Equotip Live UCI

The World’s First Wireless Ultrasonic Contact Impedance (UCI) Tester

Equotip Live UCI is a unique, in situ metal hardness test system, combining the UCI measurement principle with a bluetooth link to an iOS application. Data is also uploaded to a webapp available in any web browser.

UCI is a commonly used test for applications as broad as a supplement to Vickers tests when on site or to evaluate the change in hardness within a heat affected zone near to a weld. 

Features 

• Press and read measurement with user guidance - easy to use
• Measurements in HV with automatic conversions to HB, HRA, HRB, HRC, and other common scales in compliance to ASTM E140 and ISO 18265
• Ultimate documentation and traceability - document measurements with geolocations, photos, voice notes and memos - verification data stored with measurements
• Painless reporting, sharing and data backup with the secure cloud

UCI Measurement Theory

The UCI method uses the same pyramid shaped diamond as a conventional Vickers hardness tester, but unlike Vickers testing, no optical evaluation of the indentation is required, enabling fast and portable measurements.

The UCI method excites a rod into an ultrasonic oscillation. The test load is applied by a spring and typically ranges from 1 to 5 kg of force (HV1 – HV5 and HV10). As the diamond is forced into the material, the frequency of the rod oscillation changes in response to the contact area between the diamond and the material under test. The instrument detects the shift in frequency, converts it to a hardness value which is immediately displayed on the screen.

Adjustable test load for the HV1-HV10 probe

The required test load can be selected by the user in the settings menu, there are no accessory probes required, all measurement values from HV1-5 and HV10 are available with the standard probe . For each measurement series, the force can be chosen from three levels, HV1, HV5, and HV10 (~10 N, ~50N,and ~100 N), to fit a wide range of applications. The minimum required mass for reliable UCI measurements is 0.3 kg (0.66 lbs),and a thickness of at least 5 mm (0.2 inch).

• HV1 - Precision parts, thin coatings, hardened layers
• HV5 - Hardened or carburized materials, weld inspection, heat affected zone measurements
• HV10 - Forgings, cast materials, weld inspectio

iOS and Web Application

The included iOS application synchronises with the Proceq Live Webapp, available on any web browser. From within this application the test results and logbook activity, included notes from the operator, pictures and all measurements are recorded and available for review. There is no need to leave site to upload these results, provided the user's phone has an internet connection results will sync as they work. 

Specifications

Measuring Range	20 – 2000 HV
Resolution	1 HV (UCI), 0.1 HRC
Measuring accuracy	± 2 % (150 – 950 HV)
Test loads (in 10 N steps)	Selectable: HV1, HV5, HV10
Diamond Indenter	Vickers diamond according to ISO 6507-2
IP Rating	IP 54
Battery	Single rechargeable AA NiMH 1000 mAh
Operating Hours	> 20 h (1 impact/5 sec)
Communication	USB 2.0, Bluetooth 4.0 Low Energy
Connector	Micro-USB B

Accessories 

The accessory foot improves the ability to complete UCI testing on round shafts and over thin materials.