The standards magazine contains heavy-duty rotary solenoids.  These solenoids have a non-magnetic arm bolted to the rotary table of the solenoid.  The standards are mounted in the end of the arm such that when the solenoid is energized, the standard, as selected, is moved into the x-ray beam.

     The standards, as selected on the nominal thickness screen, are energized during the standardize cycle only.  During strip measurement, all standards are de-energized.

     The PLC energizes or de-energizes the standards solenoids through solid-state high current relays.

     As an example, the standards magazine could contain the following precise base metal standards in BCD code:

     Using BCD code, this provides accurate standards from .001" to .799", in increments of .001".

     Because standards cannot be manufactured thinner than .001", manipulation of the nominal generator reference set point is used to set the thousandths decade into the x-ray system.  For example, if a nominal thickness of .1054" is picked, the PLC will cause the gauge to standardize on .105".  After standardizing, the PLC will offset the generator reference by a value representing .0004".  Therefore, a strip thickness of .1054" will be seen as having zero deviation for the selected nominal.

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