CurveX 3 Basic®
Article number: CX3005
User Guide
V1.1- 0916
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Warranty
TQC will grant a warranty for a period of 12 months for TQC CurveX 3 Basic and 12 months for all
related equipment from the date of delivery in respect of any evidence of faulty workmanship and
materials. TQC will extend the warranty for TQC CurveX 3 Basic to a period of 24 months from the
date of delivery if TQC CurveX 3 Basic is licensed via the TQC Ideal Finish Analysis software. Should a
delivered consignment prove to be contrary to contract upon inspection, the customer shall grant
TQC the opportunity hereunder of removing the fault, or else the customer may demand a
replacement. Should the supply or delivery of any improvement or replacement not prove possible,
the customer may choose between having the purchase price reduced or in demanding the
contract of sale to be rescinded (conversion). Damage resulting from natural wear and tear,
mechanical or chemical damage, an act of God or non-compliance with the operating instructions
shall be excluded from the warranty as well as mechanical interference by the customer or by third
parties with TQC CurveX 3 Basic and related equipment without TQC’s written permission. No
liability will be accepted for defects, damage or injury caused due to use not carried out in
accordance with the manufacturer’s user instructions.
To claim warranty, the rejected product has to be sent to TQC together with the original invoice,
any exchange before the product has been returned to TQC is not possible. TQC reserve the right to
repair, exchange or supply an equivalent substitute. TQC is not liable for handling or transport
costs. Warranty on the purchase price is limited, all liability for consequential damages or changes
in technology is expelled.
This product meets the IEC 61326-1 Electrical equipment for measurement, control
and laboratory use – EMC requirements.
This product is RoHS 2 compliant (2011/65/EU).
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Table of Contents
Getting started with the TQC CurveX 3 Basic ................................................ 4
1.
1.1
1.2
1.3
2. Downloading data and configuring the CurveX 3 Basic ............................. 7
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
3. The CurveX 3 Basic thermocouple connectors .............................................. 9
4. CurveX 3 Basic protection ─ using the insulation box............................... 11
Specifications TQC CurveX 3 Basic ................................................................. 13
5.
5.1
5.2
Quick start ................................................................................................................................... 4
Memory - batches .................................................................................................................. 6
CurveX 3 Basic tasks .............................................................................................................. 6
Logger menu — Download all data to PC… ....................................................... 7
Logger menu — Download Express .......................................................................... 7
Logger menu — Real Time… ........................................................................................ 7
Logger menu — User Settings… ................................................................................ 8
Logger menu — Configure & Test… ........................................................................ 8
3.1.1 Connecting the probes ...................................................................................................... 9
4.1.1 Preparing for measurement ......................................................................................... 11
4.1.2 Handling precautions ....................................................................................................... 12
4.1.3
Precautions- Batteries in carry-on baggage (aircraft cabin) ...................... 12
CurveX 3 Basic package ................................................................................................... 13
Accessories .............................................................................................................................. 13
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1. Getting started with the TQC CurveX 3 Basic
The CurveX 3 Basic is an intelligent temperature data logging system that was specially
designed to control curing processes in the coating industry. This manual describes how to
use the CurveX 3 Basic logger and how to download the measurements to your computer
with the Ideal Finish Analysis software. For the software installation instructions see the
software manual.
Quick start
1.1
The information in the following steps should be sufficient to allow you to operate the
CurveX 3 Basic without further use of this manual. For more detailed information we refer you
to the remainder of the manual. See Figure 1 for more information about the interface
positions.
Step 1.
Step 2.
Step 3.
Step 4.
Step 5.
Step 6.
Step 7.
Set the paint type and other parameters of the CurveX 3 Basic with the Ideal
Finish Analysis software:
• Start Ideal Finish Analysis on the computer and connect the logger
• Choose User settings in the Logger menu and follow the wizard. See
the Ideal Finish Analysis help for details on the options.
• Disconnect the logger from the computer
Connect the thermocouple probes to the input points at position 7 of the
CurveX 3 Basic.
Attach the sensors to the object to be measured.
Press and hold down the POWER button (position 1) for one second to
switch on the CurveX 3 Basic.
Start the recording process by pressing the START button (position 2). The
logging, paint and battery leds (position 4, 5 and 6) will blink once. The
logging led will blink blue at the specified logging interval.
Place the CurveX 3 Basic logger inside the insulation box. Make sure the
insulation system is set up properly, as specified in the manual of the
insulation box chosen. The cables are guided through the cable outlet and
the cover is closed securely, using the gasket to ensure optimal heat
protection.
Send the system through the oven and then remove the instrument from
the box as soon as possible. The paint led (position 5) blinks green after a full
cure or red after a partial cure. The cure specification is set in the software,
see the Ideal Finish Analysis help for more details (Logger menu – User
settings).
Step 8.
Step 9.
4
Stop the recording process by pressing the STOP button (position 3).
Download the results with Ideal Finish Analysis:
• Choose Download all data to PC… in the Logger menu of Ideal Finish
Analysis and follow the wizard.
Figure 1
7
1
4
2
6
5
3
8
1. POWER button Press one second to power on
2. START button Press to start logging
3. STOP button Press to stop logging
4. Logging led
5. Paint led
Blue led indicates CurveX 3 Basic is logging
Red partial cure, Blue active, Green full cure
6. Battery led Shows battery status when powered on:
Red <25%, Blue 25% to 75%, Green > 75%
7. Thermocouple connectors 1 - 4 Connect up to four probes
8. USB type B port Connect USB cable to charge and/or download data
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Memory - batches
1.2
The memory of the CurveX 3 Basic can store a total of 160,000 readings. The memory is
divided into 10 memory blocks of 16,000 readings each.
For each new batch, the CurveX 3 Basic will always start at the beginning of the next memory
block, even if the previous block was only partly used. Loggings that take longer than 16,000
readings are stopped at reading number 16,000. The maximum number of batches that can
be stored is 10.
CurveX 3 Basic tasks
1.3
This table below describes the most frequently performed tasks:
Task Action on logger Ideal Finish
software menu
Power on Press POWER button
START logging Press START button
STOP logging Press STOP button
Power off Press POWER button
Download data Logger Download all
Change settings Logger User settings
Option
data to PC
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2. Downloading data and configuring the CurveX 3 Basic
The CurveX 3 Basic is a logger without a display. You will have to use Ideal Finish Analysis to
download data and change the settings of the logger. The license key and memory stick with
the Ideal Finish Analysis software are part of the CurveX 3 basic package. For the installation of
the software you are referred to the software manual. To obtain your CurveX 3 Basic license
key you are referred to the Ideal Finish Analysis Quick Start Manual.
After the installation of the software you can connect the logger to your computer and access
the Logger menu where the following options are available. For information about installing
the software and connecting the logger you are referred to the software manual.
Step 1. Power on the data logger by pressing the POWER button (see figure 1, position 1)
and start the Ideal Finish Analysis software.
Step 2. Connect the USB connector to the CurveX 3 Basic (see figure 1, position 8).
Step 3. Connect the other side of the USB cable to the PC.
Step 4. Choose Logger from the menu. The following options are available:
• Download all data to PC
• Download Express
• Real Time…
• User settings
• Configure & test
Logger menu — Download all data to PC…
2.1
After selecting this menu option a wizard appears where you can:
• Set the download folder.
• Select a template in which the settings of the oven, the probe layout and the paint type
are defined.
• Select the batches to be downloaded.
Logger menu — Download Express
2.2
Ideal Finish Analysis can speed up the printing of a report at the click of a single button.
Switch TQC Ideal Finish Analysis to advanced mode to enable your line operators to print a
report based on a template for specific processes.
Logger menu — Real Time…
2.3
Use this option to view and analyze data the moment they are measured.
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Logger menu — User Settings…
2.4
Use this option to specify the following settings in Ideal Finish Analysis.
• Select the logging interval time
• Specifying the time
- Check the Synchronize check box. This will set the data logger time to the PC time
• Setup the batch names
- Double click on the current name to enter a new batch name
• Set the paint types in your logger
• Set the cure specifications for the report
• Configure the properties when logging data in Real Time.
- Enter a description of the object you are measuring and enter a description of the
location where the measuring takes place.
2.5
Logger menu — Configure & Test…
In order for the data logger to communicate with a computer, use the USB cable to connect it
to an available port on the computer. Once connected, communication can be tested by
taking the following steps:
Step 1. Connect the data logger to the computer using the cable that comes with the
logger.
Step 2. Choose Configure & Test…¹ from the Logger menu.
Step 3. The logger starts measuring automatically, displaying the measurements² in a pop-
up window.
Step 4. Click More to see information about the connected logger, click OK or Cancel to
close the pop-up window.
¹ If an error message is displayed, switch to another USB port. If all ports display an error
message, make sure that the rechargeable battery is charged and the data logger is
powered on.
² Measurements will be shown even when no probes are connected. This is normal behavior
and are the internal cold junction temperature measurements.
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3. The CurveX 3 Basic thermocouple connectors
T
The CurveX 3 Basic is equipped with four thermocouple (K-type) connectors. The connectors
are numbered 1 to 4. See the front of the data logger.
3.1.1 Connecting the probes
To measure the ambient temperature and the temperature of a product up to four probes
can be connected to the connectors. The logger automatically detects the connected probes.
To ensure accurate measurements, use only the K type sensors (+: NiCr / -: NiAl). The pins on a
thermocouple plug are of different widths and can only be plugged in one way. See figure 2
Common probes as clamp, ring-type, and wire probes can be used but also special infrared
probes.
Figure 2.
The position of the sensors on the object can be stored in Ideal Finish Analysis. The position
will then also be available in the reports.
Remark: Make sure that the probe cables are free from
objects and the oven walls, floor, sealing and burners,
etc. to prevent them from snagging, as this may cause
serious damage to the probe and the instrument. Also
check whether the probes have been placed securely so
that they do not fall off during the process.
Options:
When there is too much cable length you can connect
the extended cable length to the gray loop on the side
of the insulation box next to the grip.
Precautions:
Use heat protective gloves when removing the sensors.
Remove the probes carefully; do not pull the cables.
o prevent tears in the cable sheath and broken cores,
do not wind the probe wires too tightly.
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The magnet surface probe
This probe can be placed on any ferrous steel object. The
sensor element is located exactly in the middle of the
probe.
• Take the probe between your thumb and forefinger at
the metal cable support just above the magnet and
place the probe at the preferred location on the
object.
The clamp surface probe
Use the clamp to place this probe on any object. The
sensor element is located inside the jaw of the clamp,
insulated by a small piece of ceramic. There is some
friction on this part in order to align the sensor element
with the surface to ensure good contact.
• Take the clamp between your thumb and forefinger.
Check which jaw has the sensor element and place
the probe at the preferred location on the object.
The maximum reach of the clamp is 20mm.
The clamp air probe
This fast-responding probe has its sensor element
inside the small steel protective tube.
• Connect the probe to the object or conveyor belt
in the same way as specified for the clamp
surface probe.
The wire probe
This universal probe can be used for either air or surface
temperature measurements. The measuring element is an
open thermocouple that can be attached with adhesive
tape or by other mechanical means.
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4. CurveX 3 Basic protection ─ using the insulation box
The data logger itself may not exceed a temperature of 60°C (140°F). Since the logger is used
inside high-temperature curing ovens, the CurveX 3 Basic thermal barrier system is used to
protect it. The CurveX 3 Basic thermal barrier box protects the data logger from the high
outside temperatures.
Either a single bracket or a heat absorber can be used to increase the heat resistance. The
heat absorber contains material that absorbs the energy that penetrates the box.
N.B. Prior to run any oven temperature recording, it is very important that both the insulation box
and the heat absorber temperatures are below 20
°
C (68°F) before the system is sent through the
oven. Always refer to the insulation box datasheet for the maximum time and temperature use.
4.1.1 Preparing for measurement
Step 1.
Step 2.
Make sure the box is at room temperature.
Place the CurveX 3 Basic data logger, with the probes already connected,
inside the box.
Step 3.
Lead the probe cables over the gasket and edge of the box at the cable
outlet point.
Step 4.
Step 5.
Start the logger.
Mount the cover on the box and make sure the stainless steel edge slides
a few millimeters over the box on all sides. Also check whether the cutout
of the cable outlet of the cover is facing the same cutout in the box and
whether the probe cables are positioned properly.
Step 6.
Tighten the cover with the four latches and check again whether the box
is properly closed on all sides.
The system is now ready to be sent through the oven. Use the grip to
hang the box, if necessary.
The isolation box has a ferrous steel plate on top, which can be used for
mounting the magnetic probes while transporting the set.
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4.1.2 Handling precautions
Since the heating process inside the box is not stopped instantly after the box has left the
oven, we strongly advise you to take the following precautions:
• Always wear heat protective gloves when handling the box and the probes after a run
because the box will be hot after a measurement.
• Open the box as soon as possible after the test in the oven.
• Take the logger and bracket / heat absorber out of the box so that they can cool down.
Note that the heat absorber needs quite a long time to cool down once it gets hot.
• When storing the box, do not lock the cover with the latches. This will extend the life
span and preserve the elasticity of the rubber gasket!
4.1.3 Precautions - Batteries in carry-on baggage (aircraft cabin)
The battery employed in our CurveX 3 Basic is a generic single cell Lithium-Ion battery, 3.7V
1400mAh. The battery employed in the CurveX 3 Basic has a capacity of 5.18 Watt-hours, and
is rated for
low-power use only. A protection circuitry has been applied to the CurveX 3 Basic mainboard
as per best practice.
Based on US DOT regulations (49 CFR, Sec. 175.10), the CurveX 3 Basic battery satisfies all
demands, most notably:
- The battery is non-replaceable for the end user and therefore does not classify as ‘spare’
- The battery is rated below 100 Watt-hours per battery
- The battery is protected from damage and short circuit
The battery is assembled into an end product and classified to be freely transported on
aircraft both in carry-on and check-in luggage. When carried-on, please keep the provided
product documentation with the device in order to be able to provide regulatory agencies
relevant information about your device when requested.
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5. Specifications TQC CurveX 3 Basic
CurveX 3 Basic logger
Measuring range 0 °C to 500 °C / 32 °F to 932 °F
Operating temperature: 0 °C to 60 °C / 32 °F to 140 °F
Accuracy ±1 °C / 1.8 °F
Channels 4
Sample interval time 1 s to 60 min
Memory 10 batches with 16000, or 1 batch with 160000 readings
Display Three multi-colour LED’s
Interface USB
Housing material Anodised Aluminium
Dimensions (D x W x H) 100 x 85 x 16 mm / 3.94 x 3.35 x 0.63 inch
Power supply Rechargeable battery
Battery life time 1200 hour continuous use, 27 years in stand-by
Weight 190 g / 6.7 oz.
TQC Ideal Finish Analysis software
Supported Operating
Systems
Platform 32 b or 64 b
Memory 32 MB
Required Hard Disk space 128 MB
CurveX 3 Basic package
5.1
The TQC CurveX 3 Basic comes with the following items:
• CX3005 CurveX 3 Basic Oven Logger with TQC Ideal Finish Analysis Software
• CL0018 Factory calibrated, calibration certificate included
• CX5010 Ideal Finish Analysis License Key
• CM1105 USB Cable
• GL0103 USB Memory Stick
• CX3060 Plastic Carrying Case
Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8 / 8.1
5.2
Accessories
• CX2005 CurveX insulation box (H=140 mm, T=300 °C / 572 °F)
• CX3050 Insulation Box Logger Bracket
• CX2011 CurveX heat-absorber
• CX2100 CurveX Basic probe identification kit (1-6)
• CM1105 USB Cable
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