Visilab Ak30 User manual

AK30

PORTABLE SURFACE MOISTURE METER FOR INDUSTRY AND LABO-

RATORIES

APPLIES ALSO FOR

AK40 / AK40GW

MOISTURE METERS

2016-35

USER'S MANUAL

Signal Technologies Oy

Made in Finland

Manual printed in

Pukkila, Finland

PART #700170

Unit information:

Model: AK30/AK40/AK40GW

Serial number:

Firmware V 1.31 and later

PCB: K30 , K31, K32, K33, K34, K35

Adjusted:

Service Interval (hours):

Visilab Signal Technologies OyVisilab Signal Technologies Oy

Visilab Signal Technologies Oy

Address: Tel.:

Sepäntie 4 +358-45-635 4885 www.visilab.fi email: [email protected]

FI-07230 Monninkylä Y 0631208-0 ALV Rek.

FINLAND VAT FI 06312080 Mäntsälä Reg. 365.258

Portable Infrared Moisture meter

AK30 PORTABLE SURFACE MOISTURE METER USER'S MANUAL

CONDITIONS OF GUARANTEE, COPYRIGHT NOTICE AND LIABILITIES OF THE MANU-

FACTURER

The manufacturer (Visilab Signal Technologies Oy) grants a guarantee of two years for the buyer of

AK30 moisture meter from the date of purchase. The guarantee covers all faults and misalignments

which are in the equipment at the moment of purchase including those which appear during the

guarantee period. The manufacturer is liable of repairing the instrument without cost to the buyer.

The manufacturer can ship a new instrument of equivalent value and status if considered as a better

solution than repairing. The buyer is liable of paying the freight costs to the factory of the faulty unit.

The unit must not be sent to the manufacturer without a permission from the manufacturer. Units sent

without a permission will be repaired at the cost of the buyer.

The guarantee does not cover wearing parts, like batteries, lamps or motors. The guarantee does not

cover faults caused by errors or neglects of the user nor those faults which are caused by deliberate

breaking. The guarantee does not cover faults caused by incorrectly installed cables or conductors.

The guarantee does not cover any damages to the user or to any third party independently of the

way how the instrument has been used. The guarantee does not cover faults caused by natural

phenomena like lightnings or floods, nor user errors like dropping the unit. The guarantee is void if the

unit is sold to any third party. All faults which are not covered will be repaired at the cost of the buyer.

If opening of the instrument has been attempted at those parts which are not intended for the user,

the manufacturer can refuse to repair or service the instrument. Then the instrument will be shipped

back to the buyer at the cost of the buyer. Such parts are the light source, the optical head and parts

on the electronics board. The instrument can be opened only strictly according to the instructions

in this manual and should not be disassembled unnecessarily.

Visilab Signal Technologies Oy reserves all rights to changes and modifications in the looks,

specifications, optical and electronic design, electronic and software interfaces and computer

programs, and also the right to change the retail prices of the instrument or its parts without any notice

to present or potential customers. All copyrights and design rights belong to Visilab Signal Technolo-

gies Oy. The PC programs, which have been sold to the buyer, can be used and copied freely for

his own use but can not be sold to any third party.

The manufacturer is not responsible for any casualties, damages or accidents which the user has

caused directly or indirectly with this AK30 instrument, either to himself or to any third party.

There are some warning messages in this manual printed in red. Instruction and important details are

highlighted in blue and brown.

AK30 PORTABLE SURFACE MOISTURE METER USER'S MANUAL

EC Declaration of Conformity

Visilab Signal Technologies Oy

Keskustie 15

FI-07560 Pukkila

FINLAND

declare that the

AK30 Portable Surface Moisture Meter

meets the intent of the EMC directive 89/336/EEC. Compliance is based on the following harmonized

standards:

Emissions:

EN 50 081 part 2 (industrial environment):1993 referring to :

EN 55 011 radiated, Class A, Group 1

EN 55 011 conducted, Class A, Group 1

Immunity:

EN 50 082 part 2 (industrial environment):1992 referring to (both radiated

and conducted fields):

EN 61000-4

IEC 1000-4

ENV 50140

ENV 50141

ENV 50204

I certify that the apparatus identified above conforms to the requirements of Council Directive 89/

336/EEC.

---------------------------------------------------------

Henrik Stenlund

managing director

1st January 2010

Note for users:

When the apparatus identified above is connected by someone to become a part of an industrial

control system, he is also responsible for the EMC compatibility of the resulting system. He is also liable

of providing the necessary optical or galvanic isolations for signals and transient absorbers for other

lines to conform to the EMC directives.

Addendum to the EMC certification:

The new AK30 model is manufactured to even tighter specifications compared to the earlier model

A. Therefore, it does not pose any danger not to comply with the EMC directive.

AK30 PORTABLE SURFACE MOISTURE METER USER'S MANUAL

EC Declaration of Conformity

Visilab Signal Technologies Oy

Keskustie 15

FI-07560 Pukkila

FINLAND

declare that the products which are put on the EU market:

AK30 Portable Surface Moisture Meter

IRMA-7 On-line Moisture Logger, model D and its derivatives

meet the intent of the RoHS directive 2002/95/EC and the WEEE directive 2002/96/EC. Compliance

is based on the following.

The instruments belong to Category 9 "Monitoring and Control Instruments" of the WEEE directive and

thus are not required to fulfill the said directives.

I certify that the apparatus identified above conforms to the requirements of Council Directives 2002/

95/EC and 2002/96/EC.

---------------------------------------------------------

Henrik Stenlund

managing director

1st January 2010

Note:

In spite of the fact that the products are not required to fulfill the directives, we make every effort to

comply with the directives in practice. When the Category 9 is moved to be covered the same

requirements as other categories do, we are ready to certify that these products comply with the

directives. The new model AK30 is manufactured with RoHS compatible parts but is not presently

required to comply with this directive.

AK30 PORTABLE SURFACE MOISTURE METER USER'S MANUAL

The AK30 portable moisture meter

AK30 PORTABLE SURFACE MOISTURE METER USER'S MANUAL

ContentsContents

Contents

1. Introduction and Taking into Use1. Introduction and Taking into Use

1. Introduction and Taking into Use 88

Connecting the Cables and Starting the MeterConnecting the Cables and Starting the Meter

Connecting the Cables and Starting the Meter 88

2. Basic Features of the Instrument2. Basic Features of the Instrument

2. Basic Features of the Instrument 1010

1010

Result of MeasurementResult of Measurement

Result of Measurement 1010

1010

Philosophy of the MeterPhilosophy of the Meter

Philosophy of the Meter 1010

1010

Operating CharacteristicsOperating Characteristics

Operating Characteristics 1010

1010

Calibration and Material LibrariesCalibration and Material Libraries

Calibration and Material Libraries 1212

1212

3. Use of the Instrument3. Use of the Instrument

3. Use of the Instrument 1515

1515

Menus and SettingsMenus and Settings

Menus and Settings 1515

1515

Memory BanksMemory Banks

Memory Banks 1515

1515

Typing in DataTyping in Data

Typing in Data 1616

1616

Calibration menuCalibration menu

Calibration menu 1717

1717

General Information about CalibrationGeneral Information about Calibration

General Information about Calibration 1717

1717

SCALE CalibrationSCALE Calibration

SCALE Calibration 2121

2121

Performing MULTI Calibration with Samples of Different Moisture LevelsPerforming MULTI Calibration with Samples of Different Moisture Levels

Performing MULTI Calibration with Samples of Different Moisture Levels 2222

2222

Performing MULTI Calibration when Working with a Climatic Chamber and a BalancePerforming MULTI Calibration when Working with a Climatic Chamber and a Balance

Performing MULTI Calibration when Working with a Climatic Chamber and a Balance 2323

2323

Adjusting a TableAdjusting a Table

Adjusting a Table 2424

2424

The Procedure for AdjustingThe Procedure for Adjusting

The Procedure for Adjusting 2525

2525

Standardization MenuStandardization Menu

Standardization Menu 2626

2626

Alarm MenuAlarm Menu

Alarm Menu 2727

2727

Service MenuService Menu

Service Menu 2828

2828

Unit and Communications MenuUnit and Communications Menu

Unit and Communications Menu2929

2929

Curve MenuCurve Menu

Curve Menu 3030

3030

Display MenuDisplay Menu

Display Menu 3030

3030

Colour Adjust MenuColour Adjust Menu

Colour Adjust Menu 3030

3030

Keys Available in Measuring StateKeys Available in Measuring State

Keys Available in Measuring State 3131

3131

Selection of FilteringSelection of Filtering

Selection of Filtering 3333

3333

General Guidelines in UseGeneral Guidelines in Use

General Guidelines in Use3333

3333

Notices for MeasuringNotices for Measuring

Notices for Measuring 3434

3434

Special Features of the ModelsSpecial Features of the Models

Special Features of the Models 3535

3535

Model AK30Model AK30

Model AK30 3535

3535

Appendix 1. Service OperationsAppendix 1. Service Operations

Appendix 1. Service Operations 3737

3737

Replacing the BatteriesReplacing the Batteries

Replacing the Batteries 3737

3737

Service ProceduresService Procedures

Service Procedures 3737

3737

Important NoticeImportant Notice

Important Notice 3737

3737

Opening the MeterOpening the Meter

Opening the Meter 3737

3737

Appendix 2. Pin Ordering of the CableAppendix 2. Pin Ordering of the Cable

Appendix 2. Pin Ordering of the Cable 3939

3939

Appendix 3. Definition of the Data Transmission ProtocolAppendix 3. Definition of the Data Transmission Protocol

Appendix 3. Definition of the Data Transmission Protocol 4141

4141

Appendix 4. Technical Specifications of the Moisture Meter AK30/AK40Appendix 4. Technical Specifications of the Moisture Meter AK30/AK40

Appendix 4. Technical Specifications of the Moisture Meter AK30/AK40 4444

4444

Appendix 5. About Surface Moisture and Behavior of Infrared RadiationAppendix 5. About Surface Moisture and Behavior of Infrared Radiation

Appendix 5. About Surface Moisture and Behavior of Infrared Radiation 4646

4646

The Relation between Surface Moisture and Total MoistureThe Relation between Surface Moisture and Total Moisture

The Relation between Surface Moisture and Total Moisture 4747

4747

Example of Behavior of Wood Surface MoistureExample of Behavior of Wood Surface Moisture

Example of Behavior of Wood Surface Moisture 4848

4848

AK30 PORTABLE SURFACE MOISTURE METER USER'S MANUAL

Appendix 6. About Measuring Surface Moisture of Thin MaterialsAppendix 6. About Measuring Surface Moisture of Thin Materials

Appendix 6. About Measuring Surface Moisture of Thin Materials 5050

5050

Appendix 7. Graphs of featuresAppendix 7. Graphs of features

Appendix 7. Graphs of features 5353

5353

Appendix 8. Troubleshooting the MeterAppendix 8. Troubleshooting the Meter

Appendix 8. Troubleshooting the Meter 5454

5454

Appendix 9. Data Flow in the MeterAppendix 9. Data Flow in the Meter

Appendix 9. Data Flow in the Meter 5656

5656

Appendix 10. Mechanical Dimensions of the MeterAppendix 10. Mechanical Dimensions of the Meter

Appendix 10. Mechanical Dimensions of the Meter 5757

5757

Appendix 11. Operating Principle of the MeterAppendix 11. Operating Principle of the Meter

Appendix 11. Operating Principle of the Meter5858

5858

Appendix 12. Structure of the Internal Menu SystemAppendix 12. Structure of the Internal Menu System

Appendix 12. Structure of the Internal Menu System 5959

5959

IndexIndex

Index ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................... 6767

6767

AK30 PORTABLE SURFACE MOISTURE METER USER'S MANUAL

1. Introduction and Taking into Use

We congratulate you for your decision of becoming a user of AK30 portable surface moisture meter.

It has been designed to withstand harsh environments and to offer you as much surface moisture

information as possible having also a great variety of useful features. Our intent has been to offer you

a unique instrument serving you reliably for several years. To utilize all features in this product we

recommend that you read the whole of this manual. This manual is valid for the on-line meter AK40

as well. The internal optical and electronic engine is very similar to AK30. The exceptions are:

- a bigger enclosure facilitating installations and giving a good protection

- the light source motor is of extremely long-life type, no servicing is required

- there is a web temperature sensor in typical deliveries unless a different arrangement

- the baud rate can be set for 9600 bauds for the RS232 due to long cables in field conditions.

AK30 is taken out from its package carefully and it should be inspected for any damages during the

shipping. If any damage is visible, contact the manufacturer or the representative of which the unit

was bought. The following items should be available:

AK30

instrument

2. Program USB stick

3. User's manuals in a binder

4. a cable for battery charging and serial communications, having a D9 female connector at one

end of the cable and a LEMO 0K for charging the battery

5. An AC-DC power source, CE-marked and approved

Optional accessories ordered separately

If something is missing, inform your dealer and he will ship any missing parts. The instrument is ready

for use. You can switch the power on using the switch located at the back of the meter. The instrument

should now display some text on its display and soon it should be measuring. If nothing is visible, the

batteries may be dead. That is caused by a long freight time or a stay in a long intermediate depot.

The batteries are always loaded before shipping. In that case you should connect the cable as

instructed below to regain their full capacity.

Connecting the Cables and Starting the Meter

We ask the user to handle the connectors and cables carefully and to avoid too much force while

attaching or detaching. Else the sealing rings, threads or contact pins may be broken down or lost.

Refer to Fig. 1. for cable connections.

The cables are connected as follows. The metal-coloured LEMO connector is for the instrument. There

is a D9 connector for the PC's serial port. It is connected to your PC's serial port COM1 to COM127

whichever has the connector of proper size. It is connected to a USB-to RS232 converter if your PC

does not have such a port. The power adaptor is placed to the mains connection (230 V 50 Hz / 115

VAC 60 Hz or any other local standard). Turn on AK30 by using the big toggle switch under the

keyboard/handle. The LEMO connector is meant to be

pushed in and pulled out

with a grip on the

thick center part.

Never attempt to twist this connector

, it does not work that way.

There should soon be some text on the display indicating that the meter is starting. The batteries are

always under charging while the power supply is connected to the instrument through the cable,

independently of the power switch setting. The battery itself determines if there is any need for actual

charging and indicates this with its own LEDs visible through the keyboard panel. The instrument can

always be used normally when charging the batteries except the mobile range is limited to the length

of the cable. The charging time for empty batteries is approximately 5 h (10 h for a dual battery). There

is no limit for the charging time; the batteries are not damaged from continuous charging. If the

AK30 PORTABLE SURFACE MOISTURE METER USER'S MANUAL

Figure 1. Cable connections for AK30

instrument refuses to operate, contact your local representative or the factory. For the PC program

installation, refer to the PC program user's manual. After a preliminary testing you can be assured that

your AK30 will serve you for several years with very little service.

AK30 PORTABLE SURFACE MOISTURE METER USER'S MANUAL

2. Basic Features of the Instrument

Result of Measurement

The moisture value the meter indicates has a unit which is either a percent relative to the total weight

or dry weight of the material or it is the water density in the material. The practical moisture range

(total percentage) is 0..70% but numerically can go higher. The instrument has been designed to give

reliable values through all this range. The internal noise is very low at moistures below 10% and

increases somewhat at higher levels. The repeatability (see specifications) of the instrument is within

+/-0.2% below 10% moisture. Typically it is better. The absolute accuracy depends on the calibration

for the material. The calibration generates a group of points on a balance-% vs. meter signal plot.

AK30 places segments of line onto this plot from one point to another thus linearizing the original

meter response curve.

The internal sampling rate for moisture values is 75 Hz and the meter display is updated about once

per two seconds. The light source applied in the instrument has a lamp with a radiating power of the

order 200 mW. Of this the material under test receives typically 2 to 5 mW approximately. That does

not cause any notable warming up or drying effects in any known material. Refer to Appendix 5

which explains the definition and measurement of surface moisture more deeply.

Philosophy of the Meter

AK30 has its own philosophy regarding its use. Its settings can be saved to a nonvolatile memory and

are restored each time the meter is powered on. If some specific setting is important, save it. The

latest feature is that you can also save the selection of big numbers as a default. Just press Menu and

then Save.

Operating Characteristics

AK30 is designed for handheld operation by moving the meter over the surface of interest and

reading the measured moisture. No contact is required but the meter can be laying on it or it can

touch a moving surface, like a rotating roll. The meter has a durable stainless steel skid under it

allowing reliable and safe working. The nominal measuring distance is 2 mm from the skid but can

vary between 0 and 7 mm with minimal effect on the moisture value. The sensitive measuring area

is about 10 mm in diameter.

AK30 is equipped with a keyboard and a display with background lighting for portable field use. With

them the user can e.g. modify instrument settings. The latest moisture value is updated to the display

when in measuring state without extra operations. There are two display modes: A big numeric

display or a multiple display. The numeric display shows the moisture with two digits and one decimal.

The reading can be stopped by pressing the logo key and an Hletter appears at the right corner of

one of the digits. Pressing again the logo key will release the HOLD. The other display mode (default)

uses the three display modules differently. The leftmost display holds a graph of the recent moisture

values progressing at a time interval preset in the menus. The default time interval is 0.2 seconds. The

center display shows the moisture with digits and also indicates other pertinent data about the

calibration table in use etc. The right display is mainly used for the menu system. The center and right

displays both serve as media for sending out messages and reports by the meter. Many dialogs open

up in the right display when using the menus. To switch between the two modes, press the keys LEFT/

RIGHT arrows.

AK30 PORTABLE SURFACE MOISTURE METER USER'S MANUAL

The instrument has a sample memory which may contain up to 500 x 820 = 410 000 samples. The

memory is thus divided into 820 memory Banks which can each hold up to 500 samples. The autotimer

may fill a new Bank at user's control and may operate at any sampling interval between 0.2 s and

32000 s. The autotimer operates in batches to collect only a predetermined number of samples (1

to 500). Single moisture samples can thus be saved (Batch = 1), each into its own bank by pressing

the '+' key on the panel. That will spend a lot of banks if several points are to be taken into memory.

In that case, some more efficient way of using the meter may be possible. The recent history visible

on the left graph can be saved with the Save key and it will store 64 points at once to a new Bank.

Typical number of reuse for each bank is 100 000 times so you don't need to be worried of wearing

out the memory chip.

Please note that every bank has an associated date/time field whose contents are shown both on

the center display when retrieved and in PC programs. To take it into use, please check the date &

time after starting the meter. It is done by pressing '0' and from that menu branching to date and time

sections. You can edit the date and time fields by typing in the correct data, moving with the LEFT/

RIGHT keys, accepting with Enter or ESC keys. By pressing the ESC key a few times will bring you back

to the top of the menu system where the measurements are done. An internal clock will keep the

time correct until the meter is turned off. This is a most useful feature to be carefully maintained since

the memory banks can hold data for about 40 years or more. It is impossible later to identify an old

measurement if even no date is associated with it.

A reference to a text field called LABEL is also saved to the memory bank together with the calibration

table name used. They together form a recipe. There are five recipes and the labels are editable by

the user. The field length is eight characters. The recipe can be chosen with the keys "2" and "3" while

measuring. It is needed to select first the recipe before starting the Autotimer since selecting it

afterwards is too late. The reference to the recipe is then saved to the bank. When the bank is

transferred to the PC, the actual label is added to the data and also the table information. The label

will determine the first part of the data file name and the rest of it is dictated by the time label.

Afterwards it is then easy to recognize the origin of the data and the original time of capture. The label

is wise to be selected according to the measuring conditions, like the point at the PM. It is also good

to stick to the label system once adopted to help recognition of data files in the future. Examples of

labels would be "Reel 12", "Coater 2", "Felt 5". When ending the editing of the label, a question is asked

if you wish to use the current calibration table with this recipe. This will take effect when you switch

the recipe. If a table is used with the recipe, the calibration table is switched too, else the earlier

calibration table is kept and only the label is switched. Still, one can always switch the calibration

table at will. The calibration table in use is saved in all cases to the memory bank information. That

table name is shown while browsing memory banks and when statistics are calculated from a bank.

The calibration table name is also indicated in the file tag.

Downloading the memory banks one at a time to a PC is also possible and highly recommended if

the data is valuable later. The PC programs support also downloading of a group of consequent

banks whose numbers are selected. The whole memory bank system is erased with one operation

in the Service menu when needed. The need arises the latest when all of the 820 Banks are used.

The meter is able to remember the latest bank measured at some earlier occasion. Its contents can

be retrieved by calculating its statistics (press the Stat's key). Other Banks can be retrieved by scrolling

with the UP/DOWN arrows.

Another mode which is of importance at this time, is the TABLES or BANKS mode. The BANKS mode

is the default. In BANKS mode the arrows UP/DOWN cause selection of a Bank with some contents.

If accessing an empty bank is attempted, a message "UNUSED" will appear. In TABLES mode the same

keys select another calibration table into use. The mode itself is indicated on the right display to avoid

mistakes. The library of calibration tables is 100 wide and not all of them are populated. It depends

on the manufacturer how wide a library is sent with the meter, usually at least a few generally useful

calibrations are added. The calibration table can be quickly switched by the UP/DOWN keys. The

AK30 PORTABLE SURFACE MOISTURE METER USER'S MANUAL

table is immediately in use but a peak may appear in the moisture signal because of the rapid

switching.

A nonvolatile memory is used for saving all settings and the data Banks independently of power

status. The configuration data saving requires the user's action. If saving is not done, on the next

session after powering up, the earlier saved settings are used.

The background colour of the displays can be tailored to indicate the user of exceeding preset

moisture levels high and low (Alarm feature). The meter can be moved over the material surface and

when the moisture either falls below the low level or goes beyond the high level, the corresponding

background colour appear.

A PC may inquire the meter for a new moisture value with similar time intervals. The series can be

uploaded to a PC or it can be browsed in the meter. Also statistics can be calculated easily.

AK30 has a rechargeable Lithium battery offering at least 3.5 to four hours of continuous use before

recharging is required. There is an energy-saving Low Power Mode enabling a still longer period of

operation without continuous measurement possibility. However, the meter recovers from it quickly

and one is able to measure again. This mode is intended to be used while setting up measurements

or while transferring data in field conditions.

The meter has an optional Sleep mode available. When turned on, the meter will function normally

for one hour and then it will put itself into Low Power mode automatically. The Service menu contains

the setting up of this feature.

If the battery is run down after a long period of use, turn the meter off and plug it in to the power source

for charging. Do not let the meter to stay uncharged for a long time. That may damage the battery.

The instrument is portable and made to withstand harsh environments. Reliability in that sense means

both mechanical and electrical endurance and repeatability of the obtained moisture information.

The whole instrument is protected according to IP67 withstanding dust and water splashes. There is

a glass window under the meter. It is important to keep it clean to get correct readings. Dust, dirt or

water on it will interfere.

Calibration and Material Libraries

The calibration library in the instrument offers calibration information for some materials in paper and

board industry. Each material holds a unique position among the 100 different materials. One can

further develop and complete the library with AK30 and save them to a PC. Correspondingly, one

can also transfer from PC any library to AK30. It is also possible to move particular material calibration

tables into any direction to tailor a special library.

AK30 moisture meters are manufactured according to close tolerances. The units are similar to each

other and they are finally adjusted to be as close to each other as possible. The libraries are

compatible within the model and can be transferred to other units of same model in your company.

The library error tolerance is typically better than +/-2.0% in the 0...10% range. Some fine tuning may

be required for best results. This is now very easy to do with the Automatic Fine tuning feature of the

Advanced software (optional, licensed).

AK30 can be calibrated in the same conditions and with the same equipment as you have used

earlier for the same purpose. The minimal requirements for calibration are a balance and some

method for drying the material and determining the dry weight (a balance). Climatic chamber with

controllable relative humidity and perhaps controllable temperature is recommended for more

exacting work. That will also increase accuracy and diminish deviations. The surface moisture varies

AK30 PORTABLE SURFACE MOISTURE METER USER'S MANUAL

in many substances due to factors like air flow, temperature differences and external relative

humidity. In extremely accurate calibrations, also effects of static electricity (at dry end) and water

condensation (at wet end) must be taken into account. Static electricity may cause mechanical

forces to highly sensitive balances interfering severely. An air ionizer is recommended for such cases.

Using up to 10 calibration points will ensure good accuracy on a larger moisture range if the points

are selected carefully and the curvature of the curve insists on it. This is called MULTI calibration. The

number of calibration points is a flexible quantity. There is also a fast two-point calibration (actually

a scaling only), the SCALE-mode. It is applied for transferring unlinearized moisture signal to PC. Note

that AK30 is not able to reverse the linearization process to gain the original unlinearized raw signal.

If the unlinearized raw signal is required, it must be collected separately (by scaling it only). The user

is not able to change the SCALE scaling but it is fixed to 100X the raw signal for simplicity.

AK30 can be connected to a PC by using the standard serial port. It is available both as a regular

RS232 and as a wireless Bluetooth serial port. One is then able to modify some of the meter's settings

and download to PC the data series which is collected earlier at the field. The data can be further

handled with the program following the instrument or can be saved into files. Then the data can be

more extensively manipulated with e.g. spreadsheet programs. Also the libraries can be manipu-

lated through the serial port. Currently we can offer AK30, AK30Mini, IRMA7Basic, IRMA7Mini and

Advanced programs for handling data and meter configurations. The AK30 and AK30Mini have now

also French language versions.

For on-line applications the meter can be temporarily assembled over the production line in a fixed

position by using some sort of soft clamp. This instrument is not originally intended for continuous

operation. The limiting factor is the unit's service interval which is 12000 h. That is a relatively long

period in normal field use. If one uses the meter two hours daily, that would give a theoretical service

interval of about twelve years. In continuous operation 24 hours a day the 12000 h is passed in less

than two years. In that case the recommended service interval would be once a year to ensure a

trouble-free operation. For these applications consult the manufacturer for other models which are

proper for continuous operation (not portable). The AK30 best serves as a handheld unit.

Please note: Temporary fixing of the meter over a running web is best and simplest done in the

following way. Provide a relatively thin metal plate (0.5 to 1.5 mm) with a hole of approximately 30

mm in diameter on it. Mount the plate over the web so that it almost touches it. Place the meter over

the hole so that it can measure through it without the edges interfering. Secure the meter somehow

to prevent it sliding off or causing other danger to the production machine or personnel. Make sure

the edges of the hole are rounded to avoid scraping or cutting of the web.

Moisture data acquisition can be done with a PC through the serial port (RS232). The Bluetooth offers

a long distance operation (up to 100 meters) without a cable. The packet protocol used in data

transfer is a private, very reliable and fast fault tolerant protocol. Some details of it are listed in

Appendix 3.

Latest Added Features

The recent additions to the meter are the following:

- a new keypad text layout showing better the quick action keys. The keys are located as before

- when the Autotimer is started, the center display will turn red (ALARM colour) and will recover after

that

- when the Autotimer is stopped, there will be flashed the statistics and the average value is shown

in red

AK30 PORTABLE SURFACE MOISTURE METER USER'S MANUAL

- automatic zeroing of the moisture reading affecting the calibration, at a push of a button. This is

highly useful in some measurements where the difference is important between two points. The

change is temporary and will disappear at next starting.

- recipe system for quick switching of both calibration and the label for routine measurements. This

is supported by the PC programs too to assign a proper name convention for downloaded data files.

- in-the fly conversion of dry-% and dryness. No need to calibrate separately but all calibrations are

made as total percent which is the most natural for this meter.

- dual-battery option for heavy users

- the SLOW filtering option has now a variable response time (1 ...10000 sec)

- the BT key has been modified. It is now producing a marker action while acquiring data. The marker

height is 0.5 %

- Flash calibration to generate new workable calibrations in field conditions if the paper basis weight

is known

TABLES

6.7%

43 PAPER

LOGOHOLD

+-=AUTO

=TABLE

0=TIME

REEL 12

BANK 167

6.7%

43 PAPER

LOGOHOLD

+-=AUTO

=BANK

0=TIME

REEL 12

Figure 2. Keyboard panel and typical display contents in TABLES and BANKS modes. Read the

separate quick guide explaining the use of each key.

788

899

9ESCESC

ESCESC

ESC

455

566

6MenuMenu

MenuMenu

122

0..

.--

3EnterEnter

EnterEnter

Enter

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LowLow

Low

PwrPwr

Pwr

Stat’sStat’s

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BIGNUMBIGNUM

BIGNUM GraphGraph

GraphGraph

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Select SelectSelect

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Banks/Banks/

Banks/

TablesTables

Tables

AutoAuto

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ONON

AutoAuto

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OFFOFF

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RangeRange

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CalCal

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Recipe

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Recipe

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899

9ESCESC

ESCESC

ESC

455

566

6MenuMenu

MenuMenu

122

0..

.--

3EnterEnter

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LowLow

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Stat’s

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

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AK30 PORTABLE SURFACE MOISTURE METER USER'S MANUAL

3. Use of the Instrument

Menus and Settings

Next we will go through all settings and options of the moisture meter accessible through menus. You

can refer to Appendix 12 for a graphic presentation of the menu system. When starting your AK30,

it shows momentarily the unit serial number. Then it is always in the normal measuring state which is

the default state. The default modes are BANKS and multiple display. The meter is ready for

measuring with a relatively good accuracy. Best accuracy is reached after about 6 minutes. The error

at cold start is usually much less than +/-0.3% in moisture. In the measuring state there is visible the

moisture reading and the graph display. It shows a curve of the moisture trend in some scale which

can be set in the menus (Curve). The graph can be made Autoranging too. Unfortunately, the display

is limited to four lines with eight characters at each line. This limits the length of names and other fields.

The measuring state may look like the following (to the left the default BANKS mode and to the right

the optional TABLES mode:

By using a PC we can always ask for a moisture value even if the meter is not in the measuring state.

The moisture is always measured in the background, independent of the visible state and displayed

at the center display if possible. This may be violated when doing some calibration work or other

special situations. The graph is updated whenever possible. When one uses the menu system the

special keys are not active until you return back to it.

In the measuring state are displayed the name of the calibration table in use, the calibration mode

(MULTI/SCALE), the moisture value in user-selectable units. If one takes a batch of samples to a Bank

with the Save or '+' keys, there will also be indicated the number of samples on the second line.

We can get to the menus by pressing the Menu key. The following display is then shown (main menu)

with the full eight lines of text slowly scrolling in the display to show all available options. All other

menus branch from this. Refer to Figure 5. for a display of the keys, the table just before it.

1=BANKS

2=CALIBR.

3=TABLE

4=ALARM

5=SERVIC

7=UNIT&C

8=CURVE

9=DISPLY

Before we start investigating the use and meaning of each submenu, we must tell you the way out

of the menus back to the measuring state.

Anytime you wish, you can press the ESC key to return to

higher menu levels. Press the ESC key as many times as is necessary, it will have no other effect but

endeavor towards the top.

Memory Banks

The memory banks offer to the user a way to save measurements done on the field. The series stay

in the memory even when the meter power is turned off. New samples are added always

contiguously after the last sample when the autotimer is started ('+' key to start, '-' key to stop). The

data can be examined later, either in the instrument or in a PC. The banks can be browsed on the

unit's display, statistics can be calculated and the whole bank system can be cleared. In a PC the

AK30 PORTABLE SURFACE MOISTURE METER USER'S MANUAL

displayed curve can be printed on paper or an HTML type report can be produced. Statistics can

be calculated there too. Samples can be added to a bank in different ways:

1. By pressing the front panel Save key (64 points)

2. By starting the autotimer, the bank is augmented at regular intervals and the number of

samples is limited by a preset value, maximum 500

3. By starting the Autotimer from the PC program. This is the so called remote sampling. Otherwise

it will work just like a button would have been pressed.

There may be a maximum of 500 samples in one bank. If more samples are needed, a new bank is

taken into use after restarting the Autotimer. The setup for sampling is done in Banks menu and one

can get there by pressing "1".

1=INTRVL

2=BATCH

5=ERDATA

6=NORMAL

The first line (1) offers the option to modify the Autotimer sampling interval. The second line (2) is for

setting up the number of samples for each batch to be saved into a bank with the Autotimer. Here

the option "5" allows erasing of all memory bank data. Be careful! Erased data can not be retrieved

anymore. The option 6 allows selection of the reporting speed. If it shows NORMAL, it is rather slow,

else it is marked as FAST and the meter will only quickly flash the results.

Note! If while using the meter, a text appears in the center display: MemFull you will need to clear

(erase) the memory bank system.

Typing in Data

It is time we shortly go through the steps of how to edit numeric and textual data fields. The text cursor

is an underline usually pointing at the least significant figure. A number key pressed leaves the

corresponding number on that place and moves the cursor one place to the right. To reach the other

numbers one uses the arrow keys to the left or right for stepping one number at a time. When the

number is finally correct, you press the Enter key. When the value to be edited consists of whole and

fractional parts, you can get to the fractional part by pressing either the '.' key, the arrow to the right

key or the Enter key. The whole and fractional parts are thus edited separately and the field lengths

are fixed. The ESC key can be used to accept the number field. If there is a fractional part, it is then

accepted as such. If a character needs to be removed, press the Menu key. You can return to editing

the decimal number's whole part by using the arrow key LEFT.

There are a few dialogs where one can modify a text field which behaves differently from a numeric

field. One can move again with the arrow keys LEFT/RIGHT and type in numbers and text characters.

The textual characters (letters A-Z and special signs) can be found by pressing the numbers more

than once in a row. They are hidden there just like in your mobile phone. One can also use the arrow

keys UP/DOWN to rotate the full set of available characters.

To set up the sampling interval press "1". The interval is edited with a resolution of 0.1 s. The shortest

time is 0.2 s and the longest is 32000 s. Note that the autotimer is able to operate even when in Low

Power mode but the values obtained are invalid.

AK30 PORTABLE SURFACE MOISTURE METER USER'S MANUAL

By pressing "2" you are asked of the batch size. You can enter a value between 0 and 500. AK30 takes

only the preset number of samples and then stops the autotimer. Also a sound signal is associated

with the ending. Note that if the SAMPLE line is activated in batch mode, the autotimer is started just

as the Sample was pressed. If necessary, the sampling can be stopped before the Autotimer does

it by pressing the '-' key.

Calibration menu

One can go to the calibration operations from the main menu by pressing "2". There will be shown

the following menu:

7=MULTI

3->MULTI

8=FLASH

9=MORE..

From here one with "7" to a multipoint calibration (MULTI). When a material is MULTI calibrated and

one wishes to use the corresponding table, one presses "3" in this menu to change its calibration

mode from SCALE to MULTI. The calibration mode can be toggled back and forth at will. As long as

the mode is SCALE, the resulting moisture value is only scaled (default 100 X to offer more significant

numbers). When the MULTI is selected as the mode for the current table, the 2 to 10 point calibration

takes effect. When satisfied with the calibration, press the Save key to save the new calibration data

to a nonvolatile memory in the library.

General Information about Calibration

To achieve the most accurate results in calibration the sample should be saturated and measured

in a controlled climate where one can rely on the fact that the surface moisture is the same as the

total moisture and evenly all over the surface. This is one of the important things you, as the expert

of your trade and special materials, must solve. You should also be aware of the inaccuracies caused

by different measuring conditions.

The inaccuracies in calibration come mainly from two sources, the moisture nonlinearity with the

signal and the difference between the assumed total moisture and measured surface moisture. You

can gain information from both effects with this instrument and eliminate them. The nonlinearity can

be observed after taking several measurements in a climatic chamber and by reading the balance

at the same time. AK30's nonlinearity is very small above 8% with most materials. The evenness of

moisture in the sample is left for the user's responsibility.

The dry weight should be determined with an oven. The drying should be executed at a proper

temperature determined by standards or experience avoiding browning or melting of the material

and evaporation of solvents or other components. Use an aluminum bag for keeping and handling

of the sample in the oven and balance. Taring the balance afterwards is easy. Else you have a risk

of exposing the sample to humid external air while attempting to determine its dry weight, getting

excessive weight readings. An error of 0.5 to 2% at this point is not uncommon. Keep the bag open

at one end to let air flow through it when in oven. For thick materials, it is best to keep it outside the

bag for a good while and then quickly move it inside. After some time, you can close the bag and

weigh it. This will ensure the sample is thoroughly dried.

AK30 PORTABLE SURFACE MOISTURE METER USER'S MANUAL

To minimize differences between total and surface moistures, the samples should be saturated at

constant conditions for an extended time to make sure that these two moistures are equivalent.

Some materials require longer times than average to settle in this respect and the suitable times

are learned by experience. The simplest way to know when a sample has reached the equilibrium

moisture is to measure the moisture with AK30 at regular intervals when the chamber temperature

and moisture are held constant. When the sample moisture signal has not changed for a few

intervals it possibly is close to equilibrium. However, note that there are materials which saturate

very slowly. It may take hours, days or weeks for them to settle into a new level. Patience is the best

friend in calibration. A paper of 80 grams / m2 or thinner, will settle in less than 30 minutes. A board

of 600 g / m2 will require several hours to arrive at the same state. Do not forget the hysteresis

effect in many fiber products. This is important to be kept in mind when moistening and drying the

samples. You will not arrive at the same moisture content when you have wetted the sample and

then you vary the %RH value of the chamber.

Large samples may bring another factor affecting calibration accuracy. Some parts of the sample

may be at different moisture levels, i.e. the sample moisture is not even. That happens easily with

sheetlike products. The moisture differences can be eliminated by careful climatization in a

chamber. There should be fans mixing the air around the sample to make the surroundings isotropic.

Thin samples are difficult to calibrate as such since the weight of the sheet is very small and balance-

based errors become significant. This is solved by having several sheets in the same conditions,

weighed as a bunch and measured with the meter by taking samples from several sheets. The

weight of one sheet is obtained by division. It is important that the sheets are of exactly same size

with a good accuracy, else division is not sensible. If that is not possible, do not use division but use

the total weight itself.

The meter’s response curve can be determined by taking several points both from the balance

and AK30. The values can be copied to some spreadsheet program to visualize the curve. This will

help a lot in getting successful calibrations.

Ca libra tion of m a te ria l X w ith AK30

0.9

0.95

1.05

1.1

1.15

012345678910111213141516

balance-%

AK30 raw signal

SCALE

MULTI

Figure 3. Calibration of a material in SCALE and MULTI modes.

455

1010

115.0

110.0

105.0

100.0

95.0

90.0

AK30 PORTABLE SURFACE MOISTURE METER USER'S MANUAL

Fig.3A. Calibration in MULTI mode, N = 2, a hypotethic, very nonlinear case.

0.9

0.95

1.05

1.1

1.15

1.2

02468101214161820

C a lib ra tio n o f m a te ria l X w ith AK 3 0

AK30 raw signal

Fig.3B. Calibration in MULTI mode, N = 3.

0.9

0.95

1.05

1.1

1.15

1.2

02468101214161820

C a lib ra tio n o f m a te ria l X w ith AK 3 0

AK30 raw signal

AK30 PORTABLE SURFACE MOISTURE METER USER'S MANUAL

Fig.3C. Calibration in MULTI mode, N = 4.

0.9

0.95

1.05

1.1

1.15

1.2

02468101214161820

C a lib ra tio n o f m a te ria l X w ith AK 3 0

AK30 raw signal

Fig.3D. Calibration in MULTI mode, N = 5.

0.9

0.95

1.05

1.1

1.15

1.2

02468101214161820

C a lib ra tio n o f m a te ria l X w ith AK 3 0

AK30 raw signal

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