How Can You Measure Wood Plate Thickness from One Side?

[qnach]

I have access to only one side of the plate, i.e. cannot clamp both sides of the plate to measure.
Is there any way, perhaps acoustic methods, to measure a plate thickness from only one side?

 

[Baluncore]

Drill a hole, then put a plug or screw in the hole if a hole is a problem.
Acoustic methods will depend on the type of wood and the orientation of the cut.

 

[jrmichler]

You can use an analog proximity sensor. A similar application, including a sensor part number, is discussed in US Patent 6,793,865: http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-...&s1=michler.INNM.&OS=IN/michler&RS=IN/michler.

Analog proximity sensors are available with sensing ranges from about 0.040" to about 1". Accuracy is about one part in 4000.

 

[DaveC426913]

You can use an analog proximity sensor.

"...an inductive sensor positioned on one side of the material to be measured and a metallic object placed on the opposite side..."

I have access to only one side of the plate...

 

[jrmichler]

No confusion at all. @DaveC426913 simply did a better job of reading the OP than I did.

 

[Baluncore]

What is a “plate”?
Does it include nails or other fasteners?

To be detected, there must be a boundary where the material characteristics change.

What is on the other side of the wooden plate?
How accurately do you need to know the thickness?