EPOCH LT Training Presentation

Introduction and Basic Operation

Panametrics-NDT Flaw Detector Line

EPOCH 4PLUS
EPOCH 4
EPOCH 4B

EPOCH LT

Panametrics-NDT Flaw Detector Line

Instrument

Summary and Key Features

EPOCH 4PLUS

Ultrasonic flexibility of the EPOCH 4 with the addition of a color liquid crystal display.
Several unique software features include Dynamic Waveform Color Change, Backwall
Echo Attenuation, Spotweld Assistant, special RF detection, and high-speed USB
communication protocol.

EPOCH 4

High end flaw detector with a large array of specialized software options including
encoded B-Scan. Unprecedented inspection flexibility with dual pulsers and user
customizable filters open the door to many new applications that previous generation
flaw detectors cannot tackle.

EPOCH 4B

Basic version of the EPOCH 4 Flaw Detector. Offers standard dual pulsers, optional
narrow band filtering and a choice between LCD and ELD screen types. Similar option
package to EPOCH LT.

EPOCH LT

Basic instrument with a standard negative spike pulser, broadband 20MHz

receiver, high performance LCD, high-speed USB communication port, and
standard DAC/TVG. The lightest and smallest instrument available. Options
include Adv. DAC/TVG, DGS/AVG, API 5UE, Low PRF, AWS D1.1/D1.5, Tunable
Square Wave Pulser.

Product Overview

The EPOCH LT was launched at the

NDT World Conference in September
2004.

The EPOCH LT is Olympus NDTs basic

flaw detector platform providing
customers with class-leading size and
weight as well as excellent ultrasonic
performance.

The EPOCH LT is designed to handle

the most common UT Flaw Detector
applications with standard basic DAC
and TVG as well as common software
options. It is fully compatible with the
EPOCH 4 series instruments as well.

Key Features

Size and Weight

Only 2.35 lbs. (1.0kg)
Only 1.35 in. (38mm) thick
Provides truly handheld performance

Large Bandwidth Broadband Receiver (20 MHz at -3dB)

Allows use of high frequency transducers for
thinner materials

Large Memory Capacity (100 W / 2,000 T)

Option to expand this capacity to
(500 W / 5,000 T)

Auto-Calibration Feature
Greatly speeds and simplifies the calibration process
5

Key Features

Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) Battery

High power to weight ratio
Internal pack design

Time of Flight Measurement Readout

For sec readout

USB Communication Port

Communication with GageView Pro Interface Program

Real-Time Clock
Saved data is automatically tagged with date/time

Key Features

Thickness Measurements are Taken from Raw Data

True time of flight instrument
Resolution NOT tied to screen range

5 Function Soft Keys

Direct access to preset parameter values

Gasketed Case
Seals out the environment

Basic Options

Expanded Memory Capacity

Expanded Memory
Capacity

Standard Memory
Capacity

Thickness Readings

10,000

2,000

Waveforms

500

100

Echo to Echo Measurement

Extended Range
Standard range is 200in. (steel velocity)
Expand to 400in. (steel velocity)

EPOCH Design Philosophy

EPOCH Flaw Detectors have been designed with the operator in mind. The
user interface has been designed to provide Direct Access to settings.

Examples of Direct Access Philosophy

Split Screen View Allows the operator to view all instrument settings on one
screen.
Keypad Functionally grouped keypad allows access to all major instrument
functions with one or two key presses.
Function (F) Keys User can jump directly to various instrument settings rather than
manual adjustment. Fully customizable values with standard Editable Parameters
feature.
Single Hand Operation All instrument functions accessible with ENTER key and
adjustable with slewing keys.

Physical Features
AC Adaptor Input

LEMO 00 Transducer
Connectors
LM-BF adaptors are
available for BNC Cables

High Speed USB Port

Liquid Crystal Display

EPOCH LT shown with

English Keypad and option
rubber boot.

Direct Access Function Keys

Keypad (English or
International Symbol)

LEMO 00 transducer
connectors are the only type
available due to connector
size restrictions.
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Display

Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)

11

1/4 VGA (320 W x 240 H Pixels)

Superior Outdoor Visibility
Contrast Adjustment via Keypad
Backlight Adjustment via Keypad

Keypad (English Version)

12

Outputs
USB Communication Port

LEMO Transducer Posts

AC Adaptor Input
13

Battery Charging

OPTION #1 - Charge Battery Inside Unit

Plug charger into unit and AC Main Line.
Full charge will be achieved in approximately 2-3 hours. Battery will also charge
when unit is powered on, although at a slower rate.

OPTION #2 - Charge Battery Externally.

Optional External Battery Charger
Panametrics Part Number: EPLT-EC
Full charge will be achieved in approximately 2-3 hours

14

Option Security Key

Security Key allows installation of instrument software options

Options can be programmed remotely - just contact Waltham
All EPOCH LT Instruments have their security key soldered onto the main
board. The keys cannot be removed as in older EPOCH 4 series instruments.

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EPOCH LT
OPERATION
16

Power Up

EPOCH LT will go through a Self Test

on Power up. This assures that the
instrument is functioning properly.

ON
OFF

The [ON/OFF] key is used to

turn the EPOCH LT on and off.
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Contrast Adjustment
CONTRAST

Press:

2ND F

then

CALIBRATION

to adjust the contrast.

Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)

Backlight On/Off
Contrast Adjustment
18

Split Screen View

A-Scan and Setup Parameters can be Viewed Simultaneously

Directory
Filename
Gain/Range
Parameter Box
Flaw Information
(Always displayed)

Split Screen
A-Scan withflags

Setup
Parameters

Battery Level Indicator

(Always displayed)

Function Key Presets

PRINT

PRESS:

DISPLAY

To Toggle Between Screen Views.

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Full Screen View

Provides a Large View of the A-Scan for Increased Resolution

Directory
Filename
Gain/Range
Parameter Box
Flaw Information
(Always displayed)

Split Screen
A-Scan withflags

Function Key Presets

Battery Level Indicator

(Always displayed)
20

Battery Level Indicator

100%
~ 8 Hours Backlight Off
~ 6 Hours Backlight On

50%
~4
~3

Hours Backlight Off

Hours Backlight On

21

Option Menu
This menu is used to:
- Access Software Features / Options (DAC, TVG, etc.)
- Adjust Operating Parameters (Language, Units, PRF, etc.)

Press:

to access menu.

Use the Slewing keys

to move highlight bar.

Press:

to access a function.

Press:

again to exit menu.

22

Setup Menu
Move the highlight bar over SETUP, and press:

Language Selection

Preset Languages
Optional Custom Language

Unit Measurement

in, mm, usec

Displayed resolution adjustment

Real Time Clock

User Interface

23

Standard or Advanced User selections

Setup Menu

Audible Tone Upon Keypress

Turns A-Scan Grid ON/OFF

Keypad and Calibration Lock

Filled Frozen A-Scan when

Filled Live A-Scan Waveform

24

Real Time Clock

25

Advanced User Selection

The User Interface can be customized for Advanced Users

Preset or Customizable Narrow Band Filters

Zero Offset Preset Values
Measure horizontal distance values from the front of an angle beam wedge rather than the Beam
Index Point
Save MIN THICKNESS instead of CURRENT THICKNESS when the SAVE THICK key is
pressed.

26

EPOCH LT
Basic Operating Parameters

27

Basic Operation

Access each parameter through a direct or

2nd function key press.

Press

Adjust each parameter using:

The Function Keys for preset values

F1

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to toggle parameters.

F2

F3

F4

F5

the Slewing Keys for fine tuning

Function Key Presets

For quick access to preset values for each parameter

Preset Values
Function Keys

Example:
THICKNESS

Press:
Press:

ANGLE

F1

Press:

F2

or

F3

F4

, or

F5

to select a preset value.

to fine tune the value.

# DIV

Press:

2ND F

then

ZERO
OFFSET

in the Full Screen view to view the horizontal

graticule division numbers instead of the function key parameter presets.

29

Basic Operating Parameters

REF

GAIN

GAIN

REF

2ND F

GAIN

REFERENCE GAIN

FREEZE/UNFREEZE SCREEN
FREEZE

SAVE THICKNESS / AMPLITUDE / TOF DATA ONLY

SAVE ENTIRE WAVEFORM AND SETUP PARAMETERS

30

Basic Operating Parameters

ALARM 1

GATE 1 POSITION

GATE
1

ALARM 1

2ND F

GATE
1

GATE 1 ALARM

ALARM 2

GATE 2 POSITION

GATE
2

ALARM 2

2ND F

GATE
2

GATE 2 ALARM

CONTRAST

AUTO-CALIBRATION INITIATION

CALIBRATION

CONTRAST

2ND F

CALIBRATION

CONTRAST / BRIGHTNESS CONTROL

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Basic Operating Parameters

# DIV

ZERO OFFSET

ZERO
OFFSET

# DIV

2ND

ZERO
OFFSET

CHANGES X-AXIS IN FULL SCREEN TO

DISPLAY GRATULE MARKINGS (0-10)

ZOOM

SCREEN RANGE

RANGE

ZOOM

2ND F

RANGE

ZOOM / UNZOOMS SCREEN

REJECT

VELOCITY

VEL
REJECT

2ND F

VEL

REJECT
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Basic Operating Parameters

THICKNESS

REFRACTED ANGLE

ANGLE

THICKNESS

2ND F

ANGLE

MATERIAL THICKNESS

B-SCAN

OPENS EPOCH 4 OPTION MENU

OPTION

B-SCAN

2ND F

OPTION

INITIALIZES THE B-SCAN OPTION

ACCESSES THE PULSER FUNCTIONS

2ND F

ACCESSES THE PEAK MEM FEATURE

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Basic Operating Parameters

PRINT

TOGGLES BETWEEN SPLIT / FULL SCREEN VIEW

DISPLAY

PRINT

2ND F

DISPLAY

NOT ACTIVE IN EPOCH LT

SELECTION FOR:

ECHO-ECHO

- EDGE / PEAK DEPTH

- AMPLITUDE
- TOGGLE SOUNDPATH READINGS IN
ANGLE BEAM MODE

DEPTH
%AMP

ECHO-ECHO

2ND F

DEPTH
%AMP

TURNS ON / OFF ECHO-ECHO FEATURE

34

EPOCH LT
Auto-Calibration
Straight Beam Example

35

EXAMPLE:
Transducer
A109S-RM
(5.0 MHz, 0.5 in)

5 Step Steel Test Block

2214E
(0.100 to 0.500)

36

Calibration Initial Steps

ADJUST THE FOLLOWING PARAMETERS:
REF

GAIN

GAIN

10 dB

ZERO OFFSET

0.000 us

VELOCITY

2320 in/us (L-Wave Steel)

RANGE

1in Full Screen

# DIV
ZERO
OFFSET

REJECT

VEL

ZOOM
RANGE

37

Calibration Initial Steps

ADJUST PULSER SETTINGS
Multiple presses of the
Pressing

2ND F

then

key toggles through pulser parameters.

will go directly to the filter selections

Rectification: Fullwave, RF, Halfwave +, Halfwave -

Pulser Energy: Low (100V), Med (200V), High (300V), Max (400V)

Pulser Damping: 50, 63, 150, 400 ohms

Pulser Mode: Pulse Echo, Dual, Through-Transmission

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Calibration Initial Steps

Pulser Type Selection

The EPOCH LT has a standard negative spike excitation pulser and an
OPTIONAL tunable square wave pulser.

Negative Spike Excitation Pulser:

Easy to use
No additional parameters needed for adjustment

Tunable Square Wave Pulser

Pulser is tuned to a frequency corresponding to the transducer
Provides better signal to noise ratio for most applications

Note: If Square Wave Pulser is selected, user must enter a frequency.

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Resolution of Measurements

Thickness and Time-of-Flight (msec) measurements are taken from the

instruments raw data.

Measurement resolution is NOT tied to screen range.

DEMONSTRATION!

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Straight Beam Calibration

STEP #1:
Couple the transducer to the THIN
reference sample.(0.200 step)
Position Gate 1 over the FIRST
backwall echo.
Adjust the Gain so the signal
amplitude is ~ 80%

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Straight Beam Calibration

CONTRAST

Press:

CALIBRATION

# DIV

Wait for a steady reading, then press

Uncouple the transducer.

Enter the known thickness of the THIN reference sample.

ZERO
OFFSET

42

Straight Beam Calibration

STEP #2:
CONTRAST

Press

CALIBRATION

Couple the transducer to the THICK

reference sample.(0.500 step)

Position Gate 1 over the backwall echo.

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Straight Beam Calibration

REJECT

Wait for a steady reading, then press

Uncouple the transducer.

Enter the known thickness of the THICK reference sample.

Press

VEL

to complete the calibration.

44

EPOCH LT
Auto-Calibration
Angle Beam Example

45

EXAMPLE:
Transducer
A430S-SB

45o Wedge
ABWS-6-45

(2.25 MHz, 0.625 in)

46

IIW Type I Test Block

1018 Steel TB7541-1

Angle Beam Calibration

The four steps for an angle beam calibration are:

1. Locate the Beam Index Point (B.I.P.) of the probe

2. Verify the Refracted Angle (Beta)

3. Calibrate for Distance (Use Auto-Cal Feature!)
4. Calibrate for Sensitivity

47

Locating the Beam Index Point (B.I.P.)

1.

Align the wedge with the zero mark on the

IIW Type I Block.

2.

Move the probe forward and backward until

the echo amplitude from the 4 arc is peaked
(The Peak Memory feature is helpful).

3.

Once the signal is peaked, mark the side of

the wedge directly over the zero mark. This is
the Beam Index Point.

48

Verify the Refracted Angle (Beta)

NOTE: The refracted angle of the wedge should have already been entered into
the EPOCH LT at the beginning of the calibration. However, this angle must be
verified due to material variations or wear on the wedge.
1.

Position the probe over the appropriate angle mark on the IIW block (matched
to the angle on the wedge).

2.

Move the probe forward and backward to peak up the echo from the large
circular hole in the block. (Again, the Peak Memory feature simplifies this
process.)

49

Verify the Refracted Angle (Beta)

3.

Once the signal is peaked, hold the probe stationary. Note the degree mark on the
block that lines up with the Beam Index Point (B.I.P. was found in the previous step).
This is the actual refracted angle (Beta) for the particular transducer and probe.

4.

If the Beta value differs from the one initially entered, enter a new one by
pressing ANGLE and then fine tuning the value using the
or
keys.

50

Calibrate for Distance

1.

2.
3.

Couple the probe to the IIW Type 1 Reference block so that the B.I.P. is directly
over the 0 mark.
Set the initial Range to 10 inches.
Adjust the [ZERO OFFSET] so that both the 4 and 9echoes are visible on the
screen. The [GAIN] may have to be increased to view the 9 echo.

NOTE: An IIW Type 2 Reference Block will produce echoes at the 2

and 4 screen divisions.
51

Calibrate for Distance

Position Gate 1 over the 4 echo.

CONTRAST

Press

Wait for a steady reading, then press

Use the keypad to enter a thickness of 4.000 inches.

CALIBRATION

ZERO
OFFSET

52

Calibrate for Distance

Position Gate 1 over the 9 echo.

CONTRAST

Press

Wait for a steady reading, then

CALIBRATION

REJECT

press

VEL

Use the keypad to enter a thickness

of 9.000 inches.

Press

to complete the calibration.

53

Calibrate for Sensitivity

1.

2.

Couple the probe to the IIW Type 1 Reference Block so that the transducer is
aimed at the 0.060 side drilled hole.
Move the probe forward and backward to peak up the echo (The Peak
Memory feature aids in this process)

0.060 side
drilled hole

3.

Use the [GAIN] key to bring the gain to a desired level.

4.

Lock in a reference gain and enable scanning gain by

REF

pressing

2ND F

then

GAIN

.
54

Toggle Feature

When utilizing angle beam transducers during inspections, the user can select which
sound path reading is displayed in large text.
ECHO-ECHO
DEPTH

Press:

DEMONSTRATION!

%AMP

then

F4

55

EPOCH LT
DATALOGGER

56

Datalogger Specifications

Storage of 100 Waveforms/2,000 Thickness Readings

Option to increase to 500 Waveforms/10,000 Thickness Readings

Press 2nd F

to enter/exit the memory screen.

File Content Window

Datalogger Capacity Remaining

File Directory Window

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Software Options

DISTANCE AMPLITUDE CORRECTION (DAC) NOW STANDARD

TIME VARIED GAIN (TVG) NOW STANDARD
ADVANCED DAC/TVG
ONBOARD DGS/AVG
API 5UE
SPOTWELD
INTERFACE GATE
FLOATING GATE
CURVED SURFACE CORRECTION (CSC)
PULSE REPETITION FREQUENCY (PRF)
Low PRF (30 Hz)
High PRF (1 KHz)
B-SCAN
WAVE ANALYSIS
AWS D1.1
EXPANDED MEMORY
GAGEVIEW PRO PC INTERFACE PROGRAM

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*Refer to separate presentation

for details on operation
of software options