GVDA Digital Coating Thickness Gauge

1. Introduction

The GVDA GD198 Digital Coating Thickness Gauge is designed for non-destructively measuring the thickness of plated and coated sheets on various metal substrates. It utilizes precision integrated probes and principles of electro-magnetic induction and eddy current effect to automatically detect substrate material properties.

This gauge is essential for material surface treatment and is widely used in manufacturing, metal-processing, chemical industries, and commodity inspection. It operates reliably in laboratory, workshop, and outdoor environments.

For more detailed information, you can refer to the official user manual PDF: GVDA GD198 User Manual (PDF).

2. Package Contents

Please check the package for the following items:

• Coating Thickness Gauge (GD198)
• Substrates (Ferrous and Non-ferrous)
• Five Standard Foils (50um, 100um, 250um, 500um, 1000um)
• User Guide
• Protective Case

Figure 2.1: Contents of the GVDA GD198 Coating Thickness Meter Kit.

3. Product Description

Familiarize yourself with the components of your GD198 gauge:

Figure 3.1: Front, side, and rear view of the GD198 gauge with labeled parts.

1. Measured Reading Display
2. Function Buttons (MODE, ZERO, Read, Units)
3. Anti-Skid Slot
4. Probe
5. V-Groove
6. Non-slip Mat
7. Battery Compartment
8. Anti-Skid Slot

Display Item Indicators:

• Auto Power Off (⏻): Shuts down in 15 minutes.
• Single-point detection (SNG): Single measurement mode.
• Battery (⌂): Battery level indicator.
• Continuous test (CON): Continuous measurement mode.
• Calibration (CAL): Calibration mode indicator.
• Zero (ZERO): Zero calibration indicator.
• Not iron (NF): Non-ferrous substrate detected.
• Iron (Fe): Ferrous substrate detected.
• mil: Unit of measurement (1 mil = 0.0254 mm).
• μm: Unit of measurement (1 μm = 0.001 mm).
• Storing data (NO. 18): Automatic storage data number.
• Read: Read stored data.

4. Setup

4.1 Battery Installation

1. Open the battery compartment cover (7) on the back of the device.
2. Insert two 1.5V AAA batteries, ensuring correct polarity (+/-).
3. Close the battery compartment cover securely.

Figure 4.1: Battery compartment showing insertion of 2x AAA batteries.

4.2 Initial Power-On

1. Ensure the instrument probe is at least 5 cm away from any metal object.
2. Press the power button (⏻) to turn on the device.
3. The instrument will automatically perform a self-correction and enter the default test mode (SNG).

5. Operating Instructions

5.1 Measurement Modes

The gauge offers two measurement modes: Single (SNG) and Continuous (CON).

Figure 5.1: Display showing Single (CON) and Continuous (SNG) measurement modes.

• Single Mode (SNG): This is the default mode. Press the 'MODE' key until 'SNG' is displayed. Place the probe vertically and rapidly on the sample. The reading will appear on the LCD with a beep. Lift the probe more than 5cm away from the metal surface before taking the next measurement. Press 'ZERO' to clear statistics.
• Continuous Measurement Mode (CON): Press the 'MODE' key until 'CON' is displayed. Place the probe vertically and directly on the sample. The readings will continuously update as the probe moves across the surface. Note: The 'ZERO' key in CON mode is used for calibration only. Do not press it during normal continuous measurement.

5.2 Unit Switching

Press the 'Units' key to switch between 'μm' (micrometers) and 'mil' (mils).

5.3 Substrate Identification (Fe/NF)

• Fe (Ferrous): Indicates the target substrate is a ferrous material, such as iron or steel.
• NF (Non-Ferrous): Indicates the target substrate is a non-ferrous material, such as aluminum or copper.

5.4 Data Storage

The device can store up to 20 groups of measurement data automatically.

Figure 5.2: Illustration of the device's data storage capability.

5.5 Calibration

Calibration ensures the accuracy of your gauge. Factors affecting accuracy include probe wear, environmental conditions, and substrate type. The gauge supports 6 calibration points: 0, 50, 100, 250, 500, and 1000 μm.

1. Preparation: Take out the ferrous and aluminum substrates, and the five standard foils. Place them horizontally on a stable surface.
2. Zero Calibration:
   • Press 'MODE' to enter Continuous Measurement Mode (CON).
   • Place the probe on the bare substrate. If the reading is not zero, hold the gauge steady and press the 'ZERO' key until '00.0' is displayed. Zero calibration is complete.
3. Calibration with Standard Foils (e.g., 50μm):
   • Place the 50μm film on the substrate.
   • Place the probe on the film. If the reading does not match 50.0μm, hold the gauge steady and press the 'ZERO' key until '50.0' is displayed.
   • Repeat this process for 100μm, 250μm, 500μm, and 1000μm foils, switching the film accordingly.

Important: If you perform an incorrect calibration operation, press and hold the 'Units' key for 3 seconds to reset the gauge to factory defaults.

5.6 Auto Power Off

The device will automatically power off after 15 minutes of inactivity to conserve battery life.

5.7 System Reset

To reset the system, press and hold the 'Units' key until the full screen displays with two beeps. This is useful for recovering from error operations or incorrect calibrations.

6. Specifications

Factors Affecting Accuracy:

To ensure accurate measurements, be aware of the following factors:

• Curvature radius convex <1.5mm
• Curvature radius concave <25mm
• Diameter of measuring area <6mm
• Thickness of substrate <0.5mm (for F probe) / <0.3mm (for N probe)
• Surface roughness
• Adhesive substances on probe or coating surface (keep clean)
• Strong magnetic fields nearby
• Operating outside specified temperature and humidity ranges
• Low battery

7. Maintenance

To ensure the longevity and accuracy of your GVDA GD198 gauge, follow these maintenance guidelines:

• Avoid Hostile Environments: Protect the gauge from collisions, excessive dust, hyperthermia, high humidity, and strong magnetic fields.
• Cleaning: Keep the probe and the measurement surface clean and free of adhesive substances. Use a soft, dry cloth for cleaning.
• Battery Care: If the gauge will not be used for an extended period, remove the batteries to prevent leakage.

8. Troubleshooting

• Gauge is unresponsive or won't power on:
  1. Remove the batteries.
  2. Wait for a few minutes.
  3. Reinstall fresh batteries and try again.
• Measurement errors or inconsistent readings:
  1. Check for factors affecting accuracy (see Section 6).
  2. Perform a system reset (see Section 5.7).
  3. Recalibrate the gauge (see Section 5.5).

If the error persists after following these steps, please contact your supplier or GVDA customer support for assistance.

9. Warranty and Support

For warranty information, technical support, or service inquiries, please refer to the documentation provided with your purchase or contact the GVDA Official Store directly. Keep your proof of purchase for warranty claims.