Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Panametrics 35PCScope
Panametrics 35PCScope
35PCScope
Part No. 910-263
35PCScope
Table of Contents
1 OVERVIEW .............................................................................................................................................. 1
1.1 AUDIENCE ............................................................................................................................................. 1
1.2 RELATED DOCUMENTATION ................................................................................................................. 1
1.3 REVISION HISTORY ......................................................................................................................... 1
1.4 TECHNICAL HELP............................................................................................................................. 1
2 INSTALLING 35PCSCOPE .................................................................................................................... 3
2.1 SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS ............................................................................................................... 3
2.2 INSTALLATION PROCEDURES....................................................................................................... 3
2.3 OPENING THE SOFTWARE FOR THE FIRST TIME....................................................................... 5
3 PERFORMING BASIC OPERATIONS ................................................................................................. 7
3.1 BASIC OPERATION ................................................................................................................................. 7
3.1.1 Displaying Live Waveform Data and Setup Parameters ............................................................... 7
3.1.2 Setting the Communication Driver ................................................................................................ 7
3.1.3 Connecting the 35 Series Gages to 35PCScope and Viewing Live Waveforms............................. 7
3.1.4 Screen Layout ................................................................................................................................ 8
3.2 IMPORTING TRANSDUCER SETUPS ........................................................................................................ 13
3.3 EXPORTING TRANSDUCER SETUPS ....................................................................................................... 15
3.4 PRINTING SCREENS .............................................................................................................................. 17
4 TRANSDUCER SETUP, PULSER/RECEIVER AND GATING ADJUSTMENTS......................... 19
4.1 DETECT MODE..................................................................................................................................... 19
4.2 PULSER POWER ................................................................................................................................... 19
4.3 MAXIMUM GAIN .................................................................................................................................. 20
4.4 INITIAL GAIN ....................................................................................................................................... 20
4.5 TDG SLOPE ......................................................................................................................................... 20
4.6 MAIN BANG BLANK ............................................................................................................................ 20
4.7 ECHO WINDOW.................................................................................................................................... 21
4.8 ECHO 1 DETECT, ECHO 2 DETECT ....................................................................................................... 21
4.9 INTERFACE BLANK .............................................................................................................................. 22
4.10 MODE 3 ECHO BLANK ....................................................................................................................... 22
1 OVERVIEW
The 35PCScope software program is a Windows-based application designed to aid the user with
setting up and calibrating the 35 Series thickness gages. The software displays real-time
waveform data helpful in fine-tuning the default application parameters for different applications.
35PCScope features include:
-
1.1
AUDIENCE
This document is intended for use by gage operators using 35PCScope. We recommend that
operators have a thorough understanding of the principles and limitations of ultrasonic testing.
Note: We assume no responsibility for incorrect operational procedure or interpretation of test
results. We recommend that operators seek adequate training prior to using 35PCScope.
1.2
RELATED DOCUMENTATION
35PCScope works with the Model 35, 35DL, 35HP and 35DL-HP thickness gages. For more
information on these instruments, refer to the 35 Series Instruction Manual, Part Number 910261.
1.3
REVISION HISTORY
This document may require updating because of corrections or changes to the product.
Publication dates, printed on the front cover, are updated when changes are made to the software.
1.4
TECHNICAL HELP
Contact info@olympusndt.com.
2 INSTALLING 35PCSCOPE
This chapter describes how to install PCScope software. Topics include:
-
System Requirements
Installation Procedures
Opening the Software for the First Time
Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) such as IBM PC and compatible computers running
Windows 2000 and XP operating systems
SVGA or higher resolution monitor
486 or higher microprocessor
At least 8 MB of available RAM
At least 50 MB of hard disk data storage space
USB port
5. The installation installs several divers and system files and requires several minutes
to do so. The installation then displays the Welcome to the 35PCScope Installation
Wizard screen. Click NEXT> to continue.
6. The Destination Folder dialog box displays. Click Next> to install 35PCScope in the
default directory or use Browse to select an alternate directory.
7. When the installation is complete, the 35PCScope has been successfully installed
dialog box displays. Click Finish.
8.
Remove the installation CD from the CD-ROM drive and store it in a secure location.
3. Select 35PCScope. If the gage is not turned on or connected to the PC using a USB cable,
35PCScope displays a message indicating that the program could not initialize
communication with the gage. Click OK to continue.
Basic Operations
Importing Transducer Setups
Exporting Transducer Setups
Printing Screens
and
5. Press [MEAS].
6. Turn the unit Off, then back On.
1. Connect the 35 Series gage to your computer by connecting a USB cable from the USB
connector on the 35 Series gage to an open USB port on your PC.
2. Turn the 35 Series gage on, connect the appropriate transducer, and recall the transducer
setup. See the 35 Series manual for more information about recalling transducer setups.
Status indicates when the 35 Series gages are transmitting live waveform data. If status is Off
Line, click on Stop/Start PCScope to go On Line.
Start/Stop changes depending on if 35PCScope is On Line or Off Line. When 35PCScope is Off
line, the button will show StartPCScope. Click Start PCScope to send a remote command to
the 35 Series gage. This places the gage in PCScope mode and starts the transmission of live
waveform data.
While 35PCScope is On Line, the user can stop the collection of live waveform data by pressing
the StopPCScope button. This sends a remote command to the 35 Series gages that turns off the
PCScope mode.
Exit Button
3.1.4.2
Transducer Parameter section highlights the currently active transducer parameter. The user can
adjust the value of the highlighted parameter by using the [ and ] arrow keys on the Model 35
Series gages. Use the [ and ] keys on the 35 Series gages to select a different transducer
parameter.
Note: Making changes to the transducer parameters can directly affect the measurement
capabilities of the 35 Series instrument and should only be done by individuals with proper
knowledge of performing the adjustments. For more information, refer to Section 4 of this
manual or Section 9.7 of the 35 Series instruction manual.
3.1.4.3 ACTIVE SETUP/CAL
Active Setup/Cal, displays Active Setup name, current calibrated Velocity, Probe Type, and Zero
offset for the active transducer setup. These values are the reported values from the active setup
and cannot be directly changed by the 35PCScope program. If the user recalls a different
transducer setup or calibrates the gage while using 35Pscope, the values are updated to the current
set values.
3.1.4.4 ID#, THICKNESS, RANGE AND, DELAY
The ID#, Thickness, Range and Delay section displays the Delay and Range or the waveform as
well as the Current ID# location (35DL and 35DL-HP only) and the active thickness reading. The
range can be changed using the [ and ] range control buttons. The Delay can be change using
the [ and ] delay control buttons. The ID# and Thickness are the current values from the 35
Series gages.
10
The waveform area shows the live RF ultrasonic signal that is generated by the 35 Series gages. It
also displays detection markers and current blank settings.
3.1.4.6 CONTROL COMMANDS
Delay
Range
Freeze
Zoom
Save Screen
Screen Recall
Print Screen
Transducer Setup Import/Export
Delay Control
Delay Control adjusts the starting point of the waveform and can be adjusted so that the desired
portion of the wave is shown on the waveform screen. Clicking on
11
Range Control
The Range Control is used to increase or decrease the range of the waveform display. Increasing
the Range will compress the waveform, and decreasing the range will expand the waveform. The
user may use the Range and delay in combination to expand an area of the waveform that is of
interest. Clicking on
The Freeze Control button is used to Freeze the live waveform display. Once the freeze key is
clicked 35PCScope will hold the last waveform and stop updating. While the waveform is in
Freeze mode, the Freeze button will change to
indicating that the waveform is frozen.
Clicking Freeze Off will un-freeze the waveform. 35PCScope will start updating live waveforms.
Zoom Control
Zoom control will automatically adjust the range and delay so the echoes used for the current
measurement are shown on the waveform screen. While in Zoom mode, 35PCScope will track the
measured echoes by automatically adjusting the range and delay to show the current measurement
to
echoes on screen. While the Zoom mode is active, the Zoom button will change to
indicate that Zoom mode is on. Clicking Zoom Off will turn the zoom mode off and return to the
last set range and delay settings.
Save Screen Control
Save Screen Control allows the user to save the active waveform and transducer parameters
setting to a bitmap file. Screen shots can be printed, recalled, or emailed.
12
Save Recall Control allows the user to recall a previously saved waveform screen along with the
transducer parameters. The recalled screen will be displayed below the live 35PCScope screen
and can be used as a comparison waveform. While a recalled screen is displayed, the Screen
Recall button will change to too indicate that a recalled screen is displayed. Clicking Close
Recalled Screen
Print Screen Control allows the user to print the current active screen including the waveform
and all transducer parameters.
Transducer Setup Import/Export Control
Transducer Setup Import/Export Control allows the user to send and receive transducer setups to
and from the 35 Series thickness gages. See Section 3.2 for details.
13
2. Click Upload Setups to update the current directory of stored transducer setups.
3. In the Gage Transducer Setup Dir: list, highlight the transducer setup that you wish to
import.
4. Click Send to PC. The Save Setup dialog box opens.
5. Select the destination directory using the Save In drop down box and enter a file name.
6. Click OK to save the transducer setup in the selected directory or click Cancel to cancel
without saving the transducer setup.
14
7. Click Exit to exit the Transducer Setup Import/Export dialog box and return to the main
35PCScope screen.
Note: These saved text file can be emailed and saved into a directory to be exported to other 35
Series gages.
2. Click Upload Setups to update the current directory of stored transducer setups on the 35
Series gage.
3. Click Open Setup file. The Open Setup file dialog box displays.
15
4. Use the Save in: drop down box to select the directory where the transducer setup file is
stored.
5. Single click to highlight the transducer setup you wish to export.
6. Click OK to open the transducer setup file. The setup parameters will now be displayed
in the PC Stored Transducer Setup box.
16
7. Click Send to Gage. The program displays the Export Transducer Setup to Gage dialog
box.
8. Click to highlight the custom setup location in the Gage Transducer Setup Dir: where you
would like to store the transducer setup file.
9. Click the Make Active check box if you would like to make the exported Transducer
Setup file the active setup on the 35 Series gage once the file is exported. Leaving this
check box unmarked will export the transducer setup file but will not make it the active
transducer setup.
10. Click Send to Gage to send the open transducer setup file to the highlighted custom
setup location. If a custom setup already exists at the highlighted location, then the new
transducer setup will overwrite the existing transducer setup
17
1. While the transducer is coupled showing a live active waveform or while the waveform is
frozen, click Print Screen. The Select Printer dialog box displays.
2. Select the printer and the Number of Copies and click Print to print or Cancel to cancel
the screen printing.
18
19
expense of penetration. For most applications, the 110 Volt setting provides the best signal-tonoise ratio for returning echoes.
4.3 MAXIMUM GAIN
Maximum available receiver gain may be adjusted from 0.0 dB to 80.0 dB. The Model 35 Series
gages use Automatic Gain Control (AGC) and Time Dependent Gain (TDG) functions to
automatically adjust receiver gain to an optimum level when an echo is detected. When no echo is
being detected (LOS prompt), gain will rise to the maximum level set by Initial Gain, Slope, and
Maximum Gain.
If maximum gain is set too high, the gage may hang up on transducer noise or other spurious
signals. If it is set too low, returning echoes may not be boosted high enough for detection. In
general, for a given application, the Max Gain should be set high enough that all echoes of
interest are detected, but a steady LOS prompt is displayed when the transducer is not coupled to
a test piece.
4.4 INITIAL GAIN
Initial Gain and TDG Slope are part of a Time Dependent Gain system that may be used to
optimize near-surface resolution while providing a higher maximum gain for thicker samples.
Initial Gain may be adjusted from 0 dB to the maximum defined by the Max Gain setting. This
parameter sets an upper limit on receiver gain in the vicinity of the excitation pulse (Mode 1) or
interface echo (Modes 2 and 3). By effectively making the excitation pulse or interface echo
smaller, the TDG system permits detection of echoes occurring close to pulse or echo in time.
The TDG system is also used in measurements of highly scattering materials, such as cast metals
and fiberglass, to minimize detection of scatter echoes occurring ahead of the backwall. From the
initial gain level, receiver gain slopes up to the maximum gain level at the rate determined by the
TDG Slope setting. Initial Gain setting is most critical in applications where minimum thickness
measurement must be optimized, and should always be set with the aid of a reference standard
representing that minimum. In cases where minimum thickness capability is less important than
penetration and scatter echoes are not a problem, Initial Gain may simply be set equal to Max
Gain.
4.5 TDG SLOPE
The Time Dependent Gain (TDG) Slope function controls the rate receiver gain slopes up
from the Initial Gain level to the Max Gain level. The Slope may be set from 0.0 to 26.52 dB per
microsecond. Generally, TDG Slope should be set as high as possible to reach maximum gain as
quickly as possible without having the gage hang up on spurious signals.
20
thickness that can be measured, and it must be positioned with care after selecting the Initial Gain
level.
If the Main Bang Blank is too short, then the gage will hang up on the excitation pulse and
readings will not be possible. If the Main Bang Blank is too long, then the minimum measurable
thickness will be unnecessarily restricted. In general, set the Main Bang Blank just beyond the
point where the gage hangs up, and test with the transducer both coupled to and uncoupled from
the test material to ensure accurate measurements.
4.7 ECHO WINDOW
The Echo Window is the time interval in each Main Bang period during which the gage is
enabled to detect echoes. The Echo Window interval begins at the end of the Main Bang
Blank. The end of the Echo Window depends on the DtectMode and EchWindow parameter
settings.
In Mode 1, the Echo Window may usually be set to any value greater than the round-trip
pulse transit time in the thickest or slowest piece of material to be measured. The exact
setting is not critical as long as it is long enough to include the farthest echo of interest. By
default, it is set to slightly greater than the time required to measure 25 inches in carbon steel.
In Modes 2 and 3, the Echo Window is limited to the time interval between successive interface
echoes. The end of the Echo Window must be set just before the second interface echo to prevent
detection of that echo, which in turn will determine a maximum measurable thickness for Mode 2
and Mode 3 setups. In applications involving Mode 2 and Mode 3 immersion measurements, this
condition must apply throughout the range of water paths to be used.
4.8 ECHO 1 DETECT, ECHO 2 DETECT
Echo 1 Detect and Echo 2 Detect select positive or negative polarity echo detection as
determined by application requirements. Selection is dependant on mode of measurement
and type of test material. Note that "positive" and "negative" polarity refer to processed
echoes displayed on the 35PCScope.
Mode 1: In Mode 1 with contact transducers, Echo 1 is the backwall echo and
Echo 2 is not applicable. Echo 1 is normally negative. An exception occurs in measurement of a
material of low acoustic impedance bonded to a material of high
impedance (such as plastic or rubber over metal), where the echo is phase-reversed
and positive detection for Echo 1 is appropriate.
Mode 2: In Mode 2 with delay line or immersion transducers, Echo 1 is the interface
echo and Echo 2 is the backwall echo. Echo 1 is normally positive for high
impedance materials such as metals and ceramics, and negative for low impedance
materials such as most plastics. Echo 2 is normally negative unless the backwall
echo represents the sort of low-to-high impedance boundary described above.
Mode 3: In Mode 3 measurements with delay line or immersion transducers, Echo
1 is the interface echo and Echo 2 represents the backwall echoes. Since Mode 3
generally involves measurement of high impedance materials, the general rule is to
set Echo 1 positive and Echo 2 negative. In some special cases involving difficult
21
geometries, phase distortion may cause the positive side of the backwall echoes to
be better defined than the negative side; in such cases, set Echo 2 positive.
4.9 INTERFACE BLANK
Use Interface Blank in Modes 2 and 3 only. Interface Blank represents a blank or dead
zone up to 20 microseconds in length that follows the leading edge of the interface echo.
In Mode 2, the Interface Blank prevents detection of trailing lobes or cycles of the interface echo,
which might otherwise be detected as backwall echoes, resulting in a hang-up condition.
The Interface Blank should be set as short as possible to avoid unnecessarily restricting minimum
measurable thickness. The Initial Gain function will often help reduce interface echo amplitude
and permit use of a shorter interface blank. Check the Interface Blank setting with the transducer
both coupled to and uncoupled from the test material. In Mode 3, the Interface Blank selects
which pair of backwall echoes will be measured. In most conditions, the Interface Blank would
be set just short of the first backwall echo. However, as a practical matter, the first backwall echo
from thin materials is often distorted or lost in the interface ringdown, and with some challenging
geometries (such as tight radiuses), later pairs of backwall echoes may be cleaner than early ones.
In these cases, the Interface Blank should be set to a length that insures detection of a clean and
well-defined pair of backwall echoes, even if they are not the first two.
4.10 MODE 3 ECHO BLANK
The function of Mode 3 Echo Blank in Mode 3 is analogous to that of Interface Blank in
Mode 2 or Main Bang Blank in Mode 1. This function creates a blank or dead zone following the
leading edge of the first detected backwall echo, to prevent detection of trailing lobes or cycles of
that echo and the resulting gage hang-up.
Because Mode 3 Echo Blank limits minimum measurable thickness, set the controls as
short as possible, which is seldom longer than a few hundred nanoseconds. Special cases may be
an exception where mode conversion effects on curved samples cause significant spurious signals
between legitimate echo peaks; in such cases, set the Mode 3 Echo Blank as long as necessary to
prevent detection of the spurious signals.
22