Katanax FLUXPENSER XFP-01 User manual

Automatic flux dispenser
FLUXPENSER®
XFP-01

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Thank you for having chosen the XFP-01 flux dispenser from Katanax. To enjoy
years of reliable, efficient and safe use of this time-saving instrument, please read
this manual thoroughly and keep it in a safe and handy place for future reference.
Should you have any question regarding the use, maintenance or repair of your
instrument, kindly contact Katanax directly for assistance (see page 28 for contact
details).
© November 2020, Katanax inc. All rights reserved.

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Index
Index ...............................................................................................2
Installation......................................................................................4
Box contents............................................................................................ 4
Location................................................................................................... 4
Leveling ................................................................................................... 4
Connection............................................................................................... 4
Parts nomenclature .................................................................................. 5
Assembly instructions............................................................................... 7
Questions ?............................................................................................ 11
Precautions ...................................................................................12
Introduction..................................................................................13
Flux weighing basics............................................................................... 13
Automatic dispensers ............................................................................. 13
The XFP-01 ............................................................................................ 14
Main features of the Katanax XFP-01....................................................... 15
How the unit works ......................................................................16
Dispensing modes .................................................................................. 16
Using the XFP-01 (basic) .............................................................17
The main running screen ........................................................................ 17
Amount of flux and sample to use........................................................... 17
Installing the crucible.............................................................................. 18
Dispensing the flux................................................................................. 18
Manual mixing........................................................................................ 20
A complete dispensing procedure ............................................................ 21
Advanced parameters ..................................................................22
Accessing the “hidden” advanced parameters.......................................... 22
Buzzer ................................................................................................... 24
Display contrast ..................................................................................... 24
Balance selection.................................................................................... 24
Tolerance............................................................................................... 24
Build version .......................................................................................... 24
Serial parameters................................................................................... 24
Service operations ........................................................................25
Balance communication test ................................................................... 25
Stepper motor test ................................................................................. 25
Technical specifications................................................................26
Electrical ................................................................................................ 26
Physical ................................................................................................. 26

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Warranty .......................................................................................27
Contacting Katanax ......................................................................28

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Installation
Congratulations on your acquisition of the XFP-01 flux dispenser, from Katanax.
Please read the following section for proper commissioning of your instrument. Do
not hesitate to contact Katanax with any question you might have with this crucial
step.
Box contents
The instrument comes with its essential accessories. In addition to optional items
you might have ordered, the box should contain:
Controller module
Dispenser module
Analytical balance with weighing plate
Flux hopper
Communication cable
Power supplies (two: one for scale, one for controller)
Rubber mat
This instruction manual
Location
The counter on which the instrument is to be used must be very stable, in order to
obtain fast and accurate weight measurements. In some industrial environments,
installing the unit on a vibration-dampening table may be necessary.
It is recommended to use the instrument from a standing position, and adjust
table height accordingly.
Leveling
In order to obtain good results, the balance must be manually levelled. Refer to
the balance instructions for this operation.
Connection
The power supplies of the XFP-01 accept 100-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz connections.

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Parts
nomenclature
Base:
Head compartment:
Head compartment post:

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Base post:
Weighing post:
Spill plate:

7
Crucible holder:
Assembly
instructions
To assemble the XFP-01, follow these steps:
1. Screw the Base post into the Base.

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2. Screw the Head compartment post in the Head compartment.
3. Thread the Head compartment cable into the Base post and Base.
4. Adjust the height
5. Install this assembly on the provided rubber mat, on a stable, vibration-
free table.

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6. Locate and identify the connectors at the back of the control unit:
7. Connect the mechanical head compartment cable (5-conductor) into
connector A.
8. Connect the balance connection cable (6-conductor) into connector B.
9. Connect the power supply into connector D.
10. Follow the scale manufacturer’s instructions to assemble the analytical
balance.
A
B
C
D

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11. On the scale weighing sensor, carefully lay the weighing post:
12. Then place the spill plate:
13. And finally the crucible holder :

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14. Your setup should now look like this:
15. Flip the switch C to turn the unit on.
Questions ?
Should you have any question regarding the proper installation and start-up of
your instrument, please contact Katanax directly (see information on page 28) for
assistance.

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Precautions
Risk of slipping
Some flux types are made up of spherical micro-beads, which are very slippery
when spilled on a floor. Promptly clean up any flux spill to prevent hazardous
situations.
Original accessories
For your safety, use only the original power supply and Katanax-approved
peripherals to this equipment.

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Introduction
This section intends to introduce the reader to basic dispensing techniques and to
familiarize him or her to the XFP-01.
Flux weighing
basics
When preparing samples for XRF by fusion, the spectrometer will measure the
concentration of the sample atomic components in the flux matrix. This means
that the matrix itself must be accurately known and prepared.
This assumption means that there are two methods to dispense the sample and
flux: an “absolute” (fixed weights) method and a “relative” (ratio) method.
In the absolute method, both the sample and the flux are dispensed in pre-
established amounts, e.g. 7.0000g flux and 0.2000g sample. This is the traditional
method, when both the sample and the flux are weighed by hand.
In the ratio method, the sample is weighed first, and then the flux is added in an
accurate proportion. In the previous example, the ratio is 7:0.2. If the amount of
sample was actually, say, 6.9303g then the amount of flux should be 0.1980g to
maintain the desired ratio. As long as the ratio is maintained, there will be no
analytical difference, but that requires manual calculations, unless an automatic
dispenser is used.
Automatic
dispensers
Because of the risk of human errors, and to increase productivity, many
laboratories are now adopting automated flux dispensers as the standard
equipment to weigh the fusion flux.
Furthermore, while the XFP-01 does not dispense the sample, it can dispense the
flux as a function of the sample amount, which does not need to be accurate as
the dispenser will ensure that the desired ration is maintained.

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The XFP-01
General view
Enter the XFP-01, the flux weighing machine that combines the accuracy of an
analytical balance with the convenience of an automatic dispensing system.
The LCD screen and keypad
Upon turning the instrument on, the system will boot up and be ready to accept
commands from the user.
A –Cancel/ Move to the left
B –Move up
C –Move down
D –Enter / Move to the right
LCD screen
Keypad

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Setting the communication parameters
Select the right model according to the connected balance.
To allow connection and data exchange, please make sure the settings below are
used in the scale:
Baud Rate: 2400
Data Bits: 8 bits
Parity: No Parity
Stop Bit: 1 Stop Bit
Handshake: No Handshake
If the scale was provided with the flux dispenser, these parameters have been
adjusted in factory. Otherwise, your balance must be pre-registered in the
Balance Menu.
Main features of
the Katanax
XFP-01
Accuracy
Real-time weight display
Safety
No strain on workers due to keeping the same position
Versatility
Weight or ratio modes
Fully customizable weight
Productivity
Automatic operation
Durability
Sturdy industrial-grade modular electronics
Industrial interface
Dedicated PLC-based programming (not Windows®dependent)
Low-maintenance
Simplicity
Easy installation, easy use
Intuitive keypad with LCD screen
Easy navigation
Multilingual interface
Easy component access
1-year limited warranty

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How the unit works
Dispensing
modes
This instrument offers two (2) very different operation modes. The choice of the
mode will depend on internal laboratory procedures, as well as on the type of
intended analysis.
Fixed-weight mode
When preparing a sample for fusion, the laboratory protocols often call for a fixed
amount of sample, to be mixed with a fixed amount of flux. (That will in fact
always be the case when preparing for analysis in a liquid solution, e.g. for ICP.)
This instrument can be set to deliver accurate fixed amounts of flux. Every time
the user will activate the dispensing, the same weight will be dispensed in the
crucible.
Ratio mode
When preparing a sample for fusion with a view to analyze the results by XRF (X-
ray fluorescence), the analytical instrument will measure the concentration of the
elements present in the flux-and-sample mix.
So, of the sample has been dispensed and weighed first, the weight can be
recorded internally and then automatically multiplied by a ratio, to obtain the
same sample/flux ratio at every dispensing.
Example: with a sample/flux ratio set at 1/8
If the amount of sample is 1 g, then the amount of flux will be 8 g.
If the amount of sample is 1.1g, then the amount of flux will be 8.8g.
As long as the ratio is the same , the XRF spectrometer will not “see” any
difference in the concentration of the sample.
This gives a tremendous advantage, as this allows the operator to weigh the
sample quickly and fairly approximately, while the unit takes care of adjusting the
ratio perfectly.

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Using the XFP-01
(basic)
The main
running screen
After turning the unit on, the following display will appear, allowing the user to
change parameters or start a dispensing.
Amount of flux
and sample to
use
Today’s market has seen a proliferation of various mold diameters. Consequently,
one must adapt the amount of flux and sample to obtain a full disk that will not
overflow out of the mold.

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Our recommendation is to measure the actual inner diameter on the bottom of
the mold and apply the following formula, to obtain the total mass of sample and
flux:
Total mass [g] =
(Mold diameter [mm])²
150
Thus, for a 32-mm inner diameter mold (recommended diameter), we obtain
32² / 150 = 6.827 g, which we can round up to 7 g.
This being said, there are also molds on the market that are very shallow (despite
the thickness of the metal they are made of). Those molds will require less flux to
fill correctly, but using the right amount of releasing agent and properly leveling
the mold are more critical.
Installing the
crucible
When the system prompts you to do so, place the crucible (or other suitable
weighing container) on the crucible holder under the flux chute, and close the
door.
Dispensing the
flux
Fixed-weight mode
This mode will dispense the flux based on the weight selected by the user
(“absolute” mode).
1. Using the Left/Right arrows, set the needed weight. (In our example, we are
using 8 g of flux)
Select mass:
008.0000 g ~
2. Then, press Enter. The following screen will appear:
Add the
container
3. Add the crucible or the container which will be used for the weighing.
4. Press Enter ; the weighing of the flux will start.
NOTE: In the case of a non-stable environment, a difficulty to tare could occur.
In that case, cancel the process and restart it.