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Self-paced Tutorial for Microtrac FLEX Software

1. 4 95 5 6 6 Kg 95 5 2 44 75 25 Ski 16 84 2 50 2 84 16 5 95 2 50 2 95 5 SL AN 15 rev C 20 01 19 2009 Zetatrac Lower Right Corner of Zetatrac Data Display IR Uy ees ILIA IRIE 1 944 0 00 100 00 1 635 0 00 100 00 1 375 0 00 100 00 1 156 0 00 100 00 Measurement Information 0 972 0 00 100 00 UDefllame UDefData 0 818 0 00 100 00 coos 0 687 0 00 100 00 0 578 0 00 100 00 0 496 0 00 100 00 0 409 0 00 100 00 Feta 5 le Inf ti eta Sample Information 0 344 0 46 100 00 p EENETI o LAILL ee Fluid 1 1 0 2890 2 04 99 54 ID Water NalH 0 2430 45T 97 50 Viscosity cp 0 8380 0 2044 9 78 97 93 Temperature 2f f2C 01719 17 66 83 15 Mielenie EOE le Dispersant Triton 100 eenlicl LL LWW skh eb dd bbb oe bob dels eee Pb Luo 0 1445 24 07 65 49 erase EEN ererenret 0 1215 22 29 41 42 q no Oa m pia 13 14 19 13 Conductivity 52 uS cm ror tit j a cabeerra ru 0 0859 4 83 5 99 F Concentration 0 05 wiv a 1 Particle ID Silica 44 98 my Sample Conc 2 viv Mobility 3 5lu s cm Zeta Potential Charge 0_036 fC Polarity Hegaltive Conductivit 52 uS cm Optional Information Zeta Potential Section Measurement Section Optional Information Section Zeta potential measurements are subject to many influences The list provided shows several of the most important aspects of parameters that require control to achieve repeatable measurements The values r
2. 65 7 5 In channel Min 10 Max 60 NOTE 8 1 Be sure to click next to SEL Select which will place check mark in the box The check mark tells the computer to include those data items and their corresponding min max values 8 2 These selections may be saved as file to save work next time you wish to use these selected values Click Query Results and select all records for DMD and Glass1 Right click on any of the selected records menu will be shown Click Retrieve to trend Plot and answer OK to the next dialog The software will find and plot the selected records according to the inputs made 9 1 Tests 1 Click the scroll bar on Points Per Page to change the number shown Note how the graph changes 2 Click Show Values and the actual value for each point is shown NOTES 10 1 Points within the green bar are those that are within the specified min and max values entered in the Trend Plot Set up 10 2 The Save icon looks like a 31 2 inch floppy disk will export the graph in picture format using a Save As dialog box SL AN 15 rev C 10 01 19 2009 10 3 The Copy icon will place the plots on the Windows clipboard ready for pasting into Word PowerPoint Excel or other compatible program Part H Data Tolerance Data tolerance display allows the user to establish pass fail criteria by inserting minimum maximum values After a measurement any values falling outsi
3. Area etc A copy of the Data explanation is below SL AN 15 rev C 16 01 19 2009 Microtrac Flex Data And Graphs Explanation Microtrac data include many values that are essential to developing particle size distribution specifications and evaluating data Each of these items is explained as well as changes to be expected The display provides a quick look at values while actual printed reports and exported data are developed in the Reports section For more detailed information please refer to the User s Manual in the HELP section of Microtrac FLEX software or contact the Microtrac Inc at 727 507 9770 in Largo FL PARTICLE SIZE DATA and INFORMATION Mdicroirac DATABASE AcUest for apps notes MOR 11 47 46 AM Fle Measure Control Dataletieval Yer Tools Reports Window Help EX UN ta GE Eo ei WA i tl Gl te Size Percent Data List of Customer Percent Between B Rec 3 Selected SizeS et 12087005 tias Sizes See Bar ae Microtrac Particle Laboratory Stik S170 Graph 1 18 Samimnary Percentiles Peaks Summary s Motes Bije 466 5 Miiumi 55 0 Mayank asa ERE 113 7 Percent CS horo i i Sk O maS 10 4 Passing Bigr 455 7 100 FTT 1 oe mada T Wfonmation SkE RGGT ans J ra 716 6 a Ee Distribution Volume Progqiession Geom 3 Root Upper Edqetump 1408 Lower Edge imbe 0 02715 Residual
4. Standard Deviation in microns also known as the Graphic Standard Deviation og is one measure of the width of the distribution It is not an indication of variability for multiple measurements Equation to calculate is 84 16 2 SDg or Ai Often known as Qj Inclusive Graphic Standard Deviation Includes more than 90 of the distribution and includes tails of distributions The SD includes only 67 of the distribution Very well sorted Very narrow Well sorted Ke Often known as SKg Kurtosis peakedness of a distribution is taken from sedimentology and uses phi values for calculation It measures the departure from normality of a curve Peakedness refers to how sharp a peak is Terms exist to describe the magnitude of kurtosis or how sharp the peak is Platykurtic from the Greek meaning fat describes a distribution having low kurtosis while leptokurtic Greek meaning slim describes a distribution having high kurtosis The following describes values for Kg Terminology Very Platykurtic 0 67 0 90 Platykurtic SL AN 15 rev C 18 01 19 2009 Ski Inclusive Graphic Skewness Skewness is a measure of how asymmetrical a curve is and how it varies from a normal bell shaped curve Ski includes 90 of the distribution and includes the tails of the distribution A symmetrical curve has a Ski value of 0 00 Values of 1 00 to 0 30 show fines influencing the skew Values of 0 30 to 1 00 show coar
5. report to check electronics uniform calibration tests and establishes balance among all detector segments Uniform Calibration and alignment are only necessary with S3500 4 4 Auto export Load data tolerance File and User Defined Edges will be discussed later 4 5 Other features include Auto export Manual Data Entry Sediments Option and User Defined Calculations REPORTS 5 1 Click on Auto print and Print Only Average Little blue boxes will appear to show that they are activated 5 2 SELECT DESIGN Allows user to design own report that can be printed or exported 5 2 1 Click to open Dialog boxes 5 2 2 Click any report on the left side Click Design Images will be shown 5 2 3 Modify the image demonstration if in Microtrac User s Course HELP 6 1 Click HELP A list of all manuals will be shown User s Manual provides detailed instructions for software features in Adobe PDF printable format On the MAIN TOOL BAR Many of the items on the Main Tool Bar are operational icons and will not be covered including Set zero Loading Screen and Run If you have questions regarding these operations please consult one of the instructors The other icons will be used later SL AN 15 rev C 3 01 19 2009 lt lt Microtrac FLEX Display Information Part B gt gt Please see the example in the handout titled Microtrac FLEX Display Information below for a summary of each of the functions shown on
6. This command is NOT persistent and will turn off when the software is exited 3 Auto Export SAVED RECORDS IN A FLEX DATABASE TO A FILE 3 1 Allows export of multiple records All records in a database or selected records can be exported Note that the records exported will have DAT extensions 3 2 Records can then be imported into another FLEX file or other database Excel Word etc This can be useful when sending files to a colleague by email When records are imported their original record numbers will be changed to adapt to the new database They will be added to the end of the database if a FLEX file is used 3 3 Need an existing file to which records will be sent This is called the Base File Name 3 4 Before proceeding you may use Windows Explorer to set up a folder name remember folder name where the data will be sent 3 5 Procedure 3 5 1 Using FLEX software open the database where the data resides 3 5 2 Click Data Retrieval 3 5 3 Select any or all records that will be exported to the Base File name made in explorer 3 5 4 Right click on any of the selected records A menu will appear Select Auto Export Selected Records 3 5 5 Auto Export Set Up appears 3 5 6 Select Folder Left Side of box 3 5 7 Select or type the base file name Base File Name where records will go The records will be exported as file names that start with the Base Name you have selected For instance if you use yo
7. box at the top labeled Use New The values in the Transparency box will not be used If you make one change and the other selections are not as you plan them to be then those will also be changed when the auto recalc is activated The settings shown are default values and most likely are not the selections you have made and shown in your data records Thus you can change the value of one but the others must be evaluated to assure that they are as you originally set them except for the change you want to make Click Update Records Upon activation the recalculation will occur and the records selected will automatically be recalculated and the records overwritten updated Note Some portions of the changes will not occur when a average of a series runs is selected Click Particle refractive index and Particle Shape SL AN 15 rev C 7 01 19 2009 6 1 Change the refractive index to 2 0 and the shape to irregular or spherical if it is already set to irregular 6 2 Assume that the other values and checks are as you originally set them for the measurement Click Query Results Right click on any record selected and click on Recalculate Selected Records The software will recall each record and recalculate the records according to the changes made in the set up operation At the same time it will update each record Part F Statistics Set Up Multiple measurements can be viewed in spreadsheet fo
8. maximum limits are entered and will be shown as a green bar passing spec Graphical scales are adjustable The plot can be printed exported and displayed in 3 D Click File Open Database for retrieval Select Example from the list of databases The database is saved as a MS Access database file The screen may seem to move allow the display to settle down before proceeding Click Retrieval then click Retrieve Data Under Database Query Filters click bench type and S3500 or Nanotrac All tabs will become active no longer grayed out NOTE A maximum of 6 data Items may be selected from all the channels sizes summary data etc Click Trend Plot Set Up Enter the following Min Max Value Limits as specifications 6 1 MV Limits Min 35 Max 45 6 2 10 Limits Min 10 Max 30 6 3 50 Limits Min 35 max 45 6 4 90 Limits Min 57 Max 58 6 5 In Standard Progression in Channel enter Size 37u Select size by clicking and scrolling on the down pointing arrow to the right of the open space 6 6 Also Min 20 Max 30 Plot Scale Minimum and Maximum Enter the following values for purposes of plotting the data points on the trend plot These values should be lower than the min spec and larger than the max spec so that each data point will be shown 7 1 MV Min 30 max 50 7 2 10 Limits Min 5 Max 45 7 3 50 Limits Min 25 max 65 7 4 90 Limits Min 55 Max
9. one at a time If its desirable to only change one then Reset is not necessary There is no harm in doing this if nothing is checked in the SEL column 6 To use a broad approach where the same percent variation is applied to all data records use Set or Set Fixed For example use the following values as limits 6 1 Set box In each case where you answer Yes the values will change to be 10 of the value shown in the blue column Differ Enter 10 in the Set box Click the set button A dialog box will be shown If you want to apply that percent to Percent Channel Pass or fail click yes if not then click No The box pertaining to another table will be shown Read each carefully and answer Yes or No You must go through this process again if you wish to have different percents for any of the tables 6 2 Set Fixed box Enter 20 in the Set Fixed box Click the Set Fixed button A dialog box will be shown If you want apply that percent to Percent Channel Pass or fail click yes if not then click No The box pertaining to another table will be shown Read each carefully and answer Yes or No In each case where you answer Yes the values will change to be 20 of the value shown in the blue column Note Resulting values less than 0 are assigned a value of 0 You must go through this process agai
10. the CTRL key and left click on the desired records To select a number of records in sequence hold down the shift key and click on the last record of the sequence All records including the first and last records of the sequence will turn gray 8 Select Retrieve at the lower left corner and the software will select only those records grayed out When complete the display will show the first record of the sequence 9 Test Select records 4 5 and 7 Activate the retrieval When retrieval is complete record 4 will be shown Click the NEXT icon on the Main Toolbar to view record 5 Click Previous to view record 4 again Part D Plots and Comparison Plot Options 1 Perform the steps above 1 4 and 9 except do not activate to retrieve the records Three records will be highlighted 2 Test Move the mouse pointer over any one of the selected records and RIGHT CLICK A menu will appear 3 Click Compare Plot Selected Records A plot of the records will appear The records may appear as only one they are over laid nearly exactly Move the pointer to 3D and click The graph will expand showing all records clearly 4 Click the box next to the 3D icon and use it to change the position of the graph by placing the cursor over the graph and moving it back and forth Stop when you obtain a graph that is appealing to you 5 Click the circle arrows and move the cursor to the graph Move the arrow and th
11. the FLEX monitor display This display is not changeable except from the standpoint of hiding or revealing information Locations and sizes of the components cannot be changed however design of reports for printing and export is very flexible as shown earlier Microtrac Flex Display Information Microtrac FLEX software provides for complete flexibility to modify the display change colors export import data in commonly used formats recall data records and many other features This assures that each customer can customize exported printed reports as well as display only the information desired A reproduction of the display is shown below containing the tool bars used to access features and operate the Microtrac instrument Each item contains an explanation that is activated by placing the mouse cursor over the icon or button of interest For more detailed information please refer to the User s Manual in the HELP section of Microtrac FLEX software or contact the Microtrac Inc at 72 507 9770 in Largo FL Menu TOOLS AND TOOLBARS Microtrac DATABASE test for apps notes MDB 11 42 46 AM File Measure Control Data Retrieval View Tools Reports Window Help E x SAVE UPOT NEXT P Main Tool Bar H SERAme oo oer T CTT E TRF x JAA ih ia pa Data Display Tool Bar Data Status DB Meas Original DB Recs Acquired 12 08 2005 11 18 Glass Date 12 08 2008 SIM 3220 Spheres Time 11 18 Date a
12. Self paced Tutorial for Microtrac FLEX Software Stepwise approach to learning and understanding how to use FLEX Philip E Plantz Applications Note SL AN 15 Rev C Provided By Microtrac Inc Particle Size Measuring Instrumentation l 6 Y nn of Nike Introduction This portion of the Microtrac User s Course is devoted to developing a working knowledge of FLEX software Since software is best learned by actual performance of various functions hands on operation is an integral part of this session Portions will be explained but the expectation is that each person will perform the various functions Each computer is provided space for two people since this type learning experience can be enhanced by the interaction and thoughts brought by the interaction of two people working together much as is done in college laboratories As such it is a self paced learning experience but please be sure to ask questions if you should get hung up in a particular area In some cases a particular function will be demoed and then time will be allowed for you to perform a similar function Because of the high capability and number of feature of FLEX software not all aspects of each feature can be attempted Please see the User s Manual for more specific information and details than presented here or please ask us about specific features which we will cover on Friday on an individual basis Our staff welcomes your comments
13. The result is presented as the data UDF Data Percent Passing Percent Retained and Percent Channel Data Percentiles Values are selectable over the range 1 to 99 in 1 increments They are calculated and then located in the table Use SETUP command to access selections Tabular Data The measuring range of the instrument is divided into fixed channel or particle sizes Particles sizes are identified on the left column in units of microns or sieve sizes as selected by the operator Cumulative data values are on the same line as the particle size and are read as percent smaller passing than The data may also be displayed as percent larger retained than For data presented as oercent smaller than volume percent in channel CHAN values are read as volume percent between the particle size on the same line and the line below For data presented as percent larger than or S RETN the volume percent between sizes is read as the amount between the size on the same line and the size above Example In the data display shown percent smaller than 24 06 of the volume is smaller than 44 microns The percent between adjacent sizes for percent passing format is shown beside the larger size e g 5 19 lies between 44 00 microns and 40 35 microns When data are presented in the PERCENT RETAINED format as indicated at the top of the data column the percent between sizes would be located beside 40 35 microns S
14. base for retrieval Click Data Retrieval Retrieve Data and then Query Results Click on a record that will be used to prepare a pd file Click the Retrieve box in the lower left corner of the Dialog 1 2 Click Reports and Export A list of reports will be shown Select pdf Landscape Full 1 3 Click OPEN The Print Options dialog box will be show Click the Change box The Printer Choice box will be shown Warning Do not change printer to Adobe pdf format since it will cause the pdf file to be very very large 1 4 Click Select and the Print Set Up box will be shown Next to Name the printer being used for normal hard copies will be shown Use the scroll to select Adobe pdf 1 5 Click OK returns to Printer Choice Click OK in the box returns to Printer Options box Click Start If it is desirable to save all measurements as PDF files then click Save Options Permanently SL AN 15 rev C 15 01 19 2009 1 6 A box will be shown Save PDF File As Select a folder use C by scrolling and type the name of the file Click on SAVE The PDF file will be created and a bar will be shown in the lower right or left lower corner signifying that it is complete The pdf will be shown on the display Endnotes As a final exercise retrieve a record and activate any button not described e g Wide Large Raw Num
15. check mark left click on the box beside the channels of specific interest To allow them to be shown on the main screen put a check under the SEL column These will be shown on the main screen when this exercise is completed 2 4 Save the set up to a file 2 5 Activate display click on a box so that the pass fail will be shown on the main screen for each of the channels selected 3 Example of setting the tolerances Open the Example database Retrieve record 1 This acts as a template discussed above to set up the tolerances you have previously decided upon This exercise will provide a set of these tolerances as an example When all entries are completed the file can be saved and recalled to see if a particular sample measurement passes or fails It may be useful in your daily work to label the file according to a Product name so that it can be recalled and applied to the correct sample material being measured 4 Click the Data Tolerance icon Click Percent Channel under Data Format We are using Percent Channel for learning purposes only For your specific needs at your place of business there are other choices SL AN 15 rev C 11 01 19 2009 5 Since this is a new tolerance set up it is easiest to start with blank boxes under the SEL columns Click Reset to start a new setup for tolerance testing This will un check all SEL boxes that are selected This tool is easier than un checking each size
16. de the min or max will display FAIL in the status column 1 NOTES 1 1 Data must be saved in Standard Progression Standard Progression may be obtained by going to SETUP OPTIONS and PERSPECTIVE Then select Standard Progression and recalculate If more than one record must be recalculated to achieve the Standard then use the auto recalculation feature If there are any plans to use the Data Tolerance feature in the future it may be easiest to make measurements and save data as STANDARD progression All data in the Example Database are saved in the Standard progression 1 2 To set up the tolerance display data must first be displayed either as a measurement or database retrieval This will act as a template to set up the Data Tolerance according to your needs 1 3 Two things must be done 1 3 1 Set up Data Tolerance limits 1 3 2 Activate the display to allow the selected values to be shown 1 4 Once set up clicking DAT TOL will show for new measurements or those recalled from the database whether the measurement values are within the tolerance specified 2 The general concept is as follows 2 1 Retrieve a record from the database 2 2 Set the limits using one of two approaches 2 2 1 Setarange of minimum and maximum values for all of the particle size percentile or summary data values 2 2 2 Set specific values one at a time or change some of the ranges set by the above approach 2 3 Put a
17. e graph will change again Stop when you have an appealing picture 6 Click the arrow on the left of the circle of arrows This is a selection arrow Note that the graph must in the line mode not 3 D Place the cursor over the graph hold the left mouse key down and move the mouse A block will form around the graph data having the size of the motion of the mouse The graph will expand to those limits Thus you can be very selective about what data you wish to show SL AN 15 rev C 6 01 19 2009 fe At this point the graph may be copied to excel PowerPoint Word or other compatible document Clicking the copy command places the image on the clipboard for easy pasting 7 1 Click the Copy command 7 2 Open PowerPoint or Word Select a new slide PowerPoint or page Word 7 3 Click Paste The graph will be pasted onto the slide or page From here the image can be modified as normally done with the MS Office programs Click the triangle ruler icon and total command of the picture can be achieved Example Change color of one of the graph lines 8 1 Double left click on darkened bar DMD Glass A dialog box will show all of the features of the line Take a few moments to try a few changes 8 2 Changing scales If the graph does not have desirable scales click the arrows lt gt 8 3 Changing Plot Type At the lower right corner a choice of 3 graphs types is presented Select one or more 8 4 Clic
18. en records are imported their original record numbers will be changed since they will be added to the end of the existing records 4 4 Procedure 4 4 1 Open an existing database file in FLEX where the data will go Alternatively create a new database file using the FILE tool in FLEX The records will be added on to the end of previous records if the file already has records in it The new added on records will take on new record numbers 4 4 2 Click Data retrieval and click Auto Import Files to db 4 4 3 Auto import ASCII will be shown From the left side select the location and folder name where the exported data records were sent The exported records shown as file names will be shown 4 4 4 On the right side select records files to be imported To select all files highlight the first file and move the mouse cursor to the last file and click again To only select certain files click the first file of interest and then click the next file while holding down the Ctrl key Perform this for each desired record or file 4 4 5 Click Import to DB Auto importing will activate After completion check the folder where the records were imported Note that the record numbers have changed if imported to an existing database If a newly created database without records is used the record numbers will start with the number 1 Part J Saving records as Adobe PDF files 1 1 Go to FILE and open the EXAMPLE data
19. equested are voluntary and are not required for zeta potential measurements to be conducted successfully The values become a permanent record with any saved data and allow easy record keeping of conditions imposed for the measurement millivolts 30 to 40 Moderate stability 40 to 60 Good stability 61 and greater Excellent stability Charge Charge and polarity at the surface Polarity Provides the identification of the positivity or negativity of zeta potential value Conductivity Provided in units of microSiemans per cm Zeta Potential Measurement Section The values presented are measured by the Zetatrac Mobility Provides the direction of travel of the particles when exposed to the Zetatrac imposed electric field Negative sign indicates that the particle is moving towards the anode SL AN 15 rev C 21 01 19 2009 Zeta Potential From Henry s Formula for mobility The value represents the potential difference between the dispersion medium and the stationary layer of fluid attached to the particle Zeta potential is related to colloidal dispersion stability Zeta potential values greater than 25mvolts are an indication of stability The chart above may be used as an approximate guide The value can be either positive or negative Henry s formula up G 2e f ka 3 n C 3nUp 2Ef Ka q 2med e dielectric constant u mobility n viscosity q charge d diameter f a Debye Hucke
20. ibution It is one type of average particle size or central tendency MI Nanotrac only Mean diameter of the intensity distribution Intensity distribution is not calculated using Mie theory or Modified Mie theory Molecular Weight MW A calculation to provide molecular weight grams mole See equation below for details MN Mean diameter in microns of the number distribution is calculated using the volume distribution data and is weighted to the smaller particles in the distribution This type of average is related to population or counting of particles MA Mean diameter in microns of the area distribution is calculated from the volume distribution This area mean is a type average that is less weighted also less sensitive than the MV to changes in the amount of coarse particles in the distribution It represents information on the distribution of surface area of the particles of the distribution CS Calculated surface Provided in units of M cc the value provides an indication of the specific surface area The CS computation assumes smooth solid spherical particles It may be converted to classical units for SSA of M g by dividing thru value by the density of the particles It should not be interchanged with BET or other adsorption methods of surface area measurement since CS does not take into effect porosity of particles adsorption specificity or topographical characteristics of particles SD
21. ile determined and named by the user File name is shown in the Title Bar Graph Toolbar Provides tools to customize the graphical image of the data and modify to show 3 D modify axes colors and copy for use in presentations ID Two levels of sample identifiers may be entered using the ID located on the Main Toolbar ID will update when measurement is completed Sample System Controls Provides access to all functions of fluid circulator dry powder feeder and ultrasonic probe Shown is vertical arrangement but operator may select horizontally as desired with other toolbars Setzero Status Green setzero satisfactory Red Setzero warning that background is too high and date time of last setzero according to computer clock setting Measurement Information Contains information regarding the sample measurement or record being displayed GEN provides user entered values applied parameters set during Measurement Setup type of distribution measuring time filter status Anal provides fluid and particle parameters refractive index viscosity etc used for calculating the displayed measurement Calc provides for miscellaneous calculated and measured values for the displayed record Includes error of distribution calculation loading index transmission SSYS provides information on sampling system circulator dry powder measurement settings selected and to be used during the measurement Notes An area that functio
22. ining the sizes difference from the min max values and whether the value PASSES or FAILS the tolerance values entered above 9 Retrieve several records form the Example database For each of the records click the Data Tolerance icon Any values not within the specification you entered for the present data tolerance file recalled will show FAIL in red PASS will be in green If you would like to see all the values including those not checked click the Data Tolerance icon in the Data Display Tool Bar 10 If you need a different Data Tolerance file to decide pass fail click the icon and select the appropriate file containing the values needed for comparison to the record you are reviewing SL AN 15 rev C 12 01 19 2009 To do this click Recall and select the first file saved Note that the pass and fail criteria are changed and the sizes passing and failing have also changed Click OK to return to the full display of the measurement data Part I Exporting and Importing Data The ability to export and import data is an important aspect of performing measurements The following description provides descriptions of the various ways Microtrac FLEX data can be exported and imported Note When exporting data the location is usually at Programs Microtrac FLEX 10 xx xx Databases YOUR File name 1 The diagram shows the procedure to export a portion of the displayed data and the method to e
23. ize Percent Data Operator may enter up to 100 desired particle sizes Microtrac will calculate the associated volume percentile Cumulative Graph A cumulative graph with YPASSING pass or RETAINED Ret tabular data are presented as a line graph or in 3 D as selected by the 3D button part of the GRAPH TOOLBAR Graph may be modified by using scrolling arrows and icons located in the graph area The values used to produce the graph are those in the tabular data identified as Smaller or Larger The percent point for a specific size may be found by determining the point of intersection of the desired size and the cumulative curve for any size interest and then determining the volume percent from the vertical axis on the left See above for information on percentile calculation and display SL AN 15 rev C 19 01 19 2009 Microtrac only presents data within the particle size range of a given model or instrument set up Particles larger than or smaller than the instrument measuring range are not included as part of the distribution or other data For this reason percent smaller or larger than data begin with 100 at the largest or smallest size measured in a sample even though some particles may exist outside the measuring range Relative Graph CH When bar graphs are printed or displayed midpoints of channel sizes are used Line graphs are automatically developed by connecting the midpoints Graphical data pro
24. k the X in the upper right corner to close the plot From Data Retrieval reselect the same records as above and click on Comparison Plot Options The choices are 9 1 Include Average Records Only when this is activated will the FLEX calculated average of a series e g 3 measurements and the average are automatically calculated be included 9 2 Plot Average of set All records selected will be averaged and graphed useful when you want to compare one or more records to an average of many others when the average includes the record 9 3 Plot standard Deviation The standard deviation of all records selected will be calculated and displayed It is often easier to spread out the plot so that these can be seen easily Edit the Bottom axis scale Triangle ruler icon so that the S D values become more easily read Part E Auto recalculation 1 Retrieve data records as before First Click S3500 in Query Files and tabs will become evident Click Auto Recalc Set up This allows set up only of what you want to change ina number of database records all at one time This saves performing the same function on one record at a time Note Some portions of the changes will not occur when a average of a series runs is selected NOTE BE SURE THAT ALL ITEMS ARE AS YOU WANT THEM TO BE OR AS THEY WERE SET ORIGINALLY If you do not want to change e g Transparency then do not check the
25. l parameter depends upon concentration and size Where represents inverse distance of surface from the shear plane For Microtrac zeta potential assume Smoluchowski approximation where f a 3 2 and zeta potential is calculated as NUp Charge A calculated value equal to a sphere having a charge distribution which is the same as the mobility of the particles being measured Q 3 pnd SL AN 15 rev C 22 01 19 2009
26. n if you wish to have different percents for any of the tables 6 3 If some of the values for max and min are not desirable then they may be edited by entering them manually 6 3 1 Place the cursor over the max or min value you want to replace 6 3 2 Type the value Click Refresh Refresh acknowledges that changes have been made manually 6 3 3 Save the file with a new name or the one that you just changed For the purposes of this exercise please save the file with a new name 7 Showing and accessing the selected values NOTE Showing selected values is particularly useful during measurements by allowing only those percentiles etc of interest to be accessed rather all possible values To allow these to be shown Click VIEW on the Main Tool Bar Click Configure Data View Click Data Tolerance and click the box at Show Selected Parameters The previous steps above have allowed 1 the tolerances to be set up and 2 allow access to the selected parameters to be shown on the display Be sure that the file has been saved as in Step 6 3 3 Click OK at the bottom of the dialog box and you will return to the main screen Remember you are using the latest Data Tolerance set up file that was just established 8 The DAT TOL tab Note that on the main screen in the Measurement Information area a new extra tab now is shown Clicking on it DAT TOL shows a box with a list entered above conta
27. nd Peaks Summary Tabular Data Notes Time Retrieval Microtrac Particle Laboratory Sumffvary Size Percentiles Data Nakaa i Vol Width Siz um Chan Pass lt MVium i 68 6 113 70 5 0 00 31 42 x 31 4 12 24 0 31 42 Setzero 31 42 Status Sample ID 1 na 31 42 Mz 455 7 322 8 eo 31 42 UDef Name UDef Data Measurement Information NES Results of Custom S SYS 7 Math Formulas Gen User Selected 191 9 0 00 31 42 Distribution Volume Percentiles 176 0 0 00 31 42 Hit 161 4 0 00 31 42 war e Fer rride EH nin nedetid preerian 20 148 0 0 00 31 42 SDg 265 4 Ski 0 638667 Kg 26 471 Progression Geom 8 Root Upper Edge um 1408 gt bp i Lower Edge um 0 0215 4 eE EHHH HHHH EH a ue Measurement Information Residuals Disabled 404 2 ipeabalnb ust adas4cfhipoo bab hts 10 L A No Of Channels 128 opii HREH SEBEL Li ss RE EE merece comer eee CE OEE Sampling Systems 0 0 md Control Toolbar 0 01 0 1 1 10 100 1 000 10 000 gt Size microns Cell ID 0134 gt hy i a Run Time sec 30 lil il Large to Small Bar Retained Restore Graph Keep Run Number 1 of 1 Start Inbox Microsoft C Documents an 1 XnView Microtrac DATA TE Microsoft PowerP mg Hu 11 52am SL AN 15 rev C 4 01 19 2009 Menu Provides access to various program
28. ns as a word processor for comments and experimental notes SL AN 15 rev C 5 01 19 2009 lt lt Features and Functions of FLEX Software Part C etc gt gt The following exercises use the database named Example Please note that the most commonly used features are reviewed in this document Many other features are available in the software Please be sure to ask us if a particular feature is desired or assistance is needed for other features Part C Database Retrieval Function 1 Click File Open Database for retrieval 2 Select Example from the list of databases The database is saved as a MS Access database file The screen may seem to move allow the display to settle down before proceeding 3 Click Retrieval then click Retrieve data 4 Under database Query Filters click bench type and S3500 All tabs will become active no longer grayed out 5 In this tab very selective recall of records may be set up according to day date time and ID s To properly activate be sure to click Enable Filters box at the lower left 6 Test Click on the box next to Sample ID 1 In Sample ID 1 tyoe DMD Glass exactly as shown here Click the Query Results tab and only those records with that name will be shown even though other records are present in the database 7 Click 1 or more of the records Click on one record and it turns gray To select non sequential records hold down
29. o MEASURE and select an instrument A file will open MEASURE allows for activating Save all records Save AVG records only Auto Export of data and auto alignment with each setzero When activated a small lightly colored blue bar will appear above the setzero indicator box Activate each of these to show the three selections as blue bars Click VIEW then CONFIGURE DATA VIEW The information provided on the monitor or display is controlled here The display items also can be controlled by the icons located in the Data Display Toolbar but any changes are NOT permanent The changes will only remain if the check box in CONFIGURE DATA VIEW labeled Persistence is checked This dialog must be opened to make permanent changes to information shown on the display 3 1 CUSTOMIZE RESTORE This tool actually only is used as restoration and not for customizing the tool bars TOOLS 4 1 SECURITY is a special function that we will discuss on an individual basis since it is normally used in specialized industries Security is designed to be compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 4 2 HARDWARE CONFIGURATION also titled S3000 S3500 in versions earlier than 10 2 12 Allows setup and selection of sampling system auto sampling systems optical bench types that are to be connected to the computer Thus the software will search for these items when it is booted 4 3 SERVICE Allows special functions to be performed such as alignment bench status
30. on this session General The Microtrac FLEX software operates S3500 and Nanotrac All features are available in both instruments thus it is not necessary to be using the exact model instrument you own for this training This document contains basic procedures for using the following Microtrac FLEX Software features 1 Tools and toolbars Part A 2 Explanation and diagram of information shown on the screen display Part B 3 Features and function of FLEX software Database and record retrieval Part C Plots graphs and comparison plots Part D Auto recalculation of multiple records simultaneously Part E Statistics set up for averaging multiple records Part F Trend plot set up to observe consistency of particle size values as a function of time Part G Data tolerance to set maximum and minimum values for automatic pass fail examination of new measurements or those in a database Part H g Exporting and importing single or multiple records either manually or automatically Export to ASCII FLEX Excel or HTML format Part I Preparing Adobe Acrobat pdf files Part J o0OQanqgdoao om SL AN 15 rev C 2 01 19 2009 N lt lt Tools and Toolbars Part A gt gt Please click and open each of the following and note the function of each The following items are those that we believe are common to all users and it is important that their purpose be understood On the MENU BAR Go to Go t
31. operations and features As a convenience many items for Measurement Control and View are also shown and accessible as active buttons in other toolbars Reports design permits customizing data reports that will be printed or exported Reports design does not modify display items Title Bar Provides the program version path location and file name being used Title User entered title Main Toolbar Allows for operator functions including making measurements setzero entering sample identification ID Loading screen RUN activation and setup database record retrieval distribution type volume area etc recalculation activation updating a displayed record and accessing previous next record from a database Order of the functions displayed is customizable Data Display Toolbar Allows selection of data items to be displayed by Hide and Unhide commands printer activation view trend plots data tolerance graphs of setzero raw data etc Data Status Indicates recalculation and security status of the record shown Recalculated means that the record Original has or has not undergone a change More details are available in the HELP tool under User Manual Data Acquired Date that the measurement of the sample was performed Date and Time Indicates the date and time the record was saved or recalculated Database Record Number Data are stored as a sequence of record numbers in a specific f
32. p 6 in the Click OK File is now an ascii file that can imported into FLEX or other software 1 2 3 4 Note Remember location and name 5 6 Export Data Record box to the left of this box Click OPEN Imported data will be displayed Click SAVE to add the record to the opened database It will be last record in the list accessed by Data Retrieval SL AN 15 rev C 13 01 19 2009 2 Auto Export MULTIPLE NEW MEASUREMENTS to a file as they occur 2 1 Need existing file to send records to 2 2 Before proceeding use Windows Explorer to set up a folder and file name where the data will be sent The first several steps below are for setting up the transfer to the new file The final steps activate the transfer 2 3 Procedure 2 3 1 Go to Tools 2 3 2 Click Auto export Set up 2 3 3 Select folder Left Side of box 2 3 4 Select the file name where the data will go This is the Base File Name set up in Explorer 2 3 5 Select a Unique File Name Each record will be given an extension according to date time or numerical sequence This is your choice 2 3 6 Select file format Your choice Do you want to import the data records into another FLEX file Send them to Excel Make an ASCII file that can later be imported into Word Excel or other ASCII compatible program 2 3 7 Click OK 2 3 8 Click Measure 2 3 9 Click Auto export to file This activates auto export
33. rmat Mean values Standard Deviation and Coefficient of Variation can be shown There are two ways to do this 1 From Data Retrieval 2 during active measurements when more than 1 run is selected From Data Retrieval 1 2 3 10 11 Click File Open Database for retrieval Select Example from the list of databases The database is saved as a MS Access database file The screen may seem to move allow the display to settle down before proceeding Click Retrieval then click Retrieve data Under database Query Files click bench type and S3500 or Nanotrac All tabs will become active no longer grayed out Select parameters in the Statistics Set Up tab and format for which you want to analyze and view Click mean standard deviation and coefficient of variation on the right side This standard deviation shows variation about the mean of the values and is not the same as the Microtrac SD value breadth of distribution Save these selections as a file lower right corner if you think you will use the same selections again This saves time next time you want to use these specific values when doing Statistical analysis using Microtrac Click query results tab and Right click on any of the selected records that are grayed out Click on Retrieve to Statistics Display Click OK to perform data retrieval and statistics display NOTES 10 1 Any record can be incl
34. s Disabled No Of Channels 178 Mode S300 Filter Enabled Analysis Gain WA Cell ID 0134 Run Time sech 30 Run Humirer 1 selected A Percentiles f Pass ii i 4 Ti d ja W Cumulative Percent eani adic Smaller Graph ta i r z z Mircea t i E Pane Terris an i ra ea F LiF ed k LI ATA Pier t Picea a Fi E z g E 1 Sizes The default unit for size is micrometers microns The sizes in this table are not customizable and are determined by the optical of the instrument Customized sizes are selectable in the SETUP portion of the software and are displayed in Size Percent Data Percentiles Software selectable Percentile Points in microns show the percentage of the volume or weight if the density for all the particles is the same that is smaller than the size indicated Percentiles can be shown as percent larger and indicates the volume percent larger than the size shown The 50 percent point is the median diameter or D50 and represents one type of average particle size SL AN 15 rev C 17 01 19 2009 Summary Data MV Mean diameter in microns of the volume distribution represents the center of gravity of the distribution Mie or modified Mie calculations are used to calculate the distribution Implementation of the equation used to calculate MV will show it to be weighted strongly influenced by a change in the volume amount of large particles in the distr
35. se particles as influencing the skew Mz Graphic Mean provides a less coarse particle weighted mean particle size than MV While it includes the median value it can provide a different and possibly better control value since both small particles and large particles are included in the calculation Peaks Summary Microtrac software automatically provides information on multi modal distributions The Dia vol and width identify individual modes Dia The 50 D50 of each mode is calculated after determining the minimum and maximum sizes contributing to the specific peak under consideration For two modes each will have a separate 50 When only one mode is present the Dia will equal the 50 of the particle distribution Width Indicates the width of the peak under consideration For two modes each will have a calculated width given in microns When only one mode is present in the distribution the width 2 SD 84 16 Vol The calculated contribution in percent of each peak to the total volume of the distribution RMS Residual Root mean square Microtrac performs calculations to provide particle size distributions The calculation is completed when software decided least error is attained The RMS is presented as percent UDEF Name and UDEF Data Microtrac software allows the user to perform special calculations to suit a customized need Each calculation is given a name UDEF Name by the user
36. uded even an average of multiple runs It may not be desirable to have them included with single measurements Also it may not be desirable to have single measurements included if many Microtrac average values those from multiple measurements of same sample in the circulator measured multiple times are being shown 10 2 There is no limit to the number of records to be calculated or displayed 10 3 Only the individual measurements records can be exported to Excel An equation must be set up in Excel to calculate the mean std dev and CV 10 4 The data are shown in the currently selected data view Another data view Passing Channel Retained may be selected from 10 4 1 Before Data retrieval select View Configure Data View 10 4 2 Atthe bottom of the dialog box select the desired view from Statistics Display Presentation A trend of the values is shown at the bottom of the display SL AN 15 rev C 8 01 19 2009 11 1 Highlight a row by clicking on any row in the Tabular Data in the top section Click on Plot Selected Tabular Row The plot will be shown 11 2 Highlight a row by clicking on any row in the Summary Data bottom section Click on Plot Selected Summary Row The plot will be shown SL AN 15 rev C 9 01 19 2009 Part G Trend Plot Set Up Up to 6 Data Items MV percentile etc may be selected and plotted simultaneously Any number of records containing the data may be selected Minimum
37. ur personal name the file for an individual record would be YOUR NAME_1 DAT if sequential numbering is used See next step Ifa new Base File Name is not entered the Base File Name will be MIDATA_1 DAT for the first record exported For the second record exported to as a file the name will be MTDATA_2 DAT Date and time may be selected rather than sequential numbering SL AN 15 rev C 14 01 19 2009 3 5 8 Select a Unique file name Each record will be changed into a file and be given an extension according to date time or numerical sequence The extension will be shown after the Base File Name 3 5 9 Select file format Your choice Do you want to import the data records into another FLEX file Send them to Excel Make an ASCII file that can later be imported into another FLEX file Word Excel or other ASCII compatible program 3 5 10 Click OK Auto export will be activated and the selected files will show on the display 4 Auto IMPORT RECORDS FROM AN ASCII file 4 1 Allows import of multiple records into another FLEX file Useful when combining data from different files into one file Imports all records saved in Base File Name 4 2 Files for importing must first be exported to a Base File Name using the FLEX software as described above 4 3 Records can then be imported into another FLEX file or other database Excel Word FLEX etc This can be useful when receiving files or selected records from a colleague by email Wh
38. vide an opportunity to view the distribution at a glance In the example data display 5 using the right axis of the volume is indicated at approximately 90 microns Best quantitative data are obtained from the numerical data in the tables Volume percent in channel data are used to produce the graph Sediments Optional Feature The optional feature is designed for those interested in soils and sediment particle size analysis To compute the values it employs phi values which are widely used in sediments scientists size value are calculated from log size log 2 The sediments feature uses all data including information included that may be out of the range of Microtrac Note that the values for Mz Ski Kg Sg on the main FLEX screen uses only Microtrac data and the percentile values where units are in microns The data values on the sediments feature screen are in phi values The calculations for Mz Sdg Kg and Ski are taken form Petrology of Sedimentary Rocks Robert L Folk Univ Texas Hemphill s Austin Texas MV ZVidi XVi MN X Vj d X V d MA XV 2 V d MI XIjd XI MW pN z 6 d SD 84 16 2 CS K MA Width 84 16 Where V Volume percent between sizes d Size represented by the center geometric progression between any 2 sizes I Intensity percent between sizes P Density of the particles K Ratio of Area to Volume of sphere Mz 16 50 84 3 SDg 84 16
39. xport a single measurement not a retrieved record form the database Export portions of data display on screen Exports only one Portion Summary Data Tabular Data Percentiles etc of the data on the display Right Click on any portion of displayed information Summary Data Tabular Data etc Click Export Click on choice ascii Excel HTML Select a path at the top and type a File name at the bottom under which the file will be saved Make a note of the path and any folders used Click OK Data will be exported in one of three file formats 1 ASCII can be used by many software programs 2 Excel Spreadsheet 3 HTML useful for email ready image of the data File is found by accessing the file path used for export If the path is not changed the file may be located at C Program Files gt Microtrac Software Version gt Databases file name you typed SS ee Manual Export and Import of a single data measurement No need to setup file in Windows Explorer before this activity as in necessary with auto export Produces ASCII file that can be imported to FLEX Export data record IMPORT data record one at atime one ata time Click Measure Set up a file name in FLEX for data to be Click Export Meas to file imported to Type file name Open database where the data will be imported TO Click Measure Click Import Meas from file Find File that was made in Ste

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