Precision Thickness Gauge (FT3)
Repeatability of better than 0.4 µm- 0.1 µm resolution
- User programmable number of readings, dwell time and down speed
The Hanatek FT3 Precision Thickness Gauge is specifically designed to quickly and accurately measure the thickness of a variety of substrates including film, paper, board, foil, tissue and textiles.
Operated via an intuitive touch screen interface the instrument will allow the user to define batch size, dwell time & measuring speed.
Full test statistics can be easily viewed or printed to label for easy documentation control.
Contact pressure and contact area are factory set options dependent on the testing standard used
Precision Thickness Gauge Features
Test Parameters
Physical test parameters can be factory configured according to International Standards or customer requirements. Measurement speed and dwell time are controlled by user defined parameters.
- Momentum and profile of measurement head
- Measurement pressure
- Measurement dwell time
Instrument
The instrument is linearised throughout its measurement range using a multi point calibration.
Flatness of measurement head/anvil <0.1µm Typical parallelism <1µm
- Accuracy, Linearity, Calibration
- Flatness/Parallelism of Measurement Area
Operator
The Hanatek instrument provides full statistical analysis of data. The optional printer allows a time/date stamped results label to be attached to job sheet or retained samples
User defined routines or the optional footswitch mean hands free operation for easy sample manipulation
- Incorrect recording and analysis of results
- Sample handling and measurement technique
Temperature
Temperature stability circuitry ensures the instrument electronics reach optimum conditions before testing.
User Defined Parameters
Up Time
This parameter allows the user to manipulate samples between measurements. 1-10 sec
Test Speed
The speed of the measurement head us especially important when measuring deformable materials. 1-5mm/sec
Dwell/Down Time
The dwell time determines the settling time of the probe on compressible materials. 1-15 sec
The instrument is operated via an integral touch screen and features 3 different measurement modes.
Standard Test
Full statistical analysis of up to 500 readings
Batch Test
Calculates the thickness difference between two measurement sets, used to assess the thickness of coatings, adhesives or sample batches.
Standard Tare Test
Automatically tares the instrument before each test using user defined conditions.
For testing to multiple standards please use the Hanatek Variable Force Precision Thickness Gauge FT3-V
FT3 Standard Instrument Configurations
Plastic Film
BS 2782-6
Methods of testing plastics. Dimensional properties. Determination of thickness by mechanical scanning of flexible sheet
DIN 53370
Testing of plastics films - Determination of the thickness by mechanical scanning
ISO 4593:1993 Part A OR B
Standard Guide for determination of Thickness of Plastic Film Test Specimens
Paper & Board
ISO 534 : 2005
Paper and board. Determination of thickness, density and specific volume
DIN 53105
BS EN 20534
Method for determination of thickness and apparent bulk density or apparent sheet density of paper and board
TAPPI T 411
Thickness of Paper and Paperboard (Soft Platen Method), Test Method T 551 om-06
SCAN P7/P31
FEFCO No 3
ISO 3034
Corrugated fibreboard. Determination of the thickness of corrugated fibreboard
Self Adhesive Tape
DIN EN 1942
Self adhesive tapes - Measurement of Thickness
Tissue
BS EN 12625-3
Tissue paper and tissue products. Determination of thickness, bulking thickness and apparent bulk density
SCAN P47
BS 7387
Method for determination of the bulking thickness, apparent bulk density, compressibility and compressibility index of soft creped tissue paper
Textile
ISO 5084
Determination of thickness of textiles and textile products
ASTM D1777
Part 1, 3, 4 OR 5
Standard Test Method For Thickness of Textile Materials
ISO 2589
Leather - Physical and mechanical tests - Determination of thickness
Gaskets
ASTM F36-99
Standard Test Method for Compressibility and Recovery of Gasket Materials
Floor Coverings
EN428
Resilient floor coverings - Determination of overall thickness
Flexible Packaging
ASTMF2251
Standard Test Method for Thickness Measurement of Flexible Packaging Material
Features
- 0.1 µm
Repeatability
- Better than 0.4 µm*
Reproducibility
- Better than 0.8 µm*
Measurement Range
- 0-4000† µm
- †0 – 19000 µm extended range instrument also available
Weight
- 10kg (max)
- (h) 285 x (w) 302 x (l) 285 mm
Output
- RS232
Power
- 110/220V 50/60 Hz
Accessories
- All Hanatek FT3 gauges are supplied with a UKAS traceable calibration certificate and traceable 2000 µm and 500 µm checking gauges
Options
- Results printer, footswitch, additional weights
*Dependant on operating conditions and instrument configuration
Standards
Plastic Film
- BS 2782-6 Methods of testing plastics. Dimensional properties. Determination of thickness by mechanical scanning of flexible sheet
- DIN 53370 Testing of plastic films - Determination of the thickness by mechanical scanning
- ISO 4593:1993 Plastics - Film and sheeting - Determination of thickness by mechanical scanning
- ASTM D6988 Part B Standard Guide for Determination of Thickness of Part A OR B Plastic Film Test Specimens
- DIN 1942 Self adhesive tapes. Measurement of thickness
Paper & Board
- ISO 534Determination of thickness, density and specific volume
- DIN 53105
- BS EN 20534 Determination of thickness and apparent bulk density or apparent sheet density of paper and board
- TAPPI T 411 Thickness of Paper and Paperboard (Soft Platen Method), Test Method
- SCAN P7
- SCAN P31
- FEFCO No 3 (standard of compliance)
- ISO 3034 Corrugated fibreboard. Determination of single sheet thickness
Tissue
- BS EN 12625-3 : 2005 Tissue paper and tissue products. Determination of thickness, bulking thickness and apparent bulk density
- SCAN P47
Textile
- ISO 5084 Determination of thickness of textiles and textile products
- ASTM D5199 Determination of thickness of geosynthetics
- ASTM D1777 Standard test method for thickness of textiles
- ISO 2589 Leather. Physical and mechanical tests. Determination of thickness
Gaskets
- ASTM F36-99 Standard test method for compressibility and recovery of gasket materials
Floor Coverings
- EN428 Resilient floor coverings - Determination of overall thickness
Flexible Packaging
- ASTM F2251 Standard Test Method for Thickness Measurement of Flexible Packaging Material
Tape
- DIN EN 1942 Self adhesive tapes - Measurement of Thickness
- ASTM D3652 Standard Test Method for Thickness of Pressure-Sensitive Tapes
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Printed carton board |  |
Unprinted carton board |
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Tissue Paper |  |
Paper |
 |
Non-Woven |  |
Laminate Packaging |
 |
Plastic Film |  |
Flexible Packaging |
 |
Adhesive Tape |  |
Foil Packaging |
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Barcode Labels |  |
Textiles |
Applications include testing thickness of:
Recycled Paper, Leather, LDPE Film, Coatings, Fibreglass, Carbon Fibre, Non-Woven Materials, Envelopes, Laminated Film, Carton Blanks, Foils, Banknotes, Printed Paper, Pouches, Film Lids, Films, Paper Gaskets, Bags & Sacks, Textiles, Paper, Cartons, Tissues, Synthetic Fabric, Ink, Plastic Film, Printed Cartons, Polyester, Shrink Film, PE Film, Floor Tiles, PVC Floor Coverings, Tobacco Cartons, PE Bags, PP Film, PVC Film, Labels, Metallised Film, LLDPE Film, Coex Film, BOPP Film, Surface Print Non-Woven, OPP Film, Galvanised Steel, Foam, Woven Composite Materials, Varnish, Lacquer, Coated Tinplates.
Why is Film Thickness important?
Plastic films are often used to encapsulate, protect and preserve products that are sold to consumers or industry. The film is used as a two way barrier to stop product leaking out and also external contaminants migrating in.
The effectiveness of the film as a barrier is related to its chemical composition and also its thickness.
Films which are below a specified thickness may fail physically- bursting, spliting or leaking, they will also be less effective at stopping the migration of oxygen and contimanants that can lead to product spoilage.
Packaging developers and product manufacturers measure and specify the thickness of the film to ensure the robustness of the packaging and the functionality of the barrier.