Hello,

I think this may be what they are referring to.

compteur = gauge

à bananes = for measuring the thickness of banana peels (not literally, just figuratively, to describe measuring thicknesses of coatings like that of a banana peel [although it could LOL])

http://www.bamr.co.za/dry film thickness mechanical.shtml

A banana gauge, as seen in Figure 15 is the second type of thickness gauge. With this gauge, coating thickness measurements are taken by placing the rubber magnet housing on the surface of the product with the gauge held parallel to the surface. A scale ring is rotated clockwise to bring the tip of the instrument in contact with the coated surface and rotated counter-clockwise until a break in contact can be heard and felt. The position of the scale ring when the magnetic tip breaks from the coated surface displays the coating thickness. This type of gauge has the advantage of being able to measure coating thickness in any position, without recalibration or interference from gravity

http://www.galvanizeit.org/aga/inspection-course/types-of-in...


Picture of one here:


http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.checkline.com...


I hope this helps.

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Note added at 1 day1 hr (2011-05-16 21:55:16 GMT)
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The 211 Coating Thickness Gauge, commonly referred to as the "Banana Gauge," has proven to be a successful coating thickness gauge where the use of ...
www.newcoinc.com/detail.aspx?ID=1935