PCE Instruments PCE-RT 2300 User manual

© PCE Instruments
PCE-RT 2300 Roughness Tester
User Manual
User manuals in various languages (français,
italiano, español, português, nederlands, türk, polski,
русский, 中文) can be found by using our
product search on: www.pce-instruments.com
Last change: 3 November 2023
v1.2
English

© PCE Instruments
Contents
1Safety notes........................................................................................... 1
2Delivery contents ..................................................................................1
3Specifications........................................................................................2
3.1 Measurement ranges by parameter.................................................................................. 2
4Measuring principle ..............................................................................3
5Device description ................................................................................3
5.1 Display description........................................................................................................... 4
5.2 Key description................................................................................................................. 4
5.3 Hidden buttons on the touch screen................................................................................. 4
5.4 Recharging the battery..................................................................................................... 5
5.5 Connecting the sensor to the drive unit ............................................................................ 5
5.6 Connecting the drive unit to the main device .................................................................... 6
5.7 Removing the drive unit from the main device.................................................................. 7
5.8 Using the extension cable ................................................................................................ 7
6Measurement.........................................................................................8
6.1 On/off............................................................................................................................... 8
6.2 Preparing the meter.......................................................................................................... 8
6.3 Changing the language.................................................................................................... 8
6.4 Sensor position ................................................................................................................ 8
6.5 Starting a measurement................................................................................................... 8
6.6 Readings.......................................................................................................................... 9
6.7 Printing the readings ........................................................................................................ 9
6.8 Saving the measurement.................................................................................................. 9
7Menu.....................................................................................................10
7.1 System............................................................................................................................10
7.2 Setting the measuring parameters...................................................................................15
7.3 Recorded data.................................................................................................................15
7.4 Device information ..........................................................................................................16
7.5 Calibration and adjustment..............................................................................................16
7.6 Printer settings................................................................................................................17
7.7 Connection to a PC.........................................................................................................18

© PCE Instruments
7.8 Accessories.....................................................................................................................22
8General information about the sensor..............................................22
9General information about the meter................................................22
10 General information about the reference ......................................... 22
11 Troubleshooting..................................................................................23
12 Chart for recommended “cut-offs“ ................................................... 23
13 Contact.................................................................................................24
14 Disposal ...............................................................................................24

© PCE Instruments
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1 Safety notes
Please read this manual carefully and completely before you use the device for the first time. The
device may only be used by qualified personnel and repaired by PCE Instruments personnel.
Damage or injuries caused by non-observance of the manual are excluded from our liability and
not covered by our warranty.
•The device must only be used as described inthis instruction manual. If used otherwise,
this can cause dangerous situations for the user and damage to the meter.
•The instrument may only be used if the environmental conditions (temperature, relative
humidity, …) are within the ranges stated in the technical specifications. Do not expose
the device to extreme temperatures, direct sunlight, extreme humidity or moisture.
•Do not expose the device to shocks or strong vibrations.
•The case should only be opened by qualified PCE Instruments personnel.
•Never use the instrument when your hands are wet.
•You must not make any technical changes to the device.
•The appliance should only be cleaned with a damp cloth. Use only pH-neutral cleaner,
no abrasives or solvents.
•The device must only be used with accessories from PCE Instruments or equivalent.
•Before each use, inspect the case for visible damage. If any damage is visible, do not
use the device.
•Do not use the instrument in explosive atmospheres.
•The measurement range as stated in the specifications must not be exceeded under
any circumstances.
•Non-observance of the safety notes can cause damage to the device and injuries to
the user.
•Turn off the meter when not in use.
•Do not use the full measurement range.
•If the meter no longer works flawlessly, do not use it.
We do not assume liability for printing errors or any other mistakes in this manual.
We expressly point to our general guarantee terms which can be found in our general terms of
business.
2 Delivery contents
1 x Roughness tester PCE-RT 2300
1 x Microprobe
1 x Removable motorized sensor
2 x Connection cable for motor unit
1 x Charger
1 x Interface cable
1 x Transport case
1 x Manual

© PCE Instruments
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3 Specifications
Measuring range
320 μm
Accuracy
± 10%
Repeatability
± 7%
Resolution
± 20 μm: 0.01 μm
± 40 μm: 0.02 μm
± 80 μm: 0.04 μm
Measurement
Parameters
Ra, Rz, Rq, Rt, Rc, Rp, Rv, R3z, R3y, Rz (JIS), Ry, Rs, Rsk, Rku,
Rmax, Rsm, Rmr, RPc, Rk, Rpk, Rvk, Mr1, Mr2
Measurement
Standards
ISO4287, ANSI b46.1, DIN4768, JISb601
Graphic
Primary profile (roughness + waviness)
Roughness profile (roughness)
Loading curves
Measuring filter
RC, PC-RC, Gaus, DP
Measuring section
(Cut Off)
0.25 mm, 0.8 mm, 2.5 mm
Measuring length
1 ... 5* measuring path
Max. 17.5 mm (including pre- and post-run)
Sensor
Diamond probe tip 90°
5 μm
Contact force sensor
<4 mN
Feed rate
0.25 mm: 0.135 mm / s
0.8 mm: 0.5 mm / s
2.5 mm: 1 mm / s
Display
3.5" LCD screen
Power supply
3.7V Li-Ion Battery
5V / 800-mA USB Power Adapter
Operating time
50 h
Operating conditions
-20 ... 40°C / -4 ... 104°F, max. 90% RH
Storage conditions
-40 ... 60°C / -40 ... 140°F, max. 90% RH
Dimensions
Main unit: 158 x 55 x 52 mm / 6.2 x 2.2 x 2 in
Motor unit: 115 x 23 x 27 mm / 4.5 x 1 x 1.1 in
Weight
About 500 g / 1.1 lbs
3.1 Measurement ranges by parameter
Parameter
Measurement range
Ra
Rq
0.005 … 32 µm
Rz
R3z
Ry
Rt
Rp
Rm
0.02 … 320 µm
Sk
0 … 100 %
S
Sm
0.02 … 1000 µm
tp
0 … 100 %

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4 Measuring principle
If you wish to measure the roughness
of the surface, place the meter on the
surface to be measured. The meter
will move the sensor over the surface
to capture its structure. Through
displacement of the measuring
needle, an induction coil in the sensor
will be changed. The resulting analogue signal will directly be amplified. These amplified signals
will be collected by the meter and then filtered and converted by the DSP chip. The converted
readings can then be viewed on the LCD and processed.
5 Device description
Sensor
1. Diamond probe tip
2. Sensor tube
3. Sensor body
4. Sensor socket
Drive unit
1- Removable motor
2- Sensor
Main device
1. Touch screen
2. ESC/selection key
3. Start/on/off key
4. Enter/selection key

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5.1 Display description
1. Bluetooth active
2. Length assessment
3. Filter
4. Activity time
5. Start measurement
6. Sensor position
7. Status information
8. Sensor position range
9. 1st reading (Master)
10. 2nd reading (Slave)
11. Battery level indicator
12. Profile scale
13. Profile display area
14. Menu key
15. Save button
16. Print button
5.2 Key description
ESC/selection key: With this key, you can increase a value or select a different
function.
Back function: You can go back to the previous function by pressing this key.
Start/on/off key: Press and hold this key to switch the meter on/off.
Starting a measurement: To start a measurement, short-press the key.
Enter/selection key: With this key, you can decrease a vale or select a different
function.
Enter function: Press this key to confirm an entry.
5.3 Hidden buttons on the touch screen
There are three hidden buttons on the touch screen. They have the following functions:
Start measurement Profile zoom Display all measuring functions

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5.4 Recharging the battery
As soon as the display shows a flat battery icon, the battery is discharged and should be
recharged as soon as possible. To charge the meter, you can use the included charger or you
can charge it directly via your computer. If you want to use a different charger, it should fulfil the
following specifications:
Output: 5 V / 1000 mA
After connecting the charger, a charging animation will be displayed. The battery is fully charged
when the animation stops. Charging takes approx. 5 hours.
Important:
The battery is only charged if the ON/OFF switch is “ON“.
5.5 Connecting the sensor to the drive unit
Before connecting the sensor to the drive unit or removing it, make sure the meter is turned off.
1. Sensor
2. Motorised sensor bracket
3. Drive unit
To connect the sensor to the drive unit, hold the sensor body and move it into the drive unit as
described in the picture. To release the sensor, hold the sensor body tightly and pull it back out.
Important:
The sensor is the main part of the measuring system and needs special care. Do not touch the
probe tip. The sensor must only be used when it is installed in the meter. When no measurement
is made, place the sensor back in its packaging to avoid damage. If you want to use a new sensor,
the sensor must be adjusted to the meter.

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Fig. 1: Handling the sensor
Fig. 2: Sensor dimensions in mm
5.6 Connecting the drive unit to the main device
1. Insert the drive unit into the main device according to the picture until it is attached
firmly onto the pin on the inside.
2. Now push down the drive unit so that it can snap into place.
1
2

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5.7 Removing the drive unit from the main device
1. To remove the drive unit from the main device, first unsnap the drive unit.
2. Then lift the tip of the drive unit.
3. Pull out the drive unit.
5.8 Using the extension cable
When the drive unit is not connected to the
display, use the included extension cable as
shown in the picture.
1. Sensor
2. Drive unit
3. Extension cable
3
2
1
2
1
3

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Fig. 3:Sensor scale
6 Measurement
6.1 On/off
To power the meter on/off, press and hold the On/off key for two seconds. The meter will go
directly to measurement on when turned on.
6.2 Preparing the meter
Turn on the meter and check whether the battery voltage is sufficient. Then clean the surface of
your sample. Now place the meter firmly and evenly on the surface to be measured. The grooves
on the sample must be vertical to the probe.
Important:
To ensure themost accurateresults, makesure to exactly followall steps described in themanual.
6.3 Changing the language
To change the menu language, press and hold the Enter key for about 7 seconds. You can select
either Chinese or English.
6.4 Sensor position
In measurement mode,there is a scale on the left-hand side. The arrowshows the current sensor
position and should be as central as possible. The arrow can move within the scale without
affecting the measurement. If it is outside the scale, the measurement can be affected.
6.5 Starting a measurement
To start a measurement, press the “Start“ key or touch the scale on the left-hand side of the touch
screen. To interrupt the measurement, press the “ESC“ key. The measurement will be interrupted
and the sensor stops. To return the sensor to its normal position, restart the meter or start a new
measurement.

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6.6 Readings
To access all measuring functions involving a conversion, touch the part where the readings are
displayed (1). To zoom into the graphics, touch the graphics part (2) on the touch screen. 4
different zoom levels are possible: 1x, 2x, 4x and8x. You can start the measurement via the scale
(3).
6.7 Printing the readings
The meter can be connected to a serial printer via Bluetooth. When the printer is connected, you
can print the measuring data by pressing the button on the touch screen. In the menu “Print
Settings“, you can select the parameters of a measurement you wish to print.
6.8 Saving the measurement
To save the current reading, press the icon on the touch screen. You can save 100 groups
of raw data and profile data to this meter. The file name will be generated automatically from the
date and time. All saved readings can now be viewed via the “Record“ menu. The reading last
saved will always start with “001“. All other readings will be numbered consecutively.
2
1
Fig. 4: Complete readings displayed
3

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7 Menu
To enter the menu, press the button on the touch screen. You can leave the menu by
pressing “ESC“ or ”Return HomePage“.
7.1 System
The menu item “System“ has two pages. You can switch between them by pressing “System
Setting X/2“ on the touch screen.
Fig. 5: Main menu
Fig. 6: System setting page 1

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7.1.1 Display Master/Slave
Under “Master Display“ and “Slave Display“, you can select the measuring unit you wish to see
on the measuring display. Via “Master Display“, you can set the first tab and “Slave Display“ is
used to set the second tab.
7.1.2 BPS
Via BPS (Bits per second), you can set the baud rate for the Bluetooth connection with a terminal
device. Possible settings: 921.600, 230.400, 115.200 und 38.400 bps. The standard setting is
115.200 bps.
Fig. 7: System setting page 2
Fig. 8: Possible units of measurement

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7.1.3 Automatic Power Off
If this function is activated, the meter will turn off automatically after 10 minutes of inactivity. If this
function is disabled, the meter will operate continuously.
7.1.4 Bluetooth mode
There are two Bluetooth functions which can be set via the menu ”Bluetooth Mode“. If you want
to connect a printer to the meter, the “Print“ function must be used. If you wish to connect the
meter to an app, select the “Ctrl“ function. Before selecting one of these functions, disable the
device’s Bluetooth.
7.1.5 Enable/disable Bluetooth
Via the menu “Bluetooth Power“, you can enable or disable Bluetooth. When Bluetooth is
activated, the battery will discharge much more quickly. When you turn off the meter, the
Bluetooth connection will be discontinued automatically which means that you will have to enable
the Bluetooth function manually after a restart.
7.1.6 Touch screen
To adjust the touch screen, go to ”Touch Calib.“ in the menu. Now use a touch pen to touch the
crosses displayed in the corners as accurately as possible. You will re-enter the menu as soon
as the crosses have been touched.
Note: If it is not possible to get back to the menu due to incorrect adjustment, you can press and
hold the “ESC“ key for several seconds in measuring mode to adjust the touch screen.
7.1.7 Counting function Rpc
In the menu item “Rpc Details“ you can set the counting function of the meter. You can set the
minimum value to be counted as a peak. First choose whether you want the meter to count
according to the overall roughness or according to the percentage. To make a selection, touch
“µm“ or “%“ directly. Then set the value.
Fig. 9: Setting the limit value

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7.1.8 Setting date and time
To set the date and time, go to “Date & Time“ in the menu. To be able to set the date and time,
the current time must first be stopped by touching ”STOP“. Now use the plus and minus buttons
on the touch screen to set the date and time. The format is YYYY/MM/DD. Touch “ESC“ to leave
the menu without saving the settings or touch “SAVE“ to save the settings and leave the settings.
Touch “START“ to start the clock again. If you leave the menu without starting the clock, it will
start automatically.
7.1.9 Setting the LCD brightness
To set the display brightness, go to the menu “TFT Brightness“. Use the plus and minus buttons
to set the display brightness. Touch “Return“ to confirm the values and get back to the menu. With
the “Default“ button, you can reset the value to 80 %.
Fig. 10: Setting the date and time
Fig 11: Setting the brightness

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7.1.10 Reset to default
To reset all settings to their default settings, go to the menu “ResetToDefault“ and confirm via the
green checkmark.
7.1.11 Deleting all measured data
To delete all saved measuring data, go to the menu “Format Memory“. The memory will be
formatted as soon as you confirm via the green checkmark. This takes approx. 1 minute. Do not
turn off the meter during formatting.
Fig. 12: Reset of settings

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7.2 Setting the measuring parameters
To set the measuring parameters, go to the menu “Condition“ and set all measuring parameters.
Cut-off length
λc
0.25 mm; 0.80 mm; 2.50 mm
No. of measurements per
measuring process
1 … 5
(L)
Range
±20 µm; ±40 µm; ±80 µm; ±160 µm
Unit
inch, mm
Filter
RC; PC-RC; GAUSS; D-P
7.3 Recorded data
To view the recorded data, go to the menu “Record“ where you can view and also print and delete
all measuring data.
Fig. 13: Setting the measuring parameters
Fig. 14: Data memory

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7.4 Device information
To view the device information, go to the menu “About Version“ where you can find some
information on the battery and the software version. Touch the touch screen to leave this view.
7.5 Calibration and adjustment
Before making a measurement, a calibration should be carried out with the included reference
to make sure the meter works within the specified parameters. If it does not, the meter must be
adjusted. To do so, go to the menu “Calib. Meas.“ and use the plus and minus buttons to enter
the value of your reference. After setting the value, place the meter on the reference. Then
press Start. A measurement will now be made. After completion of the measurement, you can
save the adjustment and leave the menu via “Save&Exit“. To leave the adjustment screen
without saving, touch “Exit“.
Note: The meter has an accuracy of ±10 %. To set the value or to start a measurement, you
can also use the keys.
Fig. 16: Placing the meter on the reference
Fig. 15: Calibration

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7.6 Printer settings
To make some printer settings, go to the menu “PrintCond.“ where you can decide what
information you want your printer to include in the printout.
Logo
“Surface Roughness Tester“ is displayed in the head line. The wording
cannot be changed.
Date
Date and time will be included on the printout.
Meas. Cond.
Shows the measuring settings.
Tp.
Prints the Tp curve.
Prof.
Prints graphical view of surface structure.
Result
Prints the desired units of measurement.
Note: Printing graphs is not possible with all printers.
Fig. 17: Printer settings