REFLEX XRF V2.2. Frequently Asked Questions. Advanced instrumentation technology for greater productivity and precision.

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1 REFLEX XRF V2.2 Advanced instrumentation technology for greater productivity and precision Frequently Asked Questions

2 Contents XRF Fundamentals 3 Introduction 3 Safety 3 When to use Soil Mode or Geochem Mode 3 Geochem Mode 3 Soil Mode 3 Sample Preparation 3 Instrument 4 Configuration 4 Ambient Pressure 4 S/W version 4 F/W version 4 Filter wheel failure 5 Code 923, Code 1000 & MCA Error 5 Incorrect elements in XRF profile 5 Will not connect using USB 6 Some USB ports will not connect 7 Instrument will not Cal Check (see ambient pressure) 7 XRF Kit/PC 8 Connection to Internet 8 Insufficient privilege for REFLEX User 8 Incorrect CRMs 8 Broken/damaged CRMs 9 Incorrect power adapter for XRF test bench 9 Docking station damage (screws) 9 PC configuration 10 1

3 Contents Shortcut configured to operate in "Demo" mode 10 Logmein functionality not operational 10 DHL not authorised to transport Lithium batteries 11 USB connection through Test stand will not connect 11 Default connection to REFLEX HUB is the wrong URL 12 REFLEX XRF Software 13 Elements Reported 13 CSV Export not correct 13 Data being written to incorrect sample 13 Data will not upload 13 Metadata configuration 13 Instrument trigger lock prevents reading 14 Software fails to start or is very slow in operation 15 Language/regional settings format 16 REFLEX HUB 17 Calibration 17 Data Search 17 Reporting 17 HUB Login 18 QA Reporting 18 2

4 XRF Fundamentals Introduction Safety When to use Soil Mode or Geochem Mode Geochem Mode Mg, Al or Si are required Best performance for light elements (Mg, Al, Si, P, S, K) Elements of interest are above a few percent concentration Interest in both major elements and traces Contains mostly heavy elements Soil Mode Contains mostly light elements Elements of interest are below a few percent (traces) Elements of interest are heavier than K Low detection limits required for Ca, Cr, Mn Sample Preparation 3

5 Instrument Configuration The instrument should be configured to the settings outlined in the document 2.7 REFLEX XRF REFLEX Settings - Instrument SOP_1.2.docx supplied with the instrument. Under normal circumstances, the instrument should be preconfigured to these settings, however they may have been changed on site. The output from the instrument is unpredictable if the settings have been modified. Ambient Pressure The instrument is configured to operate within a specific range of barometric pressure. This can be adjusted on the instrument by adjusting the barometer settings in the Safety/Hardware screen in the instrument software. S/W version The minimum Delta Software version required for operation of REFLEX XRF is The version number is displayed in the REFLEX XRF Help About screen F/W version 4

6 Instrument (cont) Filter wheel failure This is a hardware error caused by the failure of the filter wheel to move or the sensor to detect the correct position. There has been one issue where the filter wheel failed to move smoothly because dust was allowed to enter through a perforation of the instrument measurement window. Code 923, Code 1000 & MCA Error This indicates an empty spectrum. It basically means the system is not recognising any X-RAYs. Most likely cause for this is a faulty detector but totally dud X-ray tube could cause this as well (if the issue is tube related you are likely to get tube voltage and/or current errors as well). Incorrect elements in XRF profile The REFLEX XRF instruments have been configured for a specific suite of elements. A subsequent change to the instrument profiles introduced Ta to the instrument suite, and this initially caused a problem with the REFLEX XRF software. The software has been reconfigured to accept a dynamic list of elements from the instrument and this should no longer present a problem for the software to report. 5

7 Instrument (cont) Incorrect elements in XRF profile (cont) However, care must be taken with additional elements in the analysis suite due to the spectral deconvolution into element concentrations. Some elements will interfere with the spectra of other elements, and this needs to be considered carefully. Will not connect using USB Windows Mobile Device Centre the PC being connected to the instrument must have the appropriate version (32-bit or 64-bit) of WMDC installed. USB Cable check connection with another cable. Suggest using the gold plated cables supplied with the REFLEX XRF instrument USP Port on PC use another USB port on the PC. Use USB2.0 ports in preference to USB3.0 ports. USB Port on Instrument/Test Stand change from the test stand to the side of the instrument or vice versa. The connection on the side of the instrument has less connections than the back of the test stand and in some cases this connection is more robust. USB Drivers on PC ensure that the PC has the latest drivers for the USB hardware on the PC. The hardware manufacturer generally has more robust drivers than the generic Microsoft drivers installed USB Selective Suspend Settings Windows 7 and 8 have a USB selective suspend setting that may disable USB communication after a period of time. This should be disabled for use with REFLEX XRF. 6

8 Instrument (cont) Some USB ports will not connect The reason for this is unclear, but there are some PC USB ports that will connect to WMDC (and the REFLEX XRF instrument) better and in a more robust manner than others. It may be the USB drivers or the power supplied to the port. Instrument will not Cal Check (see ambient pressure) In the situation where the ambient barometric pressure is outside the range allowed for in the instrument configuration, the instrument will not provide an error until it is required to run a Cal Check (or the first reading). Refer to the section on Ambient Pressure above to provide advice on setting the barometric pressure to local conditions. 7

9 XRF Kit/PC Connection to Internet The REFLEX XRF PC is configured to accept either a wired internet connection or a wireless connection. Should the wireless connection be used, the user must provide a valid network and credentials to connect, however the connection must be enabled using the REFLEX administrator account. Refer to REFLEX support for assistance. Insufficient privilege for REFLEX User REFLEX User is a limited account, and can be used for data acquisition, and transfer of data to REFLEX HUB once an internet connection is established. Should anything be required that needs administrator privilege, contact REFLEX Support for assistance. Incorrect CRMs Incorrect CRMs used during analysis can be changed using the REFLEX XRF Sample Inspector. If they are changed prior to upload to REFLEX HUB, the updated information will be transferred to the REFLEX HUB, however if it is changed after upload, it will be correct locally only. If required, contact REFLEX Support for advice on data in the REFLEX HUB. 8

10 XRF Kit/PC (cont) Broken/damaged CRMs Broken or damaged CRMs are unsuitable for use. If individual CRMs are damaged, the remainder can be used. The damaged CRMs should be discarded and replacement sought from REFLEX. Incorrect power adapter for XRF test bench The REFLEX XRF Test Bench can be supplied with either a 9VDC or 18VDC power requirement. Using the incorrect power supply can cause damage to the equipment. Each Test Bench and Power Supply is labelled with the require/supplied voltage. Ensure that the correct supply is used. It has been suggested that the plugs should be colour coded, but this is yet to occur. Note also that the power supply for the REFLEX XRF Docking Station is 18VDC but is not to be used to power the Test Stand. Docking station damage (screws) A number of the REFLEX XRF Docking Stations as supplied have weak plastic screw sockets holding the base to the cover. Many of these have been replaced (under warranty), and should any damage/breakage occur to the Docking Station, contact REFLEX for a replacement. 9

11 XRF Kit/PC (cont) PC configuration Shortcut configured to operate in "Demo" mode The early versions of REFLEX XRF software required a switch to be appended to the executable file to operate in data capture mode. This situation manifests itself by immediate connection to an instrument, and rapid acquisition of Fe and Cu data only. This has been corrected for V2.0 (and future releases), and does not require this switch. Should this occur, contact REFLEX for instructions. Logmein functionality not operational Logmein is the communication software used by REFLEX Support to assist with troubleshooting our rental fleet. This should be installed and activated during the PC imaging process. If this is not enabled, contact REFLEX Support for advice on enabling or for replacement of the PC. 10

12 XRF Kit/PC (cont) DHL not authorised to transport Lithium batteries Some transport companies are not legally allowed to transport Lithium batteries, the batteries used by the REFLEX XRF instruments. Ensure prior to transportation that the transport operator is licensed to carry the batteries, and that the packaging requirements have been met. In all cases, the REFLEX XRF DELTA instrument MUST be transported in the supplied Pelican Case to minimise the possibility of damage. Also note that during air transportation; only one of the supplied batteries can accompany the REFLEX XRF DELTA instrument in the Pelican Case. The other must be hand carried. USB connection through Test stand will not connect The USB connection of the PC to the Test Stand and ultimately to the REFLEX XRF DELTA instrument has more connections than a direct connection to the instrument itself. Because of this, there are some situations where the USB connection via the test stand fails. In this situation, re-seat all connections, and if the connection failure continues, try connecting directly to the side of the REFLEX XRF DELTA instrument. Refer to the section on Will not connect using USB should this continue. 11

13 XRF Kit/PC (cont) Default connection to REFLEX HUB is the wrong URL The URL configured to connect to REFLEX HUB is: Some PCs have been configured with the URL: which will not connect. This can be modified in the settings of Google Chrome. In the event that this has occurred, and immediate connection is required, edit the address bar by removing the.au and press the <Enter> key to refresh the URL in the browser. Contact REFLEX Support for information of a permanent resolution. 12

14 REFLEX XRF Software Elements Reported In previous versions of the REFLEX XRF software, the list of elements to be reported was fixed in the software. From version this list is dynamic and the software will report all elements (apart from Ta) that the instrument analyses. CSV Export not correct The issue reported that the elements reported does not match the headings of the CSV export should not occur from version If it does, it should be reported immediately to Reflex Support for advice. Data being written to incorrect sample Data will not upload Metadata configuration 13

15 REFLEX XRF Software (cont) Instrument trigger lock prevents reading There is a known bug in the REFLEX XRF system that cannot control the instrument trigger lock. This is indicated by connection to the instrument, running a Cal Check, and then getting an error during the running of the next sample that the trigger is locked. This is most easily worked around by closing the REFLEX XRF software and restarting the REFLEX XRF DELTA instrument and the REFLEX XRF software. When the instrument is restarted, connect to the instrument as quickly as possible, and commence analysis. Once analysis has started, the trigger will not lock while the REFLEX XRF software remains connected to the instrument. 14

16 REFLEX XRF Software (cont) REFLEX XRF Software fails to start or is very slow in operation When the database of the REFLEX XRF becomes very large (i.e. more than 2GB), the software may become sluggish in operation or in extreme cases, fails to start. In this case, it is necessary to create a new database for the software using the flowing procedure: Upload to Hub or export to CSV any required samples Close REFLEX XRF Navigate to the C:\ReflexXRF\V2.2.1 directory Export any custom Calibration or QAQC CRM files Rename the file ReflexXrf.db to ReflexXrf-YYYYMMDD.db (where YYYYMMDD is the current Year-Month-Day) or something similar Restart REFLEX XRF. This will create a new database. Add the required projects and import the custom Calibration or QAQC CRM files REFLEX XRF is now ready for use 15

17 REFLEX XRF Software (cont) REFLEX XRF Language/Regional Settings Format REFLEX XRF will not operate correctly if using regional settings format and language other than English. The known issues are: Software crash with Runtime Error when the Format is set to French. The runtime error is in the Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime Library. Incorrect numbers displayed when Format is set to Spanish or Portuguese (this uses the comma as the decimal separator). An example is that the analysis is displayed as ppm instead of ppm. 16

18 REFLEX HUB Calibration This has not yet been implemented in REFLEX HUB. Please contact REFLEX Support for assistance should this be required. Data Search When logged into REFLEX HUB, click the Search option. Select the XRF Assays view. A form will be presented to add selection criteria. Add the required criteria and click the Search button. Reporting After the Search has completed, the data will be present on the screen. Click the icon above the data to export the data as Word, Excel or PDF document. 17

19 REFLEX HUB (cont) HUB Login The REFLEX HUB login credentials will have been supplied by the HUB Support team. Please note that the login to the REFLEX XRF for data upload is case sensitive for both the username and password. Also note that for the REFLEX XRF data upload, the URL should be: If the URL is contact REFLEX Support for assistance. QA Reporting This is not yet implemented. 18

20 REFLEX Asia Pacific T +61 (0) REFLEX North America T +1 (705) REFLEX South America T +56 (2) REFLEX South Africa T +27 (0) REFLEX Europe T +44 (0) Please contact your local representative for further information: reflex@imdexlimited.com April 2015