Micro-Metrics Company

MG402
Microgroover

The Microgroover is the major accessory tool for creating coating incisions for film thickness measurements with the Tooke Paint Inspection Gage/Gauge. This tool greatly extends the range of the measuring technique to include almost any coating on any substrate. The Microgroover adaptation utilizes drill-like grinder tips for groove cutting operations (cylindrical face cutting).

The Microgroover is especially effective on hard and brittle (concrete) materials, as well as soft or elastomeric (rubber) substances. In addition, fibrous composites are incised easily and cleanly. Aside from film thickness measurements, small-scale operations of cutting, grinding, sawing, and polishing can be performed with this useful cordless power tool.

Operation

The Microgroover is a high-speed rotary tool for creating the small, almost microscopic, incisions required for measurements with the Tooke Paint Inspection Gage/Gauge. This technique completely eliminates the deformations of coating and substrate which may occur when conventional gage cutting tips are used.

Using the Microgroover in the 4× position

The high-speed cutter, usually with either tungsten carbide or diamond-studded surfaces, “erodes” away surface material in a precise pattern, leaving adjacent and underlying areas totally undisturbed. Hard, brittle, tough, fibrous, tender, or elastomeric materials exhibit clean, non-tearing, controlled disintegration under the rotary cutter.

For precise and rapid measurements, a “drum mode” of cutting was developed. In this mode the grinder is fitted with the No. 9902 tungsten carbide cutter (or equivalent; see at right) installed in precise position. With the round rim of the Microgroover in continuous contact with the work surface, the unit is pivoted until the tip contacts the surface. A light touch with the rotating tip creates the required incision.

Using the Microgroover in the 1× position

The cutting angles (slopes) of 1×, 2× and 4× are accomplished by using the positioning block to elevate the contact shoulder of the Microgroover as required. The required shoulder elevations are as follows:

Using the Microgroover in the 2× position

Principle: using the old-style microscope

When the incision is examined with the Tooke Paint Inspection Gage/Gauge microscope, it will appear as a partial cylindrical cavity, with the cavity wall angling gradually upward to the paint surface. Where the wall of the cut penetrates the substrate surface, the paint film above it describes a crescent shape. The crescent shape is cross-hatched in the drawing below. The thickness is correctly read axially across the thickest part of this shape.

Counting the number of graduations of the microscope reticle within this zone (11 of the smallest hash-marks in the cross-hatched area of the example below), the correct observed thickness for the 1×, 2×, or 4× position of the grinder will be the count divided by 1, 2, or 4 respectively; or, in the example shown below,

11 hashmarks ÷ 1 = 11 mils,
11 hashmarks ÷ 2 = 5.5 mils, or
11 hashmarks ÷ 4 = 2.75 mils.

Reading the Microgroover incision

Specifications

The grinder unit is the Dremel Minimite^® Model 7300 Cordless Rotary Tool. It comes in a flexible carry case, complete with two batteries, a charger, and a technical data sheet; and with special accessories for grooving operations (attached positioning block and MG402-02 grinding tip). An optional conical grinding tip (MG402-09) is also available. The grinder is powered by rechargeable Ni-Cad batteries in a removable battery pack (included). A full charge should suffice for 100 or more measurements. The charger will completely recharge in three hours.

MG402 with installed bit, positioning block, and carry case.
The unit also comes with a battery charger and a spare battery.