Omni Instruments GM100 Thickness Gauge

The GM100 series ultrasonic thickness gauge is designed to work with a variety of materials such as
metal, plastic, glass, ceramics and more. For cast iron applications an additional probe has to be
purchased due to the property of the material.

The GM100 uses ultrasonic technology to send a pulse through the material which is reflected back to
the unit, the time it takes for this process is measured and the unit can determine with high accuracy
the material thickness.

Included in your GM100 kit is the main unit, a 10mm 5MHz transducer, coupling agent and a sample
block (4mm in thickness) for calibration/testing.

Specifications

• Measuring Range (steel) 1.2mm to 225.0mm

• 0.1mm Resolution
• Backlit 4 Digit LCD Display
• Automatic Calibration
• Coupling Status Indication
• Save up to 10 thickness measurements
• Sound Velocity Range 1000 to 9999 m/s
• Low battery indication
• Operational Temperature 0°C to 40°C
Operation Notes

To achieve reliable and accurate measurements, you must follow the below steps…

• Material must be larger in diameter than the probes sensing element

• Curved surfaces, such as piping, boiler tanks, etc must have a radius of 10mm or greater and a
minimum thickness of 3mm.
• If there is corrosion or a rough surface, try and clean the area with sandpaper or a grinder. If
this is not possible, a 2.5MHz probe can be used which is specifically design for rough surfaces.
• Make sure the material has a surface temperature below 60°C and avoid areas of excessive
vibration.

Getting Started

1.0 Connect the transducer to the top of the meter, the mini DIN connectors can be connected to any
hole.
2.0 Power the meter on and within one or two seconds, the last velocity value will be displayed on the
screen.
3.0 Adjust the sound velocity to match your material by using the up and down keys. There are 12
stored velocity values on the GM100. Press the VEL button to save your value. Pressing the VEL
button again will allow you to change the velocity value, this is shown by a flashing VEL & MS icon
on the LCD screen.
4.0 To take a thickness measurement, place a small amount of acoustic coupling agent (most petroleum
jelly’s will work) to the transducer. Press the transducer against the material you wish to measure,
the meter will indicate that it has sufficient contact with the material by displaying the ‘Coupling
Indicator’ on the LCD display. If the indicator is flashing, the meter does not have sufficient contact
with the material to provide a valid reading.
5.0 Once the reading is displayed on the screen, the transducer can be removed and the value will hold
until the probe is pressed against another surface.

Sound Velocity Measurement

If you do not know the sound velocity of a material, the GM100 has the ability to measure this if you
know the exact thickness of the material (use a pair of calipers on a test piece if this is not known).
Follow the steps on the next page to obtain an accurate velocity measurement..
1.0 Press the ultrasonic transducer against the unknown material.
2.0 Once a reading is displayed on the units LCD screen, remove the transducer.
3.0 Use the up or down arrows to match the thickness of your material, the THICKNESS and mm icons
will flash when you are in this mode.
4.0 Press the VEL key and the materials velocity will be displayed on the screen.

Data Storage

The GM100 has an internal memory which can be used to store measurements. This can be activated by
holding the STORE button for two seconds. The bottom of the screen will display the memory location
that is selectable by using the up and down arrow keys. Use your transducer to take a successful
measurement and the value will be automatically stored in that memory location. Press the STORE
button again to bring up the memory option and the arrow keys to browse the memory locations.

Low Battery Warning

The GM100 requires sufficient power to take accurate readings. The battery indicator will flash when
there is not sufficient power in the current installed cells. The meter requires 3 x 1.5V AAA Alkaline
batteries.

Backlit LCD

To activate the backlit LCD on your GM100 meter, press and hold the CAL button before powering on
the meter.

Sound Velocities of Common Materials