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Industries & Applications
  • Cartonboard
  • Geomembranes
  • Nonwoven
  • Packaging
  • Paper
  • Plastics
  • Textile

Hanatek Precision Thickness Gauge (LAB)

  • Laboratory thickness measurement instrument
  • Achieve compliance to multiple standards
  • Repeatability of better than 0.4 µm
  • User programmable number of readings, dwell time and down speed
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Extended warranty

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Why is thickness measured?

Accurate and repeatable thickness measurements can improve product quality whilst controlling the costs associated with raw material usage.

The thickness of a material can directly impact the value of many other parameters including:

  • Strength
  • Stiffness
  • Puncture resistance
  • WVTR
  • CO2
  • O2
  • Haze
  • Opacity
  • Direct Costs
    • Raw materials, especially speciality polymers
  • Indirect Costs
    • Rework/Recycling/Replacement cost – Spoiled package content

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.

FT3 ready meal

How is thickness measured?

Physical test parameters can be factory configured according to international standards or customer requirements. The accuracy of thickness measurement is determined by several key operating factors.

Parameters affecting the accuracy of thickness measurement

FT3 product probe

Momentum and Profile of Measurement Probe

Measurement probes are factory configured according to the test standard required.

FT3 product pressure

Measurement Pressure

Additional weights are added to vary the pressure according to requirements from standards.

FT3 standard test

Measurement Dwell Time

Dwell time can be varied according to application requirements

Instrument

FT3 screen
The Instrument is linearised throughout its measurement range using multi point calibration

Flatness/Parallelism of Measurement Area

FT3 flatness
Flatness of measurement head/anvil < 0.2μm.
Typical parallelism < 1μm

Comparison of thickness measurement techniques

The accuracy of thickness measurement is determined by several key operating factors.

Handheld MicrometerBench/Sprung MicrometerPrecision Thickness Gauge
Measurement pressureVariable by operatorNot always to standardFixed to standard or variable
Measurement footNot always to standardNot always to standardFixed to relevant standard
Dwell timeNot controlledNot controlledSelected by operator
Measurement speedNot controlledNot controlledSelected by operator
Programmable measurementsNoneNoneUser select up to 500 readings
Statistical analysisNoneManual/automaticAutomatic with time/date stamped
printout
Sensor resolution1 μm1 μm0.1 / 0.01 μm
Repeatability2 - 10 μm2 - 10 μm0.4 μm (or better dependant on
operating conditions)
Reproducibility2 - 20 μm2 - 10 μm0.8 μm (or better dependant on
operating conditions)

Applications

The Hanatek Precision Thickness Gauge (FT3) is specifically designed to quickly and accurately measure the thickness of a variety of substrates including film, paper, board, foil, tissue and textiles.

Other Applications

Rhopoint can configure thickness gauges to suit applications that do not have a recommended international standard.

Laminated packaging
Foil packaging
SHAMPOO BOTTLE
Barcode labels

Test types

FT3 standard test

Standard Test

Full statistical analysis of up to 500 readings. Maximum, minimum, mean and standard deviation.

This option is for measuring sample sets using pre-defined up and down times as well as the speed of the measurement head.

Batch Test

This option puts the instrument into comparative test mode. This test is used to measure the relative thickness of two materials. Two batches of readings are taken; the average thickness difference between the two values is displayed. Calculates the thickness difference between two measurement sets, used to assess the thickness of coating, adhesives or sample batches.

Standard Tare Test

Automatically tares the instrument before each test using user defined conditions. When this option is selected, the instrument is automatically TARED before each sample set is measured. This option virtually eliminates thermo-electronic drift and thermo-mechanical errors from measurement.

Pass/Fail Test

Enter the target material thickness and the allowed percentage tolerance. If the target thickness is not known, the material can be measured and assigned as the ‘master’. Subsequent measurements this can be made against this reference material.

Sheet Count Test

This test mode will count sheets or layers of sample as well as showing the total thickness of a stack of samples. A master count of user selectable size is measured as a reference. This value is stored and subsequent measurements will be compared to this master reading. A pass/fail option is available to reject any reading out of the desired tolerance.

Benefits of using the Hanatek FT3

Defined Parameters

Up Time: This parameter allows the user to manipulate samples between measurements (1-10s).

Speed Measurement: The speed of the measurement head is especially important when measuring deformable materials (1-5mm/s).

Dwell/Down Time: The dwell time determines the setting time of the measuring head on compressible materials (1-1s).

Results

This flexible instrument can be configured for quality or research use. All operations and test methods have comprehensive graphical on-screen help.

FT3 data transfer

Reporting and Data Transfer

Measurements made using the FT3 thickness gauge can be exported to Microsoft Excel/.csv via interface software* .

All measured and calculated parameters are transferred along with the date/time stamp, instrument serial number and calibration date.

*sample Microsoft Excel sheets available on request.

Print All Samples

This option allows all measured values in a test to be output to the Hanatek printer/ RS232 port.

CFT accessories - printer
FT3 results

QA Labels Record Results Throughout the Batch

Securely time and date stamped labels with statistical results can be produced throughout a batch run and attached to job card or retained samples.

This traceable control gives the customer confidence that the whole batch of product is within specification and allows manufacturers to issue certificates
of conformance.

Available configurations

Each standard of compliance specifies a different pressure which is calculated by the force applied to the sample through a measuring head of a given diameter.

FT3: Standard Instrument

Fixed pressure, factory configured to meet a single test standard or specification of your choice.

  • Repeatability of better than 0.4 μm
  • 0.1 μm resolution
  • User programmable number of readings, dwell time and down speed

Thickness of plastic film ASTM 6988; ISO 4593/BS2782

FT3-V: Variable Instrument*

Test pressure is varied by adding external weights to the instrument platform. Factory configured measurement head size. One external weight is included to achieve compliance to a second measurement standard or assess material compressibility.

  • Additional external weights can be applied to increase measurement pressure up to 4kg total
  • Variable force by manual addition of weight
*Note: The standards must be able to utilise the same size measuring head

Thickness of paper and card board ISO 534 & TAPPI T411
FT3V Lab

FT3V-LAB: Laboratory Instrument*

Test pressure is varied by adding extra weights to the instrument platform or changing the size of the measurement head.

  • Two external weights and one additional measuring head included to achieve compliance to multiple standards or customer specifications
  • Achieve compliance to multiple standards
*Note: This product is suitable for use by test and calibration laboratories as full re- calibration is required between measurement head changes

Multiple standards and applications
FT3 U

FT3-U: Ultra High Precision Instrument

Fixed pressure configured to meet a single test standard or specification.

  • Enhanced resolution of 0.01 μm for applications requiring ultra high precision
  • Factory configured measurement mass between 50g and 500g available
  • Measurement Head: 25.5mm radius domed
  • Custom radius domed heads available on request

ISO 4593 standard of compliance, fixed pressure

Accessories

FT3 certificate of conformity
UKAS traceable calibration certificate
FT3 accessories - checking gauges
Traceable 2000 μm and 500 μm checking gauges
FT3 weights
Weights
FT3 accessories - heads
Measurement heads
Included AccessoriesUKAS traceable calibration certificateTraceable 2000μm and 500μm checking gaugesAdditional WeightsAdditional Measurement Head
FT3: Standard Instrument
FT3-V: Variable InstrumentOne weight included
FT3-LAB: Laboratory InstrumentOne weight includedOne head included
FT3-U: Ultra High Precision Instrument

Optional Extras - sold separately

CFT accessories - printer
Result printer
FT3 accessories - footswitch
Foot switch

Standards of compliance

ProductStandardApplicationDetailsOrder Code
FT3-StandardISO 3034 Carton BoardBoard thicknessHAN-A8041-ISO3034
FT3-StandardASTM D5199GeomembraneGeomembranes thicknessHAN-A8041-ASTMD5199
FT3-StandardASTM6988FilmThickness of plastic film standard pressureHAN-A8041-ASTMD6988/STD
FT3-StandardASTM6988 Film Thickness of plastic filmHAN-A8041-ASTMD6988
FT3-StandardISO 4593 / BS2782FilmPART B Plastic film thicknessHAN-A8041-ISO4593/BS2782-6
FT3-StandardASTM6988Film Thickness of plastic film, low pressure
(films <25 μm)
HAN-A8041-ASTMD6988/LOW
FT3-StandardASTM F2251Flexible PackagingFlexible packaging thicknessHAN-A8041-ASTMF2251
FT3-StandardEN428FlooringResilient floor coverings thickness
composition cork
HAN-A8041-EN428/11.3MM
FT3-StandardEN428 Flooring Resilient floor coverings thickness
at least 1 non solid layer
HAN-A8041-EN428/25.3MM
FT3-StandardEN428FlooringResilient floor coverings thickness
Rubber and other relief materials
HAN-A8041-EN428/50MM
FT3-StandardEN428 Flooring Resilient floor coverings thickness
Solid throughout
HAN-A8041-EN428/8MM
FT3-StandardISO 9073-2/EDANANonwovenNonwoven thicknessHAN-A8041-ISO9073/2
FT3-StandardISO 534Paper, Carton BoardThickness of paper and boardHAN-A8041-ISO534
FT3-StandardTAPPI T411Paper, Carton Board Thickness of paper and board HAN-A8041-TAPPIT411
FT3-StandardTAPPIT411+ISO534Paper, Carton BoardThickness of paper and boardHAN-A8041-TAPPIT411+ISO534
FT3-StandardASTM 3652TapeStandard test method for thickness of pressure
sensitive tapes
HAN-A8041-ASTM3652
FT3-StandardDIN EN1942Tape Self-adhesive tape thicknessHAN-A8041-DINEN1942
FT3-StandardASTM D1777 Part 1TextileWoven, knitted and textured fabricsHAN-A8041-ASTMD1777/1
FT3-StandardASTM D1777 Part 2Textile Coated fabrics, narrow fabrics, webbing, tapes,
ribbons, braids
HAN-A8041-ASTMD1777/2
FT3-StandardASTM D1777 Part 3TextileFilms, glass cloths, glass tapes thicknessHAN-A8041-ASTMD1777/3
FT3-StandardASTM D1777 Part 4Textile Glass fibre matHAN-A8041-ASTMD1777/4
FT3-StandardASTM D1777 Part 5TextileBlankets, pile fabrics, napped fabrics thicknessHAN-A8041-ASTMD1777/5
FT3-StandardISO 2589Textile Thickness of leatherHAN-A8041-ISO2589
FT3-StandardISO 5084TextileThickness of textileHAN-A8041-ISO5084
FT3-StandardISO 12625TissueTissue thicknessHAN-A8041-ISO12625
FT3-VTAPPI T411/ISO 534Paper, Carton BoardThickness of paper and boardHAN-A8041-TAPPIT411+ISO534
FT3-VASTMD6988 (both parts)FilmThickness of plastic filmHAN-A8041-ASTMD6988
FT3-VASTMD1777 Part 1 & 5TextileThickness of textileHAN-A8041-ASTMD1777/1+5
FT3V-LABMultipleInterchangeable measuring heads, variable
downforce, includes 2 measuring heads,
2 weights and recalibration kit
HAN-A8041 P THICK L
FT3-UMultiple Precision Thickness Gauge, Fixed Downforce,
21.56rad Domed Measuring Head, 0.01μm
HAN-A8041 P THICK U
Other Order Codes
PrinterHAN-B-PRINTER/2
FootswitchHAN-B8041-FOOTSWITCH

Specifications

Instrument Specification
Resolution0.1 μm (0.01 μm on FT3-U)
RepeatabilityBetter than 0.4 μm*
ReproducibilityBetter than 0.8 μm*
Measurement Range0 – 4000 μm
OutputRS232
Power110/240V 50/60Hz
*Dependant on operating conditions and configuration of instrument
Dimension & Weights
Size (Standard)320mm (H) x 543mm (W) x 300mm (D)
Size (Small base)320mm (H) x 350mm (W) x 242mm (D)
Net Weight10kg (max)
Packed dimensions (standard base) 550mm (H) x 620mm (W) x 430mm (D)
Packed dimensions (small base)500mm (H) x 410mm (W) x 430mm (D)
Commodity Code9024 8019
Standard Measurement Heads for FT3, FT3-V & FT3-U
Ball3mm radius
Domed25.5mm radius
Flat6 / 6.35 / 8 / 10 / 11.3 / 16 / 25.3 / 28.7 / 35.7 / 50.5mm diameter**
**Non standard heads between 6 and 50mm diameter are available on request
Test Masses
FT3 Standard50g - 2000g
FT3-V100g - 4000g
FT3-U50g - 500g
FT3V-LAB100g - 4000g
Free extended warranty

Free extended 2 year warranty: Requires registration at www.rhopointinstruments.com/help-services/forms-feedback/instrument-registration/ within 28 days of purchase. Without registration, 1 year standard warranty applies.

Calibration and service

Fast and economic service via our global network of accredited calibration and service centres. Please visit www.rhopointinstruments.com/help-services/calibration-servicing/ for detailed information.

Answers to common questions about our instruments and measurements

Why measure gloss?

Gloss is an aspect of the visual perception of objects that is as important as colour when considering the psychological impact of products on a

Read More »

What is RSpec?

RSpec is the peak reflectance measured over a very narrow angular band in the specular direction (+/-) 0.0991º. RSpec is very sensitive to any texture

Read More »

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Hanatek Precision Thickness Gauge (LAB)