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Figure 5. Tare the Balance.
6. Once the balances have been tared, place the reference weight on the 'Reference' balance and the sample on the 'Unknown' balance. Enter the known mass of the reference weight in the Reference Mass field (Figure 6). Use a reference weight similar to the weight of the sample + container (20–30 g). Click Weigh. The difference between the 'Reference' and the 'Unknown' mass should be less than 5 grams, if it is more click Cancel and change the reference weights. Important: Don't touch the reference weights with your hands. Use the tweezers.
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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.
2. Double-click on the desired sample cell under Volume Dry. The prompt to verify sample ID and container number will appear; check to ensure they are correct.
3. Choose the pycnometer cell number to be used for the sample measurement (Figure 9). Place the sample in the selected pycnometer cell, and tighten the lid. Enter the number of measurement cycles (generally 3 measurements is acceptable). Once all parameters are set as desired and the sample has been entered into the chamber, click Measure.
Figure 9. Choose Pycnometer Cell.
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Figure 12. Methods Completed.
Figure 13. Run MAD Calc.
8. Expand list of parameters of choice in the result by clicking on one of the visible parameters (e.g., Mass Solids (g)), which opens a list with all the variables. These variables can be dragged per mouse click from the left to the right hand side.
9. A standard should be run within each cycle measurement between cell 1-6. Please also remember to fill in the log sheet in Excel. The log sheet is very important for figuring out what went wrong.
Upload Data to LIMS
Data is automatically uploaded into LIMS once the MAD calc is complete (this includes any recalculation). Check the MAD LIMS report to verify.
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.
Figure 14. Add Sample.
Figure 15. Add Sample.
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.
Figure 16. Status Bar.
- The individual pycnometer cells can be calibrated by clicking on the Calibrate Pycnometer button on top of the MADMax user interface. Dialog windows open, which guide the User through the next working steps in an easy-to-follow manner.
Calibration data is logged inside an EXCEL sheet that is either on the DESKTOP and/or server. It is imperative to log this data and keep track of the calibration to assure high-quality measurements throughout an entire expedition! Ask
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- the PP technician for further instructions to learn this important skill. It is simple to learn, but essential to your success!
Credits
This page was created by Aaron de Loach on March 3, 2020. Credits for subsequent changes to this document are given in the page history.
All improvements to the Quick Start Guides and User Guides are a communal effort, with honorable mention to the group of LOs, ALOs, and technicians who have helped.
Archived Versions
MAD Quick Start Guide 2020 (*.pdf)
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