The hand-held gauge ITM-52 is the enhanced successor to the INTROMET ITM-11, ITM-12 and ITM-51. The model ITM-51 is well-known gage worldwide under trade mark Caviderm CDE-5100 being sold in quantity in 1990-th.

INTROMET ITM-52 is designed for fast, precise, non-destructive measurement of copper thickness in plated through-holes (TH) of printed-circuit boards (PCB) and measurement of copper laminate of un-etched PCB.

This gauge is used for in-process control to maintain high-quality PCB production.

Principle of operation

The gauge utilizes eddy-current principle when measuring copper thickness in plated TH and four-point electrical resistance principle to measure copper laminate thickness on PCB surface.

• Features

  • measures smaller through-holes than any other competing instrument
  • measures not only in holes, but also on the surface
  • applicable for single, double and multilayer PCB
  • measures copper thickness even under SnPb alloy coating
  • measures wet boards
  • only one-side access to the board is necessary
  • calibrated with NIST traceable standards
  • customer master calibration is available
  • automatic zeroing
  • instant precise readings

The INTROMET ITM-52 consists of a basic unit offering a variety of probe sizes.

The ITM-52 basic unit is adjustable for thickness of PCB, electrical conductivity, measuring units (metric or imperial), high and low limits, local time and alarm. It stores up to 15,000 readings and has IR-port downloading capabilities. Built-in functions include number of readings taken, min/max readings, mean value, standard deviation, range, Cp, Cpk, histogram. It is battery powered and equipped with an internal charger.

• Delivery set includes the following items:

  • ITM-52 basic unit
  • EP-20 probe
  • Cartridge holder
  • EP-25 cartridge
  • EP-30 cartridge
  • Reference standard RS-52-1 for the EP-30
  • Reference standard RS-52-2 for the EP-25
  • Calibration unit for EP-25/EP-30
  • Reference standard/calibration unit RS-52-3 for the EP-20
  • Hand-held probe guide
  • SP-100 probe
  • SP-100 calibration foils
  • AC adapter
  • IR-port adapter
  • Operating Manual
  • Plastic storage case

Probes EP-25S and EP-30S may be delivered optionally.

Features of measured PCB

Probes and cartridges

Eddy-current probes for through holes are detachable, consisting of a probe holder with replaceable EP-25 and EP-30 plug-in cartridges. The EP-20 probe is not detachable. Probe sensing tips (US Pat. 5,600,240) are inserted into through-holes to take readings. Due to special construction of probe tips, cracks in the copper may be detected. Probe tips are protected with special material to provide measurements in wet holes. Measurements are possible on etched or un-etched PCBs.

The SP-100 probe is intended for measuring thickness of copper laminate and uses a four-point electrical resistance measuring principle.

Eddy-current detachable probe and replaceable cartridges.

Eddy-current probes EP-25S and EP-30S have shortened dimension in order to increase fastness to shear load on the tip during measurement.

Surface probe SP-100 is designed for measuring copper laminate thickness on PCB surface. This probe realizes four-point electrical resistance principle of operation.

Probe Specification