DeFelsko's PosiTector 200 Coating Thickness Gauge is ideal for non-destructive measurement of the thickness of paint ("topcoat") applied to plastic automotive bumpers/fascias with or without Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).
For 25 years, automakers and collision repair shops have been using the PosiTector 200 to measure the thickness of paint used on interior and exterior plastic parts. Although the instrument provides assurance that specifications are met, safety has not been the driving force until now.
With the rapid development of advanced driver assistance systems, the ability to accurately measure the thickness of paint on automotive bumpers and fascias has become too important to overstate. Using topcoat thicknesses that exceed manufacturer specifications may negatively impact the ability of ADAS sensors to function properly, reducing overall occupant safety.
This article discusses the importance of accurate paint measurements using DeFelsko's PosiTector 200 to meet new bumper/panel trim requirements.
background
Automakers continue to employ specialized technologies to improve the overall comfort and safety of vehicle occupants. Integrated Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are becoming standard in many new cars. These systems include:
blind spot detection
Lane Departure Warning System
pedestrian detection
Integrated Brake Assist
adaptive cruise control
Anti-collision braking system
Anti-collision braking systems will be standard equipment on all vehicles by 2022. This is due to a voluntary agreement between 20 large automakers, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. That's roughly 99 percent of the U.S. auto market. Similar agreements have also been established in the European and Indian markets.
These advanced driver assistance systems typically utilize sensors integrated into the vehicle's bumper and dashboard to detect motion and proximity to objects. Their ability to function properly is limited when their signal strength is affected by maintenance work or excessive paint application. As a result, automakers such as General Motors have limited ADAS-equipped bumper/dashboard repair work to paint touch-ups. Paint thickness should not exceed the OEM manufacturer's recommendations; for example, General Motors states that paint thickness on ADAS-equipped bumpers/fascias must not exceed 13 mils (330 microns). Too thick paint can negatively affect the function of the sensor.
Now, more than ever, it is more important for manufacturers and collision repair shops to accurately measure and control paint thickness during refinishing.
DeFelsko's solution
所述PosiTector 200超声波涂层测厚仪非常适用于汽车塑料保险杠，仪表板和其它的外部和内部部件测量涂料的厚度。它可以直接进行开箱测量，而在大多数应用中无需校准。
两种型号：
所述PosiTector 200 B1（标准模型）是用于测量总涂层厚度在经济和常用的解决方案。
所述PosiTector 200 B3（高级模型）是一种能够在多层系统同时测量总涂层厚度和至多3层单独的层的厚度。
它是如何工作：该PosiTector 200探针发出高频率的声音脉冲，其经由耦合凝胶行进到该涂层和从任何表面的密度不同反映。涂层厚度读数是通过测量超声波信号从探头尖端传播到涂层/基体界面并返回所花费的时间而获得的。将传播时间除以二，再乘以涂层中的声速，即可得出涂层的厚度。
默认情况下，PosiTector 200将选定范围内最大的“回波”解释为涂层/涂层或涂层/基体回波。
汽车涂料是典型的多层体系，由增粘剂，底漆，底漆和透明涂层组成。本应用笔记重点介绍在塑料保险杠和面板上测量涂料系统的总厚度。
如何测量
所述PosiTector 200外的盒而无需调整是准备测量汽车油漆厚度。为了获得测量应用于保险杠/面板的总涂层总厚度的合适结果，我们建议在“设置”菜单中启用“最大厚度模式”。启用后，请按照以下简单步骤操作。
将一滴超声波凝胶（耦合剂）挤压到带涂层的保险杠或面板上。
将探针放在凝胶上并向下按以开始测量。
当听到两次哔哔声并显示测量结果时，提起探头。通过继续将探头向下压在表面上，可以在同一位置进行第二次读数。
显示的测量值指示涂料系统的总厚度。下图是在最大厚度模式下PosiTector 200 B标准和高级测量屏幕的示例。
In the example above (right), Layer 1 is 2.0 mils thick. Layer 2 was 1.4 mils thick. Overall thickness is 3.4 mils. The graphical display shows two "peaks" representing two different material interfaces. Although the coating system actually consists of 4 layers, the instrument combines the thicknesses of the first 3 layers (adhesion promoter, primer, primer) into a single value of 1.4 mils. The final top clear coat thickness was 2.0 mils, respectively. The total thickness of the coating system was 3.4 mils. More on Graph mode and measuring multiple layers.
NOTE: The PosiTector 200 can also display measured values (metrics) in microns.
After the measurement is complete, wipe the probe and clean the surface with a paper towel or soft cloth. It's that simple.
in conclusion
As automakers continue to add more monitoring systems to their vehicles, the need to use integrated sensors to accurately measure the thickness of coatings applied to plastic car bumpers/dashboards has become more urgent. The PosiTector 200 by DeFelsko is a simple, durable, and accurate method for performing non-destructive measurements of coatings applied to plastic automotive bumpers integrated with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) sensors.
