What is it? (flaw detector) - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Floopy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 26, 2018, 05:29:26 am
content: Newbie here, so bear with me.I have this instrument, what is it?It came with two battery pack and a charger for them.Someone might know I don't know, I havn't found any information on this.All I can say is that it has German written all over the inside and it ways two bricks.Thanks.

author: PTR_1275
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 26, 2018, 05:43:57 am
content: Looks like a flaw detector for ultrasonic testing. There should be a probe with it that has the detector head in it.

author: ArthurDent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 26, 2018, 02:52:10 pm
content: It's hard to tell from a photo but is the top unit a strip chart recorder that would use rolls of paper like a cash register?

author: nrxnrx
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 26, 2018, 04:03:37 pm
content: A search for "krautkramer usk-5" brings up the usk-6 and usk-7 devices, which are ultrasonic flaw detectors.Hereare some photos with more labels.

author: Floopy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 27, 2018, 12:14:00 am
content: I'll post pictures of the inside when I can. I've been having trouble finding a way to power it. I can't find any voltage referenceand the batteries are dead.I can't find any other info except that website and it's just an auction.Quote from: PTR_1275 on January 26, 2018, 05:43:57 amI have one connector that goes out to a BNC that's all I got.

author: Floopy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 27, 2018, 01:25:25 am
content: I was taking it part and I found this post on the CRT tube cover!I typed it in google translate. I don't like googles translate program, but I had no choice.!!!!!!!!!!PLEASE EXCUSE THE SPELLING MISTAKES IT'S HARD TO TYPE AND LOOK AT A LABEL AT THE SAME TIME!!!!!!!!German writting:"alles touristen und non-technischen lookens peepers! das ultrasonic flaw detector is nicht fur gerfingerpoken und mittengrabben. oderwise is easy schnappen der springenwerk, blowenfuse, und poppencorken mit spitzensparken. der machine is diggen by experten only. is nicht fur gerverken by das dummkopfen. das rubbernecken sightseenen keepen das cottonpicken hands in das pockets, so relaxen und watchen das blinkenlights."English bad translation:"all tourist and non-technical lookens peepers! the ultrasonic flaw detector is not for gerfingerpoken and middle crabs. Orwise it's easy to grab the hitch, blowenfuse, and poppencorken with lace parking. the machine is diggen by experts only. Is not for gerverken by the dumbbells. The rubbernecken lookseenen keepen the cottonpicken hands into the pockets, so relax and watch the blinkenlights."Picture of the label(It's fuzzy because I don't have a good camera, Epson PhotoPC 3100Z)

author: imidis
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 27, 2018, 01:27:02 am
content: That is awesome!

author: Floopy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 27, 2018, 01:33:42 am
content: The building of the instrument is very interesting because there are no holes, instead everything is soldered on tracks.Sorry again crappy pictures, but you get an idea.Also I didn't bother to clean the bench. I think that 97% of people reading this can agree that keeping it clean all the time is harder than it sounds.The over all construction is quit sturdy. I like it.

author: Floopy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 27, 2018, 01:34:56 am
content: Pictures I took

author: Floopy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 27, 2018, 01:38:51 am
content: Quote from: cleaningOut on January 27, 2018, 01:35:05 amOn the left side, the right is not so cleanI'm working on more pictures give me a moment.

author: Floopy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 27, 2018, 01:44:01 am
content: More pictures, battery packs.

author: Floopy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 27, 2018, 01:47:36 am
content: More pictures

author: Terry01
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 27, 2018, 01:47:58 am
content: I was about to post that you should put some kind of description in the title to save me "wasting" 2 mins looking at something stupid!I have to eat my words and admit this is an awesome post and although I still have no clue what I am looking at or what it is for it is cool as f*$k!I am so glad I "wasted" 5 mins looking in on this post and will be checking in on more no description in the title posts from now on. I usually just scroll right past them but glad I looked in on this 1.Well cool thing you have there!

author: Floopy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 27, 2018, 01:50:51 am
content: Hopefully I can get something out of it, and some better pictures.Time is all I need!More pictures, Battery charger.

author: Floopy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 27, 2018, 01:54:13 am
content: More picturesOne of the three boards around the CRT.

author: Floopy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 27, 2018, 01:57:52 am
content: Only connector I have and also last picture for now.I just need to figure out how to power it.

author: helius
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 27, 2018, 02:05:48 am
content: Quote from: Floopy on January 27, 2018, 01:25:25 amhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blinkenlights

author: Floopy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 27, 2018, 02:09:47 am
content: Quote from: helius on January 27, 2018, 02:05:48 amFunny to see it though.Sorry everybody I don't speak German. I was wondering why it looked so easy to read.

author: ArthurDent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 27, 2018, 02:46:53 am
content: The photo in post #12 seems to support what I said in post #2 that the second unit is a paper strip chart recorder. The upper right knob on the CRT unit apparently controls the chart speed and is marked in inches per some time division. So the whole unit, if it had probes connected, could ultrasonically measure some coating thickness on metal as the transducer probe was moved across the coating being tested and what the CRT displayed would be recorded on the paper chart to be analyzed later. Just a guess.

author: Floopy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 27, 2018, 03:30:22 am
content: Okay I'm going to sleep now.Update:I opened one of the batteries to find that it is a simple 6V+ line that links to two of the four pins on the board.I was careful to open it because of the CRT and I noticed that the circuit for it is encased in rubber. Nice!I hooked up my trusty power supply and set it to 6V and current limit at 1A. I flicked the switch to get a dying beeper sound and the battery indicator shot up to the green and then went down to the black.The current draw shot to 500mA and then it just dropped down to 0. Yes it isn't consuming power?Suggestions??Slowly progressing, I just want to try to get it working. Even though I'm probably not going to be doing material analysis anytime soon.Help is greatly appreciated.Current instruments I have on the bench in case someone is wondering:#1: two channel oscilloscope#2: function generator#3: power supply#4: small purpose power supply#5: DMM

author: Floopy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 27, 2018, 03:32:25 am
content: Quote from: ArthurDent on January 27, 2018, 02:46:53 amI like it it looks like a great piece of equipment. Maybe I can interface it with something else?

author: Floopy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 27, 2018, 03:34:50 am
content: Changed the title so that everybody can stay happy.

author: CatalinaWOW
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 27, 2018, 03:44:09 am
content: It does appear to a be a flaw detector. With missing sensor head(s). The good news - for other brands at least they are sort of widely available. Probably also true for this one. The bad news - they are very pricey. Without the head(s) it is a room warmer and nerd party discussion item.

author: Floopy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 27, 2018, 03:49:48 am
content: Obviously I know nothing, but this looks like something that could work?https://www.ebay.com/itm/for-Ultrasonic-Flaw-Detector-Mini-BNC-Connecter-5P14FG-F5-Probe-Tranducer-Sensor/311933771563?hash=item48a0b39f2b:g:G~4AAOSwnipWbqspI know that's it's China....

author: CatalinaWOW
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 27, 2018, 03:59:07 am
content: I'm no expert either so can't say whether this is compatible with the unit in question. It is at least an order of magnitude below the costs I have seen. I have a conceptually similar unit that is also missing probes and have been unwilling to drop $1000 to see if it might work. I might just try $86.

author: Floopy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 28, 2018, 05:06:34 am
content: Did some probing around today to find out that I get 6.4V everywhereWhen I switch it ON I get 6.4 V then in drops down to 6V and after the voltage bumps back to 6.4 and no current is being drawn.Anyone know how I might trouble shoot.Good new the top unit works!I hooked up 6V to it to and the battery gauge shot up to the green. I also found the inputs and attached my function generator. I think I just made the crudest oscilloscope.

author: Mashpriborintorg
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 28, 2018, 09:34:05 am
content: Oh it reminds me memories, I got one like that long time ago, early-90's fleamarket find, for the equivalent of 1.5 euros.Most of the (tantalum ?)caps inside were bad and in short circuit. I ended scrapping it.

author: MosherIV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 28, 2018, 11:51:25 am
content: QuoteI would not be so eager to hook it up.Most ultrasonic flaw detectors generate the ultra sound pulse by applying a pulse with upto 250V

author: woodchips
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 28, 2018, 01:23:19 pm
content: Looks like a couple of DIN sockets either side of the CRT?Battery powered so possibly for testing trees for rot?

author: Floopy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 28, 2018, 05:29:27 pm
content: Quote from: MosherIV on January 28, 2018, 11:51:25 amI think I was misunderstood when I said the top-unit.I was referring to the needle drawing device (please someone tell me the name). The needle moves back and forth scratching the paper and leaving a trace.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 28, 2018, 06:01:22 pm
content: Chart recorder. Will use either thermal paper and a heated pen to leave a thermal trace on the paper, or will use an actual roller ball or fountain pen nib ( depending on the age of the unit and the design it was made for) to leave an arc on the paper roll as it moves at a continuous speed under the pointer. some also use a CRT ( I have one made by Medelec, interesting thing that)and light sensitive paper or pressure sensitive paper and a plain stylus to record. Still others use a circular chart and magnetic paper, to have a record that self erases as the disc rolls under the head again.

author: Floopy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2018, 12:07:54 am
content: Quote from: SeanB on January 28, 2018, 06:01:22 pmThank you I have a name to give it now.The Chart recorder in this device works by a metal needle that scratches a white paper revealing an orange surface under. I'm reusing previous paper and not the new section to test it.The unit is a complement of the CRT display on the bottom. The way (I think) it works is by recording the measurements on top and displaying them on bottom.I learn more every time I poke at it. I need to measure the capacitors and see if they are somewhat accurate.Hopefully I will get higher resolution pictures soon! I need time and I need to finish other things before.And please if you want to post something haven't read the rest of the post. DO IT! I keep having to explain things.

author: ArthurDent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2018, 03:41:15 am
content: I had said it was a strip chart recorder in post #2 and post #19. If the paper just uses a stylus or metal needle to scratch the paper to leave a trace, the paper may feel kind of waxy, and the needle removing the waxy coating leaves a trace by revealing the background color so it doesn't need ink or heat. As I said, the upper right knob on the CRT unit apparently controls the chart speed if the units are interconnected.

author: Floopy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2018, 05:04:55 am
content: Yes I know. I just wanted to ask if there was any other name. Yes the paper feels waxy, I really like messing with it. The fact that you said that the knob controls the speed is how I figured that there is an input line for it.Anyway if anybody has anymore info I would greatly appreciate it.

author: Floopy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2018, 03:03:38 am
content: I got a better camera!Here are a few photos for those of you who expressed the need for them (or did anybody).

author: Floopy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2018, 03:07:23 am
content: Quality had to be sacrificed in order to upload

author: Floopy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2018, 03:11:33 am
content: More..

author: Floopy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2018, 03:13:34 am
content: More...

author: Floopy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2018, 03:15:35 am
content: Last one...

author: Floopy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2018, 03:20:30 am
content: Update...I desoldered some of the capacitors in order to test them. (Mhh... wonderful smell)So far I haven't had any with a short, leak, or wrong value. The values have a tolerance of about 10% on the caps (mind if I use that term).I'm starting to wonder if the power supply might be faulty. There are two power regulators from what I've seen.I need more time.

author: Floopy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2018, 04:29:14 pm
content: Should I try posting this in the repair section?