The Elcometer line of digital thickness gauges has been carefully crafted to give scientifically exact, dependable and repeatable covering thickness estimations on practically any surface, be it ferrous or non-ferrous
Elcometer offers a large variety of advanced thickness gauges like the new Elcometer 456 – accessible with incorporated or separate probes, the Elcometer 415 Paint and Powder Thickness Gauge, and the Elcometer 311 Automotive Refinishing Gauge.
Dry film thickness (DFT) is one of the most important coating inspection measurements, as it not only helps evaluate the expected life of the coating but also helps determine if the coating has been applied in compliance with the coating specification and any relevant standards.
But there is one gauge feature that is often overlooked is the gauge reading rate – how quickly the gauge takes a measurement.
Why is the gauge reading rate so important?
Imagine two inspectors who are carrying out identical inspections. The specification states they need to take 3 spot measurements every 3 meters, or 10 feet. One inspector is using an Elcometer 456 Coating Thickness Gauge that takes 70 readings per minute. The other inspector is using a gauge that takes 50 readings per minute. His friend is almost 70m behind, and it will take him another 2 minutes just to catch up, meaning he needs 20% longer to inspect the same area. So, by using a gauge that has a faster reading rate, the first inspector has saved himself one day in five!
But can a gauge read any faster and save even more inspection time?
The Elcometer 456 Coating Thickness Gauge is far from typical. When the Auto Repeat function is selected, the Elcometer 456 Scan probe remains in contact with the coated surface all the time, and can therefore take in excess of 140 accurate, repeatable, and reproducible readings every minute. What this means is if the first inspector in our example was using the Auto Repeat feature of his Elcometer 456 gauge, then he can now finish the inspection in half the time of his colleague, saving 2.5 days in his 5 day working week, when using the Elcometer 456 Scan probe over another industry gauge.
Knowing the thickness of dry film is paramount in the coating application process
It gives key data with regards to the longevity of the substrate, the item’s readiness for service, its appearance, and guarantees consistency with a large number of International Standards. Quality parameters such as those depicted in ISO 9000, ISO 17025, and Guide 25, necessitate that the instruments be appropriately controlled, logged, and calibrated. Progressively, clients are determining that the readings taken by instruments, conform to National Standards. In 1947, prior to the appearance of consumer electronics, Elcometer introduced one of the world’s first non-aggressive coating thickness gauges, the Elcometer 101.
Free shipping in Canada makes us a great place where to buy Elcometer Coating thickness-dry film gauges.