Piega Thermo Check User Manual

ThermoCheck

ThermoCheck

ThermoCheckThermoCheck

Windows

Windows

WindowsWindows

USER MANUAL

USER MANUAL

USER MANUALUSER MANUAL

Revision 1.6

Copyright © 2000-2004 Escort Data Logging Systems Ltd.

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Contents

Introduction 1

Getting Started 3

ThermoCheck Keypad Overview 3
What You Will Need, to Use the Software 5
Installing the Software 5
Navigating the Software 6
Configuration Options 7
Connection 8
Battery Replacement 9

Setting Up a Database 10

Products 11
Processes or Locations 12
Database Orientation 15
Database Item Order 16
Product Specifications, Alarms and Delays 18
Templates 19
Uploading a Database 19
Command Summary 20

Setting Up Corrective Actions 22

Introduction 22
Creating Corrective Actions 22
Assigning Corrective Actions 23
Command Summary 24

Setting Up a User List 25

Adding and Removing Users 26
User Options 27
Command Summary 28

Customising the ThermoCheck 29

Customising With the Software 29
Customising Without Using the Software 32

Using the ThermoCheck 33

Using the ThermoCheck for the First Time 33
Selecting a Product and Process/Location 33
Taking and Storing a Temperature Reading 35
Logging On and Logging Off 36

Accessing Data Stored in the ThermoCheck 37

Downloading Readings 37
Viewing Listed Readings 37
Graphing Readings 38
Viewing a Graph 38
Printing Readings 39
Saving Readings to a File 40

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Introduction

The ThermoCheck is a portable, handheld temperature meter and temperature measurement
storage device that facilitates the validation of quality control specifications for temperatures of
products at various stages of production and storage.

Product descriptions and process/location descriptions can be stored in a database within the unit.
Maximum and minimum temperature specifications for each process/location of products are stored
in the database. Such databases must be created and uploaded to the unit with the ThermoCheck
for Windows software.

Stored temperature readings include the temperature measured, the product name, the
process/location name and the date and time information for each temperature reading recorded.

Optional user identification (by unique PIN codes) is supported as a standard feature of the
ThermoCheck. The information that allows the identity of each user to be unique is controlled
through the ThermoCheck user software. If the tracking of unique user identification has been
enabled and the relevant information has been uploaded and stored in the ThermoCheck unit, then
each stored reading will also identify the name of the user that took the reading.

The user software provides the facility for the download (retrieval) and viewing of stored readings.
Readings are classified based on the product specifications for each process/location as stored in
the database. Downloaded data reading(s) can also be saved to disk files and/or printed to hard
copy through the user software.

Additionally, the software provides the facility to save database configurations to ‘template’ files on
disk. These files can be edited or uploaded to one or more units at a later date.

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To use the ThermoCheck you will need to install the ThermoCheck software (please refer to Chapter
2, Installing the Software for more information about installing the software) onto a computer so that
a ThermoCheck can be configured.

To configure a ThermoCheck so that it will be able to take readings a Database will need to be
uploaded in to the ThermoCheck (please refer to Chapter 3, Setting Up a Database for further
information about creating and uploading a Database to a ThermoCheck). To configure a
ThermoCheck so that it records the user (or operator) that recorded the reading along with the
reading, a User List will need to be created and uploaded into the ThermoCheck. A User List can be
uploaded to a ThermoCheck before, after or at the same time as the Database is uploaded to the
ThermoCheck (please refer to Chapter 4, Setting Up a User List, for further information about
creating and uploading a user list to a ThermoCheck).

Once a Database and the optional user list has been uploaded to a ThermoCheck, the ThermoCheck
is ready to record readings (please refer to Chapter 6, Using the ThermoCheck, for further
information about recording readings with a ThermoCheck).

After one or more users have recorded readings, the readings can be downloaded to the computer
with the ThermoCheck software so that the readings can be viewed and analysed (please refer to
Chapter 7, Accessing Data Stored in the ThermoCheck, for further information about recording
readings with a ThermoCheck).

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Getting Started

To use the ThermoCheck to record temperature readings, the unit will need a database configured,
linking products, process/location and product specifications. You can configure a database in the
unit with the user software.

To turn on the ThermoCheck press any key on the ThermoCheck's Keypad. Additionally, the
connection of external power, and connection to a computer's serial port will turn the ThermoCheck
on.

ThermoCheck Keypad Overview

ThermoCheck Keypad

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OFF

STORE

Turns the ThermoCheck off (unless the ThermoCheck is currently off, in which
case pressing any button will turn the ThermoCheck on).
Instructs the ThermoCheck to record a reading for the currently selected product
at the currently selected process/location
“ENTER” Selects the current item (product, process / location or setup option)
on the display.

Deselects the last item selected (from pressing ENTER). Also used for deleting
the last data entry key pressed when providing data entry to the ThermoCheck.

“USER” Used for Logging a user on to (or off) a ThermoCheck, when the
ThermoCheck has been configured to support users.

“LIST” Used for selecting a product and process/location, so that a reading can
be stored. (See Selecting a Product and Process/Location in Chapter 6, Using
the ThermoCheck, for further information.)

Used for scrolling down through a list of products or a list of processes/locations
for selection.

Used for scrolling up through a list of products or a list of processes/locations for
selection.

Used for scrolling left through a list of products, a of list processes/locations for
selection. In the Setup options this is used for adjusting the values of the
settings.

Used for scrolling right through a list of products, a list of processes/locations for
selection. In the Setup options this is used for adjusting the values of the
settings.

“SETUP” Displays the options of the ThermoCheck for viewing and/or
modification. (See Customising Your ThermoCheck without the Software in
Chapter 5, Customising the ThermoCheck, for further information.)

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What You Will Need, to Use the Software

Installation of the software requires 9.4 megabytes of free disk space, plus an additional 5.8
megabytes of free hard disk space during the installation process.

In order to use the ThermoCheck for Windows software, you will need an IBM-compatible PC with at
least one free serial communications (COM) port, a 386, or better, processor and at least 8
megabytes of memory, running the Windows 9x, NT, 2000 (or later) operating system.

Installing the Software

1. Ensure that Microsoft Windows is started.

2. Insert the ThermoCheck for Windows installation CD-ROM into your CD­ROM drive or the installation floppy disk into a disk drive.

For users using Microsoft Windows 95, NT 4.0, or later if the installation program does not
automatically start:

a. Start the Control Panel and choose the “Add/Remove Programs” icon.
b. Select the Install button and follow the instructions.

3. Once the ThermoCheck installation program has started, follow the instructions on the screen.
During the installation process you may change the directory you want the software to install to if
you want the software installed to a location different to the default. The installation program will
also create a ThermoCheck program group, which will also contain a ThermoCheck for Windows
icon so that the software can be started.

4. To run ThermoCheck for Windows, select the ThermoCheck for Windows icon from the
ThermoCheck program group on the Start menu. Alternatively, if you enabled the “Add a
shortcut to the desktop” option, you can start the software by opening the ThermoCheck for
Windows icon on your desktop.

5. The first time you run ThermoCheck for Windows, you may need to adjust the default
configuration. In particular, you may need to redefine the serial port the interface is plugged into.
See Configuration Options, later in this chapter, for further instructions.

After installing the software, we recommend you store the floppy disks or CDROM in a safe place.
WARNING: Keep magnets away from floppy disks as strong magnetic fields can damage data held
on such media.

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Navigating the Software

When the software starts, there are five items on the menu bar. These five menus will give you
access to the various functions of the software:
File Allows opening, saving, closing and printing of ThermoCheck data reading files

and opening and saving of database configuration files.

Edit Provides commands for editing database information, such as product and

process/location details, and some selection commands for readings information.
Also provides access to software configuration options (see Configuration
Options, later in this chapter).

ThermoCheck Allows access to the configuration (refer to Chapters 3, 4 and 5) or the stored

readings (refer to Chapter 7, Accessing Data Stored in the ThermoCheck), in a
ThermoCheck connected to the PC.

Window Provides common commands for manipulating the position and size of windows.

Also provides a way to switch between currently open windows.

Help Provides access to distributor contact details, and an exact definition of the

software version.

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Configuration Options

It is recommended that you first configure the software to ensure that the communications port that
the ThermoCheck is connected to matches the communications port that the software communicates
with. The default is the first serial communications port, COM1.

You can change the communications port setting by selecting
Options from the Edit menu. This will launch the Options
dialog box. You can now select the appropriate port from the
drop-down list ThermoCheck, in the Communications tab.
If you do not know which communications port to use,
contact your network administrator or computer vendor.

There are other options available in this dialog box:
On the File tab:

• Recently used file list. If this option is enabled, a list of

the most recently used files will be included in the file
menu, allowing you to quickly load recently used files.
You can specify how many files to display in the list by
changing the value in the box labelled entries.

On the Views tab:

• Confirm when Deleting Entries. If this option is

enabled, you will be asked to confirm the deletion of
entries in a database window, for example products or
users. If not enabled, items will be deleted immediately,
without confirmation. For more information about
database windows and entries, see Chapter 3, Setting Up
a Database.

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Connection

To get the ThermoCheck to successfully communicate with the software, you will need to connect the
interface cable to a serial communications port on your PC. If you select Get Database from the
ThermoCheck menu, you will see a progress bar at the bottom of the program window, indicating
how far through the process the software is. When the process is complete, a database window will
appear on the screen. This window allows you to:

• Create and upload a database in the unit (Products and Processes/Locations). Please refer to

Chapter 3, Setting Up a Database, for further information.

• Create and upload a user list (Users). Please refer to Chapter 4, Setting Up a User List, for

further information.

• View and modify configuration settings of the ThermoCheck (Settings). Please refer to Chapter

5, Customising the ThermoCheck, for further information.

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Battery Replacement

Your ThermoCheck requires two (2) AA batteries to operate. You can use either alkaline or re­chargeable (for example, NiCd or NiMH) batteries, however please remember that you must NEVER
attempt to charge alkaline batteries.

To insert the batteries:

1. Remove the ThermoCheck battery cover by placing the
unit face down, removing the two screws, and then lifting
the cover free.

2. Insert the two batteries with the correct polarity (as marked
inside the compartment and also on the label) into the
battery compartment.

3. Before replacing the lid, ensure that the batteries are fully
inserted. If the batteries are not inserted correctly, the lid
will not fit properly, and could consequently damage the
seal or the batteries.

4. Carefully place the cover of the battery compartment back
on, and gently tighten the two screws.

5. Your ThermoCheck is now operational.

Remember, do not attempt to charge non-rechargeable batteries. If you are using non-rechargeable
batteries with your ThermoCheck, ensure that the Recharge option is disabled (see Chapter 5,
Customising the ThermoCheck, for more information).

If you take less than two minutes for this procedure, the internal time clock will keep running.
Otherwise it may revert to midnight on 1 Jan 2000, and will need to be set next time a database is
sent to the unit. In the Settings panel (see Chapter 5), ensure the radio button labelled “Match
computer date and time” is selected.

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Setting Up a Database

In order to use the ThermoCheck, you need to create a product database. Databases link individual
products with the processes/locations of their production at which you may want to monitor
temperature. In addition, you can define upper and lower specification limits and alarm conditions, at
each of the processes/locations involved in a product’s production, to match quality control
specifications. Databases can only be created and modified by using the ThermoCheck software.

You can define an empty database by selecting New from the File menu, or download the settings
from the unit to start from by selecting Get Database from the ThermoCheck menu. Alternatively,
you can work from a pre-defined template by selecting Open from the File menu, to open a template
file (see Templates, later in this chapter). Either method will display a database window in the main
application window.

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An empty Database Window