Coating thickness measurement

Coating thickness measurement is used to determine the thickness of coatings on components and substrate materials. Depending on the type of coating, the material of the substrate and the coating thickness, different methods are used. Single layers as well as multi-layer systems are measured. Coating thickness measurement is a variant of thickness measurement in which the thickness of a body is determined.

Definition and significance of coating thickness measurement

Coating thickness measurement deals with determining the thickness of coatings and metallic overlays on surfaces. Coating thickness refers to the thickness of an applied coating such as plastic on a base material. There are single coatings and multiple coatings. Thickness measurement always records the total thickness of a material or component.

Thickness measurement of entire surfaces

Basics & methods of coating thickness measurement

Destructive and non-destructive methods exist for coating thickness and thickness measurement.

➜ Destructive methods include:

Step height measurement
Cross section measurement
Calotte ground joint measurement

➜ Non-destructive procedures include:

X-ray spectroscopy
White light interferometry
Confocal microscopy
Eddy current method
Laser triangulation

Laser triangulation is used as a non-destructive method in coating thickness measurement.

Layer thickness measurement with QuellTech

In coating thickness measurement using QuellTech laser line sensors, a laser profile is projected onto the material and simultaneously onto an uncoated part of the substrate. By difference formation, the coating thickness can be calculated. In the course of a coating process, the total thickness of a substrate can be recorded simultaneously by measuring from two sides. The difference before and after coating gives the coating thickness.

Thickness measurement of entire surfaces in throughput

Advantages of the coating thickness measurement by QuellTech

Coating thickness measurement and thickness measurement with QuellTech laser line sensors has the advantage that these offer the possibility of recording the coating thickness or thickness over the entire surface of a substrate. In contrast to many other methods, which only perform point measurements, this method enables an area-wide detection.

➜ Typical measuring task: Production of battery foils

In the production of battery foils, it is of great importance to monitor the variations in layer thickness across the entire surface. The QuellTech laser line sensors are characterized by their high speed, making them ideal for “in-line use” in production processes. This allows real-time monitoring of thickness and film thickness over 100% of the battery film area without time delay.

Application areas of coating thickness measurement

Coating thickness measurement makes a valuable contribution to improving product quality and efficiency in the following areas and applications:

Power engineering, film coating in battery production
Welding automation, cladding of pipelines
Metal processing, sheet thickness monitoring
Automotive, monitor adhesive bead thickness
Smartphone manufacturing, battery thickness measuring

Best Cases for Coating Thickness Measurement with QuellTech

In the past, we have used Quelltech solutions for Coating Thickness Measurement in a wide variety of projects. Here you can find a small excerpt of these projects:

Thickness measurement by differential measurement

QuellTech products for coating thickness measurement and thickness measurement

Q6 Laser scanner
The QuellTech Q6 laser scanner product series is particularly suitable for precise coating thickness measurements and thickness measurements at low coating thicknesses that require high Z-resolution and tolerance. The high travel speed of the Q6 laser scanners also enables successful use in inline production processes.
Further information: Q6 Laser Scanner

and Q4 / Q5 Laser Scanner
Both product families, the Q5 and Q4 laser scanners, are also suitable for layer thickness measurement and thickness measurement, if the requirements for the measurement are not so high, e.g. for cladding of pipelines.
Further information: Q5 laser scanner and Q4 laser scanner

QuellTech Laser Scanner Q4-80s with small form factor (86 x 44 x 25 mm) for robotic welding

QuellTech Laser Scanner Q4-60 with optional cooler and protective window system

Do you have questions about coating thickness measurement and thickness measurement, or would you like QuellTech to advise you on these topics?

If you have any questions about coating thickness measurement and thickness measurements, or would like advice from QuellTech on this topic, please do not hesitate to contact us.

We would like to help you evaluate your specific measurement task. By performing an initial free test measurement of your application, we can make an early assessment of feasibility.

There is always potential for improvement, we will help you with that. Contact us for more information or to make an appointment for a consultation.

Your personal contact:

Stefan Ringwald
Tel: +49 89 124 723 75

Or you can also contact us using the contact form:

Contact form