USERS MANUAL

MODEL 26MG
Part No. 910-166E

In accordance with European Directive 2002/96/EC on Waste Electrical and

Electronic Equipment, this symbol indicates that the product must not be disposed of as unsorted municipal waste, but should be collected separately. Refer
to your local Olympus distributor for return and/or collection systems available
in your country.

Copyright 2005 by Olympus NDT.

All rights reserved.
No part of this manual may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by
any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording,
or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the written
permission of Olympus NDT, except where permitted by law. For
information, contact us at pana@OlympusNDT.com.
Other product names mentioned in this document may be trademarks of
their respective companies, and are mentioned for identification purposes
only.
Printed in the United States of America.

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910-166E

WARRANTY
Olympus NDT guarantees the Model 26MG to be free from defects in
materials and workmanship for a period of two years (twenty-four
months) from date of shipment. This warranty can be extended beyond
the two-year period. Consult us for further details.
The warranty only covers equipment that has been used in a proper
manner as described in this instruction manual and has not been
subjected to excessive abuse, attempted unauthorized repair, or
modification. DURING THIS WARRANTY PERIOD, Olympus
NDT LIABILITY IS STRICTLY LIMITED TO REPAIR OR
REPLACEMENT OF A DEFECTIVE UNIT AT ITS OPTION. The
company does not warrant the Model 26MG to be suitable for intended
use, and assumes no responsibility for unsuitability for intended use.
The company accepts no liability for consequential or incidental
damages including damage to property and/or personal injury.
This warranty does not include the transducer, transducer cable, or
battery. The customer will pay shipping expense to the Olympus NDT
plant for warranty repair; Olympus NDT will pay for the return of the
repaired equipment. (For instruments not under warranty, the customer
will pay shipping expenses both ways.)
Olympus NDT reserves the right to modify all products without
incurring the responsibility for modifying previously manufactured
products. The company does not assume any liability for the results of
particular installations, as these circumstances are not within our
control.
THE WARRANTIES SET FORTH HEREIN ARE EXCLUSIVE
AND ARE IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES WHETHER
STATUTORY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED (INCLUDING
WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A
MODEL 26MG

PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND WARRANTIES ARISING FROM

COURSE OF DEALING OR USAGE OR TRADE.)

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CONTENTS
1 GENERAL INFORMATION....................... 1
2 BASIC OPERATION ................................. 1
2.1
2.2
2.3

INITIAL SETUP ...................................................... 2

MAKING MEASUREMENTS.................................. 3
LOW BATTERY ..................................................... 4

3 CALIBRATION.......................................... 1
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4

INTRODUCTION.....................................................
TRANSDUCER ZERO COMPENSATION ............
VELOCITY AND ZERO CALIBRATION..................
MATERIAL VELOCITY CALIBRATION ..................

1
2
2
4

3.4.1 UNKNOWN MATERIAL SOUND VELOCITY............ 4

3.4.2 KNOWN SOUND VELOCITY................................... 5

3.5 ZERO CALIBRATION ............................................. 6

4 ADDITIONAL GAGING FEATURES ........ 1

4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
4.6
4.7
4.8

BACKLIGHT............................................................
DISPLAY BLANK OR HOLD..................................
CALIBRATION LOCK ............................................
AUTO SHUT-OFF ...................................................
DISPLAY RESOLUTION........................................
GAGE RESET.........................................................
UNITS .....................................................................
FAST DISPLAY MEASUREMENT RATE WITH
MINIMUM THICKNESS & FREEZE FUNCTION....

2
2
3
3
4
4
5
5

5 SPECIFICATIONS .................................... 1
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6 THEORY OF OPERATION ....................... 1

7 APPLICATION NOTES............................. 1
7.1 FACTORS AFFECTING PERFORMANCE AND
ACCURACY ........................................................... 1
7.2 TRANSDUCER SELECTION.................................. 4
7.3 HIGH TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENTS............ 6

8 MAINTENANCE AND TROUBLE

SHOOTING ................................................. 1
8.1 ROUTINE CARE AND MAINTENANCE .................
8.2 TRANSDUCERS.....................................................
8.3 ERROR MESSAGES .............................................
8.4 OTHER ERROR OR PROBLEM INDICATIONS.....

1
1
2
2

8.4.1 TURN ON AND LOW BATTERY PROBLEMS.......... 2

8.4.2 SETUP (D) PROBLEMS ..................................... 3
8.4.3 MEASUREMENT PROBLEMS ................................. 3

8.5 BUILT IN TESTS..................................................... 4

8.5.1 DISPLAY TESTS....................................................... 4
8.5.2 KEYBOARD TEST .................................................... 5
8.5.3 PULSER RECEIVER PARAMETER TEST ............... 5

8.6 REPAIR SERVICE .................................................. 7

8.7 REPLACEMENT PARTS AND OPTIONAL PARTS
AND EQUIPMENT.................................................. 7

APPENDIX I-SOUND VELOCITIES

APPENDIX II RS232 OPTION

iv

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GENERAL INFORMATION

The Panametrics-NDTTM Model 26MG is a simple to operate

hand-held ultrasonic thickness gage designed primarily for corroded
metal applications.
Although the Model 26MG has many features, it is as simple to use as
a basic thickness gage. To measure thickness with a calibrated gage,
couple the transducer to the surface of the material and read the
thickness.
The gage uses dual-element transducers to measure the thickness of
corroded, pitted, scaled, granular and other difficult materials from one
side only. A full line of transducers are available to measure materials
between 0.020" (0.50mm) and 20" (500mm) thickness and between
20oC and +500oC in temperature.
The Model 26MG makes full use of its microprocessor to offer
selectable advanced measurement features. Moreover, the
microprocessor in the Model 26MG continuously adjusts the receiver
setup so that every measurement is optimized for reliability, range, and
sensitivity.
The advanced measurement features of the Model 26MG include the
following:
Automatic probe recognition
Quick compensations for transducer temperature changes
Fast scan min hold mode with 20 readings/sec and freeze
function.
Selectable Hold or Blank display during loss of signal (LOS)
conditions

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LCD with selectable backlight or auto backlight for a highly

readable display under all lighting conditions
Selectable English/metric units
Selectable calibration lockout functions to prevent accidental
change to calibration
Selectable resolutions .001" (.01mm) or .01" (.1mm)
Easy calibration for unknown material velocity and/or
transducer zero.
Automatic power off

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BASIC OPERATION

The purpose of this section is to demonstrate how basic measurements

can be made with the Model 26MG gage. The unit has been shipped
from the factory set up with the following conditions.
STANDARD
RESOLUTION

0.001 in. or 0.01mm

SOUND VELOCITY

0.2322 in./S or 5.898 mm/S

(Approximate sound velocity for the
carbon steel test bar provided with
the gage) See Note below

BLANK MODE

Display will blank when not making

a measurement

A further explanation of these default conditions may be found in later

sections of this manual. They may be changed by the operator after
becoming familiar with the more sophisticated features of the gage.
These conditions have been selected to demonstrate how simple it is to
use the instrument.

Note: The default value for sound velocity is only an

approximation of the sound velocity in the test block
material. The sound velocity of low to medium carbon alloy
steel is typically 0.2322 in/S or 5.898 mm/S. Therefore,
if you find the default value gives inaccurate results on your
material, refer to Section 3 for calibration instructions.

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2.1

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INITIAL SETUP

Follow this procedure when operating the gage for the first time.
1.

Plug the transducer into the connector at the top end of the
Model 26MG case.
Note that the transducer cable connector must be oriented
with center pin up.
When unplugging a transducer, pull ONLY on molded
plug, NOT on the cable.

2.

Press [ON/OFF] to turn the gage on. (The transducer should

NOT be coupled to the test piece.) The display will now
show the message.

Figure 2-1:
This means that the gage requires the following transducer
ZERO compensation step.
3.

Wipe all couplant from the tip of the transducer.

4.

Press [ZERO].

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The display will show:

Figure 2-2:
5.

You are now ready to make measurements. The current units

are indicated on the right of the display. Inches (IN) or
millimeters (MM) may be changed to the alternate
measurement units with the F1 key as described in
Chapter 4.

Note: This is not a substitute for doing a proper calibration. For

materials other than the included test block, see Note under
Section 2.2, Step 3 on next page.

2.2

MAKING MEASUREMENTS
1.

Apply couplant to the test block or material at the spot to be

measured. In general, the smoother the material surface, the
thinner the couplant may be. Rough surfaces require more
viscous couplant such as gel or grease. Special couplants are
required for high temperature applications (see Section 7.4).

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2.

Press the tip of the transducer to the surface of the material to

be measured. Use moderate to firm pressure and keep the
transducer as flat as possible on the material surface. See
Section 7.1 for further hints on transducer coupling.

3.

Read the material thickness on the gage display.

Note: For highest accuracy both a velocity and zero calibration

must be done. Refer to Section 3, CALIBRATION, for this
procedure.

2.3

LOW BATTERY

The gage will operate for at least 250 hours on one set of batteries
under normal conditions (not in FAST mode, backlight off). The
battery symbol in the upper left corner of the display indicates
remaining battery life.

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3
3.1

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CALIBRATION
INTRODUCTION

Calibration is the process of adjusting the gage so that it measures

accurately on a particular material, using a particular transducer at a
particular temperature. The Model 26MG calibration procedure falls
into the following three categories:
1. Transducer Zero Compensation:
Calibrates for the sound transit time in each of the dual transducer
delay lines, which varies from unit to unit and with temperature.
This simple off-block procedure must be done when the gage is
turned on, when the transducer is changed, and whenever the
transducer temperature changes significantly.
2. Material Velocity Calibration or CAL VEL:
Done using a thick test block of the measured material with known
thickness or by entering the previously determined material
velocity manually. It must be performed for each new type of
material.
3. Zero Calibration or CAL ZERO:
Done using a thin test block of the measured material with known
thickness. Unlike the first two calibrations, this procedure is not
required unless the best absolute accuracy is demanded (better than
+/-004" or +/-10mm). If required, it need only be done once for
each new transducer and material combination. It does not have to
be repeated when the transducer temperature changes. Transducer
Zero Compensation will take care of it.

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3.2

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TRANSDUCER ZERO
COMPENSATION

This step must be done whenever the message d and the ZERO
flag are displayed (do ZERO).
To do the Transducer Zero Compensation, wipe any couplant from the
transducer face, and press [ZERO]. The gage will momentarily
display the zero calibration value and then go to the measure mode
automatically.
When measurements are being made on surfaces that are significantly
above or below room temperature, press [ZERO] on a regular basis.

3.3

VELOCITY AND ZERO CALIBRATION

The Material Velocity and Zero Calibration procedures may be

combined using a thick and a thin calibration block of the same
material.
1.

First update the Transducer Zero Compensation by wiping

the transducer face and pressing [ZERO] while in the
Measure mode.

2.

Then couple the transducer to the thick calibration block.

3.

Press [CAL].

4.

When the thickness reading is stable, press [VEL].

5.

Uncouple the transducer from the block and use the [

] or

[ ] keys to enter the thickness of the thick block.

6.

Page 3-2

Couple the transducer to the thin block and press [CAL].

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7.
8.

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When the reading is stable, press [ZERO].

] or

Uncouple the transducer from the block and use the [

[ ] keys to enter the thickness of the thin block.

9.

Press [MEAS] to complete the calibration and go to the

Measure mode.

Note: Cal Velocity should always be performed on the thick

sample and Cal Zero should always be performed on the thin
sample.
If the message UFLO is displayed when attempting to
calibrate on or measure a thin material, then do the
following:
1.Carefully repeat the calibration, making sure that the thin
calibration block is within the measurement range of the
transducer. If the UFLO message is not corrected, then
continue with the steps below:
2. Do a Gage Reset. Press and hold [MEAS] and [F1]
simultaneously for three seconds to enter into the SET mode.
Use the up or down slewing keys until Reset (rSt) is on the
display and press [F1] to implement reset.Then press
[MEAS] to reset and return to the measure mode.
3. Couple to the thin calibration block. The UFLO message
should be replaced by a thickness value. If the UFLO
message is still displayed after doing a Gage Reset, then the
gage should be checked at the factory.

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4. The measured thickness value while coupled to the thin

calibration block should be within +/- 0.010 in. or +/- 0.20
mm of the correct thickness. If the indicated thickness is two
or more times the actual thickness of the thin calibration
block with a good approximate sound velocity, the gage is
doubling, i.e. measuring to the 2nd or 3rd multiple echo.
Do not attempt to do a Zero or a Velocity and Zero
calibration under this condition. Doing so will cause the
UFLO message to re-appear. Instead, correct the cause of
the doubling. Either the calibration block is thinner than the
specified capability of the transducer, the transducer is
malfunctioning, or the gage is malfunctioning.

3.4

MATERIAL VELOCITY CALIBRATION

3.4.1

UNKNOWN MATERIAL SOUND VELOCITY

To do the Material Velocity Calibration, use a calibration block made

from the material to be measured The block should be approximately
as thick as the thickest section to be measured and have flat, smooth,
and parallel front and back surfaces. The thickness of the block must
be known exactly.
1.

Update the Transducer Zero Compensation by wiping the

transducer face clean of all couplant and pressing [ZERO]
as described in Section 3.2.

2.

Couple the transducer to the block.

3.

Press [CAL].

4.

When the thickness reading is stable, press [VEL].

5.

Uncouple the transducer and use [

thickness of the standard.

Page 3-4

] or [

] to enter the

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6.

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Press [MEAS] to complete the calibration and return to

Measure mode.

If the gage double beeps and displays OFLO or UFLO before

returning to the Measure mode, then an error has been made in the
calibration procedure and the velocity has not been changed. The most
likely problem is that the thickness value entered was not correct.
Press [VEL] following Velocity Calibration (or at any time from the
Measure mode) in order to read and record the material velocity for
this particular material.This velocity may be entered by means of the
slewing keys in the future when measuring this material, without using
the block, as described in Section 3.4.2.

Note: Sound velocity in all materials changes with temperature.

For maximum accuracy the calibration block should be at
approximately the same temperature as the samples to be
measured.

3.4.2

KNOWN SOUND VELOCITY

When preparing to measure a different material, of known sound

velocity, the velocity may be entered directly without doing the CAL
VEL procedure discussed above.
1.

From the Measure mode press [VEL]. The current velocity

will be displayed.

2.

This number may then be changed to the desired value using

the

3.

and

slewing keys.

Press [MEAS] to complete the entry and return to the

Measure mode. If the gage is turned off before [MEAS] is
pressed, the velocity will not be updated to the new value but
instead will retain the previous current value.

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3.5

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ZERO CALIBRATION

To do the Zero Calibration, a calibration block of the material to be

measured must be used. The block should be approximately as thin as
the thinnest section to be measured. If the surface of the material to be
inspected is rough, the surface of the calibration block may be
roughened to simulate the actual surface to be measured. Rough
surfaces generally reduce the accuracy of measurements but
simulating actual surface conditions on the calibration block can help
to improve results. The exact thickness of the sample must be known.
1.

First update the Transducer Zero Compensation by wiping

the transducer face clean of all couplant and pressing
[ZERO] while in the Measure mode.

2.

Couple the transducer to the standard.

3.

Press [CAL].

4.

When the thickness reading is stable, press [ZERO]. The

[ZERO] key will not be accepted if the LOS display flag is
on.

5.

Uncouple the transducer and use [

thickness of the standard.

6.

Press [MEAS] to complete the calibration and return to the

Measure mode. If the gage is turned off before the [MEAS]
key is pressed, the Zero value will not be updated to the new
value but instead will retain the previous current value.

] or [

] to enter the

If the gage double-beeps and displays OFLO before returning to the

Measure mode, an error has been made in the calibration procedure
and the Zero value has not been changed. The most likely cause is that
the entered thickness was not correct.

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ADDITIONAL GAGING
FEATURES

The Model 26MG has several convenience features in addition to the

features discussed in Section 2, BASIC OPERATION. The use of
these features is not required for basic operation, however, they make
the gage a more versatile instrument.
Access the following features through the [F1] key:
Auto Backlight on/off
Hold/Blank
Calibration Lock
Auto Shut-off
Display Resolution
Gage Reset
Measurement Units
Fast/Min Normal Measurement Mode with Freeze
To access or change any of these functions, press and hold [MEAS]
and [F1] simultaneously for 3 seconds to switch the gage into the Set
Mode, then use the [
] or [ ] slewing keys to advance to the
function of interest as described below.

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4.1

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BACKLIGHT

The display backlight feature internally illuminates the liquid crystal

display with a bright uniform light. This allows the display (which has
excellent visibility in normal to high ambient light conditions) to be
viewed in low to zero ambient light conditions. The backlight is
switched on or off by the [lightbulb] key. Additionally, when the
backlight is switched on, you may select a power-saving Auto
Backlight mode which turns it on only when a reading is being made
and turns it off five seconds after LOS. To select Auto Backlight, enter
the Set mode by pressing and holding the [MEAS] and [F1] keys, then
press [ ] or [ ] until the display reads either AUtO for
automatic or for LtOn for light on (continuous) (see Figure 41). Press [F1] to toggle between these choices. To return to the
Measure mode, press [MEAS]. To access other functions press [ ]
or [ ].

4.2

DISPLAY BLANK OR HOLD

The measured thickness display may be made to continuously display

the last measured thickness when transducer contact with the material
is lost or when there is insufficient signal to make a measurement, i.e.
during loss of signal (LOS). This is called the Display Hold mode. In
the Display Blank mode the numeric part of the thickness display is
turned off during LOS.
To change to the alternate display mode from the Measure mode, enter
the Set Mode by pressing and holding [MEAS] and [F1] for 3 seconds
and then press [ ] or [ ] until the display reads HOLd or bLn (see
Figure 4-1). To change the Blank/Hold selection press [F1] again. To
return to the Measure mode, press [MEAS]. To access other functions
press [ ] or [ ].

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4.3

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CALIBRATION LOCK

The Calibration Lock feature allows the gage to be set up so that no

calibration values, i.e, velocity or zero, which affect the value of the
displayed measurement, can be altered (with the exception of
transducer zero while the gage is displaying do). However these
values can be viewed, and measurement modes can be changed, in the
Calibration Lock condition.
To set the Calibration Lock, enter the Set mode by pressing and
holding [MEAS] and [F1] for 3 seconds, and then press [ ] or [ ]
until the lock symbol flashes and the display reads either On or Off"
(see Figure 4-1). Press [F1] to select the desired lock condition. To
return to the Measure mode, press [MEAS]. To access other functions
press [ ] or [ ].

4.4

AUTO SHUT-OFF

Normally the gage turns off automatically after about six minutes if no
key has been pressed and no measurement has been made within that
time. This is to prevent the battery from running down if the gage is
left unattended for a long period of time without being turned off. This
shutoff can be disabled if for any reason it presents a problem.
To disable or re-enable the auto shut-off mode, enter the Set mode by
pressing and holding the [MEAS] and [F1] key for 3 seconds, and the
press the [ ] or [ ] slewing key until the display reads P.AUt for
Power Auto Shutoff or P.On for Power Always On (see Figure
4-1). To change to the alternate power selection, press the [F1] key.
To return to the Measure mode, press [MEAS]. To access other
functions, press the [ ] or [ ] key.

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4.5

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DISPLAY RESOLUTION

The displayed resolution for thickness values , i.e. the number of digits
shown to the right of the decimal point, may be changed from the
keyboard. This may be useful in some applications in which the extra
precision of the last digit is not required or where extremely rough
outside or inside surfaces make the last display digit unreliable. These
two resolutions are selectable; Standard is .001 in. or .01mm, and Low
is .01 in. or .1mm. Select choice using [F1].
To change the resolution while in the Measure mode, press and hold
[MEAS] and [F1] for 3 seconds to enter the Set Mode (see Figure 4-1).
The decimal point will begin flashing, at which point it may be moved
by again pressing [F1]. To set the position and return to the Measure
mode, press [MEAS]. To access other functions press [ ]or [ ].

4.6

GAGE RESET

A simple key sequence may be used to quickly restore the gage to the
default setup shown below. This may be useful to new operators while
becoming familiar with the individual feature setups described
elsewhere in this section. This may also be useful to experienced
operators as an efficient short-cut to a known configuration.

The default setup established by this reset is as follows:

Units in mm.
Measure mode with normal display update rate.
Material Velocity = 5.898 mm/S, the approximate velocity of
the included test blocks.
Default zero calibration.
Default sensitivity.

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Calibration keys unlocked

Blank display when LOS
Standard resolution (.01mm)
Backlight off
Auto Shut-Off on
To perform the Gage Default Setup Reset, enter the Set mode by
pressing and holding [MEAS] and [F1] for 3 seconds, then press [ ]
or [ ] until the display reads rSt (see Figure 4-1). To perform the
reset, press [F1]. After resetting, the gage will display the word
dONE." To return to the Measure mode press [MEAS]. To access
other functions press [ ] or [ ].

4.7

UNITS

Measured thickness may be displayed in either inches or millimeters.

To change from one to the other, enter the Set Mode by pressing and
holding [MEAS] and [F1] for 3 seconds and then press [[ ] or [ ]
until the units indicator (IN or MM) begins flashing (see Figure 41). To change units press the [F1] key again. To return to the Measure
mode, press [MEAS]. To access other functions press [ ] or [ ].

4.8

FAST DISPLAY MEASUREMENT

RATE WITH MINIMUM THICKNESS &
FREEZE FUNCTION

The Fast Min Display with minimum thickness mode increases the
measurement and display update rate from 4 measurements per
second to 20 measurements per second and will highlight the smallest
thickness measured during a series of measurements.

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This is useful when performing high temperature measurements or

when it is important to determine the thinnest reading obtained while
making a series of readings on a test piece.
The actual measured thickness will display when the transducer is
coupled. The minimum thickness will be displayed when the
transducer is uncoupled (LOS condition). In addition, while in this
mode, the [F1] key acts as a Freeze function. This can be useful in
avoiding lift-off error due to couplant while using the fast update rate.
If you press [F1], the display will freeze the current thickness value. If
you uncouple the transducer (LOS condition) and press [F1] a second
time, the display will unfreeze and the minimum thickness held in
memory will be recalled to the display.
These features allow the benefit of real time thickness readout to be
combined with a Minimum Hold and Freeze feature. This may be
useful when the thickness profile of the test piece is very irregular, at
elevated temperature, or when surface conditions are so rough that
thickness cannot be measured at all locations.
To obtain good readings quickly, select the Fast Min Display and scan
the transducer on the material surface.

Note: The battery charge life is decreased by more than 50% when
operating in the Fast Min mode.
To select the Fast Display with minimum thickness, enter the Set mode
by pressing and holding [MEAS] and [F1] for 3 seconds, and then
press [ ] or [ ] until the display reads SLO or F.LO (see
Figure 4-1).

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To change display rate, press [F1]. The SLO setting is the normal
measurement mode.The FL.O setting is the Fast with minimum
thickness and freeze mode. To return to the Measure mode press
[MEAS]. To access other functions press [ or [ ],
Once the gage is returned to the measure mode, pressing [F1] will
freeze the display. Pressing [F1] again will unfreeze the display and
recall the minimum. Pressing [MEAS] will reset the scan.

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Figure 4.1- Set Mode Flow Chart

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Figure 4-1: (Continued)

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SPECIFICATIONS

THICKNESS
MEASUREMENT
RANGE

0.02 to 20 in. or 0.5 to 500mm (typical

in steel)
NOTE: Thickness range depends on
material, transducer type, surface
condition, surface preparation, and
temperature.

THICKNESS
DISPLAY
RESOLUTION

Standard .01 mm or .001 in.

Low
.1mm or .01 in.

MEASUREMENT
RATE

Standard Mode - 4 measurements per

second
Fast Min Mode - 20 measurements per
second

MATERIAL
VELOCITY RANGE

0.0300 - 0.5511 in./S

.0.762-13.999mm/S

TRANSDUCER
ZERO
COMPENSATION

Provides zero and temperature

compensation for different transducers

DISPLAY

41/2 digit (19999 counts) Liquid

Crystal Display (LCD)
0.4" (10 mm) numerals

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DISPLAY UNITS,
SYMBOLS & FLAGS

IN or MM (Thickness)
IN/S or MM/S (Velocity)
Low Battery Indicator
Keyboard Lock
LOS flag (Loss of Signal or Coupling)
CAL flag (Calibration Mode)
ZERO flag (Zero Calibration Mode)
VEL flag (Velocity Calibration
Mode)
MEAS flag (Measure Mode)

RECEIVER BANDWIDTH

115 MHz (3dB)

MEASUREMENT
MODE

Time interval from a precision delay

after the excitation to the first echo
using dual element transducer.

METRIC / ENGLISH
MODES

Allows selection between English and

metric units via keypad.

POWER
REQUIREMENTS

3VDC (supplied from internal

batteries)

BATTERY

Two AA Alkaline batteries

BATTERY LIFE

250 hours minimum (measure mode)

30 hours minimum (backlight on)

OPERATING TEMP.
RANGE
(ELECTRONICS)

10oC to + 50oC

Page 5-2

MODEL 26MG

01/15/04

910-166E

SIZE

5.05" L x 2.55" W x 1.14"

128.3mm L x 64.8mm W x 29.0mm H

WEIGHT

8.5 oz. (0.24Kg)

TRANSDUCERS

D790, D790SM, D791, D791-RM,

D792, D793, D794, D795, D797,
D798, D799, and MTD705

MODEL 26MG

Page 5-3

01/15/04

910-166E

THEORY OF OPERATION

The Panametrics-NDTTM Model 26MG Ultrasonic Thickness Gage

operates on the dual transducer pulse-echo principal, timing the
reflection of high frequency sound waves from the far wall of the test
piece. This technique, derived from sonar, has been widely applied to
nondestructive testing. The frequency range used by the 26MG does
not travel well through air, so a coupling liquid such as glycerine or gel
is used between the face of the transducer and the test piece.
The sound waves generated by the transmit side of the transducer are
coupled into the test piece, travel through it, and are reflected back
from the opposite side. The reflected sound waves or echoes are
coupled into the receive side of the transducer where they are
converted back into electrical signals.The gage precisely measures the
time interval t between the excitation pulse and the first echo signal
and subtracts a zero offset value representing transducer delay. The
result is multiplied by the velocity of sound in the test material V and
divided by two to compensate for the two-way sound path. The final
result, X is the thickness of the test material.
( t )V
X = ---------2
The microprocessor performs the arithmetic described above to
produce the thickness value. This value along with various gage status
indicators is sent to the LCD display.
The microprocessor also directs the Receiver/Detector to identify the
transducer type using the I.D. pin of the transducer. Calibration values
and gage setups are saved in non-volatile RAM (Random Access
Memory). The keyboard informs the microprocessor of user entered
changes of mode, values, and related information.

MODEL 26MG

Page 6-1

01/15/04

910-166E

APPLICATION NOTES

7.1

FACTORS AFFECTING
PERFORMANCE AND ACCURACY

A.

Surface Condition - Loose or flaking scale, rust, corrosion

or dirt on the outside surface of a test piece will interfere
with the coupling of sound energy from the transducer into
the test material. Thus, any loose debris of this sort should be
cleaned from the specimen with a wire brush or file before
measurements are attempted. Generally it is possible to
make corrosion measurements through thin layers of rust, as
long as the rust is smooth and well bonded to the metal
below. Some very rough cast or corroded surfaces may have
to be filed or sanded smooth in order to insure proper sound
coupling. It may also be necessary to remove paint if it has
been applied in thick coats, or if it is flaking off the metal.
While it is often possible to make corrosion measurements
through thin coats of paint (on the order of a few thousandths
of an inch or 0.1 - 0.2mm), thick paint will attenuate signals
or possibly create false echoes, causing inaccurate
measurements.
Severe pitting on the outside surface of a pipe or tank can be
a problem. On some rough surfaces, using gel or grease
rather than a liquid couplant will help transmit sound energy
into the test piece. In extreme cases it will be necessary to
file or grind the surface sufficiently flat to permit contact
with the face of the transducer. In applications where deep
pitting occurs on the outside of a pipe or tank it is usually
necessary to measure remaining metal thickness from the
base of the pits to the inside wall.

MODEL 26MG

Page 7-1

910-166E

01/15/04

The conventional technique is to measure unpitted metal

thickness ultrasonically, measure pit depth mechanically,
and subtract the pit depth from the measured wall thickness.
Alternately, one can file or grind the surface down to the
base of the pits and measure normally.
As with any difficult application, experimentation with
actual product samples is the best way to determine the
limits of a particular gage/transducer combination on a given
surface.
B

Transducer Positioning/Alignment - For proper sound

coupling, firmly press the transducer against the test surface.
On small diameter cylindrical surfaces such as pipes, hold
the transducer so that the sound barrier material visible on
the probe face is aligned perpendicular to the center axis of
the pipe. See the illustration below.

Figure 1-1:
It is possible that on some severely corroded or pitted
materials there will be spots where readings cannot be
obtained. This can happen when the inside surface of the
material is so irregular that the sound energy is scattered
rather than being reflected back to the transducer. The lack
of a reading may also indicate a thickness outside the range
of the transducer and instrument being used. Generally, an
inability to obtain a valid thickness reading at a particular
point on a test specimen could be a sign of a seriously
degraded wall which may warrant investigation by other
means.

Page 7-2

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910-166E

Calibration -The accuracy of measurements are only as

good as the accuracy and care with which the gage has been
calibrated. It is essential that the velocity and zero
calibrations described in Section 3 be performed whenever
the test material or transducer is changed. Periodic checks
with samples of known thicknesses are recommended to
verify that the gage is operating properly.

Taper or Eccentricity - If the contact surface and the back

surface are tapered or eccentric with respect to each other,
the return echo again becomes distorted and the accuracy of
measurement is diminished.

Acoustic Properties of the Material - There are several

conditions found in engineering materials that can severely
limit the accuracy and thickness range that can be measured.
1. Sound Scattering: In some materials, notably certain
types of cast stainless steel, cast irons, and composites,
the sound energy is scattered from individual crystallites
in the casting or from dissimilar materials within the
composite. This effect reduces the ability to discriminate
a valid return echo from the back side of the material and
limits the ability to gauge the material ultrasonically.
2. Velocity Variations: A number of materials exhibit
significant variations in sound velocity from point-topoint within the material. Certain types of cast stainless
steels and brass exhibit this effect due to a relatively large
grain size and the anisotropy of sound velocity with
respect to grain orientation. Other materials show a rapid
change in sound velocity with temperature. This is
characteristic of plastic materials where temperature must
be controlled in order to obtain maximum precision in the
measurement.

MODEL 26MG

Page 7-3

910-166E

01/15/04

3. Sound Attenuation or Absorption: In many organic

materials, such as low density plastics and rubber, sound
is attenuated very rapidly at the frequencies used in
normal ultrasonic thickness gauging. Therefore, the
maximum thickness that can be measured in these
materials is often limited by sound attenuation.

7.2

TRANSDUCER SELECTION

For any ultrasonic measurement system (transducer plus thickness

gage) there will be a minimum material thickness below which valid
measurements will not be possible.
Normally this minimum range will be specified in the manufacturers
literature. As transducer frequency increases, the minimum
measurable thickness decreases. In corrosion applications, where
minimum remaining wall thickness is normally the parameter to be
measured, it is particularly important to be aware of the specified range
of the transducer being used. If a dual is used to measure a test piece
that is below its designed minimum range, the gage may detect invalid
echoes and display an incorrectly high thickness reading.
Table 1(following page) lists approximate minimum measurable
thicknesses in steel for the standard transducers used with the
Panametrics-NDTTM Model 26MG gage. Note that these numbers are
approximate. The exact measurable minimum in a given application
depends on material velocity, surface condition, temperature and
geometry, and it should be determined experimentally by the user.

Page 7-4

MODEL 26MG

01/15/04

910-166E

Transducer Selection
XDCR
Part No

Freq
(MHz)

Tip
Diameter

Potted
Cable
Connector
Style

Temp.Range

Min.
Xness

D790

5.0

.434"
11.0mm

Straight
Potted

-5o to +932oF

0.040"
1.0mm

.434"
11.0mm

Straight
Replaceable

.434"
11.0mm

Rt. Angle
Potted

.434"
11.0mm

Rt. Angle
Replaceable

.283"
7.2mm

Straight
Potted

+32o to +122oF

.283"
7.2mm

Rt. Angle
Potted

+32o to +122oF

.283"
7.2mm

Straight
Potted

+32o to +122oF

.283"
7.2mm

Rt. Angle
Potted

+32o to +122oF

.900"
22.9mm

Rt. Angle
Potted

-5o to +752oF

D790SM

5.0

D791

5.0

D791RM

5.0

D792

10

D793

D794

D795

D797

10

5.0

5.0

2.0

MODEL 26MG

-20o to +500oC
-5o to +932oF
o

-20 to +500 C
-5o to +932oF
-20o to +500oC
-5o to +932oF
-20o to

+500oC

0o to +50oC

0 to +50 C

0 to +50 C

0o to +50oC

-20o to

+400oC

0.040"
1.0mm
0.040"
1.0mm
0.040"
1.0mm
0.020"
0.5mm
0.020"
0.5mm
0.030"
0.75mm
0.030"
0.75mm
0.100"
2.5mm

Page 7-5

910-166E

01/15/04

Transducer Selection (Continued)

XDCR
Part No

Freq
(MHz)

Tip
Diameter

Potted
Cable
Connector
Style

Temp.Range

Min.
Xness

D798

7.5

.290"
7.4mm

Straight
Rt.Angle

-5o to +300oF

0.028"
0.7mm

.434"
11.0mm

Rt.Angle
Potted

.200"
5.1mm

Rt. Angle
Replaceable

D799

MTD705

5.0

5.0

-20o to +150oC
-5o to +300oF
-20o to

+150oC

-32o to +122oF
0o to +50oC

0.040"
1.0mm
0.040"
1.00mm

In selecting a transducer for a corrosion application it is also necessary

to consider the temperature of the material to be measured. Not all
duals are designed for high temperature measurements. The chart
above lists recommended temperature ranges for the duals used with
the Model 26MG gage. For other transducers, consult the
manufacturers catalogue or data sheets. Using a transducer on
materials whose temperature is beyond the specified range can damage
or destroy the transducer.

7.3

HIGH TEMPERATURE
MEASUREMENTS

Corrosion measurements at elevated temperatures require special

consideration. Keep in mind the following points:
A.

Page 7-6

Be sure that the surface temperature of the test piece does not
exceed the maximum specified temperature for the
transducer and couplant that you are using. Some duals are
designed for room temperature measurements only.
MODEL 26MG

01/15/04

B.

C.

910-166E

Use a couplant rated for the temperature where you will be

working. All high temperature couplants will boil off at
some temperature, leaving a hard residue that is not able to
transmit sound energy. Panametrics-NDTTM Couplant E
(Ultratherm) can be used at temperatures up to 1000oF/
540oC, although it will boil as the upper limit is reached.
Maximum recommended temperatures for Panametrics
couplants are in the table below.

Couplant

Type

Maximum
Recommended
Temperature

Propylene Glycol

300oF/150oC

Glycerine

200oF/90oC

Gel

200oF/90oC

High Temperature

1000oF/540oC

Medium Temperature

500oF/260oC

Make measurements quickly and allow the transducer body

to cool between reading. High temperature duals have delay
lines made of thermally tolerant material, but with
continuous exposure to very high temperatures the inside of
the probe will heat to a point where the transducer will be
permanently damaged.

MODEL 26MG

Page 7-7

910-166E

01/15/04

Remember that both material sound velocity and transducer

zero offset will change with temperature. For maximum
accuracy at high temperatures, perform velocity calibration
using a section of the test bar of known thickness heated to
the temperature where measurements are to be taken.The
Panametrics Model 26MG gage has a semiautomatic zero
function that can be employed to adjust zero setting at high
temperatures. See Section 3 for details.

E.

Using the Fast mode with the Freeze function may help in
obtaining measurements as quickly as possible. Refer to
Section 4.8 for details.

F.

Note that a corrosion gage is not designed for flaw or crack

detection, and cannot be relied upon to detect material
discontinuities. A proper evaluation of material
discontinuities requires an ultrasonic flaw detector such as
the Panametrics Epoch series used by a properly trained
operator. In general, any unexplained readings by a
corrosion gage merit further testing with a flaw detector.
For further information on the use of dual element
transducers in corrosion gaging, or for information on any
aspect of ultrasonic testing, contact us.

Page 7-8

MODEL 26MG

01/15/04

8.1

910-166E

MAINTENANCE AND TROUBLE

SHOOTING
ROUTINE CARE AND MAINTENANCE

The Model 26MG case is sealed to prevent intrusion of environmental

liquids and dust. However, it is not completely waterproof. Therefore,
the unit should never be immersed in any fluid.
Clean the case, keypad and display window with a damp cloth and
mild detergent if necessary. Do not use strong solvents or abrasives.

8.2

TRANSDUCERS

The ultrasonic transducers or probes used with the Model 26MG need
not indestructible and a little attention to the following items will result
in the longest transducer life:

The cables can be damaged by cutting, pinching, or pulling. Take

care to prevent mechanical abuse to the cables. Never leave a
transducer where a heavy object can be placed on the cable.
Never remove a transducer from the gage by pulling on the cable.
Pull on the molded connector housing only. Never tie a knot in a
transducer cable.
Do not twist or pull the cable at the point where it connects to the
transducer. These precautions are particularly important for all
transducers other than the models which have field-replaceable
cables. Return other transducers to Panametrics-NDTTM
Customer Service Department for repair.

MODEL 26MG

Page 8-1

910-166E

01/15/04

Transducer performance will be degraded by excessive wear at

the tip. To minimize wear, do not scrape or drag the transducer
across rough surfaces. When a transducer tip becomes too rough,
concave, or otherwise non-flat, operation may become erratic or
impossible. Although some wear is normal in corrosion gaging
applications, severe wear will limit transducer life. A transducer
resurfacing procedure can be performed to improve performance
of worn transducers. Contact R/D Tech Instruments, Inc. for
details.

8.3

ERROR MESSAGES

During the normal gage operation, certain special error messages may
display. Usually these indicate a problem with the operating procedure
but some may indicate a physical problem with the gage itself. Consult
R/D Tech Instruments, Inc. for further information.

8.4

OTHER ERROR OR PROBLEM

INDICATIONS

8.4.1

TURN ON AND LOW BATTERY PROBLEMS

The battery symbol will flash when there are only a few hours of
battery operating time remaining. If the gage turns off immediately
after turn-on, or if it does not turn on at all, then the battery is probably
completely discharged and should be replaced. If the unit will still not
turn on after replacing the battery, there has probably been a
component failure within the gage and it should be serviced.

Page 8-2

MODEL 26MG

01/15/04

8.4.2

910-166E

SETUP (d) PROBLEMS

If the message do will not go away when [ZERO] is pressed,

make sure a transducer is plugged in (see Section 3.2). If so, the
transducer may be defective try another one if possible, or try a
different cable if it is one of the types that uses replaceable cables. If no
transducers will permit the do message to be removed, there is
probably a problem in the Pulser/Receiver assembly of the gage. Try
the Pulser/Receiver test described in Section 8.7 below.

8.4.3

MEASUREMENT PROBLEMS

If measurements cannot be made and the MEAS and LOS flags

are on, there is either a problem with the transducer, the pulser/receiver
assembly, or there is not a large enough echo being returned from the
far wall of the material. In order to further diagnose the problem,
perform the following procedure:
1.

Wipe off any couplant from the transducer and press [ZERO]. If
a number between 2200-2500 and 7500 is displayed along with
the Zero flag, both the transducer and pulser/receiver assembly
are working. Go to step 2. Otherwise go to step 6.

2.

Make sure you have sufficient couplant especially on rough or

curved surfaces. See Section 7.

3.

Try the same transducer on a smooth, flat surfaced test sample.

4.

If test 1, 2, and 3 above all pass, but measurements still cannot be

made, try a different type of transducer which has greater
sensitivity in the thickness range in which you are working. Go to
step 6.

MODEL 26MG

Page 8-3

910-166E

01/15/04

5.

If another transducer of the same type is available, use it to make

measurements and to do step 1. If this works, then the original
transducer is defective. Otherwise the pulser/receiver assembly is
probably defective.

6.

If the above tests indicate that there is a problem with the gage or
transducer, then the unit(s) may be returned to R/D Tech
Instruments, Inc. for repair or replacement. If the above tests
indicate that the gage and transducer are working properly, the
test material itself probably cannot be measured due to some or all
of the following:
Extreme near side or far side surface roughness.
Extremely high sound attenuation or scattering due to
graininess, inclusions, voids or, other material properties.
Extreme non-parallelism.
Excessively sharp curvature.

8.5

BUILT IN TESTS

In order to assist in troubleshooting, the gage has built in tests which

help to identify the problem.

8.5.1

DISPLAY TESTS

1.

Plug transducer into gage.

2.

Turn the gage on.

3.

Press and hold [MEAS] and [ ] keys down simultaneously for

three seconds. The display will show the software version
number.

4.

Press [

Page 8-4

] or [

] until the display reads dtSt, then press [F1].

MODEL 26MG

01/15/04

910-166E

5.

Observe the following sequence of patterns on the display. Verify

that in each image no segments are missing and none are added.
Pause or resume the sequence any time by pressing [F1].

6.

Press [MEAS] key to exit from a display test. The display should
read dtSt.

8.5.2

KEYBOARD TEST

1.

With dtSt on the display, press the [ ] key; the display should
read StSt. Press [F1] for a keyboard test.

2.

Verify by pressing one by one each key except [MEAS] and

[ON/OFF]; the gage beeps for each key and it displays only one
corresponding segment.

3.

Press [MEAS]. The gage will display the corresponding segment

momentarily and it will exit from the keyboard test.

MODEL 26MG

Page 8-5

910-166E

8.5.3

01/15/04

PULSER RECEIVER PARAMETER TEST

1.

Make sure the transducer is plugged into the gage.

2.

With StSt on the display, press the [ ] key twice; the display
should read HtSt. Press [F1] for pulser receiver parameter test.

3.

The [F1] key will cycle through the test result in the order listed
in the following table. Compare the number displayed for the
different parameter to the range of values shown in the table
below.

4.

For the Tx/Rx Test, disconnect the transducer. Press [F1] until
the display reads HtSt. Continue pressing [F1] until the Tx/Rx
test result is displayed. Verify the result.

Test
Param.

D790/791/
799

D792/793

D794/795

D797

D798

MTD705

DXW98

SM790

Pulser Receiver Parameters

Transducer #

01

02

04

06

07

08

10

19

Ref
Gain

190240

190240

190240

190240

190240

190240

190240

190240

Tx
Delay

200300

150250

150250

300400

100200

150250

150250

200300

Rx
Delay

200300

150250

150250

300400

100200

150250

150250

200300

Main
Det.
Offset

123133

123133

123133

123133

123133

123133

123133

123133

Page 8-6

MODEL 26MG

01/15/04

910-166E

Test
Param.

D790/791/
799

D792/793

D794/795

D797

D798

MTD705

DXW98

SM790

Pulser Receiver Parameters (Continued)

Aux.
Det Offset

123133

123133

123133

123133

123133

123133

123133

123133

Threshold

168

168

168

168

168

168

168

168

Gain #

36

46

61

58

36

75

83

36

Tx/Rx
Test

2040

2040

2040

2040

2040

2040

2040

2040

To read the software version, press and hold [MEAS] and [

8.6

].

REPAIR SERVICE

R/D Tech Instruments, Inc. will repair any Model 26MG gage. In
addition, some local R/D Tech Instruments dealers will be able to do
repairs at customer sites or at their own facilities.

8.7

REPLACEMENT PARTS AND

OPTIONAL PARTS AND EQUIPMENT

Replacement parts for the Model 26MG as well as additional related

equipment is available from Panametrics-NDTTM Customer Service
Department. See Appendix II.

MODEL 26MG

Page 8-7

01/15/04

910-166E

APPENDIX I
SOUND VELOCITIES
The following table provides a list of the ultrasonic velocity in a
variety of common materials. It is provided only as a guide. The actual
velocity in these materials may vary significantly due to a variety of
causes, such as composition, preferred crystallographic orientation,
porosity, and temperature. Therefore, for maximum accuracy,
establish the sound velocity in a given material by first testing a sample
of material.
Material

V(in./sec)

V(m/sec)

Acrylic resin (Perspex)

0.107

2730

Aluminum

0.249

6320

Beryllium

0.508

12900

Brass, naval

0.174

4430

Copper

0.183

4660

Diamond

0.709

18000

Glycerin

0.076

1920

Inconel

0.229

5820

Iron, Cast (slow)

0.138

3500

Iron, Cast (fast)

0.220

5600

Iron oxide (magnetite)

0.232

5890

Lead

0.085

2160

MODEL 26MG

Appendix I-1

910-166E

01/15/04

Material

V(in./sec)

V(m/sec)

Lucite

0.106

2680

Molybdenum

0.246

6250

Motor oil (SAE 20/30)

0.069

1740

Nickel, pure

0.222

5630

Polyamide (slow)

0.087

2200

Nylon, fast

0.102

2600

Polyethylene, high density

(HDPE)

0.097

2460

Polyethylene, low density

(LDPE)

0.082

2080

Polystyrene

0.092

2340

Polyvinylchloride, (PVC,
hard)

0.094

2395

Rubber (polybutadiene)

0.063

1610

Silicon

0.379

9620

Silicone

0.058

1485

Steel, 1020

0.232

5890

Steel, 4340

0.230

5850

Steel, 302 austenitic stainless

0.223

5660

Appendix I-2

MODEL 26MG

01/15/04

910-166E

Material

V(in./sec)

V(m/sec)

Steel, 347 austenitic stainless

0.226

5740

Tin

0.131

3320

Titanium, Ti 150A

0.240

6100

Tungsten

0.204

5180

Water (20C)

0.0580

1480

Zinc

0.164

4170

Zirconium

0.183

4650

References
1.

W. P. Mason, Physical Acoustics and the Properties of

Solids, D. Van Nostrand Co., New York, 1958.

2.

E. P. Papadakis, Panametrics, Inc. - unpublished notes, 1972.

3.

J. R. Fredericks, Ultrasonic Engineering, John Wiley & Sons,

Inc., New York, 1965.

4.

D. L. Folds,Experimental Determination of Ultrasonic Wave

Velocities in Plastics, Elastomers, and Syntactic Foam as a
Function of Temperature, Naval Research and Development
Laboratory, Panama City, Florida, 1971.

5.

Handbook of Chemistry and Physics Chemical Rubber Co.,

Cleveland, Ohio, 1963

MODEL 26MG

Appendix I-3

01/15/04

910-166E

APPENDIX II RS232 OPTION

The 26MG with RS232 option can transmit measurement readings
over its RS232 cable to any device with an RS232 serial interface. The
gage can be configured to send measurement readings continuously,
single send by pressing [F1], or can be turned off. The RS232 port is
half duplex (transmit only) and its communication parameters are
fixed as follows:
BAUD

9600

WORD LENGTH

STOP BITS

PARITY

The output data format is as follows:

Thickness Unit Flags CR LF
For example:
-- . MM L
20.49 MM Mm
To change to the alternate RS232 transmitting setting, enter the Set
mode by pressing and holding [MEAS] and [F1] for 3 seconds. Then
press [ ] or [ ] until the display reads SOFF (Send OFF),
Son (Continuous Send) or SSnd (Single Send) (see following
figure). To change to the alternate selection press [F1]. To return to the
Measure mode, press [MEAS]. To access other functions, press [ ]
or [ ].

MODEL 26MG

Appendix II-1

910-166E

Appendix II-2

01/15/04

MODEL 26MG

01/15/04

MODEL 26MG

910-166E

Appendix II-3