Dakota CMX1-DL – Corrosion and Coating Gauge

On plant in service the paint does not come off. Removing it means opening a work permit, restoring the coating after the measurement and, often, creating the very point from which corrosion will start again. That is why the first question customers ask is not how accurate the instrument is, but whether it can measure without damaging the protection.

The CMX1-DL answers with six modes covering every possible combination: bare metal, metal through the coating, metal with temperature compensation, and even the coating thickness alone. It recognises the connected probe, zeroes itself and compensates for thermal drift without operator intervention: three fewer steps to get wrong at every change of point.

There is only one difference from the higher models in the series, but it needs to be known: the CMX1-DL does not display the A-Scan. It shows the figure, the B-Scan and the repeatability bar, but not the waveform. Anyone who has to validate a doubtful measurement visually should look at the CMX2-DL.

Positioning within the CMX series

Model	A-Scan	Display	Scan mode
CMX1-DL	no	greyscale VGA	250 letture/s
CMX2-DL	yes	greyscale VGA	50 readings/s with A-Scan
CMX3-DL	yes	colour AMOLED	50 readings/s with A-Scan
CMX10-DL	yes, Full Wave Capture	colour	top of the range

For the full picture: Dakota CMX Series. For a comparison with the entry-level range: Dakota ZX-3 vs CMX1-DL.

When to choose the CMX1-DL

Documentation downloads

Official Dakota NDT technical documentation. The file opens in a new tab.

Datasheet Dakota CMX1-DL Official manufacturer datasheet — PDF, in English

The six measuring modes

Mode	What it measures	Range
P-E — Pulse-Echo	bare metal, pit and flaw detection	0,63 – 1219,2 mm
PECT — Pulse-Echo Coating	metal and coating together	metal 0,63 – 1219,2 mm; coating 0,01 – 2,54 mm
PETP — Temperature Compensation	metal with automatic thermal compensation	0,63 – 1219,2 mm
E-E — Echo-Echo	metal through the paint	2,54 – 152,4 mm
E-EV — Echo-Echo Verify	as above, with verification of the reading	2,54 – 25,4 mm
CT — Coating Only	coating thickness only	0,0127 – 2,54 mm

The ranges of the through-paint modes vary according to the coating. To understand when each is needed: Echo-Echo and ThruPaint™: measuring thickness through paint and coatings and What PECT mode is.

Key features

Automatic functions

• Automatic probe zeroing: no manual procedure when changing transducer
• Automatic recognition of the connected probe
• Automatic temperature compensation
• AGC (automatic gain control) and TDG (time dependent gain)

Productivity in the field

• High-speed scan up to 250 readings per second
• Pulse repetition frequency 250 Hz
• 64 custom setups recallable by application
• Audible and visual alarm with minimum and maximum thresholds
• Differential mode for quality checks against a nominal value

Display and storage

• Cross-sectional time-based B-Scan, from 10 to 200 readings/s
• Large digits, 17.78 mm high, and reading repeatability bar
• Log formats: alphanumeric grid or sequential with automatic identifier
• Screen capture in bitmap format (.tif) for quick documentation
• OBSTRUCT function to mark inaccessible points
• 4 GB internal memory, USB-C output, Windows PC software included

Full technical specifications

Data taken from the manufacturer’s official datasheet.

Parameter	Value
Part Number	Z-171-0005
Measuring mode	P-E, PECT, PETP, E-E, E-EV, CT
Resolution	± 0,01 mm
Velocity range	309,88 – 18.542 m/s
Calibration	1 or 2 point for material and coating, or selection from a material list
Pulser	dual square wave pulser
Receiver	dual, manual gain or AGC, 110 dB range
Timing	precision TCXO, 100 MHz 8-bit digitizer
PRF	250 Hz
Gain	40 – 53 dB, cinque livelli
Transducers	dual element 1 – 10 MHz, quick-release LEMO 00 connectors
Cable	standard 4 ft; special transducers and lengths on request
Display	greyscale VGA 1/8 in, 240 × 160 pixels, 62 × 45.7 mm area, EL backlight
Keypad	membrane, 12 keys with tactile feedback
Memory	4 GB internal; alphanumeric grid or sequential log
Connection	USB-C 1.1 direct to PC; two LEMO 00 connectors
Power supply	from USB line or mains socket; three AA cells
Battery life	alkaline 35 h, NiCad 10 h, NiMH 35 h
Operating temperature	−10 / +60 °C
Housing	extruded aluminium, nickel-plated aluminium end caps, gasket-sealed
Weight	383 g (13,5 oz) con batterie
Dimensions	63,5 × 165 × 31,5 mm
Certification	NIST-traceable factory calibration and MIL-STD-45662A
Warranty	2-year limited
Notes	replaces the CMX DL and CG100BDL models

Typical applications

The manufacturer indicates aerospace, automotive, energy, infrastructure, mining, oil & gas, pipeline and rail as reference sectors.

Inspection of painted pipework

Measurement of remaining wall thickness without removing the protective coating, with storage of readings at the measuring points: see Pipeline corrosion inspection: API 570 standard.

Storage tanks

The 250-readings-per-second scan covers shells and floors quickly. For the requirements: Thickness inspection on storage tanks according to API 653.

Coating checks

Coating Only mode measures the coating thickness alone from 0.0127 to 2.54 mm: useful when the protection itself is subject to contractual verification.

Compatible probes

Dual element transducers from 1 to 10 MHz with automatic recognition. The through-paint modes require Hi-Damped / EE probes. See the probes for corrosion thickness gauges and How to choose the right ultrasonic transducer.

Standards and certifications

• NIST-traceable factory calibration, compliant with MIL-STD-45662A
• Suitable for measurements according to EN 14127 and ASTM E797
• Suitable for campaigns according to API 570 and API 653 thanks to the data logger
• 2-year limited warranty

For the regulatory framework: NDT standards for thickness measurement and API 570 and API 653: instrumentation requirements.

Frequently asked questions

For a quotation, a field demonstration or help choosing the probe, contact our technical department.