Faster finish inspection

Faster finish inspection

Keywords: Fischer Technology, Hytek Finishes, Inspection, Coatings

By taking a different approach to coating finish inspection, Hytek Finishes Co. of Kent, Washington, claims to have significantly improved its through-put and process control. Hytek, a supplier of specialised metal finishes, anodising,and organic coating services, had in-house non-destructive testing and inspection departments and a statistical control program that were able to keep rejects below 1.3 per cent. Yet the process relied on two inspectors to check coating thickness on every job in the shop – a step that proved to be a production bottleneck.

To speed production, Hytek tried an inspection method in which process operators checked coating thickness themselves. The more efficient in-process inspection cut job turnaround time substantially. The company supplied its operators with Deltascope and Isoscope microprocessor-controlled hand-held coating thickness measurement instruments supplied by Fischer Technology Inc.,of Windsor, Connecticut.

The Deltascope is designed to measure non-conductive and non-metallic coatings on iron and steel using the magnetic insulation method. The Isoscope measures non-conductive coatings on non-ferrous metals, using the eddy current method. Both units include plug-in smart probes, consisting of a measuring element, a memory chip, and a connector. The operator selects the appropriate application.

To take a measurement, the operator positions the probe on the part, reads the coating thickness measurement and, if required, saves the result by pushing a button. The probes contain elements that generate the magnetic induction or eddy currents.