X-Rite MA48 ® Multi-Angle Spectrophotometer Operator’s Manual
Equipment Information FCC This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
Environmental Specifications Operating Temp: Relative Humidity: Usage: Altitude: Pollution Degree: Overvoltage: 10° - 40°C 0 - 85% non condensing Indoor Only 2000m 2 Category II WARNING: This instrument is not for use in explosive environment. Input Power Requirements 12/15Vdc, 700/560mA Use Only: ii X-Rite No. SE30-81 (North America) X-Rite No.
Table of Contents 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Proprietary Notice ........................................................................................................................... iv Limited Warranty ............................................................................................................................ iv Setup and Overview ...................................................................................................... 1-1 Unpacking and Inspection.................................
Proprietary Notice The information contained in this manual is derived from patent and proprietary data of X-Rite, Incorporated. This manual has been prepared solely for the purpose of assisting in the use and general maintenance of this instrument. The contents of this manual are the property of X-Rite, Incorporated and are copyrighted. Any reproduction in whole or part is strictly prohibited.
1. Setup and Overview Unpacking and Inspection After removing the instrument from the shipping carton, inspect for possible damage. If any damage occurred during shipping, immediately contact the transportation company. Do not proceed with installation until the carrier’s agent has inspected the damage. Your instrument was packaged in a specially designed carton to assure against damage. If reshipment is necessary, the instrument should be packaged in the original carton.
SECTION ONE Docking Station Description The docking station provides several important functions: • storage of the instrument for nonuse times • data transfer to the local computer (RS-232 or USB interface connection) • charging of the instrument’s internal battery (refer to section 3: Battery Refresh Operation) • an open port for zero reflectance readings and storage for the white cal reference Zero Reflectance Port White Reflectance Standard Computer and Charger Connections Setting Up the Syst
SETUP AND OVERVIEW USB Cable Interface (optional) Plug the square end of the USB cable into the back of the docking station. Connect the other end of the USB cable to an available USB port on back of the computer. After connecting the USB cable to your computer, a “Found New Hardware” message appears on the screen. You must install the USB driver for the instrument to communicate with your computer.
SECTION ONE Main Screen Description When the instrument is powered-up, the main (top level) screen appears. The main menu consists of two areas, Operating Modes and Instrument Data. The left side of the screen lists all available modes. The right side of the screen lists the instrument name, firmware version and serial number. –MAIN MENU– Operating Modes Store Normal References Calibrate Config.
SETUP AND OVERVIEW Adjusting Display Contrast The contrast of the display can be adjusted for optimal viewing. Make sure the instrument screen is at the main menu before changing. To adjust, hold down Back and press Tab Up to increase contrast or Tab Down to decrease contrast. –MAIN MENU– Store Normal References Calibrate Config.
SECTION ONE Measurement Techniques In order to obtain accurate and repeatable measurements, the bottom of the sensor nose must be flat with the surface to be measured. Any movement of the sensor nose can cause the measurement angles to vary, greatly affecting measurements on metallic paint finishes. Measurements performed on a surface with a curve can cause the instrument to display a “Light Leakage” error. This is caused by stray light entering the measurement aperture.
2. Instrument Calibration General Information Regular calibration of the instrument is important in maintaining accurate measurements. The instrument should be calibrated to the white standard and docking station (zero reference port) the first thing each day, and every twelve hours of operation thereafter. A Cal Required message appears in the display when the calibration procedure has not been performed for 12 hours.
SECTION TWO The white calibration reference tile is concealed in a case that has a hinged cover. Position the sensor nose of the instrument in the case and take the measurements. Make sure the calibration tile is positioned directly under the measurement aperture. Hinged Cover Calibration Tile Zero Reflectance The docking station is used to perform the zero reflectance measurement portion of the calibration procedure.
INSTRUMENT CALIBRATION Calibration Procedure The calibration procedure consists of two white reference measurements followed by four zero reflectance measurements. 1. Use Tab Down or Tab Up to highlight Calibrate. Press Enter to access the calibration function. –MAIN MENU– Store Normal Reference Calibrate Config. MA48 —————— XXXX ****** The instrument displays the calibration status and reference serial number. The serial number displayed must match the number listed on the calibration reference.
SECTION 2-4 TWO Tab Down Tab Up Enter Back Read On/Off
3. Setting Instrument Configuration The Configuration mode consists of a several settings that can be edited to customize your instrument for your particular application. 1. Use Tab Down or Tab Up to highlight Config. –MAIN MENU– Store Normal References Calibrate Config. 2. MA48 —————— XXXX ****** Press Enter to access the Configuration mode.
SECTION THREE Active Illuminate/Observer 1. Press Tab Up or Tab Down to move the highlight to Active Illum/Obs and press Enter to open the Active Illum/Obs editor. 2. Press Tab Up or Tab Down to move the highlight to the desired 10° combination and press Enter to toggle the combination active or inactive. The arrow (>) indicates active. 3. To edit 2° combinations, highlight To 2° using Tab Up or Tab Down and press Enter. 4.
SETTING INSTRUMENT CONFIGURATION Auto Reference • Press Tab Up or Tab Down to move the highlight to Auto Ref and press Enter to toggle between Off and On. Averaging 1. Press Tab Up or Tab Down to move the highlight to Averaging and press Enter to active the averaging # editor (up/down arrows appear to the left). 2. Press Tab Down to page backward through the averaging numbers, or press Tab Up to page forward through the numbers. 3. Press Enter to select the displayed averaging number.
SECTION THREE Communications The Communication option allows you to configure the following settings: Baud Rate – Determines the data input/output rate of the instrument. The rate can be set at 9600 or 19200. Automatic LF – Varies the delimiter at the end of each line of data. When set to LF On, a line feed is sent at the end of a line of data. When set to LF Off, no line feed is sent at the end of the line of data. Data – Determines the type of data output from the instrument.
SETTING INSTRUMENT CONFIGURATION Exiting Communication Option • After you have completed all the communications editing, press Back to return to the Configuration menu. Languages The Language configuration allows you to select the language you want to display on your instrument. 1. Press Tab Up or Tab Down to move the highlight to Language. CONFIGURATION Display Options Measure Options Set Clock Communications Language 2. Press Enter to access the Language editor.
SECTION 3-6 THREE Tab Down Tab Up Enter Back Read On/Off
4. Instrument Operation Reference Mode The instrument can store a maximum of 100 references with tolerances which are accessible in the Store and Normal modes. The reference mode is used to measure references and edit their tolerances. References can also be downloaded from an X-Rite software application, such as X-RiteColor Master. If a reference is downloaded, it can be viewed but not edited. 1. Use Tab Up or Tab Down to highlight References. –MAIN MENU– Store Normal References Calibrate Config. 2.
SECTION FOUR Selecting the Tolerance Type and Editing Values After selecting a reference number and measuring a reference, you can select a tolerance type and edit tolerance values. If a tolerance is not going to be used, select the NONE option. The tolerance type and values cannot be changed if the reference number is empty or if the reference was downloaded. The attributes that are available for adjustment depend on the tolerance type selected.
INSTRUMENT OPERATION Editing an Attribute Value The attributes available for editing depend on the tolerance type selected. Values for all types are edited in the same manner. 1. 2. Press Tab Up or Tab Down to move the highlight to a tolerance attribute. Press Enter to activate the editor. Up/down arrows appear at the left. Indicates the editor control is active Reference: 1 Tolerance: ∆L*a*b* Set 15° High ∆L* ∆a* ∆b* +1.00 +2.00 +1.00 << >> Tolerance Attribute 3.
SECTION FOUR Selecting a Group/Reference and Measurement Groups and references are selected in the same manner. If Auto Reference is activated in configuration, there is no need to select a reference before taking a measurement. The instrument automatically selects the closest match to the measured sample. NOTE: A reference cannot be edited from within the Store mode. You must access the reference from the main menu screen. 1. 2. Use Tab Up or Tab Down to highlight Group: ##.
INSTRUMENT OPERATION Switching Between Pass/Fail Indication and Difference Data Difference data can be viewed for a pass/fail measurement. A down arrow icon (T ) appears between the selected color space and illuminate observer when tolerancing is set with a reference. A solid down arrow (T ) appears for pass/fail indication, and an open down arrow (V ) appears for difference data displayed. Pass/Fail indication always appears first after a measurement. 1. 2.
SECTION FOUR All Output 1. 2. Use Tab Up or Tab Down to highlight All in the lower portion of the screen and press Enter. You are asked if you are sure you want to print all the samples. Press Tab Up or Tab Down to move the highlight to Yes and press Enter. View The view option allows you to retrieve and view a stored sample from a selected group. The selected sample can also be deleted from this screen.
INSTRUMENT 2. OPERATION You are asked if you are sure you want to delete all the stored samples. Press Tab Up or Tab Down to move the highlight to Yes and press Enter. Tagging Samples (using the optional BCR) Barcodes are scanned as “tags” and stored with sample measurements. Sample data that is output includes the attached tags (up to six tags per sample). There are three tagging options that become available once a barcode is scanned.
SECTION FOUR Normal Mode The Normal mode provides the same measurement and viewing options as Store mode without storing any data. Measured samples can be compared to stored references with or without tolerance values applied. If tolerance values are applied to the reference, pass/fail indication appears on the instrument. Sample data can also be viewed under various color space and illuminant/observer combination. Normal mode displays absolute/difference data and pass/fail indication for all five angles.
5. Service and General Maintenance Repair Information The instrument is covered by a one-year limited warranty—excluding battery pack and barcode reader—and should be referred to factory or authorized service center for repairs within the warranty period. Attempts to make repairs within this time frame may void the warranty. X-Rite® provides a factory repair service to their customers.
SECTION FIVE Battery Replacement Information If battery replacement is ever needed, a qualified repair technician or an authorized service center should perform the replacement. A battery replacement kit can be obtained by contacting an authorized service center. Cleaning the Calibration Reference The ceramic standard should be cleaned using a mild soap and warm water solution, thoroughly rinsed with warm water, and wiped dry with a clean, lint-free cloth.
SERVICE AND GENERAL MAINTENANCE Troubleshooting Tips Problem Cause Solution The instrument display is hard to read. The instrument’s battery pack will not charge. Screen contrast set incorrectly. AC adapter is not attached. Adjust the contrast as explained in Section One. Check the connection on the back of the docking station and at the AC adapter. Contact an authorized service center. Make sure instrument is properly seated over the contacts.
SECTION FIVE Error Messages Below is a list of typical error messages that could appear on your instrument display. If an error message should appear, make a note of it and take the appropriate steps to try to correct it. If an error message is consistently displayed, contact an authorized service center. Reading Error Messages Read Error – Batteries are weak. Please charge them. Indicates batteries are too low to operate the unit.
SERVICE AND GENERAL MAINTENANCE Specifications Measuring Geometrics • • • • 45° illumination 15°, 25°, 45°, 75°, 110° aspecular viewing Angular accuracy ±0.15° Fiber optic pick-up, coupled with DRS technology Measuring Area • 0.5 in. diameter (12mm) Light Source • Gas-filled tungsten lamp, color corrected to approx.
SECTION FIVE AC Adapter Requirements • • MA48: 90-130VAC, 50-60Hz, 15W max MA48X: 90-240VAC, 50-60Hz, 30W max Charge Time • In Instrument – 4 hrs Measurements Per Charge • 1,000 5-angle measurements (continuous measurements @ 10 sec.
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