AUT8500A Operation Manual OP8500A.1.1.7.

R1ENG

®
ALIASONIC

Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

AUT8500A Series

Operation Manual

Alia Group Inc. URL: http://www.alia-inc.com

113 Barksdale Professional Center, Newark, DE 19711, USA E-mail: alia@alia-inc.com
TEL : +1 - 302 - 213 - 0106 FAX : +1 - 302 - 213 - 0107 OP8500A.1.1.7.R1ENG

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AUT8500A Operation Manual OP8500A.1.1.7.R1ENG

Index
1. Introduction ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3
2. Theory-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3
3. Features --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3
4. Full Screen Display ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3
5. Keypad----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4
6. Measurement Operation Map-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4
6.1 Operation Map of Plane Objects -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4
6.2 Operation Map of Curved Surface Objects----------------------------------------------------------------------------5
7. Operation Instructions --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5
7.1 Gauge Calibration -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5
7.2 Thickness Measurement ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------7
7.3 Sound Velocity Measurement --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------8
7.4 Thickness Data Storage and Check ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10
7.5 LED Backlight and Auto Power Off------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 10
8. Measurement Tips ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11
8.1 Surface Cleaning----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11
8.2 Surface Roughness Decreasing --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11
8.3 Surface Measurement of Curved Surface Objects ---------------------------------------------------------------- 11
8.4 Complex Shape Objects ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11
8.5 Unparallel Surface Objects ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11
8.6 Material Temperature Influences -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11
8.7 High Attenuation Materials ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11
9. Error Precautions ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 11
9.1 Metal Calibration Block Cleaning -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11
9.2 Sensor Abrasion ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11
9.3 Rust and Pit on Surface -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11
9.4 ‘CAL’ Key Use -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11
9.5 Coupling Agent Use and Selection ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 12
9.6 Laminated/Composite Materials --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12
9.7 Metal-oxidized Surface --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12
Appendix 1 List of Sound Velocity of Common Industrial Materials ---------------------------------------------------- 12

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AUT8500A Operation Manual OP8500A.1.1.7.R1ENG
1. Introduction
This instrument is an intelligent portable easy to use for the measurement of thickness and sound velocity of various
materials quickly, precisely, and non-invasively (objects) based on the ultrasonic measuring theory. It’s widely used in
precise measurement of diversified materials/parts in industrial realm. What’s more, it monitors on all kinds of pipes and
pressure containers in production equipment, and accurately figures out their reduction value of different parts in the
course of use.
Not only can it is applied to industrial circle, but also it has applications in manufacturing, metal processing, commercial
inspection and so forth. Good ultrasonic conductors, for instance, metals, plastics, ceramics, glass, are also measurable.
As long as the objects are parallel led in 2 smooth surfaces, the meter will figure out their thickness. Meanwhile, this unit
is not suitable to cast iron due to its big crystalloid composition.

2. Theory
Based on ultrasonic pulse-reflection theory, the ultrasonic pulse emitted from the sensor will be reflected back to the
sensor when it reaches the opposite interface of the object. The thickness is precisely judged by the spread time of the
ultrasonic in the tested object. With microprocessor chip, AUT8500A is access to the thickness more precisely and
quickly on the basis of this theory.

3. Features
·Auto zero point calibration to check systematic error
·Coupling state indication
·10 columns of thickness data storage
·12 columns of sound velocity data storage
·Low battery indication
·Auto power down(2 minutes approx.)
·Each button’s life over 10,000 times

4. Full Screen Display

THICK NE S S V E L - +

m/ s mm
M 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Button Function
Coupling indication
VEL Velocity
THICKNESS Thickness
- + Low battery
Value
mm Thickness unit
m/ s Sound velocity unit
M Check and store thickness data
1 ~ 10 Storage Columns
Calibration indication

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AUT8500A Operation Manual OP8500A.1.1.7.R1ENG
5. Keypad

®
AUT8500A

Name Button Function

POWER Power on/off
VELOCITY Choose and check value

1. Hold key(for 2 secs) until it’s in calibration mode

CALIBRATION
2. Press key shortly to enter and confirm settings
STORE Store data or shift function
DOWN Move to input/check value(sound velocity, thickness, thickness unit)
UP Move to input/check value(sound velocity, thickness, thickness unit)
BACKLIGHT + Backlight
For Gauge Calibration
Calibration Block (Please strip the membrane from the surface before usage )

6. Measurement Operation Map

6.1 Operation Map of Plane Objects

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AUT8500A Operation Manual OP8500A.1.1.7.R1ENG
6.2 Operation Map of Curved Surface Objects

7. Operation Instructions
7.1 Gauge Calibration
When power on, the gauge will display LCD screen for 0.5s, progress bar and increasing indication from 0000 to 9999,
as well as the sound velocity and thickness unit used last time.
Every time after you replace the probes or batteries, please DO gauge calibration. This is very important for accuracy.
If permitted, try as many times as you can.

VEL Power-up Interface

The value shown on the screen is the velocity measured last time.
Hold key for 2s until the gauge is in calibration mode.

m/ s
M

VEL
Calibration Holding Interface
On the left, icon flashes from the top to the bottom circularly,
displaying “CAL”, “VEL” and “m/s”.

m/ s

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AUT8500A Operation Manual OP8500A.1.1.7.R1ENG

THICK NE S S
Calibration Interface
Coat the coupling agent onto the surface of the metal calibration
block, and calibrate its thickness with the probes. At this moment,
icon will not display, but icon does on the left corner instead.

mm

THICK NE S S Calibration Completed Interface

If the screen displays 4.0mm, remove the probes, and icon will

disappear, this means calibration is completed. Press key to

enter Measurement Holding Interface. Sound velocity displayed at
this moment is the sound velocity of calibration block.

mm

THICK NE S S
Measurement Holding Interface
Shown on the screen are sequence number and thickness. Sound
velocity displayed at this moment is the sound velocity of
calibration block.

mm
M 1

Calibration Completion Test

Coat the coupling agent onto the surface of random calibration
block, of whose diameter is 30mm. Use probes to test its thickness,
if thickness data shown on this gauge is the same with that of
marked block, it means calibration completed successfully. Other
sound velocity is alternative for thickness measurement of other
subjects. Otherwise calibration again.

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AUT8500A Operation Manual OP8500A.1.1.7.R1ENG
7.2 Thickness Measurement
Sound velocity should be certain before measurement. There are 12 columns available for sound velocity storage. At
the same time, custom sound velocity is alternative. For example, if you’d like to measure thickness of glass, set its
sound velocity first then start measurement. (See List of Sound Velocity of Common Industrial Materials and sound
velocity of glass is 5440.)

VEL

Power-up Interface
The value shown on the screen is the sound velocity measured last

time. Press to enter Sound Velocity Selection Interface.

m/ s
M

VEL Sound Velocity Selection Interface

Press again. ‘ VEL ’icon on the top right corner will flick. Press

or to choose suitable stored sound velocity and press

to confirm values and enter Measurement Holding Interface at the
same time. If there’s no suitable sound velocity stored, shift to
m/ s Sound Velocity Adjustment Interface.

Sound Velocity Adjustment Interface

VEL
Press once again, ‘ VEL ’ (top right corner) and ‘ m / s ’ (bottom

left corner) will both flash. Press or and choose right sound

velocity. Press to confirm and enter Measurement Holding

Interface.
m/ s

THICK NE S S
Thickness Measurement Interface
Coat the coupling agent evenly on object, and test its thickness
with the probes. If icon appears, it means coupling finished
perfectly.

mm
M 6

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THICK NE S S Thickness Measurement Completed Interface

As long as the value shown is stable, remove the probes, value
shown this time is its thickness if icon disappears.

mm
M 6

7.3 Sound Velocity Measurement

If you’d like to know the thickness of an object of whose sound velocity unknown, you can find a sample of the same
material with the object: Measure the thickness of this sample with a caliper or micrometer first. Then based on its
known thickness, use AUT8500A to measure its sound velocity. Finally you will know the thickness of the object by
knowing the sound velocity of the sample.

VEL Power-up Interface

The value shown on the screen is the sound velocity measured

last time. Press to enter Measurement Holding Interface.

m/ s
M

THICK NE S S
Measurement Holding Interface
This interface displays sequence number and stored thickness.
You can start thickness measurement now.

mm
M 1

Measurement Interface
Uniformly coat the coupling agent onto the surface of the object, if
icon appears on the top right corner, it means coupling
succeed.

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Measurement Completed Interface

When the value shown stable, remove the probes, icon will

disappear, press or to adjust actual thickness of the

sample (of the same material).

/
Thickness Adjustment Interface

Press or to adjust values when ‘ THICKNESS ’and ‘ mm ’

flash at the same time.

Sound Velocity Display Interface

After adjustment, press key to see the object’s corresponding

sound velocity.

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AUT8500A Operation Manual OP8500A.1.1.7.R1ENG
7.4 Thickness Data Storage and Check
10 thickness data could be stored and inquired.

Thickness Data Storage (after sound velocity is input):

（1） Press “STORE” for 2 seconds to enter data storage interface. “THICKNESS”, “mm”, data storage symbol “M”,
sequence number “1” and corresponding data of sequence number “1” will be shown on this interface. If there’s
no data stored before, thickness will be “0.0” in sequence number column.
（2） Press or to shift in between sequence number column from 1 to 10.
（3） After sequence number column is chosen, thickness measurement could begin. The sequence number column
will flash if thickness measurement is in progress. The gauge will store measured value into this sequence
number column automatically and overwrites old value stored before, reading in the latest measured value. And
the sequence number column will stop flashing if measurement is finished.

Sequence Number Column Current Value Probes Removed and

Auto-saved in Measurement Measurement Completed

（4） If you’d like to save thickness value in other columns, please follow by (2) (3) or press “STORE” to exit.

Thickness Data Check:

Press “STORE” for 2 seconds. Stored column and thickness will be shown at this time. Press or to shift in
between sequence number column from 1 to 10. They are read-only. Press “STORE” to escape and enter measurement
interface.

Stored Thickness Check

7.5 LED Backlight and Auto Power Off

When under power down state, press “CAL” and at the same time, and release. The LED backlight will be on.
The backlight will be on for 7s after button pushed each time ( excluded). It will be off when power off.
When under holding state, it will be auto power down after 2 minutes if no button pushed.

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AUT8500A Operation Manual OP8500A.1.1.7.R1ENG
8. Measurement Tips

8.1 Surface Cleaning

Dismantle all the coverings like dirt, rust, and paints on surface before start.

8.2 Surface Roughness Decreasing

Excessive roughness leads to error, even no readings in the gauge. Make sure object’s surface is smooth by
rubbing, grinding, polishing, oppressing or using high viscosity coupling agent.

8.3 Surface Measurement of Curved Surface Objects

When start with cylindrical objects, such as pipes and barrels, it’s highly important to choose a right axial angle
between the probe and object, which means the centerline of the probes and cylindrical objects, should be perpendicular
or parallel. Roll the probes on one point of the surface to contact every area to the fullest, the readings will change
regularly. And the minimum value will be the final thickness.
The standard of the angle depends on curvature. As for object with major diameter, it should be measured in a
perpendicular way; object with minor diameter either in perpendicular way or parallel way. Take the minimum reading as
the final thickness.

8.4 Complex Shape Objects

If you are going to measure complex shape part like swan neck, please refer to item 7.3 amply for measurement
details. However, a second measurement is needed. Figure out the value in perpendicular way and parallel way, and
then take the minor one as its thickness.

8.5 Unparallel Surface Objects

To get a full response from the ultrasonic, the opposite side of the object is to be parallel or coincident with the tested
surface. Otherwise, there will be error or no readings.

8.6 Material Temperature Influences

The thickness and speed of ultrasonic wave are both affected by temperature. For better accuracy, you can test the
calibration block of the same material under the same temperature respectively, and figure out their error by the given
parameters. You can also calibrate the meter by testing steel (same material and same temperature with the block)
under high temperature as steel might cause bigger error than the calibration block.

8.7 High Attenuation Materials

As for some fibrous, poriferous and coarse-grained materials, they scatter the ultrasonic wave and reduce energy,
thus unusual readings, even no readings would happen (usually the unusual readings are lower than the real ones.)
Under such circumstance, these kinds of materials are not fit for AUT8500A.

9. Error Precautions

9.1 Metal Calibration Block Cleaning

As it’s necessary to coat the coupling agent on the calibration block, please attention for the rust on it. Wipe the
residues out from the block and try not to stain it with sweat when temperature is warm. Coat a few oil on the surface of
the block to prevent from rust when it’s not used for a long time. Clean it up before another measurement.

9.2 Sensor Abrasion

The surface of the sensor is made of allyl resin. Long term usage will roughen the surface and lose its sensitivity.
To solve this, you can use 500# sand paper or few whetstones to grind the sensor. If problem remains, you need to
change a new sensor.

9.3 Rust and Pit on Surface

The rust or pit on the underside of object brings in irregular reading changes, even no readings under extreme
conditions. Tiny rust is hard to spot out. If you find the pit or feel there is one, be cautious to measure this area by
shifting the angle of the sensor frequently.

9.4 ‘CAL’ Key Use

‘CAL’ function is merely appropriate for meter calibration between sensor and the calibration block, no other calibration
block is allowed. If not, error exists.

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9.5 Coupling Agent Use and Selection
Coupling agent is designed for spreading high-frequency ultrasonic energy between sensor and objects. Wrong
selection/operation result in error or flicker of coupling agent indication, the measurement will be impossible. It should be
used in right amount, and in even way. It’s also of importance to choose what kind of coupling agent. For smooth objects,
low viscosity coupling agent, such as random agent or light engine oil, is suitable; for rough objects, high viscosity
coupling agent, such as glycerin paste, lithium base grease and lubricant grease(If the surface is vertical or upside down,
use high viscosity agent so as to avoid any coupling agent loss.). What’s more, when work on high-heat materials, only
high-heat coupling agent is suitable.

9.6 Laminated/Composite Materials

It’s impossible to know the thickness of laminated materials that are uncoupled, for ultrasonic wave fail to pass through
the uncoupled space. Besides, it can not travel in composite materials uniformly, so any thickness gauge which is based
on pulse reflection theory is not applied to laminated/composite materials.

9.7 Metal-oxidized Surface

Intense oxidized film come into being on the surface of some metals. They adhere to objects tightly and no
apparent boundary could be spot. However, ultrasonic speed differs in these 2 materials. As a result, error occurs.
Meanwhile, pay attention to different oxidized film as well as different thickness contribute to different values. For better
accuracy, make a most precise calibration block sample measured by micrometers or calipers from the same material
first, then measure its thickness after its sound velocity is certain.

Appendix 1 List of Sound Velocity of Common Industrial Materials

Temperature will impose an effect on thickness of objects and spread velocity of ultrasonic waves. Meantime, sound
velocity will be influenced by different materials. Table below is for your reference.

Material Sound Velocity (m/s) Material Sound Velocity(m/s)

Aluminum 6320 Acetate resin 2670

Zinc 4170 Phosphor bronze 3530
Silver 3600 Turpentine 4430
Gold 3240 Glass 5440
Tin 3230 Inconel 5720
Iron/Steel 5900 Magnesium 6310
Brass 4640 Monel metal 6020
Copper 4700 Nickel 5630
SUS 5790 Steel 4330(mild) 5850
Acrylic resin 2730 Steel 330 5660
Water(20℃) 1480 Titanium 6070
Glycerin 1920 Zirconium 4650
Soluble glass 2350 Nylon 2620

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