There are two distinct methods to measure Dry Mil Film/coating thickness: The destructive Coating Thickness measurement and the Non-destructive coating thickness measurements.  With the former, the coating is cut through and down to the substrate with a cutter. This technique involves damaging the applied coating, which is considered by many as not being very cost-effective and laborious. Wet film thickness might be considered another type of destructive film thickness measurement method. The method that does not damage the coating of a dry film is the non-destructive method. In this case, coating thickness is measured using different types of coating thickness gauges, determined by the measuring principles of operation. Mechanical Coating Thickness gauges are cost-effective and use the magnetic principle to measure dry film thickness on steel substrates. They are preferred in certain applications due to the robustness and the lack of complicated electronic systems. More advanced Coating thickness gauges use magnetic or hall sensor principles to measure dry film thickness on non-ferromagnetic coatings on ferromagnetic substrates such as steel and iron. They also use the Eddy – current method to measure non-ferromagnetic and electrically non-conductive dry film thickness on non-ferromagnetic and electrically conductive substrates such as aluminum, zinc, brass, and certain (high-grade) stainless steel substrates.

 Without compromising on quality, the Automation Dr. Nix - QNix® brand offers a wide range of dry film Paint thickness Gauges/meters -DFT Gauges for precise and non-destructive measurement of coatings. We draw back from decades of experience in heavy-duty corrosion protection, industrial painting and contract coating, surface finishing with galvanized and anodic coatings as well as vehicle assessment and bodywork to design our gauges. Non-destructive dry film thickness measurements in accordance with ASTM Practice D7091 - A typical QNix Paint Coating Thickness Gauge tolerance is between ± 0.04 mil and 2% of the measurement range 0-80 mils and 3% above 80 mils (new models). This measuring range is ideal for powder coating thickness gauges. Mils means the unit of length in a metric system. Higher measuring ranges up to 200 mils are ideal for fireproofing thickness gauges.

Automation Dr. Nix works closely with customers, take specific requirements from different sectors into account so as to further develop the paint coating thickness gauges. The Paint thickness gauges for dry film thickness measurement are characterized by easy and intuitive operation, repeatable measurements that are replicated in our motto of "place, measure, read". Dr. Nix QNix® brand of Paint depth Thickness gauges is developed and manufactured only in Germany. This underlines the commitment to quality - 3-year manufacturer warranty. Certificate of Calibration shows traceability to Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt  (PTB) – an equivalent to the NIST in the USA and the NPL in Great Britain. 

Automation Dr. Nix Paint / Coating thickness gauges for non-destructive measurement – QNix® series. Facts about QNix coating thickness MIl Gauge - DFT Gauges - Paint depth meter QNix® gauges If you have been doing one and the same thing and improving by learning for over 6 decades, you can call yourself an expert. Designing and manufacturing a coating thickness gauge is the core competence of Automation Dr. Nix. A type II (2) or electronic Paint/coating thickness gauge (also called dry film thickness gauges, paint meter, or paint thickness meter) measures the dry film thickness (DFT) on metal substrates non-destructively. QNix Paint thickness Gauges operate on the electromagnetic induction principle, Hall sensor principle, and the Eddy current principle. Derived from these principles, sensors are designed for a variety of industrial applications. The two Fe measuring principles ( Ferrous metal substrates) allow for coating thickness measurement of dry coating, powder coatings, anodizing, and electroplating on metal substrates such as steel, iron, aluminum, zinc or copper. A non-destructive QNix® coating thickness gauge measures the Paint/coating thickness on metal substrates. The substrate must either be magnetic or electrically conductive. The Non-Ferrous dry film thickness measuring principle (Non-ferrous metal substrates) allows for coating thickness measurement of electrically insulated coating thickness on electrically conductive substrates; Automation Dr. Nix offers a broad range of dry film paint thickness gauges for precise and non-destructive measurement in many industries, including automotive manufacturing, automotive aftersales, corrosion protection, powder coating, car body shops, product finishing, meteorology, laboratory, etc, The many years of working with experts in heavy-duty corrosion protection, gas, industrial painting, and contract coating, surface finishing, and bodywork, makes Automation Dr. Nix a reliable partner in these industries. QNix coating thickness gauges are one of the most reliable, easy to use, durable, and are proven to pass the Repeatability & Reproducibility (R & R) test.

Automation Dr. Nix provides a kit with 5 pieces of transparent certified shim sets of different thicknesses. Newly launched QNix 5500 and QNix 9500 come with two non-certified transparent shims. With an Accuracy: 0.04 mils + 2% of the reading in the lower range 0- 80 mils (±3.5% of readings above 80 mils) for older models, the Dr. Nix QNix brand of Mil Thickness Gauges is one of the most accurate easy-t0-use paint gauges and ideal for Paint Applicators, Powder Coaters, Coating Inspectors Contractors, Automotive Detailers, Refinishers and Inspectors to measure the thickness of paint. All QNix coating/ Paint thickness gauges conform to national and international standards such as DIN EN ISO 2808 DIN EN ISO 2178 - Magnetic induction with electromagnet and measurement with the secondary coil (magnetic induction measurement method), Magnetic induction with electromagnet and measurement with Hall sensor, Magnetic induction with permanent magnet and measurement with Hall sensor DIN EN ISO 2360 - Eddy current method DIN 50981 BS 5411 (11). Countries with high aspirations for quality standards have organizations responsible for coordinating the national measurement system, hence provide traceability of measurement results to reference standards that are internationally recognized. Use Coating Thickness standards (shims) to verify the accuracy of the QNix Dry Film thickness gauge.