Quick selection guide
Go to the family: With A/B-Scan · Direct reading
| Requirement | Recommended model |
| First instrument, limited budget, quick measurements on steel | CX2 or ZX-1 |
| Measurement on painted surfaces without removing the coating | CX4, ZX6-DL, CMX Series |
| A-Scan and multiple modes needed for critical applications | CMX1/2/3-DL |
| Maximum functionality, full traceability, colour touchscreen display | CMX10-DL Full Wave Capture |
| Extensive mapping with 4 GB data logger | MX2-DL or CMX Series |
| 0.001 mm precision on thin components | PMX2-DL / PMX3-DL |
| Attenuating materials (cast iron, stainless steel, thick composites) | PMX4-DL High Penetration |
| In-line quality control with Bluetooth and 39 material presets | PCX8-DL |
| Underwater measurements in immersion | Not available in the catalogue — contact us to assess the application |
The complete range of Dakota thickness gauges
Thickness gauges with A-Scan / B-Scan
Instruments with a graphic display that show the A-Scan waveform and/or the B-Scan cross-section of the part, in addition to the thickness value.
- CMX10-DL
- CMX Series
- CMX1-DL
- CMX2-DL
- CMX3-DL
- PMX2-DL / PMX3-DL
- PMX2-DL
- PMX3-DL
- PMX4-DL
- MX1-DL
- MX2-DL
Direct-reading thickness gauges
Instruments on which the measurement is read directly as a numerical value. Some models (CX8-DL, PCX8-DL) add supporting graphic views, such as bar graph and B-Scan.
- ZX Series
- ZX-1
- ZX-3
- ZX5-DL
- ZX6-DL
- PCX8-DL
- CX2
- CX4
- CX6-DL
- CX8-DL
- PZX1-DL
The range is organised into two main areas — corrosion and precision — with a third cross-cutting family dedicated to attenuating materials. At the top of the page you will find all the catalogue entries, in series order and with a direct link to each data sheet.
How the range is organised: corrosion, precision, high penetration
Corrosion
Dual element probes 1-10 MHz. Includes the basic CX series, the entry-level ZX series, the advanced CMX series (including the CMX10-DL) and the MX series with B-Scan.
Precision
Single element probes 1-25 MHz, resolution down to 0.001 mm. Includes the universal PMX series and the PCX8-DL PTG with Bluetooth.
High penetration
For attenuating materials: the PMX4-DL with Tone Burst pulser.
The series at a glance
CX Series — Basic thickness gauges
The most versatile line for corrosion monitoring. Dual element probes 1-10 MHz, compact AA-battery housing, designed for field use by non-specialist operators.
ZX Series — Entry level for corrosion
The most economical line in the catalogue, designed for operators without specialist training. Extruded aluminium housing, 5-year manufacturer’s warranty, 2×AA power supply with up to 45 hours of operation.
CMX Series — Corrosion with A-Scan
Adds to the CX series the A-Scan display (real-time ultrasonic waveform) and multiple measurement modes for critical applications. 4 GB memory, LEMO-00 connector, USB-C.
MX Series — Advanced corrosion with B-Scan
The Dakota advanced corrosion segment. 4 GB memory, scan mode 250 readings/sec, cross-sectional B-Scan, sequential and grid logging with alphanumeric IDs, OBSTRUCT flag, hybrid 3×AA + USB power supply.
PMX Series — Precision gauges
Dedicated to precision measurement with single element probes 1-25 MHz. Selectable resolution 0.01 mm or 0.001 mm, Interface-Echo mode from 0.127 mm on plastic, 110 dB AGC gain, 100 MHz 8-bit TCXO digitizer, 64 user-definable setups.
Guide to choosing the instrument
Not familiar with the Dakota range? Identify your use case among the six most frequent scenarios and we will point you to the recommended model. For requirements outside these profiles, we remain at your disposal through the contact details on the Contact page.
Remaining thickness on corroded pipes and tanks
Basic measurements for industrial inspections on carbon steel subject to external or internal corrosion.
Recommended model: Dakota ZX6-DL
Routine inspections with data storage
Recurring measurements on tank farms and process lines, with built-in data logger for traceability and reporting.
Recommended model: Dakota CMX2-DL
Measurement through paint or coating
Echo-to-Echo (ThruPaint) technique to measure the thickness of the metal alone, ignoring the coating.
Recommended model: Dakota MX2-DL
Precision on sheet metal and thin materials
High-resolution measurements on sound materials: thin sheet metal, composites, engineering plastics.
Recommended model: Dakota PCX8-DL
Highly attenuating materials
Rubber, thick plastics, coarse-grained castings: high penetration and low working frequencies are required.
Recommended model: Dakota PMX4-DL High Penetration
Extensive monitoring with advanced mapping
Structured inspection campaigns with high-capacity data logger, B-Scan, conditional alarms and PC management.
Recommended model: Dakota CMX10-DL
Need help choosing the right product?
Measurement modes: glossary
PE (Pulse-Echo)
Standard method: pulse → back-wall reflection → return.
EE (Echo-Echo) / ThruPaint™
Ignores up to ~2 mm of coating.
EE-V (Echo-Echo Verified)
Checks consistency between multiple echoes.
IE (Interface Echo)
For thin thicknesses with delay line, from 0.127 mm on plastic.
PE-TP (Pulse-Echo Through-Paint)
Correction for thick coatings, over 2 mm.
CT (Coating Thickness)
Specific measurement of the coating alone.
PECT (Pulse-Echo Coating Thickness)
Simultaneous measurement of coating and material.
2nd Layer (PE2 / EE2)
Second layer of multilayer composite material: exclusive to the CMX10-DL.
Typical applications
Oil & gas, chemical and petrochemical
Inspection of piping, tanks and heat exchangers to API 570 and API 653; pressure vessels and distillation columns in the chemical and petrochemical industry.
Tanks, power generation, pulp & paper
Tank farms and storage vessels; boilers, steam generators and critical piping in power generation; erosion and corrosion monitoring in the pulp & paper industry.
Structural steelwork, marine and offshore
Structural steel elements, hulls, platforms and load-bearing structures in the marine and offshore sector.
Aerospace, automotive and quality control
Precision measurements on aluminium and titanium and on bonded structures; quality control of pressed sheet metal and structural components; incoming goods and in-process checks.
Application guides from the blog:
- How ultrasonic thickness measurement works: the basic principles
- Uniform corrosion monitoring: methods, instruments and standards
- Echo-Echo and ThruPaint™: measuring thickness through paint
- What PECT mode is and when it is indispensable
- API 570 and API 653: instrumentation requirements
- NDT in aerospace: precision measurement
- How to improve results on difficult materials
- Dakota CX2 vs CX4 vs CX8-DL: which one to choose?
- Dakota ZX-3 vs CMX1-DL: when the basic gauge is not enough
Reference standards
- EN 14127 — Non-destructive testing: ultrasonic thickness measurement
- ASTM E797 — Standard practice for measuring thickness by manual contact ultrasonic methods
- EN 15317 — Characterization and verification of thickness measurement instruments
- API 570 — Piping Inspection Code
- API 653 — Tank Inspection, Repair, Alteration, and Reconstruction
- NIST-traceable factory calibration and MIL-STD-45662A
Unable to identify the right model?Describe your application to us — material to be measured, thickness range, surface conditions, operating environment — and we will propose the complete configuration with a dedicated probe. Contact us for dedicated technical advice.
Further information and contacts
Systems division and sensor integration partner : www.roder.it
More information about RODER SRL : about us
Contact for general information : info@roder.it
Contact for information about these products : info@roder.it
The information contained on this web page is provided for information purposes only. Although it has been compiled with the utmost care, it does not constitute a contractual offer or a binding commitment to supply. It may contain transcription, translation or typographical errors. For precise and up-to-date information, please contact our company directly.
Some images on this website have been intentionally generated using Artificial Intelligence (AI). This is because, for many applications and projects, it is not possible to disclose photographs of the installation or of the actual system due to confidentiality agreements, confidentiality clauses and non-disclosure agreements (NDAs).