DMCII (Dimensional Measuring Computer)

[Martin]

April 2025

On my way across to Yorkshire (yes my passport was up to date) I stopped off for a drink with Peter (thesourcerer). It was nice to meet him for the first time - we have been in contact for over 30 years.
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While there he gave me this DMCII (Ultrasonic Measurement Unit) for the loan section so members can take it on loan and give it a try. Everything you need is in the box, but if you need further information I've a page (here). It is an interesting piece of kit predating laser measures by a good few years.

As with all the On-Loan items; those interested can PM and we'll share postal details. Postage will be medium parcel 3kg and will need to be paid both ways by the borrower.

Sincerely
Martin

[NotFitForPurpose]

Hi Martin,
A very interesting piece of kit.

The use of a Comms link would seem to suggest placing all the signal processing and period measurement into the electronics module at the rear of the unit. Possibly as the electronics signal processing to a serial RS232 a stable design perhaps.

Somewhere I have a small hand held device that has a much smaller cone for the transducer signal path. I seem to recall it does not claim the resolution or accuracy of that device despite it being its only function.

Helpfully, it has an integrated low power laser pointer so at least you know where you are measuring. This can be helpful as ultrasonic beam divergence is significant over distances of a few meters.
Is the small 'port' near the edge of the cone a targeting aid?

I always have to write down the measurements, as I rapidly mix them up or forget them.

Here's some background for those interested in Ultrasonics measurement process.

P.S. I'm guessing those excellent looking instructions were prepared by yourself?
Probably better than the originals I imagine.

[Martin]

Hi NFfP

I've started on the Ultrasonic Sensing Basics PDF - very interesting especially the parking assist stuff.

You are right about 'beam divergence' the unit is hopeless outdoors but does work well indoors for what I think is its intended purpose 'room measurements'.

Yes I prepared the 'operating instructions'. Actually the softare on the 'WISE' datapak is unusable. It is too specific, for heating and ventilation radiator sizing I think. There was no manual for that application.

I took it to the workshop to show the 'lads' (I call them lads! one of them was 40 the other week). They were amazed, you must remember some of the younger ones don't remember a time before mobile phones.

Writing down the measurements. That is the beauty of the Organiser element. I wrote the software so that you can use it 'on the fly' and not record the measurements or use 'log' to record the measurements along side a description. If you have ever done this 'measurement' stuff on site. The last thing you want to be doing is entering descriptions into a device. So the 'Log' function can be prepared with the 'descriptions' pre-entered in a database and used on site or it can record sequential identifiers that you can mark on the site drawing. I'm really pleased with it, I tried to 'crash it' but it seems to hold up fine.
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Anyway if anyone wants it 'On Loan' let me know and we'll sort out getting it in the post.

Sincerely
Martin