These 5 tips will help ensure that you get the best possible measurement accuracy:
Use the largest target ball, disk, or wire suitable for the application
The larger the target, the stronger the magnetic field. The stronger magnetic field allows for a higher degree of accuracy and a greater thickness range, as shown in the table below.
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| Targets | Min Thickness | Max Thickness | Accuracy | |
| Basic Calibration | Multipoint | |||
| 86PR-1 and 86PR-2 Probes | ||||
| 1/16 in. (1.58 mm) ball (80TB1) | 0.0001 in. (0.001 mm) | 0.080 in. (2.03 mm) | 4% | 3% |
| 1/8 in. (3.17 mm) ball (80TB2) | 0.0001 in. (0.001 mm) | 0.240 in. (6.1 mm) | 4% | 2% |
| 3/16 in. (4.76 mm) ball (80TB3) | 0.0001 in. (0.001 mm) | 0.360 in. (9.1 mm) | 3% | 1% |
| 1/4 in. (6.35 mm) ball (80TB4) | 0.0001 in. (0.001 mm) | 0.360 in. (9.1 mm) | 3% | 1% |
| 3/16 in. (4.76 mm) magnetic ball (86TBM3) | 0.160 in. (4.06 mm) | 0.750 in. (19.05 mm) | 3% | 1% |
| 1/4 in. (6.35 mm) magnetic ball (86TBM4) | 0.160 in. (4.06 mm) | 1.00 in. (25.4 mm) | 3% | 1% |
| 0.500 in. (12.7 mm) flat disk (80TD1) | 0.0001 in. (0.001 mm) | 0.360 in. (9.1 mm) | 3% | 2% |
| 0.250 in. (6.35 mm) V-edge disk (80TD2) | 0.0001 in. (0.001 mm) | 0.240 in. (6.1 mm) | 3% | 2% |
| 0.045 in. (1.14 mm) dia. wire (86TW1) | 0.0001 in. (0.001 mm) | 0.500 in. (12.7 mm) | 3% | 2% |
| 0.026 in. (0.66 mm) dia. wire (86TW2) | 0.0001 in. (0.001 mm) | 0.240 in. (6.1 mm) | 3% | 2% |
| New 86PR-3 Low-Profile Articulating Probe | ||||
| 1/16 in. (1.58 mm) ball (80TB1) | 0.0001 in. (0.001 mm) | 0.080 in. (2.03 mm) | 4% | 3% |
| 1/8 in. (3.17 mm) ball (80TB2) | 0.0001 in. (0.001 mm) | 0.240 in. (6.1 mm) | 4% | 2% |
| 0.026 in. (0.66 mm) dia. wire (86TW2) | 0.0001 in. (0.001 mm) | 0.160 in. (4.1 mm) | 3% | 2% |
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Always perform a multipoint calibration
As shown in the above reference table, performing a multipoint calibration improves the calibration curve and the overall accuracy of the instrument no matter which target you’re using. When you perform a basic calibration, the instrument only has four calibration points (Ball Off, Ball On, Thin Shim, Thick Shim) to use for the calibration curve. By choosing to perform a multipoint calibration, where you add additional calibration points, the calibration curve is improved since the instrument has more calibration points to use.
Perform a Q-Cal on a regular basis
It’s important to note that Magna-Mike thickness measurements can be affected by changes in the environment, including changes in temperature and magnetic fields.
Use the minimum capture feature
The minimum thickness measurement for a given location will always occur when the material being measured is perpendicular to the probe tip, and the target is centered over the top of the probe tip. Using the minimum capture feature on the Magna-Mike 8600 gage helps capture the true thickness while you’re maneuvering the part being measured. We suggest rotating the part in all planes to ensure that the target ball crosses the center of the probe tip, which correlates to the thinnest measurement
Reduce environmental interference
Your Magna-Mike thickness gage should not be used within 2 feet (0.61 meters) of any large steel object or strong magnetic fields. Having the instrument close to large steel objects, including table legs and steel supports, can affect the magnetic field around the probe. This introduces a deviation to the normal magnetic field between the probe and the target that was determined during the calibration process. This, in turn, leads to measurement drift and erratic readings. A Q-Cal may be able to help with this measurement drift but, in many cases, the instrument must be moved to a new location with less interference. [fancy_link title=”More Info” link=”https://www.olympus-ims.com/en/insight/5-ways-to-improve-measurement-accuracy-with-the-magna-mike-8600-thickness-gage” target=”/” style=”1″ class=”” download=””]
