Application of TIME2190 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge and Pen Probe in the Inspection of Ultra-thin and Ultra-narrow Parts.
In modern high-end manufacturing, the quality inspection of precision micro-parts is becoming an increasingly prominent technical challenge. From the micro-orifice wall thickness of aerospace fuel nozzles to the multi-layered structure of medical device interventional catheters, and the metal plating of semiconductor packaging substrates—the thickness of these ultra-thin, ultra-narrow, and geometrically complex components directly determines product performance and lifespan, yet traditional contact-based measurements are often difficult to implement due to physical space limitations.
TIME2190 ultrasonic thickness gauge, paired with a high-precision pen-type probe, provides an innovative solution to this inspection challenge. With micron-level resolution and an extremely small probe contact area, it achieves in-situ, non-destructive, and high-precision measurement of ultra-thin and ultra-narrow parts, making it a veritable “microscopic stethoscope” for the industrial inspection field.
TIME2190 ultrasonic thickness gauge employs the pulse-reflection measurement principle. High-frequency ultrasonic pulses emitted by the probe enter the object being measured, propagate within the object, and are reflected back to the probe when they encounter the bottom surface or interface of the material. The instrument calculates the thickness of the measured material by precisely calculating the propagation time of the ultrasonic wave within the material and combining this with a preset sound velocity value.
While this basic principle is the same as conventional thickness gauges, the TIME2190’s breakthrough lies in its full waveform display capability. The instrument is equipped with a 320×240 pixel color TFT LCD screen that can display the A-scan waveform in real time. For ultra-thin and ultra-narrow parts, conventional thickness gauges often fail because they cannot distinguish between interface echoes and noise. The A-scan waveform display allows the operator to:
Directly identify: observe the shape and position of the initial pulse, bottom echo, and multiple echoes;
Precisely select the measurement point: choose the optimal measurement position on complex geometric structures;
Eliminate interference: distinguish true echoes from structural noise, aftershocks, and other noise.
Typical Application Scenarios
Aerospace Industry
Fuel Nozzle Micro-orifice Wall Thickness: The micro-orifice diameter of aero-engine fuel nozzles is often less than 1mm, with a wall thickness of only 0.3-0.8mm, directly affecting atomization performance. Pen-type probes can reach deep into the orifice to measure radial wall thickness distribution.
Medical Device Industry
1) Multi-layered Interventional Catheters: The multi-layered composite walls of balloon catheters and vascular stent delivery systems require precise thickness control for each layer. High-frequency probes can distinguish echoes from different interfaces, enabling layered thickness measurement.
2) Injection Needle Wall Thickness: Ultra-fine needles used in minimally invasive surgery typically have a wall thickness in the range of 0.1-0.2mm, requiring uniformity to avoid breakage risks.
Precision Electronics and Semiconductors
IC Lead Frame Plating: The uniformity of the thickness of the local silver plating layer directly affects soldering reliability.
Flexible Circuit Board Cover Film: The thickness control of the cover film on the polyimide substrate affects bending life.
Automotive Precision Components
1) High-Pressure Common Rail Wall Thickness: The micro-hole machining area of the diesel engine’s high-pressure common rail requires monitoring of the minimum remaining wall thickness after machining.
2) Transmission Valve Body Oil Circuits: The intersecting oil circuits inside the hydraulic control valve body; thinning of the wall thickness may lead to high-pressure leakage.
