DR260 Coating Thickness Gauge for Zinc, Paint, Powder Coating & Anti-Corrosion Layers
| Brand | Fangyuan Instruments |
|---|---|
| Origin | Guangdong, China |
| Manufacturer Type | Authorized Distributor |
| Country of Manufacture | China |
| Model | DR260 |
| Price | USD 185 (FOB Guangdong) |
| Measurement Principle | Magnetic Induction (Fe) & Eddy Current (Non-Fe) Dual-Mode |
| Resolution | 0.1 µm |
| Repeatability | ±(1% + 1 µm) |
| Measurement Speed | ≤0.3 s per reading |
| Max. Measurable Thickness | 6000 µm |
| Operating Temperature Range | 0–50 °C |
| Display | 2.4" TFT LCD with backlight |
| Data Storage | 10,000 readings (grouped by batch ID) |
| Interface | USB-C for PC export |
| Calibration | Factory-calibrated with certified Fe/Al reference standards |
| Compliance | ISO 2178, ISO 2360, ASTM B499, ASTM D7091 |
Overview
The DR260 Coating Thickness Gauge is a dual-mode, handheld precision instrument engineered for non-destructive measurement of non-magnetic coatings on ferrous substrates (e.g., zinc, epoxy, polyurethane, enamel) and non-conductive coatings on non-ferrous metal substrates (e.g., anodized aluminum, painted copper, chrome-plated brass). It operates simultaneously on magnetic induction (per ISO 2178 and ASTM B499) and eddy current (per ISO 2360 and ASTM D7091) principles—ensuring traceable, repeatable thickness quantification across industrial surface engineering applications. Designed for QC laboratories, electroplating lines, automotive OEM finishing shops, and infrastructure corrosion control teams, the DR260 delivers metrological stability under variable ambient conditions through proprietary real-time temperature compensation circuitry—minimizing thermal drift without requiring manual recalibration between shifts.
Key Features
- Dual-sensor architecture: Integrated Hall-effect magnetic probe (for steel/iron) and high-frequency eddy current coil (for Al, Cu, Zn alloys), auto-detected upon substrate contact
- 0.1 µm resolution with ≤0.3 s single-point acquisition time—optimized for high-throughput inspection of coated fasteners, sheet metal panels, and structural steel components
- Temperature-compensated analog front-end: Maintains measurement fidelity across 0–50 °C operating range; eliminates need for warm-up or periodic zeroing in field environments
- 10,000-point internal memory with timestamped batch logging (up to 99 batches), supporting statistical process control (SPC) data export via USB-C
- TFT LCD with adjustable backlight and intuitive icon-based UI—designed for gloved operation in low-light production zones
- Factory-traceable calibration using NIST-traceable Fe and Al reference standards; includes calibration certificate compliant with ISO/IEC 17025 requirements
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The DR260 is validated for use on common industrial substrates including cold-rolled steel (CRS), galvanized steel (HDG), hot-dip aluzinc, aluminum 5052/6061, copper-clad laminates, and stainless steel 304 (non-magnetic grades). It meets the performance criteria defined in ISO 2178 (magnetic coatings on ferrous metals), ISO 2360 (non-conductive coatings on non-ferrous metals), ASTM B499 (zinc and cadmium coatings on steel), and ASTM D7091 (organic coatings on metallic substrates). Its design supports GLP-compliant documentation workflows: all stored measurements retain date/time stamps, operator ID fields (configurable), and calibration status flags—enabling audit readiness for ISO 9001 and IATF 16949 quality systems.
Software & Data Management
The gauge interfaces with Fangyuan’s free PC software (Windows 10/11 compatible) via USB-C, enabling full dataset retrieval, statistical analysis (mean, SD, Cp/Cpk), histogram generation, and PDF report export. Raw data exports as CSV with metadata columns: Batch ID, Sample ID, Substrate Type, Reading Value (µm), Date/Time, Operator Code, Calibration Expiry. Audit trail functionality logs all configuration changes—including unit switching, zero calibration events, and probe replacement alerts—satisfying FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements for electronic records when used in regulated manufacturing environments.
Applications
- Quality assurance of hot-dip galvanizing layers (50–200 µm) on structural steel per ASTM A123
- In-process verification of powder coating thickness (60–120 µm) on aluminum extrusions prior to curing
- Final inspection of automotive body panel paint films (basecoat/clearcoat stack: 80–150 µm total)
- Corrosion protection audits of marine-grade coatings on offshore platform components
- Supplier qualification testing per ISO 12944 C5-I/C5-M environmental exposure classes
- Maintenance inspection of fireproofing intumescent coatings on petrochemical piping
FAQ
Does the DR260 require daily zero calibration on bare substrate before use?
No—its auto-zero function activates on first contact with uncoated reference material, and the temperature compensation system maintains offset stability for ≥8 hours under typical workshop conditions.
Can it measure multi-layer coatings (e.g., zinc + epoxy + topcoat)?
No—the DR260 measures total dry-film thickness only. Layer-by-layer resolution requires cross-sectional microscopy or FTIR-based methods.
Is the probe replaceable, and does probe wear affect accuracy?
Yes—field-replaceable probes are available (part no. FY-DR260-P1 for Fe, FY-DR260-P2 for Non-Fe); each probe undergoes individual sensitivity mapping during factory calibration, and wear-induced deviation is flagged automatically when repeatability exceeds ±2 µm over 10 consecutive readings.
What documentation is provided for regulatory audits?
Each unit ships with a calibration certificate (including uncertainty budget per GUM), conformity declaration (CE/UKCA), RoHS compliance statement, and ISO 17025-accredited calibration lab report—valid for 12 months from shipment date.
How is firmware updated?
Firmware updates are delivered via the PC software; version history, release notes, and validation test reports are published quarterly on Fangyuan’s technical support portal.
