Mag-ic Probe BLE User manual

Some users prefer to use a rice paper or other thin protective paper. You can also calibrate MAG-ic probe with
the rice paper inserted between the magnet and the probe. In this way the zero (0.00) value would include the
paper thickness and all measurements must be performed with the paper included.
You can also use the OFFSET function in the MAG-ic Probe Software to compensate for a thicker protective
cloth if required
MAG-ic Probe BLE is the newest variation of the MAG-ic Probe product
line. All electronics are housed inside the handheld probe.
The device features -
ŸAll-in-one construction - less wear & tear
Ÿa USB connection for connection to a computer for use with the
MAG-ic Probe Software or to USB Battery for mobile use.
ŸMAG-ic Probe BLE features Bluetooth Low Energy (Bluetooth LE) to
display measurements on iPhones, Android Phones or Apple and
Android Tablets. Note: BLE is not the same as Classic Bluetooth.
Your device must support Bluetooth 4.0, also known as Bluetooth
Smart or BLE. Only IOS or Android is supported.
MAG-ic Probe BLE is supplied with -
ŸUSB Cable
ŸUSB Battery Pack
Ÿ1/2” Sphere Magnet
Ÿ1/4” Cylinder Magnet
MAG-ic Probe can measure 0-600mil (0-15mm) using the 1/2” Sphere
and 0-420mil (0-10mm) using the 1/4” Cylinder. The cylinder is used
when access is restricted for example in violins and violas. Where
possible, use the 1/2” Sphere.
MAG-ic Probe Device Overview
USB
Connector
Disclaimer:
Electronic Thickness Gauge
BLE
WARNING !! - This device uses extremely strong NEODYMIUM magnets. These magnets can cause injury or
damage if misused. KEEP AWAY FROM CHILDREN!!. DO NOT OPEN or USE if you have a pacemaker or
other medical condition that may be affected by magnetic fields. The strong magnetic fields can erase computer
hard drives, magnetic access and credit cards, Use at your own RISK.
MAG-ic Tech or its owners neither assumes nor accepts any liability for damages resulting from the handling or
use of this equipment. With your purchase, the buyer agrees that he/she is responsible for all damages and
injuries caused by the use of this product , which include personal injuries , property damages and any other
damage whatsoever. The buyer must agree with the terms before using the product.
Pay special attention when using this device to measure finished instruments. The probe tip is fabricated from
Delrin and may scratch or leave marks on finished surfaces.
DO NOT DRAG THE PROBE TIP OVER FINISHED SURFACES!! To avoid scratches and marks, you should
slightly lift the probe before moving it. A good method is to lift the tip and place a piece of soft cloth under before
moving and removing the cloth at the new measuring location.

ŸIMPORTANT! - MAG-ic Probe BLE is used with a computer running MAG-ic Probe software. -
Previously, MAG-ic Probe was also able to connect via Bluetooth to a 3rd party App called Simblee for
mobile.. This App is no longer available.
ŸMAG-ic Probe BLE starts initially by waiting 10 Seconds for stabilization.
ŸAfter the initial stabilization phase, MAG-ic Probe starts a calibration routine. This is very important for the
accurate operation of the device. Please follow the directions carefully.
MAG-ic Probe Software
MAG-ic Probe BLE uses a sophisticated companion software that provide many useful features that allow you to
measure, document and visualize the object you are measuring.
There are 2 versions of the software available for download on the website. www.magicprobe.net
MAG-ic Probe Lite allows you to upload a photo or drawing of the object to the computer and plot all your
measurements directly to the picture. This can then be printed or saved for future reference and comparison.
MAG-ic Probe PRO software will allow you to take this a step further and actually produce a color contour map
of the surface you measured. This is a unique way to visualize the surface contour and ideal to compare different
instruments. Many use this feature to document the progress of an instrument as the surface goes through
stages of fabrication.
Ÿ
Operating Instructions
MAG-ic Probe PRO
MAG-ic Probe Lite MAG-ic Probe Pro

USB Serial Connection
MAG-ic Probe BLE uses a common USB driver to communicate with your computer. This
driver should be automatically installed by most Operating Systems.
This will list the Serial Ports currently
installed on your PC. Look for the
USB Serial Port (COM #) and note
the port number. If you double-click
this line, you should see a similar
properties window to the far-right
window.
If your computer does not automatically install the driver, you will need to install the driver
manually. In that case, please disconnect the MAG-ic Probe from your computer.
Navigate to http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm and download the VCP Drivers for
your operating system. It is best to use the Setup Executable from that page. There are also
installation guides available from that page to assist you with proper installation and diagnosing
problems.
Install the driver package as per the instructions on the FTDI Website. Once the drivers are
successfully installed, Connect the MAG-ic Probe BLE to your computer USB port and you
should hear the computer beep and proceed as above.
Once you have the correct COM Port # you can proceed to open the MAG-ic Probe Software
you downloaded from the previous section.
In the software, select Port Selection & Re-Calibration from the Top Bar and select Serial
Port.
Select or Type in the Com Port # from above and click OK. If successful, the green “Comms”
light in the top-right should light us and the calibration messages should start appearing in the
When first connecting MAG-ic Probe BLE to your computer, play
close attention to the monitor. You may hear a Windows Sound and
possibly a window similar to the one on the right. If it says the driver
is successfully installed, record the ComPort # as this is the number
you will need in the MAG-ic Probe Software.
Other wise Open the Control Panel and click on Device Manager.
In the Device Manager, click on the small triangle next to PORTS
(COM & LPT).

MAC Serial Connection
/dev/cu.usbserial-6AD4BE
Please Note - The MAC software is provided for use but is no longer supported as Apple have made
changes to the way Serial Port drivers are used which has given rise to many issues especially with later
model Macbooks using Mavericks and later OS. The USB Drivers required and be found at
http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm and a troubleshooting document can be found at
http://www.ftdichip.com/Support/Documents/AppNotes/AN_134_FTDI_Drivers_Installation_Guide_for_MAC_O
SX.pdf
Previous to the Mavericks release, USB drivers worked well. If you have difficulty installing the drivers, Please
consult the above document or use a Windows Platform.
The below is provided for some basic assistance
MAC OSX does not easily list the available serioal ports to the user or applications in the way that
Windows does. One method to find the Serial Port number is to use the TERMINAL application.
If the device is installed properly, you will see entries in the /dev directory:
/dev/cu.usbserial-xxxxxxxx
/dev/tty.usbserial-xxxxxxxx
where xxxxxxxx isa serial number of some kind. /dev can be accessed through the Terminal
application. The Terminal application can be launched
by selecting Go > Applications > Utilities > Terminal. Type the following lines in the Terminal
window to produce the file list:
cd /dev
ls-l
If in the list, you find usbSerial ports similar to the format above, please note or copy the entire string
for example /dev/cu.usbserial-6AD4BE
In the MAG-ic Probe Software, click on Port Selection and Recalibration and select Serial Port.
Select or type the entire line from above. If successful, the green light in the top right should light up
and the calibration messages will appear in the center of the screen.

Calibration - a Word about understanding magnetics
MAG-ic Probe uses magnets and magnetic sensors to measure the thickness of any non-ferrous
materials. This technique is very effective because magnetic fields can penetrate these materials with
no attenuation or deformation.
However, as with most technologies, some tolerance and knowledge is required for achieving the best
results.
ŸMagnetic fields generated by permanent magnets are very strong at the magnet surface, but
deteriorate very rapidly in a non-linear manner as the distance increases.
ŸMagnetic fields vary with temperature, even fractions of a degree will have an effect.
ŸMagnetic sensors also vary their output with temperature and suffer from internal fluctuations.
ŸFriction of the magnet on the material surface may cause it to not be centered on the probe tip
when moving the probe across the measured object.
ŸDust and surface anomalies may cause the probe to be off perpendicular with regards to the
external magnet.
ŸMagnetic fields are affected by metallic objects and even the Earths magnetic field can influence
your measurements.
Considering the above, and following the usage recommendations will enable you to get the most out
of your MAG-ic Probe. MAG-ic Probe is supplied with 2 magnets. The ½” ball provides the strongest
magnetic field and thus the highest resolution, and should always be your first choice. The smaller
magnet should only be used when access to the inside of a finished instrument is limited due to small
f-holes etc, for example violins and mandolins.
IMPORTANT - MAGNETS
MAG-ic Probe uses extremely strong Neodymium magnets. These magnets are brittle and can chip if
mishandled. Each MAG-ic Probe is carefully calibrated to the magnets supplied with it. a Large chip may affect
the accuracy of the device. The biggest cause of magnets chipping is when the 2 supplied magnets are allowed
to SNAP together or to steel objects. Please handle carefully. Best practice is to leave the magnets in the
storage case and when a magnets is required, hold the other magnet in place with 1 hand and use the tip of the
MAG-ic Probe to extract the required magnet from the storage case. Use the same method to replace the
magnet.
On startup, MAG-ic Probe provides a calibration sequence to detect the magnet size and to
compensate for small variations in field measurement tolerances like temperature and location.
This initial calibration is suitable for most quick measurements, for example when you are making a
few measurements during shaping or sanding and then re-measuring periodically. This basic
calibration can and should be repeated often if conditions change, by repeating the Initial Calibration
sequence below, OR when using USB and the MAG-ic Probe Software, by selecting the CALIBRATE
option.
For more prolonged measuring and contour mapping sessions, see the Advanced Calibration
section.

Initial Calibration Sequence
OPTION 1 - Connecting to Computer and using MAG-ic Probe Software
When initially connecting the MAG-ic Probe BLE to the computer USB port, the device will wait 10 seconds
for stabilization
ŸConnect one end of the USB Cable to the MAG-ic Probe BLE and the other end to the computer as
shown.
ŸIn the MAG-ic Probe software, Click on the Port Selection and Re-calibration Menu and select Serial
Port
ŸSelect or type the correct COM Port # and click OK. The Green light on the top-right of the monitor
should light and the calibration messages will appear in the middle of the screen.
ŸThe calibration sequence will pause for 10 seconds to allow for the pairing of a mobile device via
Bluetooth LE.
ŸThe ATTACH BALL message requires that one of the target magnets is attached to the end of the probe.
Select which magnet you wish to use and attach it to the end of the probe.
ŸThe probe will gather some data from the sensor and then display REMOVE BALL. Remove the magnet
from the end of the probe and keep the magnet at least 12 inches from the probe.
ŸAfter 5 seconds, the calibration is complete and the display will advise that either the BIG or SMALL
magnet was detected. Confirm this is the size you selected.
ŸThe display will prompt you to replace the magnet on the probe and the display should read 0.00mm.
ŸTest the operation by lifting the magnet slightly off the probe and the software should start to display
some measurement values.
ŸIf you should exceed the measurement range of the selected magnet, the device will display an “Out of
Range” message.
ŸYour MAG-ic Probe is now calibrated and ready for measurement.

ŸNOTE - It is not critical that the display should read absolute zero (0.00). However, in this case, repeat the
above procedure by removing and restoring power to start the calibration again. If after the second
calibration the device still does not display 0.00 but is close (1 - 3mil), continue with your normal
measurements.
Advanced Calibration
a More advanced calibration sequence is advised for prolonged measurement sessions. Temperature variation
is the biggest enemy of electronic measurement. Even the heat generated by a human hand will heat the
probe enough to affect your measurements. However, the maximum effect this would probably have on
measurements is in the order of 0.1mm - 0.2mm (4mil - 8mil). If this is important to you, please read on.......
When preparing for a more serious prolonged measuring session, such as mapping a complete top or plate
with many measurements, a two-step calibration sequence is advised. The goal of this 2-step process is to
only perform a calibration sequence, when the probe has reached peak operating temperature.
ŸPower the device ON either with Computer USB power or USB Battery power.
ŸHold the probe in your hand just as you would when doing measurements on your object. Your fingers will
transfer heat to the probe and after 3 - 5 minutes the probe internal temperature should be equal to your
finger temperature.
ŸNow perform the calibration sequence as before. This calibration should be performed with the probe
located above your instrument to be measured in order to closely approximate the final working condition.
ŸYour MAG-ic Probe is ready for use.
ŸIf temperature conditions change during the session or if you have to interrupt the session for a prolonged
period, repeat the above procedure.
Ÿ

Usage Tips
Specifications
Measuring range (Large Magnet) 1 - 600mil (0-15mm)
(0-10mm High Resolution)
(Small Magnet) 0 - 420 mil (10.6mm)
Resolution 1mil (decreasing after 10mm)
Battery Voltage USB 5VDC
Power Consumption 10mA - 50mA
Contact Info
We welcome any feedback and suggestions. If
you have any problems with your device please
contact us.
email -
Phone [phone]
[email protected]
Accuracy 3 mil - 0.1mm
MAG-ic Probe BLE is capable of measuring very small distances to 1/1000th inch. It should make sense then
that the probe should be absolutely square to the surface being measured and the opposing magnet. If the probe
is slightly tilted, the distance from the center of the probe to the target magnet will be slightly increased giving
rise to incorrect measurements.
In the MAG-ic Probe software, there is a HOLD function which can assist in ensuring that the current
measurement is the lowest measurement at the location. It is s good idea to use the HOLD function while making
small rocking motions at each measuring location to ensure the lowest measurement.
Please refer to the software tutorial video’s at http://www.magicprobe.net/mag-ic-probe-software-1/ for more
information.
Take care of the magnets, they are fragile and will shatter or splinter if allowed to SNAP together or to steel
objects.
Avoid major temperature changes after calibration. If for some reason there is a significant environmental
temperature change, re-calibrate the MAG-ic probe.
Depending on the thickness of the material being measured, it is possible the target magnet could “jump” over
reasonable obstacles like internal braces in guitars. This is not guaranteed and really depends on the size and
shape of the brace. You should know the internal pattern of braces and follow the easiest path for the magnet to
remain attached to the probe.