ElektroPhysik MiniTest 600 Operating Manual

Bedienungsanleitung MiniTest 600 Version 2.4 Englisch

© 03/2002 B10-N

Subject to change without notice.

ElektroPhysik Dr. Steingroever GmbH & Co. KG
Pasteurstr. 15
50735 Cologne
Germany

Tel.: [phone]
Fax.: [phone]

web: www.elektrophysik.com
mail: [e-mail]

MiniTest 600

Technical Reference and

Operating Manual

Advancing with Technology ElektroPhysik

ElektroPhysik i

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

1. General Information .................................. 1

1.1 Applications ................................................1

1.2 Description of the gauge ........................... 3

1.3 Equipment ...................................................5

1.4 Probe construction .................................... 5

2. Preparing the MiniTest 600 gauges ........ 6

2.1 Checking the power supply ...................... 6

2.2 Replacing the batteries .............................7

2.3 Start-up functions ......................................8

2.3.1 Total reset....................................................9

2.3.2 LCD segment test ........................................9

2.4 Basic gauge settings .............................. 10

2.4.1 Switching between short-ter m and

long-term modes ...................................... 12

2.4.2 KEYLOCK Function for ZERO- and

CAL-keys (locks calibration keys)............. 12

2.4.3 Activating/deactivating the

LC display light (optional) ......................... 13

2.4.4 Select a measuring unit

‘metric’ - ’inch’ (imperial) ........................... 13

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Table of Contents

3. Calibration and measurement ............... 14

3.1 General remarks on calibration ............. 14

3.1.1 Methods of calibration .............................. 14

3.1.2 Saving calibration values.......................... 15

3.1.3 Example of calibration .............................. 16

3.1.4 The effects of substrate thickness ............ 17

3.1.5 High-accuracy calibration ......................... 19

3.1.6 Cleaning the measuring point .................. 19

3.1.7 Acoustic signal.......................................... 19

3.1.8 Stabilisation of calibration values. ............ 20

3.2 Points to remember when calibrating ... 20

3.2.1 Activate standard calibration .................... 21

3.2.2 One-point calibration without foil

(zero only)................................................. 22

3.2.3 Two-point calibration

(ZERO with one calibration foil)................ 24

3.2.4 Calibration and measurement with

MiniTest 600 FN........................................ 27

3.2.5 Calibration and measurement on

shot blasted surfaces................................ 28

3.2.6 Adjusting the basic calibration .................. 31

3.3 General remarks on measurement ........ 31

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Table of Contents

4. Measurement using statistics ............... 32

4.1 Definition of statistical values ............... 33

4.2 Entering a series of measurements

for statistical analysis............................. 34

4.3 Storage capacity overflow ..................... 35

4.4 Display and print-out of the 5
statistical values for a series of

measurements (no single value) ........... 35

5. ‘Delete’ functions .................................... 36

5.1 Deleting the last reading taken .............. 36

5.2 Deleting statistics ................................... 36

7. Interface description ............................... 3 7

8. Accessories ............................................. 38

9. Maintenance............................................. 39

10. Customer service .................................... 39

11. Tr oubleshooting ...................................... 39

12. Example of how to operate the

MiniTest 600 ............................................. 41

13. Technical Data ......................................... 45

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Table of Contents

13.1 Technical data (metric system).............. 45

13.2 Technical Data (imperial system) .......... 47

ElektroPhysik 1

1. General Information

1.1 Applications

This compact, handy pocket gauge is designed for
non-destructive, fast and precise coating thickness
measurement. The principal appli cations lie in the
field of corrosion protection. It is ideal for
manufacturers and their customers, for offices and
specialist advisers, for paint shops and
electroplaters, for the chemical, automobile,
shipbuilding and aircraft industries and for light and
heavy engineering.

The range of applications is indicated by the probes
available.

- F probes work on the magnetic induction

principle and should be used for non­magnetic coatings such as aluminium,
chrome, copper, zinc, paint and varnish,
enamel, rubber etc., on an iron or steel
substrate; they are also suitable for alloyed
and hardened magnetic steel.

General Information

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- N probes work on the eddy-current principle

and should be used for insulating coatings
on all non-ferrous metals and on austenitic
stainless steels, e.g. paint, anodising
coatings, ceramics, etc. applied on
aluminium, copper, zinc die-casting, brass,
etc.

- FN probes work on a combination of the

magnetic induction and the eddy-current
principle. One probe only is required for
coating measurement both on ferrous and
non-ferrous metal substrates. When switched
to automatic mode (see 1.2) both principles
are used for coating measurement (the
gauge version MiniTest 600 B is not equipped
with an automatic mode to switch
automatically between the two measuring
principles).

General Information

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1.2 Description of the gauge

Measured values and user information are shown
on a large, easy-to-read LC display. A display back
light (optional) ensures easy reading of screen data
in poorly-lit conditions. The gauges’ user-friendly
measuring system permits automatic storage of up
to 9 999 readings in one memory matrix for later
statistical evaluation (statistical evaluation is not
possible with MiniTest 600 B).

Note:

- MiniTest 600 FN is equipped with a manual

as well as with an automatic mode.

- The manual mode serves to activate either

the magnetic induction principle (F) or the
eddy-current principle (N) by means of the
arrow keys.

- Owing to a special evaluation algorithm the

correct coating thickness is always shown
after corresponding calibration when the

Description of the gauge

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gauge is switched to automatic mode working
on ferrous steel as well as on non-ferrous
metal (the gauge version MiniTest 600 B is
not equipped with an automatic mode).

- The statistical values measured on steel or

on nonferrous metal (n, x, s, max, min) are
stored in separate memories.

- All MiniTest 600 gauges are suitable for

particular fields of application, e.g. for
measurement on special geometries. After
storage of the corresponding parameters the
gauge automatically takes them into
consideration.

The portable data printer MiniPrint 4100 allows
immediate printing of measured values and subse­quent printing of the 5 statistical values. The data
printer is connected to the MiniTest by means of a
cable and is instantly ready for use (printing and
statistical evaluation are not possible with MiniTest
600 B).

Description of the gauge

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1.3 Equipment

Standard gauge including probe(s), 2 alkaline
batteries, zero standards, calibration foils and
operating instructions.

1.4 Probe construction

All probe systems are spring-mounted in the probe
sleeve. This ensures safe and stable positioning of
the probe and even contact pressure. A V-groove in
the sleeve of the probes facilitates reliable readings
on small cylindrical parts.

The probe should be held by the spring-mounted
sleeve.The hemispherical tip is made of hard and
durable material.

Equipment and probe construction

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2. Preparing the MiniTest 600

gauges

2.1 Checking the power supply

1. 2 x 1.5 volt alkaline-battery or

2 x 1.2 volt rechargeable battery

2. Check battery condition by pressing ON .

- no LC display:

battery missing or batteries charge too low
to illuminate display

- no BAT display:

batteries is sufficiently charged

- flashing BAT display, gauge switches itself

off after about 1 sec:
replace batteries immediately

Checking the power supply

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If the BAT display flashes during measurement, the
batteries are running low and should be replaced
before the gauge is switched on again. If not, the LC
display will show the permanent BAT warning and
the gauge will switch itself off after about a second.

Note:

Note that the gauge will not make faulty
measurements even if the voltage is very low.

2.2 Replacing the batteries

1. Place the gauge upside down on a suitable

surface.

2. Push the lid of the battery compartment in

direction of the arrow and raise the lid of the
compartment.

3. Remove batteries.

4. Insert new batteries.

5. Replace the battery compartment lid.

Replacing the batteries

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Caution:

Make sure that the positive and negative poles are
correctly positioned. If not, all data saved to memory
will be lost.

An interval of more than 10 seconds between
removing the old batteries and inserting the new
one will also result in the loss of data (readings,
calibration values, time and date).

2.3 Start-up functions

The MiniTest 600 gauges include a number of
functions that can only be called up or activated
through start-up of the gauge.

Function Key combination

Total reset ZERO + CLEAR + ON

LCD-Test

⇑−

key + ON

Set gauge options ZERO + ON

Start-up functions

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2.3.1 Total reset

A total reset erases all statistical and calibration data
and the gauge will resume the basic MODI-setting
(ZERO - : / 0, see section 2.4).

1. Switch off gauge.

2. Press CLEAR-, ZERO- and ON

simultaneously.

Total reset is confirmed by a long bleep.

2.3.2 LCD segment test

The LCD segment test enables all sections of the
LC display to be inspected and checked.

1. Switch off the gauge.

2. Hold down the ñ-key, press ON and keep

both keys depressed. As long as the arrow
key is depressed, all sections of the LC
display will be shown.

Total reset and LCD segment test

10 ElektroPhysik

2.4 Basic gauge settings

1. Switch off the gauge, hold down the ZERO

key and press ON.

2. Keep both keys pressed until you hear the

signal. The gauge will now display a pair of
numbers: 1:0 or 1:1.

Note:

If you are using a MiniTest 600 FN, use the arrow
keys to activate the F section (ñ) or the N section
(ò ) or wait 3 seconds until switching between
sections is performed automatically.

3. Press ZERO to move through each of the

table’s function from 1 to 4. Use the arrow
keys to set the option 0 or 1.

4. Press ZERO again to return to measuring

mode.

Basic gauge settings

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Table of basic settings

Basic gauge settings

Z ero -k e y Arro w -k e y s

↑ ↓

Modi-setting

10wwitch-off

mode

short-term
mode

1 long-term m ode

2 0 key lock

mode for

ZERO C al

off

1keylock

30display light

(option)

inactive

1active

4 0 measuring

mode

metric/mm

1 impe r ia l/in ch