Martin Lishman TuberLog Guide

TuberLog
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
and USER GUIDE
Version 1.1
Distributed worldwide by
Martin Lishman
Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone]
www.martinlishman.com
Manufactured
by
ESYS GmbH
www.esys.de

1
Introduction to TuberLog
TuberLog is a powerful quality control tool which assists in the drive towards high quality
bruise-free potato production. It identifies damage and bruise-causing areas in all types of
potato handling machinery from the harvester to the packing line.
TuberLog is an acceleration measurement device which records impact forces received
while moving with real potatoes during harvesting and processing and locates damage and
bruise-causing parts of machinery (including washers). It comprises a data logger
embedded in a synthetic shape designed to mimic the size, shape and density of a ware
potato.
The TuberLog data logger records impacts and temperature values during each
measurement. The data can be stored in the logger itself or transferred by USB connection
or Bluetooth to a PC or laptop where it can be stored and analysed using the software
supplied.
TuberLog is powered by a rechargeable battery which is charged by connecting to the
USB interface of a computer or with the USB charging kit supplied.
TuberLog should be used regularly so that bruising problems caused by poor machine
maintenance or incorrect settings can be detected quickly. Machine settings are often
changed, but the effects on bruising may not be realised. A quick check with TuberLog can
make sure. Different varieties or the same variety at different temperatures can bruise at
different impact levels. In conjunction with bruise testing TuberLog can help to ensure
bruise-free working and provide peace of mind that quality standards are being
maintained.
TuberLog will not indicate bruise levels in real potatoes and may not always discover all
the sources of damage and bruising in potato handling machinery. But with experience the
user can interpret information given by TuberLog which will go a long way towards
eliminating quality problems in potato production.
The TuberLogPLUS (PTR400) allows data to be viewed in real-time via Bluetooth interface
on Android tablet or smartphone.
MANUAL CONTENTS
Section A –TuberLog PTR300 PC Software 4
Section B –TuberLogPLUS PTR400 App for Android 18
Section C –TuberLogEXTRA PTR500 App for Android and Samsung Tablet 34
Maintenance, Warranty and Appendix 51

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IMPORTANT
If you have purchased the TuberLog (PTR300) with the PC
software, please follow the instructions in Section A, page 4.
If you have purchased the TuberLogPLUS (PTR400) with the Android
App, please follow the instructions in Section B, page 18.
If you have purchased the TuberLogEXTRA (PTR500), the Android
App will arrive pre-loaded on to your Samsung tablet. Please follow
the instructions in Section C, page 34.
This instruction manual is available in the following languages on the USB/memory
drive supplied:
Ce manuel est disponible dans les langues suivantes sur la Lecteur / mémoire USB
fourni:
Diese Bedienungsanleitung ist in folgenden Sprachen verfügbar auf der USB /
Speicherlaufwerk geliefert:
Este manual de instrucciones está disponible en los siguientes idiomas en la
Unidad USB / tarjeta de memoria suministrada:
English Deutsch Français Español

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Section A
TuberLog
PTR300
PC Software
A A

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Section A
TuberLog Instruction Manual Contents
A.1. Initial set-up 6
A.1.1 Equipment supplied
A.1.2 Install the software before connecting the data logger
A.1.3 Communication between the data logger and the computer
A.1.4 Charging the data logger battery
A.1.5 Software settings
A.2. Taking measurements 7
A.2.1 First steps
A.2.2 Data logger settings
A.2.3 Starting the data logger
A.2.4 Data deletion
A.2.5 Adding a timestamp to a measurement and repeating a measurement
A.2.6 Typical measurement procedure and interpretation of results
A.2.7 Examples of uses for TuberLog
A.3. Displaying TuberLog data 15
A.3.1 Selecting data for display
A.3.2 Viewing the data
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A.1. Initial set-up of TuberLog
A.1.1 Equipment supplied

Potato shape data logger including two sealing caps

USB Memory Stick containing this manual and the data logger software

USB connection and charging cable

Bluetooth USB adapter

USB charging kit (220V connector with alternative plugs, car adapter)
A.1.2 Install the software before connecting the data logger
Insert the USB Memory Stick into a USB port on the PC or laptop. A window should
automatically appear on the screen with several options. Click on Open folder to view
files using Windows Explorer. Click on the file PTR300 and then select PC Software.
Click on the file setup.exe and follow the installation instructions displayed for the software
and the USB driver installation. After installation of the software, you may find it useful to
create a shortcut on the PC desktop. Drag the TuberLog potato symbol directly onto your
desktop from the program list attached to the Start menu of your PC or laptop.
A.1.3 Communication between the data logger and the computer
The data logger can communicate with the PC to start measurements and download data
via a USB interface, using the connection cable supplied, or via a Bluetooth connection,
using either the built-in Bluetooth interface (present in most modern PC, laptop or
notebook computers) or the Bluetooth USB adapter supplied.
Connect the data logger to the PC using the USB cable. The first time the connection is
made the USB driver supplied will be installed automatically.
If Bluetooth functionality is already present this will be switched on automatically when the
data logger is connected using the USB cable. For existing or internal Bluetooth adapters,
the installed driver software must be able to support Microsoft Bluetooth Stack. If the
Bluetooth adapter is required it should be installed in a USB port. It will be installed
automatically with the Windows embedded drivers. The Bluetooth icon should appear in
the task tray. Right click on the icon and select Add device. A list of available Bluetooth-
enabled devices will appear. Select TuberLog and enter the pairing code (default: 1234)
so that the data logger is recognised.
A.1.4 Charging the data logger battery
The data logger operates using an inbuilt rechargeable battery which can be charged via
the USB interface of a computer using the connection cable or with the charging kit
supplied. Data that has been saved in the data logger is not lost when the battery is empty
but care should be taken that the battery has adequate charge for measurement and data
download. The charge level is indicated on the screen whenever the data logger is
selected for use (see A.2.1).
Battery life is determined by how the data logger is started. After fully charging the battery
it will last for about one month if the Vibration Sensor Mode in Bluetooth Settings (see
A.2.2) is set to Activation by Shake or Always Off. If the mode is set to Always On the
battery will last for about 4 days without use or about 10 hours if TuberLog is used
continuously.
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A.1.5 Software settings
The operating and download settings of the data logger are set by the user. If repeated
measurements are being made on the same machinery with the same potato variety in the
same growing season it is not likely that these settings will need to be changed very often.
The settings can only be changed once the data logger has been selected (see A.2.1).
A.2. Taking measurements with TuberLog
A.2.1 First steps
When the TuberLog software is started the following screen will appear:
Ensure that the data logger is connected to the computer by the USB cable or is able to
communicate over the Bluetooth interface. If you are using the Bluetooth interface, gently
knock the data logger on a hard surface or shake it in your hand. This process activates
the data logger by stimulating its vibration sensor.
Click the Select Logger button to display a list of all connected data loggers (USB and
Bluetooth). Their connection type is indicated by a standard USB or Bluetooth symbol on
the top left of the potato icon, as shown in the TuberLog listwindow below:
The rows are coloured using 3 different colours, depending on the communication status.
These have the following meanings:
The communication status between data logger and computer is unknown.
The last communication with the data logger was successful.
The last communication attempt was not successful.
Tuber-001
Tuber-001
Tuber-001
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Select a data logger from the list by double clicking on the name in the list or by
highlighting the name with a single click and then clicking Select in the bottom right corner
of the TuberLog list window.
After selecting a data logger from the list a window with the TuberLog number shown at
the top is displayed. The software then runs through a sequence of checks in which the
battery charge and data logger memory levels are checked and then displayed at the top
of the screen, as shown below:
A.2.2 Data logger settings
The data logger has a number of settings that can be viewed after it has been selected.
Click on Settings to enter the settings menu. Once they have been set up there should be
no need to change them for repeated measurements in the same situation. Several
settings have already been created using typical values. If required, the selected settings
can be saved to a folder in the computer and recalled later using Import and Export at the
bottom of the Settings window.
The setting options and explanations for each page are mostly self-explanatory. Tooltips
are shown when the cursor hovers over each category. The different setting pages are as
follows:
Set-up
Enables the display language to be selected
Bluetooth
Enables the Bluetooth settings to be changed. Setting the data logger to start by shaking
will use battery power in the most efficient way. Alternatively, the interface can be
permanently turned off or on.
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TuberLog
Enables the communication devices that are available to transmit data from TuberLog to
the computer. If both Bluetooth and USB are available they should both be selected.
TuberLog Data Settings
Impact Levels
oAllows pre-set impact level ranges to be selected for measurements. To improve the
accuracy of the calculation of the number and percentage of impacts in the selected
ranges, impacts outside these ranges can be excluded by removing the tick from the
relevant boxes and ticking the Data accuracy box.
oA user-defined Impact Level Range can also be created and named by following the
stages as below:
Click on Add. A line with an un-ticked box and New will appear. Left click on
New to highlight it. Default settings will appear in the fields below.
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Enter the values required and a colour that differs from the display colours
used for the other Impact Level Ranges. To save these settings, left click on
Apply. To select the new range tick its box, clear the ticks from the ranges
that are not needed and left click Apply again.
oTo delete an Impact Level Range, left click to highlight the name, left click Delete and
left click Apply.
Stored Data
oAllows the user to define the parameters of the data stored in the data logger and the
file location when downloaded for storage in the computer.
Measurement Settings
oThe Measurement duration is pre-set at 10 minutes, which would normally be
sufficient for testing a typical machine section, but can be changed to suit the
situation.
oSetting a lower Measurement threshold prevents a lot of small insignificant impacts
from being included in the recorded data.
oThe option to set Timestamps and Repeat Measurements in the same section of a
machine can be activated. See section A.2.5 for more details.
oTo ensure an accurate Timestamp, check the time setting of the computer and
correct it if necessary.
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A.2.3 Starting the data logger
When clicking on the Start button a window appears, as below, where the Measurement
duration and lower Impact Threshold (minimum of 10g) can be entered (this can also be
changed in Settings). A Measurement Name can also be entered at this stage. This can
be useful when testing different machines or sections of a machine.
After making any changes click Start in the bottom right corner of the window.
The remaining runtime of the measurement is displayed at the top of the window, as
below, which indicates that the measurement has started successfully.
The data logger can now be placed into the machine being tested. The use of the
sealing-cap is strongly recommended. This allows the unit to be used to measure
impacts in potato washers and other wet conditions. However, do not use the TuberLog in
conditions where high heat levels may exist, such as steam peelers.
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A.2.4 Data logger memory and data deletion
If the Start button in the main window is clicked at the same time as the CTRL-key the
Start Measurement window will enable the option to clear the data logger memory before
starting a new measurement. This is done by ticking the Delete data option before clicking
Start in the bottom right corner of the window. You will always be asked to confirm if you
want to delete the data before the measurement run begins. If CTRL+ Start is not clicked
in the main window the Delete data option is not enabled and remains grayed out.
Clicking CTRL+Start enables the option to Delete Data CTRL+Start was not clicked so there is no option to Delete Data
If the data logger memory is full the newest measurement values will automatically
overwrite the oldest entries. Impacts below the set threshold will not enter the memory, so
the time before the memory is filled can be extended by setting a higher threshold.
Measurements that must be kept for quality assurance purposes should always be
downloaded to a computer before the memory is full. The memory level is indicated at the
top of the screen every time the data logger is selected before starting a measurement.
If Automatic Data Deletion is ticked in Stored Data Settings the software will monitor the
data logger’s memory in relation to the two set limits (Max. storage limit (%) and Max.
measurement names) and warn you about the possibility of data deletion.
If one of the limits has been reached, Delete Data will automatically be ticked in the Start
Measurement window. You will not be able to untick this option unless space is created in
the memory. If you have not been saving your measurements to the computer so far
simply close the window and download them. To continue without saving any data, click
Start.
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A.2.5 Adding a timestamp to a measurement and repeating a measurement
After clicking on Start, two additional buttons will appear on the
bottom of the menu bar. These can be ignored or used as
follows:
Timestamp
Clicking this button during a measurement registers in the data
record the time at which it was pressed. This allows, for
example, the moment just before the data logger drops from
one conveyor to another, to be noted in the record. The
timestamps are visible in the graphical display of the
measurement results, so it is easy to see if there was a
significant impact when the data logger dropped.
Repeat Measurement
Clicking this button marks a new beginning of a run through a
machine without having to start the logger again. This can be
useful when investigating a specific part of a machine.
Repeating just the drop from, for example, one conveyor to
another can be used to check if a large impact occurs on every
drop or if it is only occasionally large. Each repeated run is
distinguished by colour in the graphical display of measured
values.
A.2.6 Typical measurement procedure and interpretation of results
An initial run through a machine will give an impression of where the problem areas are.
Each area can be dealt with in more detail by doing shorter measurement runs. The length
of run will often be determined by safe access to the machine, but it is best to concentrate
on individual sections, such as the drop from one web to another, and carry out repeat
measurements in each section.
Repeat measurements give an average figure for an impact at a particular point. This can
be compared to bruise test results from real potatoes passing through the same section of
the machine. This relationship indicates how TuberLog impact levels correspond to
bruising levels in real potatoes. Making this comparison in a number of different situations
will provide the experience necessary to interpret the results from machines very quickly. It
will become possible to know, for example, whether a particular variety can safely be
passed through a machine with a known low level of sources of bruising. Experience may
have shown that such a variety only starts bruising at a level corresponding to 150g in
TuberLog, whereas TuberLog may only have recorded impacts up to 50g.
The initial measurement run can immediately highlight major sources of bruising. Very high
readings obviously indicate high levels of bruising in all varieties and in all conditions. In
such situations no comparison with bruise test results is really necessary - the source of
bruising must be removed before more potatoes pass through the machine. TuberLog can
then be passed through the machine again to check that the major problem has been
eliminated and to continue the search for more problem areas.
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As a guide to the levels of impact that can be generated from a specific drop onto a
specific surface, some tests have been carried out using TuberLog, with the following
results:
Fall from a height of onto PVC surface onto steel surface
10cm ~ 55g ~ 175g
25cm ~ 155g ~ 275g
50cm ~ 285g ~ 330g
A.2.7 Examples of uses for TuberLog
The primary use for TuberLog is reducing damage and bruising in potato handling
machinery. As such, potato growers, producers and processors can clearly benefit from
using the device. Other related uses for different groups involved in potato production
might include the following:
Agronomists and Crop Consultants could use TuberLog to:
•Advise on ideal machine settings for bruise-free production
•Investigate the reasons for product damage by impact forces in machinery
•Carry out objective comparisons of production facilities
•Provide documentary evidence for adherence to quality control procedures
Manufacturers of harvesting and post-harvesting machinery could:
•Document the impact levels for use in the sale of their new and used machines
•Demonstrate the quality levels of potatoes passing through their machines
•Improve their machine design by identifying high impact levels
•Assist users to set-up their machines to avoid high impact levels
Research and development technicians could use TuberLog to:
•Investigate technical handling approaches that minimise impact levels on potatoes
•Determine thresholds for the risk of damage to potatoes due to impact force
•Investigate different materials that would reduce the risk of damage to potatoes
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A.3. Displaying TuberLog data
A.3.1 Selecting data for display
To display measurements from the data logger while a measurement run is still in
progress, click on the Abort button which is visible during a measurement.
Click the Download button to open a new window showing the list of measurement runs
and their recording date that are stored in the data logger. Click on the measurement you
wish to view and then click Select in the bottom right corner of the window.
The data will be displayed more quickly via the USB interface than the wireless Bluetooth
interface.
If the option to Save TuberLog Data has been ticked under Settings/Stored Data, the
measurement run will be saved as a file in the Loggerdata folder that was set up during the
software installation. The filename is formatted as:
TuberLog serial number [Date and time of measurement][Measurement name].xml
Click Open Data to display the measurement runs which have already been saved to the
Loggerdata folder (see below). Highlight the file to be viewed and click Open.
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A.3.2 Viewing the data
To change the data display of the measurement run that has been selected, click on Data
View. There is a choice of 3 ways to view the data. Click Data View again to change
between them.
A.3.2.1 Data table of the impacts during a measurement
Transferring Data to Microsoft Excel
To transfer data from the TuberLog software to Microsoft Excel, select a record in the table
by left clicking in the grey column to the left of the impact row. The whole row will then be
highlighted. To copy the data, hold down the Ctrl key and press the Ckey on your
keyboard, then release the Ckey first and the Ctrl key afterwards. The impact record is
now copied. To paste the data in to Microsoft Excel, open a new spreadsheet and left click
in to a cell so the curser is flashing in the cell. Hold down the Ctrl key and press the Vkey
on your keyboard. The data should now be pasted in to the spreadsheet. To select a
sequence of records or several non-sequential records, hold down Ctrl and left click in the
empty box parallel to the number of impact and copy and paste as instructed above.
A.3.2.2 Data graph of the impacts during a measurement
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In the example a series of repeat measurement runs (blue and yellow) with two time
stamps (1, 2) is shown. The horizontal green line is the temperature recorded by the data
logger.
There are buttons above the graph for zooming in and out and for
resetting to the original state. It is also possible to reduce the time
period displayed by drawing a rectangle onto the graph while holding
down the left mouse key.
Right click on the graph to open a menu with further adjustable
settings for visual display and printout.
The result can be saved to the clipboard (Copy) or as an image file.
This can be useful for report generation.
A.3.2.3 Data graph of the percentage distribution of the impacts from a measurement
In addition to the percentage distribution, this graph also shows the number recorded in
each group of impact levels. If the Data accuracy option is ticked in TuberLog Data
Settings/Impact levels, only the records which fit into the preset groups of impact levels will
be included in the percentage calculation. This graph type can be manipulated, printed and
saved in the same ways as in A.3.2.2 above.
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Section B
TuberLogPLUS
PTR400
App for Android
B B

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Section B
TuberLogPLUS Instruction Manual Contents
B.1. Initial set-up
Using the TuberLog with an Android device
B.1.1. IMPORTANT: Before using the TuberLogPLUS Android App on your
Android device, you must first install the PC software on your PC or
laptop and then connect the data logger to the computer. 20
B.1.2. Before installing the TuberLogPLUS Android App 24
B.1.3. Installing the TuberLogPLUS Android App 25
B.1.4. Communication between TuberLogPLUS and Android device 26
B.1.5. TuberLogPLUS screen settings 27
B.2. Using the TuberLogPLUS Android App
B.2.1. Open the App 28
B.2.2. Select the data logger 28
B.2.3. Start the data logger 29
B.2.4. Place the data logger in the machine to be tested 29
B.2.5. Display TuberLog data 30
B.2.6. Change the data display 31
B.2.7. Export of data to the PC 32
B B