Phynix SURFIX PRO X User manual

SURFIX®PRO X
Instruction Manual
WWW.PHYNIX.COM

Gauge description
USB 2.0 interface
Indicator for
Bluetooth
connection
Cursor-up-key
Confirm key
Probe socket
Cursor-down-key
Ansch luss
Escape key
Power key

2
Instruction manual
Coating thickness gauge SurfixPro X
About this manual 4
Meaning of keys 4
1. Measuring gauge, probes and their applications 5
2. Preparing for measurement 6
3. Menu structure 7
4. Calibration (1st menu item) 7
4.1. Activating the works calibration 8
4.2. Zero setting (1-point calibration) 9
4.3. One-foil calibration (2-point calibration) 9
4.4. Two-foil calibration, e.g. for rough surfaces 10
4.5. Cal-Through-Coat calibration (calibration on a coated test object) 11
4.6. Deletion of calibration 12
4.7. Measurement 13
5. Statistics (2nd menu item) 13
5.1. Transfer of statistic values only 14
5.2. Transfer of readings and statistics 15
5.3. Display of statistics on the screen 16
5.4. Display of stored readings on the screen 17
5.5. Deletion of readings and statistics 17
5.6. Quick deletion of readings and statistics 18
5.7. Single-value/block-value statistics 18
5.7.1. Activation of single-value statistics 18
5.7.2. Activation of block-value statistics 19
5.8. Trend display 20
5.9. Histogram display 20
6. Measuring mode (3rd menu item) 21
6.1. Setting of measurement methods: Automatic FN identification, Ferrous mode
and Non-Ferrous mode 21
6.2. Setting of limit values 22
6.2.1. Setting of limit values 22
6.2.2. Deletion of limit values 23
6.3. Continuous mode (Scan mode) 23
6.3.1. Activation of the continuous mode with all values 24
6.3.2. Activation of the continuous mode with stable values 24
6.3.3. Deactivation of the continuous mode 25
6.4. Zero offset mode 25
6.4.1. Setting the zero offset value 26
6.4.2. Deleting the zero offset value 26
7. Data memory (4th menu item) 27
7.1. New file 27
7.2. Opening a file 29

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7.3. Closing a file 29
7.4. Renaming the file 30
7.5. Deleting files 31
7.5.1. Deleting a selected file 31
7.5.2. Deleting all files 31
8. File transfer to PC (5th menu item) 32
8.1. Sending an active file to PC 32
8.2. Selecting and sending a stored file to PC 33
8.3. Sending all stored files to PC 34
8.4. Setting the transfer contents (statistics and/or readings) 34
9. Options (6th menu item) 35
9.1. Selection of switch-off modes 35
9.2. Beeper on/off 35
9.3. Measuring unit µm/mils 36
9.4. Welcome screen on/off 36
9.5. Power supply 37
9.6. Setting of date and time 37
9.7. Selecting the language 38
10. Total-Reset to factory settings (Total Reset) 39
11. Display of firmware version number and serial numbers of gauge and probe 39
12. Status information, error messages und malfunctions 40
13. Maintenance / Service 41
14. Technical Data 41
15. Probe overview 42
16. Scope of delivery 43
17. Display 43
18. Changing the probe 44
19. Default settings 44
20. Protect the environment 45

4
Introduction
The following operating manual is intended for the Surfix®Pro X instrument family with
separate exchangeable probe.
The gauge conforms to the following standards for coating thickness measurement:
Magnetic method: DIN EN ISO 2808
DIN EN ISO 2178
ASTM B499
ISO 19840
Eddy current method: DIN EN ISO 2808
DIN EN ISO 2360
ASTM D7091
About this manual
The well-proven menu technique is applied to the use of this coating thickness gauge.
This manual informs you step by step about the correct operation of the gauge
Surfix® Pro X. If you follow these step-by-step instructions, it will only take a few minutes
before you are able to carry out the first measurements.
Meaning of keys
The operation of Surfix® Pro X is carried out by means of the five buttons below the
display.
switching the gauge on and off
The arrow keys have several functions. Depending on the
menu item you are currently at, by using these keys you will:
browse through the main menu and submenus
set calibration values, limit values and zero offset value
browse through stored single readings
select a character during the input of a filename
select a file
Use this key to:
confirm the choice of a menu item, e.g. Statistics 2/6 and
then reach the corresponding submenu, e.g. Transfer of
statistics1/6
close a setting action, e.g. Measuring unit µm, or confirm
the calibration or limit value settings

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confirm a charater during the input of a file name
confirm a file name (if pressed longer than 2 seconds.
This key enables you to:
go back to the next higher menu level up to the start
screen ––––
delete the last reading immediately after the
measurement
delete readings and statistics quickly (see chapter 5.6)
abort a setting action, e.g. when setting calibration and
limit values
delete a character during the input of a filename
abort the input of a file name (if pressed longer than 2
seconds).
1. Measuring gauge, probes and their applications
Depending of the used probe the Surfix®Pro X is a coating thickness gauge for non-
destructive coating thickness measurement according to the magnetic induction
principle and the eddy current principle.
The magnetic induction principle is used for all non-magnetic coatings, such as
varnish, paint, enamel, chromium, copper, zinc... coatings on steel and iron (F
probes)
The eddy current principle is used for all electrically insulating coatings, such as
varnish, paint and anodising coatings on non-ferrous metals, even on austenitic
stainless steels (N probes)
FN probes are dual probes for measurements on steel and non-ferrous metal (F = Ferrous
und N = Non-Ferrous).
The following probes can be connected to the gauge Surfix®Pro X:
Probe
Range
Application
Accuracy
(referred to PHYNIX standards)
1works calibration
21-point calibration
32-point calibration
FN1.5
0 … 1500 µm
dual probe for measurements
on steel/iron and on non-ferrous
metals
13 µm or 3 % of reading;
whichever is greater
2(1 µm + 2 % of reading)
3(1 µm + 1 % of reading)
F1.5
0 … 1500 µm
for measurements on steel/iron
as FN1.5
N1.5
0 … 1500 µm
for measurements on non-ferrous
metals
as FN1.5
FN1.5/90°
0 … 1500 µm
angled dual probe for measure-
ments on steel/iron and on non-
ferrous metals in tubes or grooves
as FN1.5

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FN1.5R
0 … 1500 µm
angled dual probe for measure-
ments on steel/iron and on non-
ferrous metals
as FN1.5
F1.5R
0 … 1500 µm
angled probe for measure-
ments on steel/iron
as FN1.5
FN0.2
0 … 200 µm
high-precision combination
probe for thin layers on steel/iron
and on non-ferrous metals
12,5 µm or 2,5 % of reading;
whichever is greater
2(0,7 µm + 1,5 % of reading)
3(0,7 µm + 1 % of reading)
FN3.5
F: 0 … 3.5 mm
N: 0 … 3.0mm
angled dual probe for measure-
ments on steel/iron and on non-
ferrous metals with extended
range
15 µm or 3 % of reading;
whichever is greater
2(2 µm + 2 % of reading)
3(2 µm + 1 % of reading)
F3.5
0 … 3.5 mm
angled probe for measurements
on steel/iron with extended
range
as FN3.5
F10
0 … 10 mm
angled probe for measurements
on steel/iron with large range
110 µm or 3 % of reading;
whichever is greater
2(5 µm + 2 % of reading)
3(3 µm + 1 % of reading)
F20
0 … 20 mm
probe for measurements on
steel/iron with very large range
1n.a.
2(10 µm + 4 % of reading)
3(10 µm + 2 % of reading)
F10-1
F10-2
F10-3
0 … 6.5 mm
angled probes for measure-
ments on steel mesh
1n.a.
2(0,1 mm + 5 % of reading)
3(0,1 mm + 3 % of reading)
F10-cp
0 … 10 mm
angled probes for measure-
ments of wall thickness (with
counter-pole)
1n.a.
2(0,05 mm + 5 % of reading)
3(0,05 mm + 3 % of reading)
F30T
0 … 30 mm
probe with large range for
measurements on steel mesh
1n.a.
2(0,2 mm + 5 % of reading)
3(0,2 mm + 3 % of reading)
F30C
0 … 20 mm
probe with large range for
measurements on conveyor belts
1n.a.
2(0,2 mm + 5 % of reading)
3(0,2 mm + 3 % of reading)
You can identify the present probe and its working principle by the colour of the plug’s
reinforcing sleeve:
green FN dual probes (magnetic induction and eddy current principle)
blue F probes (magnetic induction principle)
yellow N probe (eddy current principle)
Please avoid bending or too tight reeling of the probe cable. Cable breaks due to this
are excluded from warranty.
2. Preparing for measurement
Power supply:
Surfix Pro®X can be operated using 2 x round cell (AA) 1.5V alkaline batteries or also 2
rechargeable batteries (AA) 1,2V.

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Empty batteries are indicated by a red or empty battery icon. Please remove used
batteries at once and dispose of them in an environmentally acceptable manner.
When inserting new batteries, please pay attention to the correct polarity. Wrongly
inserted batteries may lead to a destruction of the gauge.
In order to avoid any possible loss of data, please pay attention when exchanging
batteries:
a) Always switch off the gauge by means of the button before exchanging batteries.
b) Exchange the batteries within 20 seconds.
After inserting the batteries and switching-on for the first time by means of the button,
the display shows
a) English as proposed language: confirm with , or use the arrow keys to select
another language and confirm with , after which the display shows
b) the proposed date and time: confirm with , or use the arrow keys to change
and confirm with (pay attention to the instructions on the display).
Normally the gauge works in the automatic switch-off mode. It switches off automatically
90 seconds after the last measurement or operation. For permanent opertion mode see
chapter 9.1.
3. Menu structure
There are 6 main menu items: Calibration, Statistics, Measuring mode, Data memory,
Transfer to PC and Options. All other menu items or functions are subordinate to these 6
menu items.
The operation is carried out by means of the two arrow keys and , the confirmation
key and the escape key .The steps to be carried out are displayed on the screen,
e.g. “Place probe on foil standard“. After pressing the confirmation is displayed, e.g.
„Calibration has been set“.
You can find a diagram of the menu structure at the end of this manual. A single look at
this structure is sufficient to recognize the applicable menu items to select a desired
function.
4. Calibration (1st menu item)
This section informs you about the different calibration modes and the application cases
that they are especially suitable for. To meet the demands of coating thickness
measurement tasks the gauge has to be checked by means of the standards included in
the supply package before the measurement.
Surfix® Pro X has two operating modes: in the Direct mode you can directly measure
without any further user interaction. Readings, calibration values and settings are stored
consecutively in the direct memory, in case of a FN combination probe either in the F
memory or in the N memory. The differentiation between F memory and N memory
means also that e.g. setting of limit values has to be done in both measuring modes. The
direct mode enables very quick measurements; but all readings are within one single
memory (FN probe: two single memories).

8
In the data memory mode the readings, calibration values and settings are stored in
freely nameable data files. This enables the creation and resumption of many different,
also very large test series. Due to the storage also of the calibration values a recalibration
is normally not necessary. During a running test session a switchover between F measuring
mode and N measuring mode is not possible.
If you decide to use the direct mode you can simply start calibration and measuring
without selecting or defining a file name. If the readings should be stored in the data
memory you first have to open an existing file or create a new one. After that you can do
calibrations, measurements and settings. Calibrations have to be done in the file where
the readings should be stored. After closing the file the gauge will be in direct mode
again.
Surfix®Pro X and all probes are works calibrated. If the accuracy of the works calibration
is not sufficient or if the measurement task makes it necessary you can do some
additional calibrations as described below.
A zero calibration on an uncoated specimem reduces measurement errors induced by
surface geometry e.g. by curved surface or near edges. Calibration data is preserved
during power off. Surfix®Pro X uses five different calibration methods (see Technical Data
chapter 14).
The different calibration methods can be done in direct mode or in data memory mode.
The usage of different data files helps storing calibration data for different applications.
4.1. Activating the works calibration
This calibration mode is suitable for measurements on flat surfaces larger than 35mm x
35mm / 1.4” x 1.4”. A calibration that has been carried out previously has to be deleted.
You need neither calibration standards nor any uncoated test objects.
Procedure:
1.
press this key; Calibration appears on the display
2.
press this key; Zero setting appears on the display
3.
press this key; Deletion of calibration appears on the display
4.
press this key; Works calibration activated appears on the display
followed by the start screen with the four dashes ––––.

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You can now measure using the works calibration.
4.2. Zero setting (1-point calibration)
For this purpose, you have to use an uncoated test object having similar dimensions and
material properties as the coated test object, e.g. when you plan to measure on small
cylindrical parts or near edges. The zero plates delivered with your gauge are not
intended to be used for zero calibration; instead use these plates together with the
calibration foils to check the accuracy of the gauge.
Procedure:
1.
press this key; Calibration appears on the display
2.
press this key; Zero setting appears on the display
3.
press this key; Place probe on “0” appears on the display, and the
ZERO symbol in the display begins to flash
4.
place the probe repeatedly perpendicular to the uncoated surface
of the test object
5.
press this key. Zero has been set appears briefly on the display
followed by the start screen with the four dashes ––––. The ZERO
symbol is visable permanently.
You can now measure using the 1-point calibration.
4.3. One-foil calibration (2-point calibration)
The one-foil-calibration has to be done on an uncoated test object (as with the zero
setting). For the one-foil-calibration choose a calibration foil that comes closest to the
expected coating thickness.
Procedure:
1.
Carry out ‚zeroing’ (1-point calibration) as described above (please
see chapter 4.2).
2.
press this key; Calibration appears on the display

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3.
press this key; Zero setting appears on the screen
4.
press this key one more time; ONE-foil calibration appears on the
screen
5.
press this key; Place probe on foil standard appears on the display
and the CAL symbol in the display begins to flash
6.
Put the measurement foil on the uncoated test object and place the
probe repeatedly on the foil
7.
press this key; set standard value appears on the display
8.
use the arrow keys to enter the calibration foil thickness as
indicated on the standard
9.
press this key; Calibration has been set appears briefly on the display
followed by the start screen with the four dashes ––––. The CAL
symbol is visable permanently.
You can now measure using the ONE-foil calibration.
4.4. Two-foil calibration, e.g. for rough surfaces
This calibration mode is used especially for the measurement on rough surfaces, e.g. on
sand-blasted base metals. It is also suitable for low-intensity magnetic test objects when
carrying out the measurement either according to the magnetic-inductive method or
according to the eddy current method.
In this calibration mode, two calibration foils varying in thickness are used. The thickness
of the foils should be selected so that the thickness of the thinner foil is 0.5 to 0.9 times that
of the expected coating thickness and the thickness of the thicker foil is 1.1 to 1.5 times
that of the expected coating thickness.
Procedure:
1.
press this key; Calibration appears on the display
2.
press this key; Zero setting appears on the screen
3.
press this key twice until TWO-foil calibration appears on the
display

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4.
press this key; Place probe on 1st foil appears on the display.
5.
Put one of the two calibration foils on the uncoated test object
and place the probe repeatedly on the foil
6.
press this key; Set standard value appears on the display
7.
use the arrow keys to enter the calibration foil thickness as
indicated on the standard
8.
press this key; Place probe on 2nd foil appears on the display
9.
Put the second calibration foil on the uncoated test object at the
same point and place the probe repeatedly on the foil
10.
press this key; Set standard value appears on the display.
11.
use the arrow keys to enter the calibration foil thickness as
indicated on the standard
12.
press this key; Calibration has been set appears briefly on the
display followed by the start screen with the four dashes ––––.
You can now measure using the Two-foil calibration. In measurements on rough base
metals, the average coating thickness is measured across the peaks. The measuring
uncertainty increases with increasing roughness.
4.5. Cal-Through-Coat calibration (calibration on a coated test
object)
This calibration method is used if no uncoated test object is available for „zeroing“. The
method can only be applied with the probes F1.5 or FN1.5 (F mode).
The method may only be applied to cases in which the coating at the calibration point is
smooth and reproducible values are measured. Don’t use on structural coats of varnish.
The errors of measurement produced may be too high.
Procedure:
1.
press this key; Calibration appears on the display

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2.
press this key; Zero setting appears on the screen
3.
press this key three times until Cal-Through Coat calibration appears
on the display
4.
press this key; Place probe on coating appears on the display
5.
Now place the probe repeatedly on the coated test object at a
defined calibration point. A mean value is displayed
6.
press this key; Place probe on foil standard appears on the display
7.
Select a calibration foil no thicker than the expected coating
thickness and put it on the same calibration point. Place the probe
then repeatedly on the calibration foil covering the calibration point
8.
press this key; Set standard value appears on the display
9.
use the arrow keys to enter the calibration foil thickness as
indicated on the standard
10.
press this key; Calibration has been set appears briefly on the display
followed by the start screen with the four dashes ––––.
You can now measure using the Cal-Through-Coat calibration.
4.6. Deletion of calibration
This menu item allows you to delete the active calibration. However, if you would like to
overwrite a calibration, a deletion is not necessary beforehand.
Procedure:
1.
press this key; Calibration appears on the screen display

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2.
press this key; Zero setting appears on the screen
3.
press this key once until Deletion of calibration appears on the screen
display
4.
press this key; Works calibration activated appears briefly on the
display followed by the start screen with the four dashes ––––.
You can now measure using the works calibration.
4.7. Measurement
This section describes the suitable application cases of the different probes.
You can use F probes for measurements on all non-magnetic coatings, e.g. varnish, paint,
plastics, chrome, zinc, etc. coatings on iron/steel. The display shows Ferr.
You can use N probes for measurements on all electrically insulating coatings, e.g.
varnish, paint, plastics, anodized coatings, etc. on non-ferrous metals. The display shows
Non-Ferr.
The FN combination probes allow both measurements and is factory-set to the measuring
mode Auto FN identification. The display shows AUTO FN. This means that the gauge
automatically identifies the base material (iron/steel or non-ferrous metal) after
postioning of the probe. Subsequently the gauge switches to the corresponding
measuring method, magnetic (F) or eddy current method (N). After each measurement
the display shows Ferr or Non-Ferr to indicate the base material.
Note: In some cases, especially with varnish on zinc on steel, it is nevertheless
recommended to use a fixed measuring method setting, e.g. Ferrous mode (F) for
measurements on iron/steel or to Non-Ferrous mode (N) for measurements on non-
ferrous metals.
5. Statistics (2nd menu item)
After each measurement Surfix®Pro X stores the readings in a data memory and
calculates a variety of statistic parameters. Surfix®Pro X has two kinds of memory:
the data memory in direct mode stores up to 2 x 1000 readings (1000 in F mode,
1000 in N mode)
the file based data memory stores up to 100.000 readings.
In both modes the statistical values are updated after each measurement and stored
together with the thickness values. The display shows the number of measurements N, the
mean value x¯ , the standard deviation s, the maximum value ↑ of the series and the
minimum value ↓ .

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With the option block value statistics Surfix®Pro X can collect a selectable number of
readings to a single measurement value. This feature facilitates the data acquisition if
mean values are required instead of single values. With this option the statistical values in
display become a different meaning. They are now related to a series of mean values
instead of a series of single values.
Parameter
Single value statistics
Block value statistics
N
number of measurements
number of mean values
x¯
mean value
mean value of the mean values
σ
standard deviation
standard deviation of the mean
values
Max
maximum value of the series
maximum value of the mean
values
Min
minimum value of the series
minimum value of the mean values
Kvar
Coefficient of variation
Coefficient of variation of the
mean values
Cp
Process capability index
Process capability index of the
mean values
Cpk
Process capability index
Process capability index of the
mean values
All readings recorded and statistics calculated by Surfix® Pro X and belonging to the
currently active file can be completely transferred or displayed at the menu item
Statistics.
The process capability indices Cp and Cpk are calculated, displayed and transferred
only if the limits are set (menu item Measuring mode/Limits).
5.1. Transfer of statistic values only
The gauge calculates a maximum of 8 statistical values from a measurement series (see
table above). These can be quickly and simply transferred to a PC in the 2nd menu item
Statistics.
Transfer can be made immediately if you are in the Direct Mode or in an active file which
is still open. If you wish to print or transfer data from a file already closed then you can do
this under menu item Transfer to PC.
Data transfer to a PC can be done by means of the USB interface or a Bluetooth
connection. The supplied data transfer program PHYNIX.connect receives the data and
shows it on the screen.
Procedure:

15
1.
Connect Surfix® Pro X with a PC by means of a USB interface
cable or a Bluetooth connection. The connection has to be
initilized from the PC.
2.
press this key twice until Statistics appears on the display
3.
press this key; Transfer of statistics appears on the display
4.
press this key. Data is transferred and In progress... appears briefly on
the display, followed by the start screen with the four dashes ––––.
5.2. Transfer of readings and statistics
The statistical values of the currently active file (both direct mode or file mode)can also
be transferred together with the single readings

16
Procedure:
1.
Connect Surfix® Pro X with a PC by means of a USB interface
cable or a Bluetooth connection. The connection has to be
initilized from the PC.
2.
press this key twice until Statistics appears on the display
drücken; es erscheint Kalibrierung
3.
press this key; Transfer of statistics appears on the display
drücken; es erscheint Null-Einstellung
4.
press this key; Transfer statistics and readings appears on the display
sooft drücken bis Löschen der Kalibrierung erscheint
5.
press this key. Data is transferred and In progress... appears briefly on
the display, followed by the start screen with the four dashes ––––.
If you want to transfer data from an already closed file, you can do this at the menu item
Transfer to PC.
5.3. Display of statistics on the screen
This section explains how to display the different statistical values of single-value or of
block-value statistics.
Procedure:
1.
press this key twice until Statistics appears on the display
2.
press this key; Transfer of statistics appears on the display
3.
press this key twice until Display of statistics appears on the display
4.
press this key. Number of readings appears on the display (with block-
value statistics: Number of mean values)
5.
press this key repeatedly; the sequence of statistics appears on the
display as follows: Mean value, Standard deviation, Maximum,
Minimum, Variation coefficient and the Process capability indices Cp

17
and Cpk (if the limits has been set) With block-value statistics the
sequence will be: Average of mean values, the Standard deviation of
mean values, the Maximum of mean values, the Minimum of mean
values, the Variation coefficient of the mean values and the Process
capability indices.
6.
press this key to continue measuring. The start screen with the four
dashes ––––is displayed.
5.4. Display of stored readings on the screen
This section explains how to display the stored single values on the screen at any time.
Procedure:
1.
press this key twice until Statistics appears on the display
2.
press this key; Transfer of statistics appears on the display
3.
press this key three times until Display of readings appears on the
display
4.
press this key; the first single value appears on the display
5.
press this key repeatedly. The following single values with a
consecutive number are displayed. Symbols ( ↓ , ↑ ) indicate a reading
out of the limits. With the block-value statistics the standard deviation
for each block is shown, too.
6.
press this key to continue measuring. The start screen with the four
dashes ––––is displayed.
5.5. Deletion of readings and statistics
This section explains how to delete the readings and statistics either in the Direct Mode or
in a currently active file in the data memory.
Procedure:
1.
press this key twice until Statistics appears on the display
2.
press this key; Transfer of statistics appears on the display

18
3.
press this key four times until Deletion of statistics and readings
appears on the display
4.
press this key. The statistics are deleted together with the single values.
Readings and statistics deleted appears briefly on the display followed
by the start screen with the four dashes ––––.
5.6. Quick deletion of readings and statistics
This procedure offers a simple and fast way to delete all readings and statistical values by
circumventing the menu structure.
Procedure:
1.
press this key repeatedly until the start screen with the four dashes
––––appears on the display
2.
press this key once more; Delete readings and statistics? appears on
the display
3.
press this key; Readings and statistics deleted appears briefly on the
display followed by the start screen with the four dashes ––––.
5.7. Single-value/block-value statistics
This section describes the activation of single-value or block-value statistics. With single-
value statistics all single readings are statistically evaluated: N, x¯ , σ, maximum, minimum,
Kvar. With block-value statistics a mean value is calculated from every block of readings,
e.g. with 5 readings per block. All statistical values refer only to the mean value of the
blocks. The block size can be pre-selected individually from 3 to 20 readings for each
data file.
5.7.1. Activation of single-value statistics
The single-value statistics is always active at the delivery state and after a total reset.
If this should be changed and reactivated, please proceed as follows.
Procedure:
1.
press this key twice until Statistics appears on the display
2.
press this key. Transfer of statistics appears on the display