Cole-Parmer PORTABLE FOOD ANALYZER with AutoBIAS Instruction Manual

FoodTech

Source™

PORTABLE FOOD ANALYZER

with AutoBIAS™

USER'S MANUAL

Version 2.1

COLE PARMER INSTRUMENT CO.
625 East Bunker Court
Vernon Hills, IL USA 60061

Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Website: http:/www.coleparmer.com

© Zeltex, Inc. 2001

This manual provides you with all the information needed to operate the
Cole-Parmer FOODTECH™

2

TABLE OF CONTENTS

WARNING: 4

ABOUT THE FOODTECH™ 5

FEATURES OF THE FOODTECH™ 5
UNPACKING THE FOODTECH™ 5

PREPARATION 7

ELECTRICAL REQUIREMENTS 7
OPTIONAL PRINTER 7
PRINTER PAPER INSTALLATION FOR OPTIONAL PRINTER 7
SAMPLE CUP 8

CLAM-SHELL CUP 9

VARIABLE PATHLENGTH SAMPLE CUP 12

KEYPAD DESCRIPTION 13

TURNING THE FOODTECH™ ON FOR THE FIRST TIME 14

AUTOMATIC BIAS INITIALIZATION AND STANDARDIZATION 15
ANALYZED SAMPLE FORM 17
SELECT PRODUCT 18
MENU SELECTIONS 18
MEASURING A SAMPLE 19

ADJUSTING THE CALIBRATION 21

ADJUSTING THE BIAS 22
AUTOBIAS 22
ADJUSTING THE TIME 23
ADJUSTING THE DATE 23
ADJUSTING THE NUMBER OF READ CYCLES 23
STORE SAMPLES 24
DATA LINK 24
PRINTING 25
PAPER FEED 25
RESET ID # 26

WARNINGS AND ERROR CODES 27

3

GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS 31

A NOTE ON THE TEXT

Throughout this manual, keystrokes are represented in bold type; references to
messages on the computer screen or the FOODTECH™ display screen are in
“quotations.”

GLOSSARY 32

APPENDIX I 34

COMBINATION LOCK 34

INDEX 35

4

WARNING:

THE FOODTECH™ PORTABLE NEAR-IR

ANALYZERS ARE NOT EXPLOSION

PROOF: REASONABLE CARE MUST BE

USED IN HANDLING THESE

INSTRUMENTS.

THE FOODTECH™ IS SUPPLIED WITH A

SPECIAL STATIC-FREE CLEANING

BRUSH. FAILURE TO USE THIS BRUSH

BETWEEN SAMPLES MAY CAUSE

BAD READINGS.

5

ABOUT THE FOODTECH™

FEATURES OF THE FOODTECH™

Easy sampling: no grinding, no preparation
Analyzes whole grain products such as wheat (spring and winter), barley,

soybean and corn

Analysis in 60 seconds or less
Stores calibrations for 3 constituents each of up to 10 products
Accurate up to 95% of moisture, protein, oil, etc.
Able to analyze samples at temperatures from -20ºC to +50ºC.
Direct readout in percentage form for both AS-IS and CM
Totally solid state optics (no moving parts)
Automatic Bias Initialization and Standardization

UNPACKING THE FOODTECH™

Check that all items 1 through 6 are in the box. If any items are missing,
please contact Cole-Parmer immediately.

1. FOODTECH™ Portable Food Analyzer (PFA)

2. User's Manual

3. Quick Start Manual

4. AA Batteries

5. 16 mm Sample Cups

6. Static Brush

Optional:

1. Carrying Case

2. Software Disk and Calibration Manual

3. A/C Adapter

4. RS232 Cable

5. Printer

6. Printer Paper

7. 25 mm Sample Cup (corn, soybean)

8. Variable Pathlength Sample Cup 5 mm-16 mm (small grains)

9. AutoBIAS perma-sample

The optional carrying case has the combination set at the factory to open at

000. You may leave it at this setting or you can set your own combination.
(See Appendix 1 in this manual for instructions on how to set your own
combination.)

6

APPEARANCE AND PART NAMES

7

PREPARATION

ELECTRICAL REQUIREMENTS

After you have opened the carton, take a moment to consider where to
place the FOODTECH™ The instrument has been designed to work
flawlessly in the manufacturing environment, but please take into account
the following requirements before setting up the instrument.

The FOODTECH™ operates from six AA cells or 9v DC from an A/C
adapter. For the best operation and the most reliable analysis, the
FOODTECH™ should have a clean, independent electrical line with the A/C

adapter. Depending on the A/C voltage at the customer’s site, the

appropriate adapter (nominal 115 or 230 VAC) is shipped with the
instrument. Connect the A/C adapter cable to the jack closest to the top on
the right-hand side of the instrument. Also, insert six 1.5v AA size alkaline
batteries into the battery compartment located on the rear of the main body.
Be sure the batteries are oriented as indicated in the compartment.

OPTIONAL PRINTER

The optional printer can be attached directly to the FOODTECH™

PRINTER PAPER INSTALLATION FOR OPTIONAL PRINTER

1. Remove the clear plastic cover from the printer.

2. Cut the end of the roll at an angle to form a point in the center.

3. Feed the paper into the slit inside the Paper Roll Compartment and press

the PAPER FEED key.

8

SAMPLE CUP

Molded 16mm Cup

Stock #2670

24mm Cup

Stock #A-572

Variable Path-Length Cup

Stock #2672

Clam-Shell Cup

Stock #A0636

The FOODTECH™ is shipped with 2 standard 16mm (approx. 3/4”) sample
cups to be used with wheat and barley. A 24mm (approx. 1”) cup and a

variable pathlength cup are also available.

Do not place objects on the sample cup. It should not be placed in direct heat
or cleaned with harsh chemicals such as scouring powder.

9

CLAM-SHELL CUP

The A0636 Clam-shell Cup allows the analysis of pastes and slurries in clear
“whirl-pak”–type bags. The Clam-shell Cup includes an internal A0633
Thermistor Module (a), contact strips (b), windows in the body and door (c), and
an assortment of different thickness windows (d).

Because the Clam-shell cup has its own thermistor, the thermistor probe in the
instrument must be removed. First, locate the thermistor cover (e). It is the
smaller of the two covers on the bottom of the instrument.

Remove the thermistor cover by pressing down with the thumbs, and sliding
the cover upward.

10

Inside the thermistor recess, you’ll note the Thermistor Probe assembly
(f) (held in with two 6-32 screws), and the Black Spacer (g).

Remove the Black Spacer (held in with tape), and the Thermistor Probe,
exposing the Contact Board (h). Note the red and green wires which are
connected to the Contact board.

This is a close-up of the A0516 Thermistor Probe. Note that one end of the
probe is painted green. If the Thermistor Probe is re-installed later, the green end
should be closest to the green wire on the contact board.

11

To plug the holes in the sample chamber, make a Spacer
Assembly from the Gray Stop Plate, the Black Spacer,
and two 6-32 screws.

Install the Spacer Assembly as shown. Storing the
Thermistor Probe as shown will keep it from getting
lost. Re-install the Thermistor Cover, and you’re
done. To convert back, reverse the procedure.