FISCHER PERMASCOPE MP0R User manual

PAUL N GARDNER COMPANY
9104 GUILFORD ROAD, SUITE H EMAIL [e-mail]
COLUMBIA, MD 21046 USA PHONE [phone]

PERMASCOPE®MP0R
ISOSCOPE®MP0R
DUALSCOPE®MP0R
PERMASCOPE®MP0R-FP
DUALSCOPE®MP0R-FP
DUALSCOPE®MP0RH-FP
Operator‘s Manual
Coating Thickness Material Analysis Microhardness Material Testing

MP0R Instrument Series
Coating thickness measurement instruments.
On our home page www.helmut-fischer.com you will find the addresses of our
sole agencies and subsidiary companies around the globe.
© 2011 by Helmut Fischer GmbH Institut für Elektronik und Messtechnik, Ger-
many.
This operator’s manual remains the copyrighted property of Helmut Fischer
GmbH. All rights reserved. This manual may not be reproduced by any means
(print, photocopy, microfilm or any other method) in full or in part, or processed,
multiplied or distributed to third parties by electronic means without the written
consent of Helmut Fischer GmbH.
Subject to correction and technical changes.
PERMASCOPE®, ISOSCOPE®and DUALSCOPE®, are registered trade marks
of the Helmut Fischer GmbH Institut für Elektronik und Messtechnik in Germany
and/or other countries.
Note: The fact, that the trademark characters ® and ™ may be missing does not
indicate that such names are free trademarks.
Document order number
902-509
Version
1.0
Issue date
03-2011
Manufacturer
Helmut Fischer GmbH Phone: [phone]
Institut für Elektronik und Messtechnik Fax: [phone]
Industriestraße 21 www.helmut-fischer.com
D-71069 Sindelfingen [email protected]
Quality Assurance System of the Helmut Fischer GmbH
DIN ISO 17025 Calibration lab with DKD accreditation according to
DIN ISO 17025 for certified mass per unit area standards
ISO 9001 Management system certified according to ISO 9001 by
Germanischer Lloyd Systems Certification

Operator‘s Manual for instrument types MP0R i
Table of Content
1 Instrument Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
1.1 Areas of Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
1.2 Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
1.3 Display symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
1.4 Instrument keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
1.5 Main menus - Functional overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
2 Switching the Instrument ON / OFF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Auto-Switch-Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Manually Switch-Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Deactivate Auto-Switch-Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
3 Measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
3.1 Measurement accept . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
3.2 Scroll through the single readings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Leave the scroll mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
4 Influencing Variables Taken into Consideration . . . . . . . .10
4.1 Kinds of calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
4.2 Calibration - General Notes to Observe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
4.3 Normalization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
4.4 Corrective Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
4.5 Deleting the Corrective Calibration and
Normalization / Restoring the baseline of the characteristic .17
5 Deleting Measurements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
5.1 Deleting only the last reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
6 Evaluation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
7 Specification Limits / Offset value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
7.1 Setting the specification limits/offset value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
7.2 Deleting the specification limits / Offset value . . . . . . . . . . . .22

ii Operator‘s Manual for instrument types MP0R
8 Data Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
8.1 Prerequisite for data transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
8.2 Transmitting measurements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
8.3 Transmitting the mean value to the PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
8.4 Triggering the group separator to the PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
9 Instrument Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
9.1 Access to the instrument setting menus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
9.2 Instrument setting menus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
Measurement modes Std, 90.10, SSPC - Menu 1 . . . . . .32
Lock function - Menu 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
Block length - Menu 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
Display resolution - Menu 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
Data storage - Menu 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
Dimension unit - Menu 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
Measurement data display - Menu 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
Acoustic signal - Menu 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
Test method selection - Menu 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
Data transmission in the Free-Running Display mode
- Menu 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
Data transmission - Menu 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
Group separator - Menu 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
Auto switch-off - Menu 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
Display illumination - Menu 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
Free-Running Display mode - Menu 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
Factory Reset - Menu 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
10 Trouble Shooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
10.1 Data transmission via USB - trouble shooting . . . . . . . . . . . .45
11 Technical Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46
12 Ordering Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50
13 Disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

Operator‘s Manual for instrument types MP0R 1
Instrument Description
1 Instrument Description
The MP0R series measure coating thickness easily, quickly and non-
destructively. Depending on the measurement task and user preference,
two model groups are available.
•MP0R models with the probe integrated in the unit for one-hand measure-
ments. Preferably suited for measurements on flat and cylindrical speci-
mens.
•MP0R-FP models with a connected cable probe are ideal for measure-
ments on various specimen shapes.
1.1 Areas of Application
•DUALSCOPE MP0R models
measure coatings on all metallic materials (ferrous and nonferrous met-
als). The DUALSCOPE instruments automatically recognizes the sub-
strate material under the coating and selects the appropriate test method.
•ISOSCOPE MP0R model
measure all insulating coatings on non-ferrous metals (e. g., paint or an-
odic coatings on Aluminium).
•PERMASCOPE MP0R models
measure all non-magnetic coatings on ferromagnetic materials (e. g.,
zinc, chrome, copper, tin or paint, lacquer, plastic, enamel on steel or
iron.

2 Operator‘s Manual for instrument types MP0R
Instrument Description
1.2 Components
1.3 Display symbols
Front view (instrument model MP0R illustrated) Rear view
Please Note!
Remove the battery
contact foil before first use.
Symbols Explanation
Indicates the data transfer.
Indicates low battery power.
Indicates the active lock function for the calibration/normal-
ization.
NFe The measurement uses the eddy current test method, mag-
netic base material is necessary.
Fe The measurement uses the magnetic induction test method,
non-magnetic metal base material is necessary.
µm, mils Unit of measurement for the displayed reading.
, Indicates the violation of the set specification limits.
1 Signal LED for mea-
surement accept;
red: limit violation,
green: ok
2 Wrist strap
3 Display on the top
4 Display on the front
5 Function keys
6 USB connector
7 Placement support
8 MP0R : Probe with orange
protection cap
MP0R-FP/MP0RH-FP :
Probe connected with
cable
9
Protection cap
9 Battery compartment cover

Operator‘s Manual for instrument types MP0R 3
Instrument Description
1.4 Instrument keys
1.5 Main menus - Functional overview
Select the specific menus with []or []and press key [OK].
Keys Function
[ESC] •Switching to the scroll mode to scroll through the single read-
ings in the measurement data memory.
•Cancel/exit the menu function, except calibration functions.
[ ], [ ] •Selects menus and parameters settings.
•Sets values for the tolerance limits.
•Scroll mode active: calls the single readings from the measure-
ment data memory.
[OK] •Confirms selection or settings.
•Selects the individual statistic values.
•Press twice to leave the calibration functions.
Normaliza-
tion
Adjustment
on base
material
Storing
correction
O
Calibration
Normaliza-
tion
Foil 1
Storing
correction
CAL
Tolerance
limits
MIN:
set
lower limit
MAX:
set
upper limit
Offset
TOL
Data
transfer
Send
reading
PRT
Statistical
evaluation
s
N
Lowest
reading
Highest
Reading
RES
x
Delete
Delete
current
reading
DEL
Instrument
settings
See chap-
ter Instru-
ment
Settings,
page 30
Menu

4 Operator‘s Manual for instrument types MP0R
Switching the Instrument ON / OFF
2 Switching the Instrument ON / OFF
2.1 Switching the instrument ON
•Switch the instrument ON by pressing the key [OK]. The set measuring
mode will display temporary.
2.2 Switching the instrument OFF
Measurement data are stored in the instrument memory at all times even
without battery. The measurement data must be deleted from the memory
18.
Auto-Switch-Off
If no action occurs (pressing a key or measurement capturing) the instru-
ment will switch off automatically after a certain time. 
Instrument OFF = display is empty.
Change the auto-switch off time setting 37.
Please Note!
For instrument types MP0R only: Remove the orange protective cap before
measurement.
Please Note!
We recommend removing the batteries if the instrument is not used for an
extended period of time to avoid serious damages from battery leakage.

Operator‘s Manual for instrument types MP0R 5
Switching the Instrument ON / OFF
Manually Switch-Off
Before you start
The instrument must be in the measuring mode: the display shows the
last measurement.
Procedure
•Press the [OK] button for about 2 seconds. The instrument switched off
and the display is blank and dark.
Switching off the instrument manually, always activates the Auto-Switch-
Off function. Switch-on only the instrument only by pressing the [OK] but-
ton the Auto-Switch-Off function is activated again as set in the service
menu 4 (OFF1 or OFF2, 37).
Deactivate Auto-Switch-Off
The instrument does not switch off automatically after a certain time. It will
be switched on as long as the instrument is switched-off manually.
5, switching off the instrument manually and activate the Auto-Switch-
OFF function.
Before you start
The instrument is switched off.
Procedure
1. Press the button [OK] while pressing the button [ESC]. The instrument
switched on.
2. Release the button [ESC] not until the last measurement value appears
in the displays.
The instrument is ready for measurements.

6 Operator‘s Manual for instrument types MP0R
Measurement
3 Measurement
Before you start
Switch the instrument ON by pressing the key [OK] .
For instrument models MP0R only: Remove the orange protective cap
from the probe.
Procedure
1. Place the instrument/probe on the specimen and wait until the acoustic
signal sounds and the signal LED illuminates. The measurement will
be displayed.
2. Lift the instrument/probe off the specimen before making the next mea-
surement. Minimum distance 25 mm.
Measuring with instrument models MP0R
Handling the probe of the instrument models MP0R-FP
Coated specimen
Measurement capture
Measurement capture
Coated specimen

Operator‘s Manual for instrument types MP0R 7
Measurement
30, Selecting the measuring mode 
20, Setting specification limits and an offset value
3.1 Measurement accept
The measurement accept are signaled optical and acoustic. All signals are
listed in the following tables. The set measuring mode will display tempo-
rary after switching on the instrument.
- Measuring mode active
Please Note!
There are no verified instruments available for measuring the coating thick-
ness, as is the case, for example, for weight measurements with balances.
Rather, the measurement results for the coating thickness are influenced by
the materials and the shape of the specimen. However, these individual
influences can taken into account using appropriate calibrations. 10,
"Influencing Variables Taken into Consideration".
Signal LED /
Display Acoustic Signals Meaning
green / 
reading 1 short signal •Measurement accept.
•Limit monitoring enabled: Reading is
between the specification limit values.
red / 2 short signals Reading has violated the upper specifi-
cation limit.
red / 2 short signals Reading has violated the lower specifi-
cation limit.

8 Operator‘s Manual for instrument types MP0R
Measurement
- Measuring mode active
- Measuring mode active
Signal LED /
Display Acoustic Signals Meaning
green / 
reading 1 short signal •Measurement accept.
•Limit monitoring enabled: Reading is
above the set specification limit value.
red / 2 short signals Reading has violated the specification
limit. The captured reading is < 90 % of
the set specification limit value.
Signal LED /
Display Acoustic Signals Meaning
green / 
reading 1 short signal •Measurement accept.
•Limit monitoring enabled: Reading is
between the specification limit values.
red / 2 short signals Reading has violated the upper set
specification limit. The captured read-
ing is > 120 % of the set upper specifi-
cation limit value.
red / 2 short signals Reading has violated the lower set
specification limit. The captured read-
ing is < 80 % of the lower set specifica-
tion limit value.

Operator‘s Manual for instrument types MP0R 9
Measurement
3.2 Scroll through the single readings
Display single readings in the instrument data memory.
Before you start
Instrument is switched on.
Procedure
1. Press the [ESC] button for about 2 second for calling the scroll mode.
The number of all single readings stored in the memory will display
temporary.
2. Use the arrow keys []and []to scroll through the readings.
An arrow in the displays show the direction to find the next single rea-
ding.
Display : Use the key []to scroll backward. Scrolls to the newest
readings.
Display : Use the key []to scroll forward. Scrolls to the oldest read-
ings.
Display - - - - : end of the list.
Leave the scroll mode
Press the button [ESC] or [OK] or do further measurements.

10 Operator‘s Manual for instrument types MP0R
Influencing Variables Taken into Consideration
4 Influencing Variables Taken into Consider-
ation
Main variables influencing the coating thickness measurement:
•Physical properties of the specimen substrate material such as the elec-
trical conductivity or the permeability.
•The geometric design of the specimen such as the thickness of the sub-
strate material or a cylindrical shape.
•The position of the measurement spot on the specimen: distance to the
edge, hole, offset or step.
•Surface roughness.
For correct measurements of the coating thickness, the instrument andthe
probe, together referred to as the measurement system, must “become
familiar” with the specimen (part). This is done using a calibration. The
influencing parameters are captured using a reference part and can then
be compensated in future measurements. The calibration is preformed for
the respective open Application.
4.1 Kinds of calibration
In calibration, we distinguish between normalization and corrective calibra-
tion.
Normalization
The Normalization is the simplest kind of calibration and is used for
adapting the measurement system to a reference point. These are the
base materials (magnetizable or non-magnetizable and electrically
conducting depending on the used test method).Measurements are made
on a reference part that corresponds in material and shape to the actual
part to be measured. It consists only of the base material, i.e., without the
coating material to be measured.

Operator‘s Manual for instrument types MP0R 11
Influencing Variables Taken into Consideration
Corrective Calibration
If the trueness is not met when making measurements on customer refer-
ence parts (customer standards), a Corrective Calibration should be
performed. The Corrective Calibration adjust the measurement system to
the properties of the specimen. The Corrective Calibration not only adjusts
the system to the substrate material but also to 1 coating thickness value
by using so-called calibration foil or standard.
4.2 Calibration - General Notes to Observe
•Care should be taken during the calibration to ensure that the measure-
ment location on the reference part is approximately at the same position
where it will be on the part to be measured (curvature, distance to edge,
hole, offset and step).
•In general, the material properties (permeability) of the specimen will dif-
fer significantly from those taken into account in the factory pre-calibra-
tion. It is, therefore, essential to perform the normalization or corrective
calibration, respectively, using uncoated reference parts (specimens)
from your own production!
Please Note!
Perform the calibration carefully! It determines the accuracy for the subse-
quent measurements. - Measurements can never be more accurate than the
calibration!

12 Operator‘s Manual for instrument types MP0R
Influencing Variables Taken into Consideration
4.3 Normalization
When necessary
When the readings during a test measurement on a reference part are no
longer acceptable. Test measurements should be carried out for a
measuring application when it has not been used for a while.
Required Materials
Base = part made from substrate material. In geometry and substrate
material, this specimen should correspond exactly to the parts to be
measured. If
•Fe displayed: Utilizes the magnetic induction measuring method.
Base = ferromagnetic reference part without the coating to be measured
from customer's own production.
•NFe displayed: Utilizes the eddy current measuring method.
Base = non-magnetic reference part without the coating to be measured
from customer's own production.
Before you start
Instrument must be turned ON by pressing the key [OK].
For MP0R instrument models: Remove the orange protective cap from
the probe.
Please Note!
Do not use the supplied metal sheet (NF/FE or ISO/NF) for base!!!
As a rule, the material properties will not correspond to the uncoated
specimen from customer‘s own production! Use it only for instrument check!

Operator‘s Manual for instrument types MP0R 13
Influencing Variables Taken into Consideration
Normalization procedure
1. Open the normalization menu: Set the display menu with [ ] or [ ] to
show .
2. Press button [OK]. The message "Base" (for substrate material) ap-
pears.
3. Perform 5 to 10 measurements on the uncoated reference part (=
Base, specimen without the coating). After each measurement, the
current reading will appear on the display.
4. Press button [OK]. The reading 0.00 appears on the display.
The reference point received from the normalization will be stored in
the instrument as zero point.
The instrument is ready to make measurements.
Please Note!
All readings in the memory will be deleted when performing a normalization.
Please Note!
The menu „Normalization“ can be locked to protect the instrument from unin-
tended interventions. Procedure 31 and 33.
Please Note!
If you want to delete wrong readings, press button [ESC]. Then, the
complete data memory will be deleted, but the normalization routine will not
be interrupted. After that, perform five more measurements and go on with
step 4.
Please Note!
Only for DUALSCOPE®instrument types: If you want to measure on both
substrate materials a normalization procedure must be carried out for each
substrate material (Fe and NFe).
O

14 Operator‘s Manual for instrument types MP0R
Influencing Variables Taken into Consideration
4.4 Corrective Calibration
When necessary
•If the trueness is not met when making measurements on customer refer-
ence parts (customer standards), a Corrective Calibration should be per-
formed.
•When normalization is not sufficient to compensate for the influence.
Required Materials
Base = part made from substrate material. In geometry and substrate
material, this specimen should correspond exactly to the parts to be
measured. If
•For instrument types PERMASCOPE®and DUALSCOPE®,
Fe displayed: Utilizes the magnetic induction measuring method.
Base = ferromagnetic reference part without the coating to be measured
from customer's own production.
•For instrument types ISOSCOPE®and DUALSCOPE®,
NFe displayed: Utilizes the eddy current measuring method.
Base = non-magnetic reference part without the coating to be measured
from customer's own production.
Standard = Calibration foil supplied with the instrument for the
entire range. On the foil, the measurement area is marked with a circle.
Please Note!
Do not use the supplied metal sheet (NF/FE or ISO/NF) for base!!!
As a rule, the material properties will not correspond to the uncoated
specimen from customer‘s own production! Use it only for instrument check!

Operator‘s Manual for instrument types MP0R 15
Influencing Variables Taken into Consideration
Before you start
Instrument must be turned ON by pressing the key [OK].
For MP0R instrument models only: Remove the orange protective cap
from the probe.
Corrective Calibration procedure
1. Open the calibration menu: Set the display menu with []or []to
show .
2. Press button [OK]. The message "Base" (for “substrate (base) materi-
al”) appears.
3. Perform 5 to 10 measurements on the uncoated reference part (=
Base, specimen without the coating). After each measurement, the
current reading will appear on the displays.
4. Press button [OK]. The value "0.00" and "STD1" (for calibration foil)
appears. The reference point received from the normalization (step #3)
will now be stored in the instrument as zero point.
5. Place the calibration foil on the uncoated specimen.
Please Note!
All readings in the memory will be deleted when performing a corrective cali-
bration.
Please Note!
The menu „Calibration“ can be locked to protect the instrument from unin-
tended interventions. Procedure 31 and 33.
CAL
Calibration foil
The circle on the calibration
foil must be on the marked
measurement area of the
un-coated reference part.
Foil thickness,
nominal value
Guaranteed error
limit
Order no. of the
calibration foil
Uncoated speci-