Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

Are you launching a business that deals in wall thickness testing and inspection? Perhaps you own or run an established business, but your ultrasonic thickness gauge is old tech. For the best ultrasonic thickness gauges, come to the testing and inspection experts – Cygnus Instruments. Since our company’s founding nearly 40 years ago, we’ve single-handedly revolutionized the industry, leading the way with our robust, easy to use, intuitive testing and inspection technologies. 

From an ultrasonic thickness gauge to single and twin-crystal probes, we have everything you need to take quick and reliable wall thickness measurements. Our devices are light and portable, and we even have ATEX-certified devices for use in explosive environments. All our devices come with Multiple-Echo mode as standard, which we ourselves pioneered. Single-Echo and Echo-Echo modes are also available. 

If you desire more information about our ultrasonic thickness gauges and probes, pick up the phone now and call Cygnus Instruments on +441305265533

The Best Range of Ultrasonic Thickness Gauges

When you’re looking for the best in wall thickness testing and inspection, there’s only one company you need to be considering, and that’s us. We’ve been working hard in the industry, designing and building ultrasonic thickness gauges and probes for nearly 40 years. Thanks to customer feedback and ongoing research and development, our ultrasonic thickness gauges and probes continue to evolve.

This has led to our success both here in the UK and across the Atlantic, with an overwhelming number of businesses choosing our products over those of our competitors. Our ultrasonic thickness gauges and probes have been engineered to provide accurate measurements, even in the most inhospitable environments. They are robust, easy to use, lightweight, portable, and easily the most accurate devices available.

At Cygnus Instruments, we’ve designed our ultrasonic thickness gauges and probes for use in a variety of industries, including:

This is by no means an exhaustive list, so if your industry is not listed above, enquire further with our team, who will be more than delighted to assist you. And if you’d like to learn more about our ultrasonic testing and inspection devices and probes, keep reading.

Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

What is an Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge?

Ultrasonic thickness gauges are devices used in the field of industrial ultrasonic testing and inspection. They allow for non-destructive measurements to be taken of the local thickness of a solid surface, e.g., a pipe wall). Said surfaces are usually metallic. Ultrasonic thickness gauges use probes to transmit a sound pulse through a test piece. The sound then reflects back from the inside surface or far wall and is received by the probe.

The ultrasonic thickness gauge then measures the time it took for the sound pulse to return, calculating the thickness of the test piece. Employing ultrasonic thickness gauges and probes allows for the measurement of corrosion, erosion, or damage to be detected quickly. As such, these devices are commonly used to inspect structures and components to determine if repairs or replacements are required.

While many other ultrasonic thickness gauges utilize Single-Echo and Echo-Echo modes, ours come with Multiple-Echo mode as standard. Multiple-Echo mode generates three pulses rather than a single pulse. The time intervals between each pulse are measured, providing a greater degree of accuracy during testing and inspection.

Note that if you require Single-Echo or Echo-Echo modes, these are available on our ‘+’ devices.

Advantages of Using an Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

If you’ve never used ultrasonic thickness gauges before, maybe you’ve been utilizing more traditional forms of testing and inspection, you might be unaware of the benefits. Ultrasonic thickness gauges are an incredible innovation that has drastically improved the field of testing and inspection and the way wall thickness measurements are taken. Benefits of ultrasonic thickness gauges include:

  • Entirely Non-Destructive – No Need to Take Anything Apart
  • Quick and Simple to Use
  • Highly Accurate Results (More So Than Traditional Methods)
  • Lightweight and Portable
  • One-Sided Measurements
  • Versatile
  • Compatible with Data Logging and Statistical Analysis Programs

Because ultrasonic thickness gauges allow for entirely non-destructive measurements to be taken, there’s no need to cut or section off parts, saving scrap and labor costs. That’s because of the one-sided nature of how ultrasonic thickness gauges take measurements – you don’t need to have access to both sides of the test piece.

Ultrasonic thickness gauges are simple and easy to use. Only a small amount of operator interaction is needed, and you’ll receive an almost instantaneous response. In most cases, results take just seconds to arrive and are displayed on the device’s digital readout.

Because our ultrasonic thickness testing and inspection devices are lightweight and portable, they can be easily taken to any offsite location, such as measuring wall thickness in oil refineries. Ultrasonic thickness gauges are highly versatile too, as they can be used to measure all common engineering materials, from metals and plastics to composites, fiberglass, and even rub.

Lastly, ultrasonic thickness gauges come with onboard storage and data transfer ports (USB or RS232) to transfer measurements to a PC for further analysis.

Surface Thickness Gauges

At Cygnus Instruments, we design and manufacture various types of ultrasonic thickness gauges, including our impressive range of surface thickness gauges. From ATEX-certified intrinsically safe ultrasonic thickness gauges to hands-free models, whatever your requirements might be, we have them covered.

Our current range of ultrasonic thickness gauges includes:

All our standard models come with Multiple-Echo mode in-built as standard. Multiple-Echo mode allows for far more accurate wall thickness measurements to be taken without having to remove protective coatings.

In addition to our standard models, we also have ‘+’ variants of our Cygnus 2 and Cygnus 4 devices. These variants feature all three testing modes (Multiple, Single, and Echo-Echo) as the latter two are useful for extreme corrosion and pitting. The Cygnus 6+ PRO comes with these modes as standard and also boasts A-Scan, B-Scan and comprehensive data logging designed for professional users.

Cygnus 2 Hands–Free

The Cygnus 2 Hands-Free is an ultrasonic thickness gauge engineered for the most unforgiving of environments. It’s small, compact, and lightweight, sports an easy-to-use keyboard, intuitive menus, and an LCD color display for quick analysis of results. The Cygnus 2 Hands-Free ultrasonic thickness gauge features an A-Scan display and comes with Multiple-Echo mode as standard, meaning it’ll work with single-crystal probes.

Please note that a ‘+’ variant is also available that can employ Single-Echo and Echo-Echo modes when used in tandem with twin-crystal probes.

With Multiple-Echo mode, the Cygnus 2 Hands-Free ultrasonic thickness gauge can take accurate through-coating measurements. Whereas the ‘+’ variant, while in Single-Echo or Echo mode, can also carry out testing and inspection for surfaces marred by extreme corrosion or back wall pitting. While in Single-Echo and Echo-Echo testing modes, MSI™ (Measurement Stability Indicator) is available.

Hands-free operation is made possible as this particular thickness gauge is wrist, waist belt, and harness mountable. The LCD multi-functional display can be rotated and is suitable for all lighting conditions. The Cygnus 2 also sports buttons integral with the TPE molding and is designed for a minimum of 100,000 depressions.

For specifications can be found by clicking on the Cygnus 2 Hands-Free product page.

Cygnus 4 General Purpose

The Cygnus 4 General Purpose is the perfect all-around device for carrying out wall thickness measurements in a variety of environments. It comes with the Multiple-Echo mode as standard, with Single-Echo and Echo-Echo modes also supported by the ‘+’ variant. As with the Cygnus 2 Hands-Free, the Multiple-Echo mode supports through-cover measurements and provides a greater degree of accuracy as it uses multiple sound pulses.

Single-Echo and Echo-Echo modes are both highly favored, however, in situations where extreme corrosion and back wall pitting are present.

 

It’s simple to use and sports a large, bright front color LCD display. With this ultrasonic thickness gauge, users have access to the Deep Coat function, ignoring coatings up to 20mm (0.8 inches) thick. The Cygnus 4 also boasts simple, one-point calibration, with no zeroing required.

The Cygnus 4 should be used with single-crystal probes. The Cygnus 4+ can be used with single-crystal and twin-crystal probes depending on what testing mode is being employed.

Cygnus 6+ PRO

The Cygnus 6+ PRO is the only device in our range that doesn’t come in a standard variant. As such, all Cygnus 6+ ultrasonic thickness gauges sport all three testing modes and can be used with single and twin-crystal probes out of the box. The Cygnus 6+ PRO ultrasonic thickness gauge is a testing and inspection gauge built for professional users.

It comes loaded with features, such as A-Scan, B-Scan, and comprehensive data logging capabilities. When used in conjunction with Cygnus High-Temperature probes, the Cygnus 6+ PRO is capable of measuring the wall thickness of high-temperature in-service assets. You won’t even need to shut down or isolate said assets.

This makes the Cygnus 6+ PRO ultrasonic thickness gauge perfect for use in scenarios that include:

The Cygnus 6+ PRO ultrasonic thickness gauge supports temperature compensation feature for measurement of hot material. It comes with a Deep Coat function standard on all Multiple-Echo devices. One and two-point calibration are available. This ultrasonic thickness gauge supports Bluetooth™ for data transfer.

Other features include shock and impact protection, dust and water resistance (US MIL STD 810G/ IP67), intrinsically safe operation, a large front LCD display and an end-mounted LCD display with a grayscale setting for bright sunlight.

Underwater Thickness Gauges

At Cygnus Instruments, we don’t just cater to those looking for surface ultrasonic thickness gauges – we also cover those seeking underwater thickness gauges. Our range of underwater thickness gauges is favored by engineers and divers alike. Such individuals are required to work in challenging environments, and so devices that are user-friendly will certainly make things easier.

We’ve developed the following underwater thickness gauges that enable users to take quick and accurate subsea measurements:

These ultrasonic thickness gauges come with full data logging capabilities, Topside Repeater, HelmetView™, and CygLink surface display software. All testing modes are supported as standard, making these thickness gauges compatible with single and twin-crystal probes.

All devices come with MSI™ as standard for reliable measurements in both Single and Echo-Echo modes. Devices are rated for depths of up to 300m. Each of our underwater thickness gauges comes with various mounting options. For instance, our Cygnus Dive Underwater gauge is wrist-mountable. Other options are ROV-mountable.

Impressive data logging capabilities mean that 5,000 measurements and A-Scans can be stored. With auto-log, there’s no log button to press. Plus, with the impressive AMOLED display, the screen can be easily viewed from any angle by both the diver the camera, even in dark and murky waters.

If you require further information about our range of underwater thickness gauges, browse our website and click on the relevant product pages, or give our team a call now.

Ultrasonic Probes

When it comes to using ultrasonic thickness gauges, you must be mindful of what device and testing mode you’re using. All our devices come with Multiple-Echo mode as standard, but only select devices come with Single-Echo and Echo-Echo testing modes. These devices include our ‘+’ variants, underwater gauges, and the Cygnus 6+ PRO.

The thickness gauge itself is there to simply process incoming sound pulses and calculate wall thickness measurements. In testing and inspection applications, it’s the probes the physically send and receive the sound pulses that the device uses. Without a probe, the device won’t work, and if you use the wrong probe, the readings you receive won’t be correct.

Here at Cygnus Instruments, we understand the importance of selecting the right probes for the job. To that end, we supply three probe types – Single-Crystal, Twin-Crystal, and High-Temperature probes. Single and twin-crystal probes are detailed below.

High-temperature probes are, as the name implies, twin element ultrasonic probes engineered for high-temperature, in-service thickness measurements. They can be used on any active piece of equipment without needing to shut down or isolate the test piece first.

Single Crystal Ultrasonic Probes

Single-crystal probes are designed to work with Multiple-Echo enabled thickness gauges because they are engineered to read through and ignore coatings. Our single-crystal probes are comprised of stainless steel and come with a soft face that incorporates a replaceable wear membrane, thereby protecting the probe face.

Twin Crystal Ultrasonic Probes

Twin-crystal probes are designed to work in tandem with Single-Echo and Echo-Echo modes and are engineered to measure surfaces with heavy corrosion and back wall pitting. If no surface coatings are present, the Single-Echo mode can be used.

Why Choose our Ultrasonic Thickness Gauges?

Established in 1983, in nearly 40 years, Cygnus Instruments has continued to go from strength to strength. We’ve pioneered the Multiple-Echo testing mode, now an industry standard. And we’ve developed an impressive array of thickness gauges and probes to suit a variety of environments and tasks. With Multiple-Echo included as standard, all our thickness gauges can take measurements using single-crystal probes that are error-checked for accuracy.

The existence of our devices stems from a need for innovation in a world sorely lacking a robust, reliable, and easy to use handheld thickness gauge. Through extensive research and development, we’ve engineered the best range of solutions designed to weather even the harshest of environments. Drawing from our roots in marine inspection services, we’ve built on our strong foundations to deliver an entirely application-driven, user-focused approach.

We take on board what our customers have to say, using their feedback to make our thickness gauges and probes even better. Thousands of hours of research and development goes into each of our products, ensuring that we’re supplying the best thickness gauges the market has seen.

And that’s not all – we also developed the Hatch Sure within the same scope as our thickness gauges. The Hatch Sure is one of the market’s leading hatch cover leak detectors used for other applications too, such as water-tight door testing.

Whether you’re opting for the Hatch Sure, one of our thickness gauges or probes, you’ll have the assurances that come with choosing an ISO-9001 certified company. And thanks to our intrinsically safe certifications (BASEEFA and CSA), if you require a device for an explosive environment, you should look no further than us.

Contact us

When searching for top-quality ultrasonic thickness gauges, you won’t find a better range of market-leading products than the ones we manufacture at Cygnus Instruments. Our testing and inspection gauges are the best in class, having been the result of years of careful research and development. Whether you’re looking to expand your current range of devices, upgrade, or just getting started, we have unbeatable measurement solutions right here.

And we stock the right probes too, so you’ll have everything you need to head out into the field and start taking wall thickness measurements. To learn more about our products, browse the product pages on our website. If you have any questions, give Cygnus Instruments a call today on +441305265533. One of our team members will discuss your request over the phone and offer relevant advice and information.

Alternatively, you can put your queries to us in writing by emailing our team at sales@cygnus-instruments.com.