DeFelsko PosiTector GLS Gloss Meter Instruction Manual

: June 13, 2024
: DeFelsko

Table of Contents

Introduction
Quick Start
Menu Operation
Probes
Cal Settings Menu
Setup Menu
Statistics Mode
Memory Management
Accessing Stored Measurement Data
Connect Menu
Returning for Service
Customer Support
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Download This Manual (PDF format)

DeFelsko PosiTector GLS Gloss Meter

Introduction

The PosiTector GLS Gloss Meter (GLS) is a hand-held electronic instrument that measures the specular reflectance and gloss of a surface. It consists of a 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.

Power-up Gage by pressing the center navigation button .
If the probe is resting in the included protective base plate and the Power-On Cal (pg. 5) feature is enabled, it will automatically perform a check and calibration using the certified gloss standard (tile) incorporated in the base plate. 3. Remove the protective base plate at the bottom of the probe.
Place the probe on the surface to be measured.
Press the button on the probe to take a reading. When a valid measurement is obtained, the Gage BEEPS twice and the measurement is displayed.

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 (See Touch, pg. 7).

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 , or by swiping up or down.

Press the button or swipe right to return to a previous screen.
Select Exit to close the Menu.

When a Menu option is highlighted, the icon indicates on-gage help is available.
Press or touch the icon to display the help. A formatted PDF containing all ongage help items is available at
www.defelsko.com/help
NOTE: Update your gage to ensure that you have the latest on-gage help information.
indicates that a sub-menu exists for the Menu option. Select the option to display its sub-menu.

Probes

When powered-up, the PosiTector automatically determines which probe is attached and does a selfcheck.

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.

When powered-up, the PosiTector automatically determines which probe is attached and does a selfcheck.
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.

The interchangeable PosiTector GLS probe is available in three configurations:

PosiTector GLS 60:
- suitable for most gloss applications; the preferred angle for semi-gloss
PosiTector GLS 20/60:
- suitable for high- to semi-gloss applications
- calculates Haze Index – the arithmetic difference between the specular reflectance measured at 60° and 20°
PosiTector GLS 20/60/85:
- suitable for high-, semi-, and matte gloss applications
- calculates Haze Index – the arithmetic difference between the specular reflectance measured at 60° and 20°

The PosiTector gage body accepts a wide variety of probe types including magnetic, eddy-current, and ultrasonic coating thickness, surface profile, environmental, hardness, salt contamination, and ultrasonic wall thickness probes. See www.defelsko.com/probes

Calibrate

Calibrate the PosiTector GLS probe to known standards by using the included gloss calibration standard (tile) or customer supplied calibration standard. Place the probe on a known standard and select the Calibrate menu item. Alternatively, if Power-On Cal isselected in the Cal Settings menu the gage will perform a calibration every time the gage is powered on.

NOTE: Ensure the calibration standard is clean and lint free. To clean the standard:

Remove the protective base plate, holding it from the bottom.
Using the included cleaning wipe, gently wipe the surface of the standard. Examine the calibration standard to ensure that it is dry, clean, and free of any debris or defects. A scratched standard should not be used to calibrate the probe and should be replaced. Do not reuse the cleaning wipe. Best results are obtained by rubbing in one direction only and by using a new portion of the wipe for each cleaning pass.

WARNING: Do not substitute other chemicals or cleaning wipes in this procedure. Replacement cleaning wipes are available.

Cal Standard

For some applications, it may be desirable to calibrate the PosiTector GLS probe to a different calibration standard than the one included with the probe. Add and manage up to 99 calibration standards from this menu.

New

When selected, the following screen is shown.

Adjust the Gloss Unit (GU) values using the on-screen keypad or by pressing or .
Enter a name or serial number to identify the Standard using the on-screen QWERTY touch keyboard.
Select OK, then follow the prompts to take a measurement of the desired gloss calibration standard.

Open

Select a calibration standard from a list of saved standards. The calibration standard at the top of the list is the one included within the protective base plate of the PosiTector GLS probe.

Edit

Select a calibration standard from a list of saved standards to edit its Gloss Unit value and name.

NOTE: The calibration standard included within the protective base plate cannot be edited.

Power-On Cal

Units

Select between Gloss Units (GU) or % Reflectance.

Reset

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 default calibration standard that was included with the probe is selected, and all other calibration standards are deleted.
Menu settings are returned to the following:

Memory = OFF
Statistics = OFF
Hi Lo Alarm = OFF
Differential = OFF
Scan Mode = OFF
Auto Dim = ON
Bluetooth & Stream = OFF
WiFi & Access Point = OFF
USB Keyboard & Stream = OFF
BLE Keyboard = OFF
Power-On Cal = ON
Display = None

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 status:

Units = Gloss
Touch = ON
Flip Lock = OFF
Auto Sync .net = ON

Sound = Medium
Language = English
Backlight = Normal

Battery Type = Alkaline
Bluetooth Smart = OFF
USB Drive = ON

NOTE:

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

Geometry (PosiTector GLS2060 and GLS206085 models only)

Select the angles to display when taking measurements.

Haze Index (PosiTector GLS2060 and GLS206085 models only)

Select this option to display and record the Haze Index while taking measurements. Haze Index is calculated as the difference between the measurement in GU at 60° and 20°.

NOTE: Haze Index in accordance with ASTM D4039 is applicable to nonmetallic specimens having a 60° specular gloss value greater than 70.

Scan (Advanced models only)

By default, the PosiTector GLS takes approximately 1 reading per second. Scan mode allows the user to take multiple readings in rapid succession (2 readings per second) without lifting the probe.

Choose from 2 Scan modes:

Normal Scan
Continuously measures when the measure button is pressed

Statistics Scan
Continuously measures when the measure button is pressed and displays real- time scan statistics: average, max., min., and standard deviation

When Memory is on (pg. 8), Scan measurement data is recorded.

Sound

Adjusts the volume of built-in speaker (Off, Low, Medium, High).

Flip Lock

Disables the Auto Rotate feature by locking the display in its current orientation.

Touch

Allows the touch screen functionality to be disabled. All gage functions can also be controlled using the navigation buttons.

Set Clock

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.

Battery Type

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

Statistics

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

HiLo Alarm

Allows Gage to visibly and audibly alert the user when readings exceed user- specified limits.

Differential

Automatically calculates the difference between the current reading and a stored reference value.

Memory Management

The PosiTector GLS has internal memory storage for recording measurement data. Stored measurements can be reviewed onscreen or accessed via computers, tablets and smart phones. 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).

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

WiFi (Advanced models only)

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

USB

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 can be used to import stored measurements into PosiSoft Desktop software (above).

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

Keyboard (Advanced models only)

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

Stream (Advanced models only)

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

Sync .net Now

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 or the WiFi connect menu to automatically synchronize when a connection to a PC or WiFi network is available. 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 individual readings to be sent to a computer, printer or compatible device as they are taken using Bluetooth wireless technology. See www.defelsko.com/bluetooth

Bluetooth Smart (Advanced models only)

Allows communication with a smart device running the PosiTector App (pg. 9) via auto-pairing Bluetooth Smart (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 Smart 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 Smart 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 reestablished.

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.

BLE 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.

Updates

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

WARNING: The Gage will perform a Hard Reset (pg. 5) after an update. All stored measurements will be erased from memory

Returning for Service

Before returning the instrument for service…

Install new or newly recharged batteries in the proper alignment as shown within battery compartment.
Examine the probe for dirt or damage. Any lint or debris on the lenses within the probe should be cleaned with oil-free compressed air. Never insert any cloth or cleaning fluids into the probe.
Perform a Hard Reset (pg. 5).
Clean the Calibration Standard (tile), place probe into the included protective base plate, and attempt a measurement (see Calibrate, pg. 3).
If issue is not resolved, Update (pg. 11) your PosiTector gage body and re-attempt measurements.