Ultrasonic Guide

User’s Guide
FAKOPP
ULTRASONIC TIMER
www.fakopp.com
1
Introduction
Ultrasonic velocity is a basic parameter for nondestructive evaluation

of tree, seedling, wood, veneer, wood panel products and concrete.
Defect localization and material property determination is possible by
measuring ultrasonic velocity. This equipment designed for veneer and
seedling tests.
Operation principle
Two identical piezo-electric transducer is connected to the material. A

short ultrasonic impulse is generated by electronic excitation of the
transducer and at the same time, timer starts running. The sound
propagates in the material and after a while reach the second
transducer. The signal of the second (receiver) transducer stop the
timer, when the signal reaches the threshold level (0.12 V), see figure 1.
The transit time appears on the screen of the equipment in
microseconds.
2.5
received
1.5 excitation pulse/100
200 signal
Amplitude [v]
0.5
µ s]
Time [µ
-0.5 0 20 40 60 80
threshold
measured time signal

-1.5 amp-
amli-
litude
tude
-2.5
Figure 1. Timer starts, when excitation pulse rise and stops when
received signal reaches the threshold level. (The received
signal polarity is opposite in this unit!)
2
Time correction:
The transit time appears on the screen, includes the transit time inside
the transducer. The wave guide (triangle or spike) is part of the
transducer. If we measure the distance between the screw locations
(center of triangle wave guide) we have to subtract 6.1µs from the
readout, to get the correct transit time in the sample. Using this
corrected time and distance data, correct ultrasonic velocity
determination is possible. Distance defined as the distance between the
transducer center, see figure 2.
Distance
Figure 2. Distance determination.
Determination of the time correction is done by the following

technique. The read out time is recorded while distance between
transducers vary between 9 and 47 cm. The material used for the test
was sound spruce lumber. The intercept of distance - read out line
determines the time correction. See figure 3. The intercept and the time
correction is 6.1.
A theoretical determination of time correction is based on the stress

wave velocity in aluminum and the total length of the sound path in
aluminum. Velocity is 5100 m/s at room temperature and the distance
is 0.03 m. The calculated time: t=0.03/510 s e.g. 5.9 µs. This value is in
a good coincidence with the measured data: 6.1 µs.
3
120
y = 2.254x + 6.1
100 2
R = 0.9999
80
time [µ s]
60
40
20
0
0 10 20 30 40 50
distance [cm]
Figure 3: Measured time as a function of distance.
Velocity determination:
V[m/s]=1000*distance[mm] / ( read out[µs]-time correction)
Time correction for transducers equipped with spike
Distance between transducers is measured between the points, where

the transducers are inserted into the seedling. The penetration depth of
the spike, effect the time correction. We applied 10 mm penetration
depth, measured in spike direction.
distance
Figure 4: The applied setup for seedling test.
4
100
y = 2,5x + 9,4
80
R2 = 0,9998
time [µs]
60
40
20
0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
distance [cm]
Figure 5: The time correction determination. Conditions: material green

willow branch, spike penetration was 10 mm.
The measured time correction according to figure 5 is 9.4 µs.
Installation
This section describes the installation step by step.

1.) Connect two pieso-electric transducer's cables to "probes"
connector of the timer.
The transducers are identical, so if you change the two transducer

cable you will measure the same transit time. Technically the
5
function of the two "Probes" connector is different. The connector
close to the switch sends a pulse (200 V unipolar square pulse,
duration 60µs) once per 2 seconds, repetition rate is 0,5 Hz. The
connector close to the led receives the signal.
3.) Couple the transducer to the sample. Poor coupling results poor or
wrong result.
4.) Switch on the timer.
5.) Transit time including the time correction in µs appears on the
screen. The first readout after switch on is “0000”. This is normal.
6.). Please check 2-3 readouts. If the deviation between the readouts is
0 or 1 µs, accept the data. Record the readout and change sample.
A vibration free environment is necessary during the test, because the
outside signal may interfere with the ultrasonic signal. The equipment
sensitivity for low frequency vibration is low.
Sensitivity considerations
The transducer (with 25 mm long spike) frequency is 90 kHz. The

attenuation of the signal in seedling is high, comparing to dry wood.
100
y = 20,242e-0,0033x
R2 = 0,9636
Amplitude (mV)
10
1
0 200 400 600 800 1000
y = 53,245e-0,0167x
R2 = 0,9918
0,1
distance (mm)
Figure 6: Attenuation of the 90 kHz ultrasonic pulse. Upper line from

dry larch, lower and aslope line is from wet willow branch. Amplitude
of the first peak measured at the receiver sensor, without amplification.
6
By increasing the distance between the probes, the received signal is
decreasing. Figure 7 shows the received signal.
Figure 7: The received signal.
After a point the amplitude of the first peak becomes lower than the
threshold level and the read out becomes 11 µs higher because the low
signal.
140
120
100
tim e ( s)
80
60
40
20
0
0 10 20 30 40 50
distance (cm )
Figure 8: The measured time over 35 cm becomes higher by 11.
7
To avoid the situation in figure 8, we recommend to use short
transducer distance. The recommended transducer distance is 25-30
cm only.
Transducers
for veneer
The 45 kHz piezo electric transducers are designed specially for wood
and veneer evaluation. A special triangle shape wave guide makes the
transducer suitable for longitudinal test when the side (no end surface)
of the sample is accessible. The required force for proper coupling is
100-200N.
Figure 9. The triangle shape transducer pair.
Transducer for seedling
The transducer for seedling test is equipped wit an integrated 25mm

long spike. The ultrasonic frequency is 90 kHz. The material of the
transducer end is aluminum, so please do not hit the transducer. Press
it into the seedling by finger. Take care of your finger, because the
transducer tip is sharp. The required depth of the spike penetration is
depends on the bark thickness. Spike need to penetrate the bark, other
hand need to fix the probe in the wood material. “Normal” value is 6-10
mm. The correct spike orientation to the grain is 45 +/- 15 degree.
8
Figure 10: The transducer for seedling test
Maintenance
No special maintenance is required. Keep clean the unit, especially the

connectors. The only one regular maintenance is the battery change.
Two 250mA capacity rechargeable batteries is enclosed, provides
almost 20 hours operation.
Battery change
The ultrasonic timer has two independent circuits, the use of two
batteries is a mist. The timer unit has “LOW BAT” indicator. When
voltage goes below 8,5 V the “LOW BAT” sign appears at the top right
corner of the display. This case please change battery.
When the excitation circuit battery is low, no signal is generates and the
start led stops flashing. This case please change battery.
IMPORTANT: Always switch of unit before battery change!!!
Open battery compartment (figure 11.) and change the battery.
You can recharge the battery. Unfortunately we are not able to provide
battery charger for 110V.
9
Figure 9: The open battery compartment.
Guarantee:
For the Ultrasonic Timer device the guarantee is one year. The
guarantee starts at the date displayed on the bill and valid for the
following one year. The repair can be asked from the manufacturer,
fax: +36 99 33 00 99. The guarantee does not concern to the break or
deliberate damage of the machine.
10
Technical data
Weight incl. batteries: 910 g

Dimensions: 297 x 106x 45 mm
Material of the house: Al
Timer frequency range: 15-300 kHz
Time resolution: +/- 1 µs
Signal amplification: 1000x
Threshold level: 120 mV
Excitation pulse: one in 2sec
Excitation pulse voltage: 200 V
duration : 60 µs
shape: uni-polar, square
Powered by two 9 V block
Power consumption, timer: 70 mW
excitation unit: 120 mW
Ultrasonic transducer frequency
with spike wave guide: 90 kHz
with triangle wave guide: 45 kHz
o
Operation and storage temperature: 0 - 35 C
11

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User’s Guide

Ultrasonic velocity is a basic parameter for nondestructive evaluation

Two identical piezo-electric transducer is connected to the material. A

measured time signal

Figure 2. Distance determination.

Determination of the time correction is done by the following

A theoretical determination of time correction is based on the stress

Figure 3: Measured time as a function of distance.

Time correction for transducers equipped with spike

Distance between transducers is measured between the points, where

Figure 4: The applied setup for seedling test.

Figure 5: The time correction determination. Conditions: material green

The measured time correction according to figure 5 is 9.4 µs.

This section describes the installation step by step.

The transducers are identical, so if you change the two transducer

The transducer (with 25 mm long spike) frequency is 90 kHz. The

Figure 6: Attenuation of the 90 kHz ultrasonic pulse. Upper line from

Figure 7: The received signal.

Figure 8: The measured time over 35 cm becomes higher by 11.

Figure 9. The triangle shape transducer pair.

Transducer for seedling

The transducer for seedling test is equipped wit an integrated 25mm

No special maintenance is required. Keep clean the unit, especially the

Weight incl. batteries: 910 g

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