Standardized thickness measurement
If you want to measure according to a specific standard or requirement, the following is very important and is explained here in simple examples.
In order to explain the background to important decision criteria, we would like to take a closer look at the theory below.
The aim must be to achieve comparable measured values between producers, processors and users. To achieve this, it is imperative that measurements are taken under the same conditions. The following influencing factors must therefore be taken into account.
The influencing factors
1. measuring surface
Often also referred to as the pressure surface, sensing surface or contact surface
How large is the surface that is placed on the object to be measured?
One example:
Snowshoes are also used to avoid sinking into the snow. Without these snowshoes, you would sink a long way into the snow. This principle is similar to most thickness measurement standards. For the same weight, the contact surface is increased and the surface pressure (kPa) per cm² is reduced accordingly. The measuring surface of the thickness gauge sinks less.
2. measuring pressure or measuring force
What force is applied to the object to be measured?
Another example:
Mattresses should provide comfortable support for the body, not be too hard and not too soft. It is therefore important to choose the right material. And of course it depends on your body weight. This is because the mattress is compressed more with a higher weight.
To ensure that you can still lie “appropriately” straight, mattresses are available in different firmness levels. The choice depends on the person's weight. The heavier this weight is, the harder the material should be and, conversely, the softer the material to be measured, the lower the measuring forces must be.
3. duration of the load
also called dwell time
Compressible objects contract while a surface force acts on them. The extent to which a material can be compressed also depends on the duration of the load.
The longer the load acts on the material, the more it compresses it.
4. ambient temperature and humidity
The ambient temperature and humidity should correspond to the measurement room conditions (or other agreed conditions), otherwise the measurement sample could adapt to the unfavorable ambient conditions and change.
5. temperature and moisture absorption of the object to be measured
Measurement differences also occur if the temperature (contraction or expansion) or the humidity (water molecules could become trapped) are not constant during the measurement process but change. In order to obtain exact and repeatable values, these conditions must also be taken into account. This is also known as conditioning the measurement sample.
To summarize:
It is therefore not possible to specify an absolute measure for the thickness of a material or object (which is compressible or deformable) without precisely defining the measurement conditions (measurement parameters). Various industry standards have been developed and established to define uniform measurement parameters. These standards specify, among other things, the measuring surface, measuring pressure, dwell time and the ambient, sample and boundary conditions.
In order to comply with these values correctly, special measuring devices are required that are configured, adjusted and calibrated to the respective measuring surface, measuring pressure and dwell time.
And here we are your competent partner, with over 30 years of experience in development and production. We offer you a variety of thickness gauges from our standard range as well as your individually planned solution.
