MADMax Moisture and Density Interface: Quick Start Guide
V1.1, T. Cobb, T. Gorgas, H. Barnes 11/6/2012; approved by DJH 8/21/2013
V362T, D. Houpt , V371T, D. Houpt, V376 5/14/2018 S.Frazier
Contents
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Introduction
This guide is designed to help scientists use the Moisture and Density (MAD) interface called MADMax. For detailed information on the MAD procedure, please refer to the Moisture and Density User Guide at http://mckinley.ship.iodp.tamu.edu:8080/sites/.
***Please have a technician give you an overview before using this instrument***
Procedure
Starting MADMax
Click the icon for MADMax on the computer desktop and Login to LIMS (Figure 1).
Figure 1. MADMax Icon.
Measuring Mass (wet and dry)
1. | When the User Interface appears (Figure 2), click the dropdown arrow in Currently Viewing Results For field and choose the method for determining MAD values. |
2. | Measuring Mass Wet: in the tabular data sheet find the sample to be analyzed and double click the Mass Wet (Figure 3) cell for the particular sample. |
3. | A prompt window opens to verify the sample being measured as well as the container number; ensure that both are correct. Further down there is the prompt for the number of mass measurements to be averaged (the general number of measurements is 300; note: if sea state increases increase number of measurements for better accuracy) (Figure 4). |
4. | Click Measure. This will bring you to the "measuring window", Expand the measurement window to the desired size. |
5. | Balances need to be Tared if they have not been used for over six hours or if anything has changed (e.g., a spill was cleaned up). . Tare the balances with both pans empty. Once the tare is complete, the user can weigh reference masses to ensure the balances are working properly. |
6. | Once the balances have been Tared, enter the Reference Mass (the known mass of the reference weight being used). Use a weight similar to the sample + container (20–30 g). It is worthwhile to pay attention to this "weight match" even if it requires several reiterations and restarts of the measurement because it enhances the quality of the data significantly if the reference and unknown balance load is within 5 grams! Place the reference mass on the 'Reference' balance and the sample on the 'Unknown' balance, and click Weigh (Figure 6). |
7. | Once the measurement has been completed and the user is satisfied, click Accept (Figure 7). Note that the Mass Wet field is now populated in the tabular data sheet. |
8. | After Mass Wet has been measured, place sample in oven to dry for 24 hr. The samples must be cooled back to room temperature before measuring the dry mass! Leave them in the desiccator for about 3 hours. |
9. | After drying the sample, measure the Mass Dry. Double click the Mass Dry column in the correct sample row (Figure 8). Once the sample ID and container number are verified, click Measure. From here repeat steps 5–7 listed above. Make sure to write the data also into a corresponding log sheet (same with data for the drying and pycnometer working steps). |
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Figure 8. Measure Mass Dry.
Measuring Volume
After measuring MASS WET and MASS DRY, the dry volume can be measured. (Be sure to let your samples cool in the desiccator before analyzing in the pycnometer or making the dry mass measurement.)
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Figure 12. Methods Completed.
Figure 13. Run MAD Calc.
Important Notes
Use this only in the case of entering samples not already listed, as MADMax downloads samples directly from sample master
Click on Assign New Samples (Figure 14) to load new (or old) samples into the tabular data sheet, which then allows a User to enter/scan sample label, verify the sample, then add it to a list of selected samples (Figure 15). By pressing OK the sample is added into the tabular data sheet.
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Another note: if wet/dry mass is reversed, user can right click in either (wet/dry mass) cell to swap the result, remember to recalculate under Method Competed.
When the User Interface is opened there is also a Status Bar that appears (Figure 16). This bar is mainly for troubleshooting purposes or use by a Technician. For the best operation experience with software, please click Display ON upon opening the program to turn off the Status Bar display.
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