The PosiTector Surface Profile Gage (SPG) is a hand-held
electronic instrument that measures the surface profile (peak-tovalley height) of blasted steel, textured coatings and concrete
profile. It consists of a PosiTector body (Standard or Advanced) and
probe.
Quick Start
Press the button to power up the Gage. To conserve battery
life, the gage will automatically go to sleep after 5 minutes of
inactivity. While in Sleep Mode, the gage powers up significantly
faster— convenient when moving between parts or locations. The
gage will completely power off after 4 hours of inactivity.
Alternatively, select Power Off from the main menu. All settings
are retained.
1. Remove the protective rubber cap from probe.
2. Power-up Gage by pressing the center navigation button.
3. Verify Gage accuracy (pg. 3).
4. Place the probe FLAT on the surface to be measured such
that the tip of the probe reaches into the bottom of a profile
valley. HOLD STEADY. The Gage will BEEP twice and
display the measurement.
5. Lift the probe from the surface between measurements.
Menu Operation
To access the Menu, power-up the gage, then press the center
navigation button . Either the keypad or touch screen can be
used to navigate the menu. If desired, touch screen functionality
can be disabled within the Setup menu (See Touch, pg. 5).
Select a menu option by touching it, or use the and buttons to highlight the desired option and press to select it.
On menus longer than one page, the current page number is
displayed below the menu name. Navigate between pages using
when the first menu item is selected, or when the last
menu item is selected. If using touch, navigate between pages
by touching or , or by swiping up or down.
Press the button or swipe right to return to a previous screen.
Select Exit to close the Menu.
When a Menu option is highlighted, the
icon indicates on-gage help is available.
Press or touch the icon to display the
help.
NOTE:
Update your gage to ensure that you
have the latest on-gage help information.
indicates that a sub-menu exists for the
Menu option. Select the option to display its
sub menu.
Probes
When powered-up, the PosiTector automatically
determines which probe is attached and does a selfcheck.
To disconnect a probe from a body, slide the plastic
probe connector horizontally (in the direction of the
arrow) away from the body. Reverse these steps to
attach a different probe. It is not necessary to powerdown the Gage when switching probes.
PosiTector SPG and SPG S probes include a 60˚ (ASTM D 4417
B) or 30˚ (Australian Standard AS 3894.5) angle tip (50 µm/2 mil
radius) with a measurement range of 0 to 500 µm (20 mils).
PosiTector SPG OS probes have the same specifications as the
PosiTector SPG probes above but feature a V-groove sleeve ideal
for measuring flat or convex surfaces such as tanks and pipes.
PosiTector SPG CS probes measure the profile of textured
coatings up to 1500 µm (60 mils) with a 500 µm (20 mil) radius 60˚
angle tip.
PosiTector SPG TS probes measure concrete surface profile up
to 6 mm (250 mils) with a 500 µm (20 mil) radius 60˚ angle tip.
Additionally, the PosiTector body accepts a wide variety of
probe types including magnetic, eddy current, and ultrasonic
coating thickness, surface profile, hardness, salt contamination,
and ultrasonic wall thickness probes.
Calibration & Verification of Accuracy
Calibration
Instrument calibration is typically performed by the manufacturer.
All probes include a Certificate of Calibration.
Verification of Accuracy
Instrument accuracy is verified using the included metal shim and
glass zero plate. Ensure that the glass plate and shim are clean
and dirt free before use.
Place the plate onto a stable, flat surface. Take several
measurements. If the average is greater than ±5 µm (0.2 mil),
Zero (pg. 4) the Gage.
Next, place the metal shim over the glass plate and measure,
ensuring the probe needle touches the glass plate in the area
between the shim’s “legs”. The average of several measurements
should be within the combined tolerances of both the Gage and
The PosiTector SPG has only one adjustment point at zero.
The zero point can be set using one of two methods.
Both methods are found under the Zero menu option:
Glass Plate Zero
Zeroing on the included glass plate is the preferred method for
best accuracy:
1. Select from the menu.
2. Press thebutton to select the number of readings
to be used to obtain an average, typically 3.
3. Repeatedly measure the glass plate. After the last
measurement, the Gage will calculate a zero which
represents the average of all the zero readings taken.
Factory Zero
If a glass plate or suitable smooth, hard surface is not available,
the factory zero setting can be restored:
1. Select from the menu.
2. Press the button to select Reset (below) and press the
button. The factory calibration icon will appear on the
display.
NOTE:
particularly after a probe tip exchange. For best accuracy, the
Gage should be zeroed on the included glass plate.
Zero
Zero
The factory zero setting may not always be accurate,
Setup Menu
Units
Converts the display from mils to microns and vice versa.
Reset
Reset (menu reset) restores factory settings and returns the
Gage to a known condition. The following occurs:
- All batches, stored measurements, batch names and screen
- The Zero adjustment is returned to the factory setting.
- Menu settings are returned to the following:
Memory = OFF
Statistics = OFF
Hi Lo Alarm = OFF
Auto Dim = ON
Display = None
Perform a more thorough Hard Reset as follows:
1. Power down the Gage and wait 5 seconds.
2. Simultaneously press and hold the andbuttons
until the Reset symbol appears.
This returns the Gage to a known, “out-of-the-box” condition.
performs the same function as a menu Reset with the addition of:
- Bluetooth Pairing info is cleared.
- Menu settings are returned to the following:
Units = Microns
Touch = ON
Flip Lock = OFF
Auto Sync .net = ON
Sound = Medium
Bluetooth & Stream = OFF
WiFi & Access Point = OFF
USB Keyboard & Stream = OFF
BLE Keyboard = OFF
It
Language = English
Backlight = Normal
Battery Type = Alkaline
Bluetooth Smart = OFF
USB Drive = ON
NOTES:
either Reset.
Adjusts the volume of built-in speaker (Off, Low, Medium, High).
Disables the Auto Rotate feature by locking the display in its
current orientation.
Allows the touch screen functionality to be disabled. All gage
functions can also be controlled using the navigation buttons.
All measurements are date and time stamped (24-hour format)
when stored into memory. It is therefore important to set the
correct date and time. Use the and buttons to select a
value, and theandbuttons to adjust it. The current date
and time setting can also be viewed at the top of the main menu.
Battery Type
Selects the type of batteries used in the Gage from a choice of
“Alkaline”, “Lithium” or “NiMH” (nickel-metal hydride rechargeable).
The battery state indicator symbol is calibrated for the selected
battery type. No damage will occur if the battery type used in the
Gage does not match the selected battery type.
Statistics Mode
Statistics
A statistical summary will appear on the display. Remove the last
reading by pressing thebutton. Pressto clear statistics.
– Average
– Maximum Value
HiLo Alarm
Allows Gage to visibly and audibly alert the user when readings
exceed user-specified limits.
– Standard Deviation
– Minimum Value
Memory Management
The PosiTector SPG has internal memory storage for recording
measurement data. Stored measurements can be reviewed
on-screen or accessed via computers, tablets and smart phones.
All stored measurements are date and time-stamped.
symbol appears when the Gage is set to store measurement data.
Standard models store up to 1,000 readings in one batch.
Advanced models store 250,000 readings in up to 1,000
batches. “New Batch” closes any currently opened batch and
creates a new batch name using the lowest available number.
New batch names are date-stamped when they are created.
Press bothandbuttons simultaneously to save an image of
the current display. The last 100 screen captures are stored in
memory and can be accessed when connected to a computer
(see PosiSoft USB Drive below).
SmartBatch™
Allows the PosiTector SPG to comply with various standards
and test methods published by organizations including ASTM,
SSPC, ISO, IMO, US Navy, SANS and AS.
Create a new batch
(Advanced only)
Restore brightness
after dimming
Accessing Stored Measurement Data
DeFelsko offers the following free solutions for viewing, analyzing
and reporting data:
PosiSoft USB Drive - Connect the Gage to a PC/Mac using the
supplied USB-C cable. View and print readings and graphs using
universal PC/Mac web browsers or file explorers. No software or
internet connection required.
PosiSoft Desktop - Powerful desktop software (PC/Mac) for
downloading, viewing, printing and storing measurement data.
Includes a customizable, templated PDF Report Generator.
No internet connection required.
PosiSoft.net - Web-based application offering secure,
centralized storage of measurement data. Access your
data from any web-connected device.
PosiTector App - (
and Android smart devices. Permits users to create, save and
share professional PDF reports. Add images and notes using the
smart device’s camera and keyboard.
Connect Menu
WiFi
Allows connection to your local wireless network or mobile
hot spot. Ideal for using your network’s internet connection
for synchronizing stored measurements with PosiSoft.net.
USB
When USB Drive is enabled , the PosiTector uses a USB
mass storage device class which provides users with a simple
interface to retrieve stored data in a manner similar to USB flash
drives and digital cameras. USB Drive is also required to import
stored measurements into PosiSoft Desktop software
(see pg. 7).
NOTE:
USB-C cable. The batteries are not used and the body will not
automatically power down.
While connected, power is supplied through the included
(Advanced models only)
Keyboard
When enabled and connected to a computer, the PosiTector will be
recognized as a Keyboard. Readings are sent to the computer as
they are taken, emulating keystrokes, followed by a carriage return.
NOTE:
Stream
Stream readings via USB Serial Port to SPC data collection
software, drones, ROVs, PLCs, and robotic devices.
The WiFi and USB menus contain a Sync .net Now option.
When selected, the Gage immediately synchronizes stored
measurement data via its respective communication method
(internet connection required).
Alternatively, select Auto Sync .net from within the USB connect
menu to automatically synchronize upon connection to a PC.
Additional measurements added to memory while connected are
synchronized only when the USB cable is disconnected and
reconnected, or when the Sync .net Now option is selected. WiFi
connected gages automatically attempt synchronization upon
power up.
synchronize measurements with PosiSoft.net.
PosiSoft Desktop is required when using USB to
Bluetooth
(Advanced models only)
Bluetooth Smart
Allows communication with a smart device running the
PosiTector App (pg. 7) via auto-pairing Bluetooth Smart (BLE)
wireless technology.
Sync Batches
Select batches to flag them for synchronization to the PosiTector
App. Sync Batches is useful when connecting a new device to a
gage with pre-existing batches, since only batches created while
Bluetooth Smart is enabled are automatically selected.
Selected batches are synchronized when the next reading is
taken in a batch flagged for synchronization, or when the SyncBatches option is selected at the bottom of the list of selected
batches.
NOTE:
from batches selected in the Sync Batches menu are held in a
queue until communication with the PosiTector App is reestablished.
If Bluetooth Smart is disabled or disconnected, data
Transfers selected batches to the PosiTector App. Send Batches
is useful when switching between devices, as only readings and
batches that have yet to be synchronized with any smart device
are synchronized automatically.
The Send Batches option is visible in the menu when the Gage
is connected to a smart device running the PosiTector App.
BLE Keyboard
When enabled and connected to a computer, the PosiTector will
be recognized as a wireless Keyboard. Readings are sent to the
computer as they are taken, emulating keystrokes, followed by a
carriage return.
1. Install new or newly recharged batteries in the proper
alignment as shown within battery compartment.
2. Examine the probe tip for dirt or damage. The probe tip should
move up and down freely. The plate surrounding the
probe tip should be smooth and free from burrs and foreign
material.
3. Perform a Hard Reset (pg. 5).
4. Place the metal shim over the glass plate and attempt a
measurement.
5. If issue is not resolved, Update (pg. 10) your PosiTector
gage body and re-attempt measurements.