Olympus 72 DLPLUS Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

Overview

The Olympus 72 DLPLUS Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge is an engineered solution for non-destructive, single-sided thickness measurement of metallic and non-metallic materials using pulse-echo ultrasonic time-of-flight (TOF) principles. Designed for field and shop-floor environments where portability, reliability, and repeatability are critical, the 72 DLPLUS delivers high-resolution thickness data without requiring access to both sides of the test specimen. Its compact form factor (142 × 75 × 32 mm), ruggedized housing, and IP67-rated enclosure ensure operational integrity in demanding industrial settings—including petrochemical refineries, power generation facilities, shipyards, and aerospace maintenance depots. The instrument operates on standard AA batteries with an industry-leading runtime of up to 200 hours, minimizing downtime during extended inspection campaigns.

Key Features

• Advanced digital signal processing with real-time waveform display for echo validation and measurement confidence
• Minimum thickness capability down to 0.1 mm on steel-equivalent materials—enabled by high-frequency transducer compatibility (up to 20 MHz) and optimized low-noise receiver architecture
• Auto-calibration function with dual-material mode (e.g., steel, aluminum, plastic, glass, composites) and velocity correction via known sample thickness or reference block
• High-contrast monochrome LCD with adjustable backlight for visibility under low-light or outdoor conditions
• Integrated data logging with timestamped storage of up to 500 measurements; exportable via RS-232 serial interface (USB-to-RS232 adapters supported)
• Rugged magnesium alloy casing rated to IP67 for dust and immersion resistance (1 m for 30 min), meeting MIL-STD-810G shock and vibration requirements

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The 72 DLPLUS supports a broad range of homogeneous, isotropic materials including carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum alloys, copper, titanium, plastics (e.g., PVC, polyethylene), ceramics, and fiberglass-reinforced polymers. It is not suitable for highly attenuative, coarse-grained, or layered heterogeneous structures without prior validation. Measurements comply with internationally recognized standards for ultrasonic thickness testing: ASTM E797 (Standard Practice for Measuring Thickness by Manual Ultrasonic Pulse-Echo Contact Method), ISO 2400 (Ultrasonics — Characterization of Ultrasonic Test Equipment — Measurement of Performance Characteristics of Ultrasonic Thickness Gauges), and EN 15317 (Non-destructive testing — Qualification of ultrasonic testing equipment — Part 2: Ultrasonic thickness measuring equipment). The device meets general requirements for use in quality control, preventive maintenance, and regulatory inspection programs aligned with ASME B31.4/B31.8, API RP 570, and NACE SP0106 frameworks.

Software & Data Management

While the 72 DLPLUS operates as a standalone gauge with no embedded PC software, it supports seamless integration into enterprise asset integrity workflows via its RS-232 output. Raw measurement files—including thickness value, material velocity setting, date/time stamp, and transducer ID—can be imported into third-party inspection reporting platforms (e.g., GE Inspection Technologies’ UltraVision, Mistras Group’s PIMS, or custom SQL-based CMMS systems). The unit maintains full audit trail integrity for each stored reading, with no editable metadata fields—a prerequisite for GLP/GMP-aligned documentation practices. Optional firmware updates (distributed via Olympus Technical Support portals) maintain alignment with evolving calibration traceability protocols per ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratories.

Applications

• In-service corrosion monitoring of piping, pressure vessels, and storage tanks in oil & gas and chemical processing plants
• Pre- and post-weld thickness verification in structural steel fabrication and offshore platform construction
• Quality assurance of rolled sheet metal, extruded profiles, and clad components during incoming inspection
• Thickness profiling of aircraft skins, honeycomb panels, and engine casings during routine airworthiness checks
• Validation of coating and liner integrity in lined reactors and flue gas desulfurization (FGD) ductwork
• Research-grade dimensional analysis of thin-walled prototypes in materials development labs

FAQ

What transducers are compatible with the 72 DLPLUS?
The gauge supports Olympus standard 5–20 MHz contact and delay-line transducers (e.g., M112, V112, V114, V116 series); high-frequency probes require manual velocity input and are recommended for thin-sheet applications.
Can the 72 DLPLUS measure through paint or coatings?
Yes—when using appropriate dual-element or delay-line transducers and performing couplant-assisted interface compensation; however, total coating thickness must remain below 0.5 mm for reliable substrate measurement.
Is the device certified for intrinsically safe environments?
No—the 72 DLPLUS is not ATEX or IECEx certified; users requiring operation in hazardous zones must deploy external barrier systems or select the intrinsically safe Olympus 38DL PLUS model.
Does the unit support automatic gain control (AGC)?
Yes—AGC is enabled by default and dynamically adjusts receiver sensitivity across varying echo amplitudes to maintain consistent threshold detection for repeatable readings.
How is calibration traceability maintained?
Olympus provides NIST-traceable calibration certificates upon request; end-users are responsible for periodic verification against certified reference blocks per ASTM E797 Section 8.