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

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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

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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).

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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 ––––.