BARTINGTON INSTRUMENTS

Operation Manual

Multisus 2 for Windows

Bartington Instruments Ltd 10 Thorney Leys Business Park Witney OXON OX28 4GG England Tel: +44 1993 706565 Fax: +44 1993 774813

Specifications may be subject to slight alteration without prior notice. This system is not qualified for use in explosive atmospheres or life support systems. Consult Bartington Instruments for advice. The copyright of this document is the property of Bartington Instruments Ltd. The document is supplied on the condition that it is to be treated commercially confidential and it may not therefore be disclosed to any third party without the written authorisation of the Managing Directors of Bartington Instruments.

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CONTENTS

Title

Page

Installation

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Introduction Starting Up MS2B Dual Frequency Sensor MS2C Core Logging Sensor MS2E Surface Scanning Sensor MS2G Single Frequency Sensor Equipment Drift Printing and Plotting Data Saving and Opening Data

4 5 8 11 13 15 18 20 21

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INSTALLATION

MULTISUS 2 is supplied on CD and will run under Windows '95, '98, 2000 and Windows NT 3.51 or higher MULTISUS 2 requires a Windows PC with a CD ROM drive, an available serial port and optional printer connected. The minimum and recommended system requirements are: Minimum Free hard disk space RAM Processor 2 Mb 8 Mb 486 66 MHz Recommended 16 Mb Pentium 150 MHz

Note: the installation files may be copied to a network drive and installed from there. To install the MULTISUS 2 software: 1 2 3 4 Ensure you are running Windows Close all other applications. Put the supplied disk in your CDROM drive. Select this drive in File Manager or Explorer Expand the compressed software by doubleclicking on the selected file in File Manager and select 'Unzip'. This creates a number of files including one called setup.exe Double click on the file 'setup.exe', which was copied into your selected temporary directory. Please be patient while the software is installed. Follow the on screen instructions. When the installation is complete, you will be notified by a small screen prompt. Store the installation disks in a safe place.

If warnings or errors are generated during installation try installing the software again. If prompted ''Do you want to overwrite existing files?' select YES. Follow the instructions in Chapter 2 'Starting Up' to run the program. To avoid errors in calculations with decimal values, the keyboard input language should be set to English and decimal values should be entered using a point and not a comma.

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INTRODUCTION

MULTISUS is purpose designed software for interfacing the MS2 Susceptibility System with a Windows personal computer. It allows measurements on single samples and whole cores to be recorded and stored on file. The software is able to compensate for: equipment drift; container susceptibility; and core diameter.

The software can also calculate: volume and mass specific susceptibility; and frequency dependent susceptibility.

Users may wish to compile the susceptibility data in other software, such as spreadsheets and word processors, for further analysis and graphs. The MULTISUS for Windows data files are easily imported directly into these. As detailed in this Operation Manual, it is necessary to compensate for instrument drift during a sequence of measurements if the optimum precision is to be obtained. This is accomplished by making an air measurement before and after each sample or series of measurements. The instrument drift is assumed to be linear during the measurement period and can be subtracted from the measured values. The software corrects the data after each measurement for single samples and at the end of a series of measurements for drill cores. Each measurement is time stamped to allow the correction to be applied. It is particularly important to apply corrections before leaving the equipment for long periods during a sequence of measurements as the assumption that the drift is linear with time is only valid over relatively short periods. For cores it is only possible to make an air measurement and apply the corrections at the end of the core measurement sequence. The main section of this Operation Manual explains the different stages within the five sensor options in the MULTISUS for Windows software. These refer to: MS2B Dual Frequency Sensor; MS2C Core Logging Sensor; MS2E Surface Scanning Sensor; MS2G Single Frequency Sensor.

Further information is provided on printing susceptibility data from MULTISUS, saving data to disk and opening and amending existing data files. Reference should also be made to the 'Operation Manual for MS2 Susceptibility System'. MULTISUS 2 incorporates the following changes compared with version 1.09: 1 2 3 4 5 the MS2G sensor has been included; the sign of the frequency dependence of susceptibility has been corrected; the latest correction curve for coil/core diameter ratio is included; data averaging is provided for single samples; and new short-cut and function key operations are provided.

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2
1.

STARTING UP
Before running Multisus, it must be installed into a suitable directory on the hard disk from the installation disks supplied. Running the software from a floppy disk is not recommended. Connect the RS232 socket on the MS2 meter to the serial port of the personal computer (PC) using the cable supplied. You may use a gender changer at the PC end. If hardcopy is required, connect the PC to a printer and configure this within Windows. Connect the MS2 meter to the required sensor and switch the meter to SI or CGS units, 1.0 or 0.1 scale and set the M/Z toggle switch to its central position. Switch the MS2 meter on and use the M (Measure) button to take a reading to check the MS2 to sensor connection. On the PC, make sure Windows is running. Select Program from the Start button and select Multisus 2. Wait for the main MULTISUS window to appear. This may take 5 -10 seconds on faster machines and 1 -2 minutes on older, slower PCs. Now choose an item from the menu bar depending on what you intend to do:

2.

3.

4.

5.

7.

File New measurements using the MS2 -a sub menu allows you to choose a particular sensor (MS2B, MS2C, MS2E or MS2G). Click on the option of your choice:

Serial Port Configure and test communications with the MS2 and sensor:

Check Drift Monitor equipment drift versus time -a sub menu allows you to choose a particular sensor (MS2B, MS2C, MS2E or MS2G):

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Help Display information about this version of MULTISUS. 8. Note that when you finish, the program should be exited by choosing 'Exit' on the File menu. Do not exit Windows or switch off the computer before choosing this option, otherwise data may be lost. Exiting MULTISUS will also free memory resources on your PC allowing your other applications to run better.

It may be necessary to set up the choice of serial port and baud rate. Select Serial Port, Setup Baud Rate and Port... from the menu to display the configuration screen:

The usual setting for the baud rate should be '1200'. Select the number of the serial port the meter is connected to. This may be indicated on the connector at the rear of the PC, but is typically '1' or '2'. Click on OK. On Choosing Serial Port, Test Communications, you will be asked to confirm that the MS2 is switched on and connected to the selected PC serial port. Click on OK to display the Serial Port Communications Test screen:

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Click on Zero or Measure and compare the data with the MS2 meter display. If no data is received after clicking on Measure, a warning message is displayed. Make sure the meter is turned on. Check the cable connections and choice of serial port. The following page shows the main MULTISUS screen.

MULTISUS for Windows Main Window

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3 MS2B DUAL FREQUENCY SENSOR

On choosing File, New Data File, MS2B Dual Frequency Sensor you will be asked to confirm that the MS2 meter is connected and switched on. You will then be presented with the setup screen. 1. Type in a name for the batch of samples. This can contain up to 50 alpha-numeric characters including spaces and punctuation and is used as a label for printed susceptibility data. Enter a drift warning level (greater than zero). This value sets a maximum drift between two air readings and MULTISUS will alert you if this is exceeded. It only serves as a warning and does not affect the calculated data. Select Volume or Mass Specific measurements. Volume specific, using the standard 10ml sample container is the default. You will be able to specify the sample volume or weight on a subsequent screen. Select whether you require automatic correction for the container susceptibility. If 'Automatic' is selected, you will be asked, on a subsequent screen, to enter the container susceptibility or measure it directly. Select the unit of measurement set on the meter (SI or CGS). Select the scale set on the meter (0.1 or 1.0) Click on OK to continue. If you selected volume specific measurements you will be asked to choose an option from: 10 ml cylindrical bottle; 23 mm cubic box; 1 inch cube; 1 inch length x 1 inch diameter core; 20 ml cylindrical bottle; or user defined container volume

2.

3.

4.

5. 6. 7. 8.

and click on OK. If you selected mass specific measurements you will be asked to enter the mass of the empty container in grams (greater than zero). 9. If you selected automatic susceptibility correction, a screen will be displayed which allows you to either: Enter the container susceptibility directly in the appropriate units - type a value and click on OK ; or Measure the container susceptibility - click on Start Measurement and take a series of air and container measurements. A calculated container susceptibility is displayed which can be accepted, or rejected and undertaken again. Then click OK.

These MS2B settings will be stored between MULTISUS sessions and saved in data files, but can be changed for each new batch.

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MULTISUS for Windows MS2B Sensor Setup You will be asked to make sure there is no sample in the sensor. Once you have checked this, click on OK - the meter will be zeroed and the measurement screen displayed. You are now ready to start making measurements. 10. 11. Enter the sample reference (up to 25 alpha-numeric characters). If you selected mass specific measurements, press Tab and enter the sample weight in grams to one decimal place. Click on the Start Measurement button on the screen and the averaging screen will be displayed. i. ii. iii. iv. v. Remove the sample and press the First Air or Reset Zero button if required. Place the sample in the sensor. Press the Sample button to take a single measurement. Remove the sample from the sensor. Press the Last Air button to take another air reading. Corrections (volume or mass, drift and, if selected, container susceptibility) are applied. Please read notes in Chapter 8 on Equipment Drift. You may save this value or take further air and sample readings, an average will be calculated. If you have the tick box checked, you will be able to accept or reject any reading. Press the Save Value / Average button to return to the measurement screen. Pressing Cancel returns you to the measurement screen without saving a sample value.

12.

vi.

vii. viii.

13. 14.

The susceptibility value will be displayed in the results table. Repeat from 10. for additional samples.

You can re-measure samples by entering an existing sample reference and clicking on the Start Measurement button.

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Making any of the following selections will, after a warning prompt, re-zero the meter: Changing the measurement range; Changing the frequency Clicking on the Reset Zero button.

Changing the frequency and entering previous sample references will allow the frequency dependent susceptibility to be calculated.

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MS2C CORE LOGGING SENSOR

On choosing File, New Data File, MS2C Core Logging Sensor you will be asked to confirm that the MS2 meter is connected and switched on. You will then be presented with the setup screen. 1. Type in a reference name for the core. This can contain up to 50 alpha-numeric characters including spaces and punctuation and is used as a label for printed susceptibility data. Enter a drift warning level (greater than zero). This value sets a maximum drift between two air readings and MULTISUS will alert you if this is exceeded. It only serves as a warning and does not affect the calculated data. Select the interval required and the unit of measurement. Enter the core and sensor diameter in millimetres (Core Diameter < Sensor Diameter) Select diameter correction, if required. This correction uses the relationship between the reading obtained and the sensor to core diameter ratio shown in the MS2 operation manual to normalise the measurement to true volume susceptibility. The correction is applied, together with the drift correction when the Apply Correction button is selected. Select the unit of measurement set on the meter (SI or CGS). Select the scale set on the meter (0.1 or 1.0) Click on OK to continue.

2.

3. 4. 5.

6. 7. 8.

These MS2C settings will be stored between MULTISUS sessions and saved in data files, but can be changed for each new core.

MULTISUS for Windows -MS2C Sensor Setup You will be asked to make sure there is no sample in the sensor. Once you have checked this, click on OK - the meter will be zeroed and the measurement screen displayed. You are now ready to start making measurements.

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9. Place the core in the sensor. 10. Alter the depth value and interval only if required. 11. Press the Measure button on the screen and wait for the value to be displayed in the table. 12. Move the core to the next position and repeat from 10. The measurements are displayed in the table and on a graph. Corrections (drift and, if selected, diameter) can be applied at any time. Uncorrected data is indicated by data cells in the table are shaded pale red. Please read notes in Chapter 8 on Equipment Drift. Making any of the following selections will, after a warning prompt, re-zero the meter: changing the measurement range; and clicking on the Reset Zero button.

MULTISUS for Windows MS2C Data and Measurement

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MS2E SURFACE SCANNING SENSOR

On choosing File, New Data File, MS2E Core Logging Sensor you will be asked to confirm that the MS2 meter is connected and switched on. You will then be presented with the setup screen. 1. Type in a reference name for the core. This can contain up to 50 alpha-numeric characters including spaces and punctuation and is used as a label for printed susceptibility data. Enter a drift warning level (greater than zero). This value sets a maximum drift between two air readings and MULTISUS will alert you if this is exceeded. It only serves as a warning and does not affect the calculated data. Select the interval required and the unit of measurement. Select alignment -core axis or strata. This information is saved in the file for future reference. Select the unit of measurement set on the meter (SI or CGS). Select the scale set on the meter (0.1 or 1.0) Click on OK to continue.

2.

3. 4.

5. 6. 7.

These MS2E settings will be stored between MULTISUS sessions and saved in data files, but can be changed for each new core.

MULTISUS for Windows MS2E Sensor Setup You will be asked to make sure the sensor is removed from the sample. Once you have checked this, click on OK -the meter will be zeroed and the measurement screen displayed. You are now ready to start making measurements. 8. 9. 10. Place the sensor on the core surface. Alter the position and interval only if required. Press the Measure button on the screen and wait for the value to be displayed in the table.

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The measurements are displayed in the table and on a graph. Drift correction can be applied at any time. Uncorrected data are indicated by pale red shading of the data cells. Please read notes in Chapter 8 on Equipment Drift. Making any of the following selections will, after a warning prompt, re-zero the meter: changing the measurement range; and clicking on the Reset Zero button.

MULTISUS for Windows MS2E Data and Measurement

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MS2G SINGLE FREQUENCY SENSOR

On choosing File, New Data File, MS2G Single Sample Sensor you will be asked to confirm that the MS2 meter is connected and switched on. You will then be presented with the setup screen. 1. Type in a name for the batch of samples. This can contain up to 50 alpha-numeric characters including spaces and punctuation and is used as a label for printed susceptibility data. Enter a drift warning level (greater than zero). This value sets a maximum drift between two air readings and MULTISUS will alert you if this is exceeded. It only serves as a warning and does not affect the calculated data. Select whether you require automatic correction for the container susceptibility. If 'Automatic' is selected, you will be asked, on a subsequent screen, to enter the container susceptibility or measure it directly. Select the unit of measurement set on the meter (SI or CGS). Select the scale set on the meter (0.1 or 1.0). Click on OK to continue. If you selected automatic susceptibility correction, a screen will be displayed which allows you to either: enter the container susceptibility directly in the appropriate units -type a value and click on OK; or measure the container susceptibility -click on Start Measurement and take a series of air and container measurements. A calculated container susceptibility is displayed which can be accepted, or rejected and undertaken again. Then click on OK.

2.

3.

4. 5. 6. 7.

These MS2G settings will be stored between MULTISUS sessions and saved in data files, but can be changed for each new batch.

MULTISUS for Windows MS2G Sensor Setup You will be asked to make sure there is no sample in the sensor. Once you have checked this, click on OK - the meter will be zeroed and the measurement screen displayed. You are now ready to start making measurements.

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8. 9.

Enter the sample reference (up to 25 alpha-numeric characters). Enter the fill height of the sample and, if this is less than 25mm, the fill correction factor will be calculated for correcting the results during measurements. Click on the Start Measurement button on the screen and the averaging screen will be displayed. Remove the sample and press the First Air or Reset Zero button if required. Place the sample in the sensor. Press the Sample button to take a single measurement. Remove the sample from the sensor. Press the Last Air button to take another air reading. Drift and fill height corrections are applied. Please read notes in Chapter 8 on Equipment Drift. You may save this value or take further air and sample readings, an average will be calculated. If you have the tick box checked, you will be able to accept or reject any reading. Press the Save Value / Average button to return to the measurement screen. Pressing Cancel returns you to the measurement screen without saving a sample value. The susceptibility value will be displayed in the results table. Remove the sample from the sensor and repeat from 8. for additional samples.

10.

i. ii. iii. iv. v. vi.

vii. viii. 11. 12.

You can re-measure samples by entering an existing sample reference and clicking on the Measure button. Making any of the following selections will, after a warning prompt, re-zero the meter: changing the measurement range; and clicking on the Reset Zero button.

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MULTISUS for Windows MS2G Data and Measurement

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7 EQUIPMENT DRIFT
The time taken for each series of measurements should be as short as possible. A small equipment drift will occur during measurements due mainly to temperature changes. When measuring low values of susceptibility the drift may be significant and it is necessary to correct the results to remove the effect. The measurement of air before and after each sample measurement or core sequence allows the estimated air value at the time of the sample measurement to be subtracted from the measured value. When measurements are made manually the average of the air before and after the sample measurement is subtracted from the measured value. The program uses a time stamp to correct the readings assuming a constant drift rate between air measurements. The MULTISUS software is supplied with a facility to check the drift of the system by taking continuous air measurements. This data may be useful in diagnosing whether there is excessive equipment drift occurring or if there is significant interference from an external source. On choosing Check Drift, you can select the type of sensor to undertake an automatic series of readings: MS2B Dual Frequency Sensor; MS2C Core Logging Sensor; MS2E Surface Scanning Sensor; MS2G Single Frequency Sensor.

You will be asked to confirm that the MS2 meter is connected and switched on. You will then be presented with the setup screen.

1. Select the unit of measurement set on the meter (SI or CGS). 2. Select the scale set on the meter (0.1 or 1.0) 3. Click on OK to continue. You will be asked to make sure there is no sample in the sensor. Once you have checked this, click on OK - the meter will be zeroed and the test screen displayed. You are now ready to start the equipment drift test. 4. Click on the Start button on the screen. The meter will take multiple air readings at fixed time intervals. 5. Click on Stop to end the drift test (it will end automatically after 1,500 readings). 6. Print or save the data (see Chapters 9 and 10).

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MULTISUS for Windows Drift Test

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8 PRINTING AND PLOTTING DATA

You can print data and plot simple graphs (MS2C, MS2E and Equipment Drift only) from MULTISUS. The data may be imported into other applications to create more elaborate charts or to undertake numerical analysis or additional formatting (see Chapter 9). You may print data and plot the graphs from any measurement or equipment drift screen: Choose File, Print Data or File, Print Plot from the MULTISUS main screen menu bar. The Windows printer screen will be displayed where you may choose and configure a printer connected to your PC. You may also select multiple copies.

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SAVING AND RE-OPENING DATA

You can save data from MULTISUS in special comma separated MULTISUS files (SUS file extension). You may save data at any time from measurement or equipment drift screens: Choose File, Save or File, Save As... from the MULTISUS main screen menu bar. The Windows Save As screen will be displayed if Save As was selected or no filename is known. You may open and display an existing MULTISUS data file: 1. Choose File, Open... 2. Select the SUS file from the Windows open file screen. 3. Click on Open. The type of sensor (or equipment drift test) will be read from the file as well as the previous measurement settings such as unit of measurement, scale and drift warning level. You can add to measurement data, but not to equipment drift data. Clicking on the Start button for the latter clears the existing drift data. Make sure that the settings on the MS2 meter are the same as those on the display screen before attempting to add data to an existing file. The meter will be reset and zeroed before any additional data is added.

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