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SpecMetrix® Lab DFTQA (Dry Film Thickness Quality Assurance) System

The SpecMetrix® Lab DFTQA System delivers non-contact, non-destructive dry film thickness measurements for coil coating primers, base coats and top coats, accurate to within 1% across a 0.7 to 350 micron range. Get lab-verified coating data without damaging samples.

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Description

Brought to you by SpecMetrix, our specialist coating brand, dedicated to innovative coating thickness measurement technologies.

The SpecMetrix® Lab DFTQA System delivers non-contact, non-destructive, real-time absolute measurement of dry film thickness for primers, base coats, top coats and clear or pigmented coatings. It is used by coil coating lines, coil pre-treatment operations, metal coil coaters and appliance panel coaters to verify coating thickness in the QA lab or R&D center, giving accurate data across the full sample area rather than isolated spot checks that miss variation. 

Why it matters

Catch coating variation before it reaches the customer. Absolute thickness data across the full sample area, not isolated spot checks, means QA teams catch under- and over-application before it becomes a customer claim. 

Test the full range of coil coatings without recalibrating. From clear coats to heavily pigmented top coats, over aluminum, steel, tinplate, cold-rolled steel or Galvalume, the system reads accurately without recalibrating for color or substrate change. 

Cut material waste and rework in the QA lab. Non-destructive testing preserves the sample and reduces the scrap, rework labor and repeat testing that damaging spot-check methods create. 

Measurement capability and software

Broad range of coil coatings 

  • Clear, colored or pigmented dry coatings 
  • Primers, base coats, top coats, lacquers, back coats, laminates, clear coats and other coil coatings, including polyester, epoxy, textured, metalized and PVDF 
  • Coatings over any metal substrate, including aluminum, steel, tinplate, cold-rolled steel and Galvalume, and coatings over any paint color 
  • Single or dual coatings, or discrete layers down to sub-micron level 

Dual optical packages 

A single system configuration includes two optical packages as standard, so operators can take faster primer and top coat measurements without swapping hardware between runs. 

Ruggedized optical interference technology 

The system uses ruggedized optical interference (ROI), the non-destructive measurement method defined in ASTM D8331. Measurement accuracy is independent of operator skill, giving repeatable and reproducible results without recalibration for different colors or substrates. 

Powerful SpecMetrix Software 

The user-friendly SpecMetrix software package stores all measurement data to Excel® or interfaces with plant networks for SPC analysis. A built-in Recipe Assistant helps operators create and edit coating formulas and recipes. 

Cost impact

SpecMetrix coating thickness technology has helped coil coating customers reduce material waste and cut costs. Reported results include: 

  • A 15% reduction in paint consumption after implementation on primer and backer processes 
  • A 30% overall cost saving after implementation on the backer process 
  • A reduction in cost of more than $50,000 per month after implementation on the primer process 

One customer achieved annual savings of more than $2.4 million after adopting SpecMetrix coating measurement technology – see the full case study. 

Complete coating insights for dry film thickness testing

With SpecMetrix’s precise and innovative optical technology, users can obtain detailed dry film thickness measurement data for their coatings – all through non-contact and non-destructive means.

The technology is extremely precise and gives users a true picture of their coatings. The DFTQA allows users to obtain accurate coating layer thickness and DFT measurements over the sample area, instead of isolated measurement spots that are not representative of the whole coating distribution.

In addition, a single system configuration can include dual optical packages, so that users can obtain faster primer and top coat measurements. Our patented, exclusive optical technology is highly advanced and relied upon throughout coating industries.

What happens after you enquire

When you enquire about a SpecMetrix® Lab DFTQA System, our coating measurement specialists will work with you to understand your coil coating types, substrate range and QA lab workflow. We will recommend the right optical package configuration, confirm measurement range and accuracy for your application, and provide delivery timelines. 

Industrial Physics also supports installation, commissioning and operator training, helping your QA lab get accurate, repeatable results from day one. Our team can also help with specification details and sign-off documentation to support internal purchasing approval.

Service, warranty and ongoing support

Every SpecMetrix® Lab DFTQA System comes with a 1 year parts and labor warranty as standard, our Industrial Physics group commitment across all brands. You also gain access to our global service network for calibration, preventative maintenance, technical support and spare parts, helping keep your system accurate and reliable throughout its lifetime. 

We also provide operator training and ongoing application support, helping your QA and R&D teams get consistent, repeatable results and get the most from your investment. 

Specifications

SKU:

Applications: Coating Testing, Thickness Testing

Materials: Paints and Coatings 

Measurement Range: ​ 0.7 to 350 microns* (clear/transparent coatings)​, 0.7 to 75 microns* (pigmented/non-transparent coatings) *dependent on selected optical packages

Accuracy: +/-1% of coating thickness (nominal)

Measurement Speed: ​ Up to 100 per second​

Temperature Range: ​ 0° to 50° C​

Output Metrics: ​ microns, mils, g/m2​

Operating System: ​ Windows® platform​

Manufactured: ​ Made in USA

Certifications: CE approved, UL approved and CSA approved

Features & Benefits

  • Non-contact and non-destructive – preserves sample and substrate integrity, so QA teams can retest the same panel without waste.
  • Absolute thickness measurement – captures data across the full sample area instead of isolated spots, catching variation that spot checks miss.
  • No recalibration needed for different colors or substrates – keeps throughput up when switching between jobs in the QA lab.
  • Substrate independent – one system covers aluminum, steel, tinplate, cold-rolled steel and Galvalume, plus coatings over any paint color.
  • Dual optical packages as standard – primer and top coat measurement in a single pass, cutting test time per sample.
  • Superior Gage R&R – measurement accuracy independent of operator skill, so results are repeatable and reproducible between shifts and operators.
  • Touchscreen interface – straightforward day-to-day operation for lab technicians.
  • Environmentally friendly – non-destructive testing reduces scrap, rework labor and energy costs versus destructive methods.
  • Powerful SpecMetrix Software – stores data to Excel® or interfaces with plant networks for SPC analysis, with a Recipe Assistant for coating formulas.

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Standards

FAQs

  • The system measures from 0.7 to 350 microns on clear or transparent coatings, and 0.7 to 75 microns on pigmented or non-transparent coatings, depending on the optical packages selected, with accuracy of +/-1% of coating thickness.

  • The system is built on ruggedized optical interference (ROI) technology, the method defined in ASTM D8331, the standard test method for measuring thin-film coating thickness by non-destructive optical means. 

  • Each system includes dual optical packages as standard, giving faster primer and top coat measurement without reconfiguration, plus the SpecMetrix software package with Recipe Assistant. Exact configuration depends on your coating and substrate range – our team will confirm specifics after your inquiry. 

  • Yes. The system measures textured, metalized and PVDF coil coatings, discrete layers down to sub-micron level, and coatings over any paint color, without recalibrating for color or substrate change.

  • Every system includes a 1 year parts and labor warranty as standard. Industrial Physics’ global service network provides calibration, preventative maintenance, technical support and spare parts, along with operator training for your QA team.

Customer Success Story

Inefficient, waste‑heavy coating processes → Adopted SpecMetrix innovative coating thickness testing technology → Delivered major cost savings and strong ROI ✓

The Problem

The customer’s high‑volume coil coating line struggled with overcoating, manual checks, test strip interruptions, and inconsistent quality. These inefficiencies created significant material waste, labor costs, and production downtime across a 24/7 operation producing more than 200,000 tons annually. Even small process variations multiplied into major financial losses.

The Solution

SpecMetrix’s in‑line measurement technology delivered real‑time, highly accurate coating control that eliminated test strips, reduced manual adjustments, and stabilized production. The system provided continuous verification of coating thickness, removing guesswork and enabling operators to maintain precision at full line speed. This transformed the process from reactive and labor‑intensive to automated, consistent, and data‑driven.

The Result

The customer achieved more than $2.4 million in annual savings, including $1.5 million in reduced coating usage and $600,000 from eliminating test strips. Additional gains came from lower labor demands, reduced spoilage, and fewer customer claims. The investment paid for itself in under two months, redefining operational efficiency and long‑term profitability.

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