PCE Instruments PCE-USC 20 User manual

PCE-USC 20
Thickness Meter
Operating Manual
PCE Americas Inc.
711 Commerce Way
Suite 8
Jupiter
FL-33458
USA
From outside US: +1
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
[email protected]
www.pce-instruments.com/english
www.pce-instruments.com
PCE Instruments UK Ltd.
Units 12/13
Southpoint Business Park
Ensign way
Hampshire / Southampton
United Kingdom, SO31 4RF
From outside UK: +44
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
[email protected]

I
Chapter 1 Overview ......................................................................................... 1
Chapter 2 Parameters and Features ............................................................... 2
2.1 Basic Performance Parameters ................................................................... 2
Chapter 3 Structure ......................................................................................... 6
3.1 Overall Structure .......................................................................................... 6
3.2 Interfaces ..................................................................................................... 8
3.3 Waveform and Data Display ........................................................................ 9
Chapter 4 Operating Instruction .................................................................... 11
4.1 Power Supply..............................................................................................11
4.2 Operating Instruction of the AC Power Supply............................................11
4.3 Battery Power Supply .................................................................................11
4.4 Probe Connecting ...................................................................................... 12
4.5 Power On/Off ............................................................................................. 12
4.6 Software Update and Return to Factory Default Settings .......................... 12
4.7 Important Basic Setting.............................................................................. 13
Chapter 5 Menu Introduction ........................................................................ 15
5.1 Normal Menus............................................................................................ 15
5.2 Special Menus............................................................................................ 31
Chapter 6 Function Instruction ..................................................................... 32
6.1 Calibration Function ................................................................................... 32
6.2 DAC Function............................................................................................. 36
6.3 AVG Function............................................................................................. 39
6.4 Envelope Function ..................................................................................... 40
6.5 Curve Surface Amend................................................................................ 40
6.6 Welding Graphic Illustration ....................................................................... 41
6.7 Series Store Function................................................................................. 42
6.8 Peak Holding.............................................................................................. 42
6.9 Auto Gain Adjustment ................................................................................ 43
6.10 Rectification ............................................................................................. 43
6.11 Parameters Store and Recall ................................................................... 44
6.12 Data Store and Replay............................................................................. 45
Chapter 7 Communication and Printing ...................................................... 47

II
7.1 Interfaces ................................................................................................... 47
7.2 Data Communication ................................................................................. 47
7.3 Instructions................................................................................................. 48
7.4 Test Report................................................................................................. 51
Chapter 8 Flaw Evaluation and Influence Factors of the Detecction
Precision ........................................................................................................... 53
8.1 Necessary Condition for Using................................................................... 53
8.2 Training For Operators............................................................................... 53
8.3 Technical Requirements for Detection ....................................................... 53
8.4 Influence Factors of the Detection Precision.............................................. 54
Chapter 9 Maintenance and Repair ............................................................ 58
9.1 Environmental Challenge........................................................................... 58
9.2 Battery Charge........................................................................................... 58
9.3 Battery Replacement ................................................................................. 58
9.4 Trouble Elimination .................................................................................... 59
9.5 Safety Tips ................................................................................................. 59
Appendix ........................................................................................................... 61
Appendix ⅠUser Guidelines .......................................................................... 61
Appendix ⅡRange and PRF.......................................................................... 62
Appendix ⅢInterfaces.................................................................................... 62
Appendix ⅣDefinition of Measurement Point Data ........................................ 63

1
Chapter 1 Overview
When ultrasonic waves transmit in test materials, acoustics properties will be
effected due to flaws existing in the material, thus these properties can be used to
demonstrate flaws within the material. According to this theory, by use of
ultrasonic waves can detect flaws like crack, cavity, inclusion when test various
media such as metal, non-metallic materials and composite materials.
Digital ultrasonic flaw detector 3&(86& is a portable industrial non-destructive
flaw detector, which can quickly and easily, without damage, accurate to a variety
of work piece defects (cracks, inclusions, cavity, etc) of the detection, location,
assessment and diagnosis. Both can be used in laboratories and project site.
PCE-USC 20 is widely operated in the field of flaw detection and quality control,
such as manufacturing industry, metallurgy of iron steel , metal processing
industry, chemical lines , as well as operated in in-service safe inspection and life
appraisal, such as aerospace, railway transportation, boiler and pressure vessel
safety check in service and life assessment.
3&(86& is a high-tech instrument which launched by PCE Instruments.
Full consideration of ergonomic
made for instrument’s appearance, its structure is strong and light, easy and
comfort to take, as well as shockproof. Scientific and rational setting of keystroke
and menu, common features can be simply operated for more efficiency and less
labor intensity. Instrument complies with European standard EN12668-1, has
more advantages like high performance, stability, functional and practical, reliable
quality, anti-interference ability and so on, also in full compliance with most
industry standards, high praise for it both from domestic and abroad, after the
software version upgrade to Ver1.10 it become more convenient for operation.
3&(86& is equipped with imported lithium batteries, no memory effect, with
high capacity, batteries service time can up to more than 8 hours, it is priority
choice for testing operations especially for field work.

2
Chapter 2 Parameters and Features
2.1 Basic Performance Parameters
●Horizontal
Linearity Error
≤0.1%
●Vertical Linearity
Error
≤3%
●Surplus Sensitivity ≥62dB
●Dynamic Range ≥40dB
●Electronic Noise
Level
≤20%
●Far-field
Resolution
≥30dB
●working Mode Single-probe or Dual-probes
●Transmit Pulse 400V negative spikes
●Operating
Frequency Range
0.5MHz~20MHz, frequency subsection option, match
probes well
●Detection Range 0.5mm~9999mm ( steel; longitudinal wave),
adjustable continuously, switchable steps
●PRF range≤125mm: 1KHz;
125mm<range≤1400mm: 250Hz;
1400mm<range≤9999mm: 40Hz
●Sampling Rate 400MHz hardware real-time sampling
●Velocity 1000m/s~15000m/s, adjustable continuously,
switchable steps
●Display Delay -10mm~1000mm, adjustable continuously, switchable
steps
●Probe Delay 0μs~199.9μs
●Damping 50Ω, 100Ω, 200Ω, 500Ω
●Gain Adjustment 0dB~110dB, step by 0.0/0.1/0.5/1.0/2.0/6.0dB
●Rectification Mode Full wave / Positive half-wave / Negative half-wave /
RF
●Display Screen 5.7" high brightness TFT color LCD screen, 640×480

3
pixels
●Measurement
Mode
flank or peak
●Store store commonly-used detection parameters and test
result data
●Alarm Hardware alarm, sound and light two methods, alarm
models including positive mode, negative mode and
DAC mode
●Communication
Interfaces
USB, Ethernet
●Operating
Temperature
-10~+50℃
●Battery Lithium battery (10.8V 5200mAh), supplying power
continuously for more than 6 hours
●Power Supply AC: 100-240V; DC: 15V/4A
●Weight about 1.4Kg (including battery)
●Language Chinese / English
●Waterproof Level IP54 standards
2.2 Features and Functions
2.2.1 Features
(1) Leading technical target, abundant applied assistant function
(2) Intelligible setting of keys and menu, easy to operate
(3) 400 MHz real-time hardware sampling, high-fidelity echo pulse
(4) Broadband and amplifying circuit with low noise, selectable damping, excellent
matching with low or high frequency probe
(5) Excellent EMI design，good EMC performance
(6) 5.7〞high resolution color LCD display
2.2.2 Main Functions
(1) DAC Making, Storing and Recalling Function
(a) Making easily
When sampling dots one by one, it will automatically draw four lines such

4
as “Assess Line”, “RATINE Line”, “GENERATRIX Line” and “Void Line”.
(b) Compiling conveniently
It can automatically modify each sampling dot and adjust the curve offset(to
fit all kinds of standards).
(2) AVG Making, Storing and Recalling Function
(a) Making easily
It can draw curve by sampling one dot in “>3N” area automatically, or by
sampling dots one by one in “<3N” area, which ensures the practicality.
(b) Applying conveniently
It can automatically adjust the curve equivalent and calculate the flaw
equivalent sizeΦautomatically.
(3) RF Displaying Function
It can display the real original waveform, which is convenient for the user to
analyze the details of the echo and help to analyze the flaw qualitatively.
(4) Curve Surface Amending Function
It can amend the test result of the arc surface automatically.
(5) Peak Holding Function
Assist to record the maximum echo.
(6) Envelope Function
Record the changing profile of the echo.
(7) Automatically Testing Echo Spectrum Function
It is used to test the center frequency and its spectral characteristics of the
probe echo.
(8) Auto Gain Adjusting Function
The adjustable Auto Gain can be used to set echo amplitude conveniently.

5
(9) Weld Graph Displaying Function
The graph displaying is intuitional, which makes the flaw position legible. The
graphs can be stored in the flaw detection report, which is convenient to be
replayed and printed.
(10) Intelligent Calibrating Procedures
It is used to calibrate the material sound velocity rapidly, measure the probe
delay automatically, calibrate the refraction angleβautomatically, and
calibrate the probe easily.
(11) Setting Quick Channels Function
It has 30 quick channels which can store 30 groups of detect parameters in
all, which makes the storing and recalling easily.
(12) Automatically Generating Reports Function
It generates detection reports based on detecting parameters and data
automatically. The detection reports contain detailed detecting parameters,
waveform graphs and detailed echo data, which can be directly printed by the
connected printer or stored in the computer.
(13) Continuously Storing and Replaying Function
It can record the dynamic waveform while detecting, which makes the
recorded data more detailed. The menu settings are analogous to the video
function, which is easy to be understood and operated. The stored
documents can be re-stored to the U disk or other storage devices directly at
any time.
(14) Waveform Display Area Zoom Function
The waveform display area can be zoomed in to full screen, which can
efficiently prevent misuse in field testing.
(15) Gate Area Zoom-in Function
The Gate area can be zoomed in to the whole display area, which is
convenient to observe the waveform details.

6
Chapter 3 Structure
This chapter focuses on three aspects, including “Overall Structure”, “Interfaces”
and “Waveform and Data Display”.
3.1 Overall Structure
It mainly contains three aspects, including “Panel Keys”, “Main Menus” and
“Submenus”. Refer to Figure 3-1.
Figure 3-1 Overall Structure
3.1.1 Panel Keys
(1) Power Key
:it is used to turn on/off the power supply by long press for about 2s.
(Represented by [Power] below.)
(2) Gain Adjusting Keys
It displays the gain value and the gain-step value in the upper left corner of the
Gain
Adjusting
Keys
Main Menu
Paging Keys
Submenus
Main Menus
Main Menu
Selecting Keys
Submenu
Selecting Keys
Parameter
Adjusting Keys
Power Key
Freeze Key

7
screen. Refer to Figure 3-1.
:gain-step adjusting key. Press it for switching gain-step value cyclically by
one of the step values in the array of 0.0/0.1/0.5/2.0/6.0dB. (Represented by
[↔] below.)
:gain increasing key. Press it each time for increasing gain value, by which the
increment is the current step value. (Represented by [dB+] below.)
:gain decreasing key. Press it each time for decreasing gain value, by which
the decrement is the current step value. (Represented by [dB-] below.)
Note: when the step value is "0.0dB", it means that the gain is unadjustable,
which is convenient for the user to prevent misoperation in detecting.
(3) Main Menu Paging Keys
:main menu page-up key. Press it for entering the up-page of the main menu.
(Represented by [PgUp] below.)
:main menu page-down key. Press it for entering the down-page of the main
menu. (Represented by [PgDn] below.)
(4) Submenu Selecting Keys
: it has two functions as follows. (Represented by [◄] below.)
(a) Select submenus (first press for the submenu being selected).
(b) Switch parameter step value or submenu optional selections (need to press for
the submenu being selected first).
(5) Parameter Adjusting Keys
:parameter increasing key. Press it to increase the parameter value of the
selected submenu or switch submenu optional selections. (Represented by
[+] below.)
:parameter decreasing key. Press it to decrease the parameter value of the
selected submenu or switch submenu optional selections. (Represented by
[-] below.)
(6) Freeze Key