TQC Sheen Hull Roughness Gauge

Overview

The TQC Sheen Hull Roughness Gauge is a purpose-built, hand-held profilometer engineered for quantitative assessment of surface topography on marine hulls, offshore structures, and coated steel substrates in shipyard, dry-dock, and in-service inspection environments. It operates on the principle of contact-based stylus profilometry—employing a precision-ground diamond-tipped probe (2 µm radius, 4 mN force) that traverses the surface at a controlled linear speed of 50 mm/s. Vertical displacement of the stylus is converted into high-fidelity analog signals, digitized at 16-bit resolution, and processed using real-time filtering algorithms compliant with ISO 4287 and ISO 13565-2 standards. Designed explicitly for maritime applications, the instrument delivers traceable Ra, Rz, Rt, and Rq parameters under variable environmental conditions—including high humidity, salt-laden air, and non-horizontal orientations—without requiring external calibration references between measurements.

Key Features

• Marine-optimized mechanical architecture: Sealed sensor head with IP65-rated enclosure and corrosion-resistant stainless-steel chassis for prolonged exposure to seawater splash and abrasive blast profiles.
• Single-hand ergonomics: Four-directional tactile keypad enables intuitive navigation and measurement initiation without visual confirmation—critical during overhead or confined-space inspections.
• On-device data integrity: Internal flash memory retains >10,000 discrete height samples across four independent measurement logs, each timestamped and geotagged (when paired with optional GPS module).
• Low-power embedded system: Dual-mode power management extends operational uptime to 200 hours (backlight disabled), supporting multi-shift survey campaigns without battery replacement.
• USB serial interface with virtual COM port emulation: Enables direct integration with Windows-based QA/QC software (e.g., TQC DataLink, MATLAB, or custom Python scripts) for automated report generation and SPC charting.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The gauge accommodates surfaces ranging from blasted steel (Sa 2.5–Sa 3.0) to epoxy-coated hulls, antifouling paints, and rubber linings. Minimum measurable feature wavelength is 0.8 mm; maximum measurable peak-to-valley depth is 100 µm. All reported roughness parameters conform to ISO 4287:1997 (Geometrical Product Specifications – Surface texture) and ASTM D7127-15 (Standard Test Method for Measurement of Surface Roughness of Abrasive Blast Cleaned Steel Surfaces). Device firmware supports audit trail logging per GLP/GMP requirements when connected to validated laboratory information management systems (LIMS). Calibration certificates are issued per ISO/IEC 17025-accredited procedures by TQC Sheen’s Rotterdam calibration laboratory.

Software & Data Management

Raw profile data is exported in ASCII CSV format containing X-position (mm), Z-height (µm), and metadata (date/time, operator ID, location tag). The included TQC DataLink v4.2 software provides statistical analysis (Cp/Cpk, control limits), overlay comparison of pre- and post-coating profiles, and automated compliance flagging against IMO PSPC (Performance Standard for Protective Coatings) thresholds. For regulated environments, optional FDA 21 CFR Part 11-compliant modules enforce electronic signatures, role-based access control, and immutable audit trails—fully compatible with enterprise LIMS deployments.

Applications

• Pre-coating surface verification per SSPC-SP 10/NACE No. 2 prior to primer application.
• Post-blast profile validation in accordance with ISO 8503-1 (surface profile comparators) and ISO 8503-2 (replica tape method correlation).
• In-service hull fouling assessment via longitudinal roughness gradient mapping.
• Quality gate monitoring during dry-dock refurbishment projects, with data export to shipyard ERP systems (e.g., SAP PM module).
• Third-party certification audits for classification societies including DNV, LR, ABS, and BV.

FAQ

What surface preparation standards does this gauge support?
It directly supports SSPC-SP 10, ISO 8501-1, ISO 8503-1, and IMO PSPC requirements for blast-cleaned steel surfaces.
Can it measure curved hull sections?
Yes—the articulating probe arm and low-profile sensor head enable stable contact on radii ≥150 mm without slippage or lift-off.
Is firmware upgradable in the field?
Yes—via USB connection and signed firmware packages distributed through TQC Sheen’s secure customer portal.
Does it meet explosion-proof or ATEX requirements?
No—this model is not intrinsically safe; use in hazardous zones requires external barrier certification or alternative Class I Div 1 instrumentation.
How is traceability maintained for regulatory submissions?
Each unit ships with an ISO/IEC 17025 calibration certificate, NIST-traceable reference standards, and digital signature-enabled data export for FDA/EMA audit readiness.