.5.1.4 Velocity storage
This function allows user to store 4 new velocities Rate.
8.5.2 Resolution
Users can select the displayed resolution. When selecting the high
accuracy, the workpiece surface to be measured should be smooth, for
the purpose of getting a accurate value.
Press key into “Resolution”,
Press or to select resolution and unit.
1. 0.1 mm
2. 0.01 mm
3. 0.01 in
4. 0.001 in
Press key to enter/confirm
Notice: When probe D5113 and D2012 is selected, it is recommended to
use 0.1 mm and 0.01in.
8.5.3 Probe Calibration
It will cause error during the primary stage of usage and operating, this
caused by the following three aspects:
1. The probe itself or the temperature variation
2. System error caused by the match of the instrument and the probe.

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3. Calculation error caused by the sound velocity set in the instrument is
different from that of the actual material.
In order to eliminate the possible error, please use following calibration
method:
Measure the test piece with known thickness. Get a measurement value,
Press into menu-“SETTING”-“PROBE CALIBRATION”,
Pressing or to adjust the measured value as the same as the
value of sample that is measured,
Press to confirm.
Notice: Please notice that calibration range is within ±0.25mm. If it is out
of range, which means users should replace a new probe.
【8.6】Memory (DC-3020C)
Press into the menu, and then go into “Memory”, the screen will
display
1 Memory unit
2 Memory read
3 Delete memory
4 Data transfer
Press or into the selected item, press to confirm.
8.6.1 Memory unit
The gauge has a memory capacity of 5,200 measurements. The memory
location was composed by alphabet A-Z + location number. There are

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maximum 200 test results in each alphabet. Users could set an Alphabet
freely to store the test result.
Press into the menu- “Memory”-“Memory unit”,
Press or to select Alphabet A-Z which you want
Press to confirm.
Press key to store each test result with a location number after take
away the probe from the workpiece each time.
Notice: Users cannot set location number; it begins as 000 and
plus1automatically after users store each test result.
8.6.2 Memory Read
Press into the menu- “Memory”-“Memory read” (Under the
measurement),
Press or to select desired Alphabet. Then the desired group
of value can be readable by pressing or .
8.6.3 Delete Memory
Press into the menu- “Memory”- “Delete Memory”(Under the
measurement), Press or to select “Yes”or “No”. Press
again to confirm the delete.

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8.6.4 Date Transfer
1) Turn on the main unit and press into the menu-“Memory”- “Data
transfer”(Under the measurement), press to confirm.
2) Then connect PC with a cable in standard delivery. Meanwhile, LCD of
main unit shows “Please keep the gauge and the PC connected”and new
disk is auto identified;
3) If it is completed, users double click U disk, then Alphabet shows on the
screen of PC;
4) Click each Alphabet, users could check the data stored in the form
of .TXT or copy to Word or Excel for further analysis.
【8.7】Function
Press into the menu - “FUNCTION”, screen shows:
1. Switch off mode
2. Gain setting
3. Language
4. Contrast
5. Default
6. Information
Press or into the selected item, press to confirm.
8.7.1 Switch off mode
Auto shut down after 1 Min. 3 Min. 5 Min. can be selectable.

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8.7.2 Gain setting
Press into the “Gain adjustment”, the screen will display:
1. High
2. Medium
3. Low
4. Automatic
Press or to select desired item
Press to confirm.
In the user's measuring environment, both different materials and the
same material with different status will have different effects on the
accurate and stable measuring. So for different measured objects and
different measuring environment, users should adjust the work status of
the instrument to meet more measurements.
For many materials and measuring conditions, auto gain adjustment can
be used, but for some special measurement, adjusting the instrument's
working status is necessary. There are four different working modes: Auto,
Low, medium and high.
Auto: match different probe and meets almost all the measuring
requirements.
Low: Suitable for high scattering and small attenuation materials,
Medium: Suitable for many measurements,
High: Suitable for high attenuation material

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8.7.3Language
The gauge provides English, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese and Czech
language for selection.
8.7.4 Contrast
User can adjust contrast of display.
Press or to make fine adjustment
Press or to make rough adjustment
8.7.5 Default
During the usage, when users can not ensure why the problems comes out
and with some questions on setting, he can use this function to make the
parameters to restore the factory status to eliminate any abnormal
because of the parameters setting.
8.7.6 Information
The screen displays the version number and Probe Number.
9. Measuring technology
【9.1】Measuring methods
The instrument provides many measuring methods.
1．Single point measuring method: use the probe to measure any point of
the workpiece to be measured and the displayed value is the thickness.
2．Two point measuring method: Perform two measurements on the
same point of the measured surface, in the second measurement, splitting
plane of the probe should be 90 degree, take the minimum as the
thickness value.
3．Multiple point measurement method: perform several measurements
in a circle about 30mm in diameter and take the minimum value as the
thickness value.

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4. Continuous measurement methods: apply the single point
measurement method, and take measurements continuously along the
designated route, the intervals should be less than 5mm, and take the
minimum value as the workpiece's thickness.
【9.2】Pipeline measurement method
During the measurement, make the probe's crosstalk interlayer plate be
perpendicular or parallel to the axial line of the pipeline. For a pipeline
with larger diameter, the probe's crosstalk interlayer plate should be
perpendicular to the axial line of the pipeline, but for pipeline with small
diameter, users should perform measurements making the crosstalk being
both parallel and perpendicular to the axial line of the pipeline and take
the minimum readout as the thickness value.
10. Maintenance and precautions
【10.1】Power check
When the power is low, the low battery indicator will appear, at this
moment users should replace the battery in time, or it will affect the
measuring accuracy. The backlight cannot be switched on for a long time,
because it is a big consumer of electricity.
Note: if the instrument did not used for a long time, please take out of
the battery to avoid leakage to damage the instrument.
【10.2】Precautions
10.2.1 General precautions
The instrument should avoid strong vibration, do not let it in an
excessively humid environment, plug in or out the probe should hold the
jacket to avoid the core wire of the probe damaged.
10.2.2 Precaution during the measuring
①During the measurement, only the measuring icon appears and
displayed stable, it can be regarded as a good measurement.

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②If there are large quantity coupling agents attached on the measured
surface, when taking away the probe, it will cause error. so when the
measurement is completed, please move the probe away from the
measured surface quickly.
③If the probe wears out, it will cause the displayed value unstable, please
replace the probe.