DeFelsko SPG1 PosiTector Surface Profile Gage Instruction Manual

: June 10, 2024
: DeFelsko

Table of Contents

DeFelsko SPG1 PosiTector Surface Profile Gage
Introduction
Menu Operation
Probes
Calibration & Verification of Accuracy
Zero Menu
Setup Menu
Statistics Mode
Memory Management
Accessing Stored Measurement Data
Connect Menu
Returning for Service
Warranty
References
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DeFelsko SPG1 PosiTector Surface Profile Gage

Introduction

The PosiTector Surface Profile Gage (SPG) is a hand-held electronic instrument that measures the surface profile (peak-to valley height) of blasted steel, textured coatings and concrete profile. It consists of a PosiTector body (Standard or Advanced) and probe.

Quick Start

Press the button to power up the Gage. To conserve battery life, the gage will automatically go to sleep after 5 minutes of inactivity. While in Sleep Mode, the gage powers up significantly faster— convenient when moving between parts or locations. The gage will completely power off after 4 hours of inactivity. Alternatively, select Power Off from the main menu. All settings are retained.

Remove the protective rubber cap from probe.
Power-up Gage by pressing the center navigation button.
Verify Gage accuracy.
Place the probe FLAT on the surface to be measured such that the tip of the probe reaches into the bottom of a profile valley. HOLD STEADY. The Gage will BEEP twice and display the measurement.
Lift the probe from the surface between measurements.

To access the Menu, power up the gage, then press the center navigation button . Either the keypad or touch screen can be used to navigate the menu. If desired, touch screen functionality can be disabled within the Setup menu.
Select a menu option by touching it, or use the and buttons to highlight the desired option and press to select it.
On menus longer than one page, the current page number is displayed below the menu name. Navigate between pages using when the first menu item is selected, or when the last menu item is selected. If using touch, navigate between pages by touching , or by swiping up or down.
Press the button or swipe right to return to a previous screen. Select Exit to close the Menu.

www.defelsko.com/help

Probes

When powered up, the PosiTector automatically determines which probe is attached and does a self-check. To disconnect a probe from a body, slide the plastic probe connector horizontally (in the direction of the arrow) away from the body. Reverse these steps to attach a different probe. It is not necessary to power down the Gage when switching probes.

PosiTector SPG and SPG S probes include a 60˚ (ASTM D 4417 B) or 30˚ (Australian Standard AS 3894.5) angle tip (50 μm/2 mil radius) with a measurement range of 0 to 500 μm (20 mils).
PosiTector SPG OS probes have the same specifications as the
PosiTector SPG probes above but feature a V-groove sleeve ideal for measuring flat or convex surfaces such as tanks and pipes.
PosiTector SPG CS probes measure the profile of textured coatings up to 1500 μm (60 mils) with a 500 μm (20 mils) radius 60˚ angle tip.
PosiTector SPG TS probes measure concrete surface profiles up to 6 mm (250 mils) with a 500 μm (20 mils) radius 60˚ angle tip.
Additionally, the PosiTector body accepts a wide variety of probe types including magnetic, eddy current, and ultrasonic coating thickness, surface profile, environmental, hardness, salt contamination, gloss, and ultrasonic wall thickness probes. See www.defelsko.com/probes

Calibration & Verification of Accuracy

Calibration

Instrument calibration is typically performed by the manufacturer. All probes include a Certificate of Calibration.
Additionally, the PosiTector body accepts a wide variety of probe types including magnetic, eddy current, and ultrasonic coating thickness, surface profile, environmental, hardness, salt contamination, gloss, and ultrasonic wall thickness probes. See www.defelsko.com/probes

Verification of Accuracy

Instrument accuracy is verified using the included metal shim and glass zero plate. Ensure that the glass plate and shim are clean and dirt free before use.
Place the plate onto a stable, flat surface. Take several measurements. If the average is greater than ±5 μm (0.2 mil), Zero (pg. 4) the Gage.
Next, place the metal shim over the glass plate and measure, ensuring the probe needle touches the glass plate in the area between the shim’s “legs”. The average of several measurements should be within the combined tolerances of both the Gage and the shim.
If not, see Returning for Service.

The PosiTector SPG has only one adjustment point at zero. The zero point can be set using one of two methods. Both methods are found under the Zero menu option:

Glass Plate Zero

Zeroing on the included glass plate is the preferred method for best accuracy:

Select from the menu.
Press the + button to select the number of readings to be used to obtain an average, typically 3.
Repeatedly measure the glass plate. After the last measurement, the Gage will calculate a zero which represents the average of all the zero readings taken.

Factory Zero

If a glass plate or suitable smooth, hard surface is not available, the factory zero setting can be restored:

Select from the menu.
Press the button to select Reset (below) and press the button. The factory calibration icon will appear on the display.

NOTE: The factory zero setting may not always be accurate, particularly after a probe tip exchange. For best accuracy, the Gage should be zeroed on the included glass plate.

Converts the display from mils to microns and vice versa.

Reset (menu reset) restores factory settings and returns the Gage to a known condition. The following occurs:

All batches, stored measurements, batch names and screen captures are erased.
The Zero adjustment is returned to the factory setting.
Menu settings are returned to the following:
- Memory = OFF
- Statistics = OFF
- Hi Lo Alarm = OFF
- Auto Dim = ON
- Bluetooth Classic = OFF
- WiFi & Access Point = OFF
- Keyboard & Stream = OFF

Perform a more thorough Hard Reset as follows:

Power down the Gage and wait 5 seconds.
Simultaneously press and hold the + and buttons until the Reset symbol appears.

This returns the Gage to a known, “out-of-the-box” condition. It performs the same function as a menu Reset with the addition of:

Bluetooth Pairing info is cleared.
Menu settings are returned to the following:
- Units = Microns
- Touch = ON
- Flip Lock = OFF
- Auto Sync .net = ON
- Sound = Medium
- Language = English
- Backlight = Normal
- Battery Type = Alkaline
- Bluetooth = OFF
- USB Drive = ON

Note: Date, Time, and WiFi settings are not affected by either Reset.

Adjusts the volume of built-in speaker (Off, Low, Medium, High).
Disables the Auto Rotate feature by locking the display in its current orientation.
Allows the touch screen functionality to be disabled. All gage functions can also be controlled using the navigation buttons.

All measurements are date and time stamped (24-hour format) when stored into memory. It is therefore important to set the correct date and time. Use the and buttons to select a value, and the – and + buttons to adjust it. The current date and time setting can also be viewed at the top of the main menu.

Selects the type of batteries used in the Gage from a choice of “Alkaline”, “Lithium” or “NiMH” (nickel-metal hydride rechargeable). The battery state indicator symbol is calibrated for the selected battery type. No damage will occur if the battery type used in the Gage does not match the selected battery type.

Statistics Mode

A statistical summary will appear on the display. Remove the last reading by pressing the – button. Press + to clear statistics.

Average
Maximum Value
Standard Deviation
Minimum Value
Allows Gage to visibly and audibly alert the user when readings exceed user-specified limits.

Memory Management

The PosiTector SPG has internal memory storage for recording measurement data. Stored measurements can be reviewed on-screen or accessed via computers, tablets and smartphones.
All stored measurements are date and time-stamped. The symbol appears when the Gage is set to store measurement data.
Standard models: store up to 1,000 readings in one batch.
Advanced models: store 250,000 readings in up to 1,000 batches. “New Batch” closes any currently opened batch and creates a new batch name using the lowest available number. New batch names are date-stamped when they are created.

Screen Capture

Press both – and + buttons simultaneously to save an image of the current display. The last 100 screen captures are stored in memory and can be accessed when connected to a computer (see PosiSoft USB Drive below).

Allows the PosiTector SPG to comply with various standards and test methods published by organizations including ASTM, SSPC, ISO, IMO, US Navy, SANS, and AS.
For instructions on how to use the SmartBatch™ feature, see www.defelsko.com/smartbatch

Accessing Stored Measurement Data

DeFelsko offers the following free solutions for viewing, analyzing and reporting data:

PosiSoft USB Drive: Connect the Gage to a PC/Mac using the supplied USB-C cable. View and print readings and graphs using universal PC/Mac web browsers or file explorers. No software or internet connection required.
PosiSoft Desktop: Powerful desktop software (PC/Mac) for downloading, viewing, printing and storing measurement data. Includes a customizable, templated PDF Report Generator. No internet connection required.
PosiTector App: (Advanced models only) App for compatible iOS and Android smart devices. Permits users to create, save and share professional PDF reports. Add images and notes using the smart device’s camera and keyboard.
PosiSoft.net: Compatible with PosiSoft Desktop and the PosiTector App, PosiSoft.net is a secure way to store and share measurement data using the cloud.
For more information on our PosiSoft solutions, see: www.defelsko.com/posisoft

Allows connection to your local wireless network or mobile hotspot . Ideal for using your network’s internet connection for synchronizing stored measurements with PosiSoft.net and PosiSoft Desktop. See www.defelsko.com/wifi

When USB Drive is enabled , the PosiTector uses a USB mass storage device class which provides users with a simple interface to retrieve stored data in a manner similar to USB flash drives and digital cameras.
USB Drive is also available to import stored measurements into PosiSoft Desktop software.

Note: When connected, power is supplied through the USB-C cable. The batteries are not used and the body will not automatically power down.

Stream individual readings to a USB connected computer via a serial protocol. Ideal for use with serial compatible SPC data collection software.

Note: For more information on USB Keyboard and Streaming visit: www.defelsko.com/usb/stream

When enabled and connected to a computer, the PosiTector will be recognized as a Keyboard.
Readings are sent to the computer as they are taken, emulating keystrokes, followed by a carriage return.

The above WiFi and USB menus contain a Sync.net Now option. When selected, the Gage immediately synchronizes stored measurement data via its respective communication method (internet connection required).
Alternatively, select Auto Sync .net from within the USB connect menu to automatically synchronize upon connection to a PC.
Additional measurements added to memory while connected are synchronized only when the USB cable is disconnected and reconnected, or when the Sync.net Now option is selected.
WiFi-connected gages automatically attempt synchronization upon power-up.

Note

PosiSoft Desktop is required when using USB to synchronize measurements with PosiSoft.net.

Bluetooth

(Advanced models only)

Allows communication with a smart device running the PosiTector App via auto-pairing Bluetooth (BLE) wireless technology.

Sync Batches

Select batches to flag them for synchronization to the PosiTector App. Sync Batches is useful when connecting a new device to a gage with pre-existing batches, since only batches created while Bluetooth is enabled are automatically selected.
Selected batches are synchronized when the next reading is taken in a batch flagged for synchronization, or when the Sync Batches option is selected at the bottom of the list of selected batches.

Note

If Bluetooth is disabled or disconnected, data from batches selected in the Sync Batches menu are held in a queue until communication with the PosiTector App is re-established.

Send Batches

Transfers selected batches to the PosiTector App. Send Batches is useful when switching between devices, as only readings and batches that have yet to be synchronized with any smart device are synchronized automatically.
The Send Batches option is visible in the menu when the Gage is connected to a smart device running the PosiTector App.

Keyboard

(Advanced models only)

When enabled and connected to a computer, the PosiTector will be recognized as a wireless Keyboard. Readings are sent to the computer as they are taken, emulating keystrokes, followed by a carriage return.

Note

Keyboard is located in the Bluetooth Setup menu.

Input Devices

(Advanced models only)

Allows Bluetooth Devices such as barcode scanners and keyboards to be paired with the PosiTector for annotating batches and readings.

Note

Input Devices is located in the Bluetooth Setup menu.

Bluetooth Classic

(Advanced models only)

Allows individual readings to be sent to a computer, printer or compatible device as they are taken using Bluetooth Classic wireless technology. See www.defelsko.com/bluetooth

Updates

Determines if a software update is available for your Gage.
See www.defelsko.com/update

Warning: The Gage will perform a Hard Reset after an update.

Returning for Service

Before returning the Gage for service…

Install new or newly recharged batteries in the proper alignment as shown within battery compartment.
Examine the probe tip for dirt or damage.The probe tip should move up and down freely.The plate surrounding the probe tip should be smooth and free from burrs and foreign material.
Perform a Hard Reset.
Place the metal shim over the glass plate and attempt a measurement.
If issue is not resolved, Update (pg. 10) your PosiTector gage body and re-attempt measurements.

IMPORTANT: If these steps do not resolve the issue and the Gage must be returned for service, please follow the instructions provided at www.defelsko.com/service.

Warranty

Limited Warranty, Sole Remedy and Limited Liability

DeFelsko’s sole warranty, remedy, and liability are the express limited warranty, remedy, and limited liability that are set forth on its website: www.defelsko.com/terms

This manual is copyrighted with all rights reserved and may not be reproduced or transmitted, in whole or part, by any means, without written permission from DeFelsko Corporation. DeFelsko, PosiTector, and PosiSoft are trademarks of DeFelsko Corporation registered in the U.S. and in other countries. Other brand or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this manual is accurate. DeFelsko is not responsible for printing or clerical errors.

www.defelsko.com

DeFelsko, PosiTector, PosiTest and PosiSoft are trademarks of DeFelsko Corporation registered in the U.S. and in other countries. Other brand or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this manual is accurate. DeFelsko is not responsible for printing or clerical errors.