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1). Place the top ring upside down on the sample prep table and clip it in by pressing the button on the side. Take care not to scratch the center platform.
2). Mound the powder up slightly in a conical shape.
3.) Press it down with the cylindrical press.
4.) Scrape off the excess with a blade or glass slide.
5.) Brush away excess powder to that the outer ring is clean for attaching the sample holder base.
6.) Press and clip the sample holder base into the top ring. It should snap in cleanly and easily.
7.) Turn the entire sample prep table upside down, resting the sample holder base on the countertop, and press the release button on the side to release the completed sample holder. Sample surface should be flat and flush with the edge of the holder.
Tips: If the powder sticks to the sample table when you flip it upside down to release, try it again with a piece of weighing paper placed on top of the platform and then clip the top ring in.
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Aeris Setup
The mains power switch is on the rear lower right-hand side of the instrument. This can generally be left on. The unit is plugged in to the UPS power box and that should remain on at all times. 
1.) Turn the front computer on by pressing the power button on the right side of the screen. Let it initialize.
2.) Screen will prompt you to turn the key-switch, turn it clockwise and the "x-rays on" yellow lights around the instrument will light up. Make sure at least one sample holder spot is empty before turning on. The screen goes to sleep when not in use, just move the mouse or touch the screen.
To turn off the instrument, press the power button on the side of the screen, and then toggle the key switch counter-clockwise.
Running a sample and uploading data
As of Dec 2020: Due to the malfunctioning sample changer, the Aeris has been placed into "manual mode" by the service reps. You can bypass the sample changer and run one sample at a time by placing it gently on the center arm and then filling out the measurement fields on the screen as described below. The arm swings out of the chamber whenever the screen is activated, take care not to bump it. In this state, the screen permanently shows 1 active error "Motion control error on the sample changer gripper axis". 
1.) Place sample into one of the six slots on the sample changer. Be careful not to touch the center arm that comes in and out of the shutter door.
2.) Click on the MENU button 
in the top left of the screen and go to Measurement.
3.) Select the appropriate measurement program in the dropdown.
4.) Use the barcode scanner (on the right side of the Aeris) to scan the sample id label into the sample id field, or type it in with the keyboard. The file name will auto populate. Add any comments as necessary such as clay separation, heated, standard, test.
5.) Click Start and the program will run right away. The screen changes to a live view of the scan in progress. If the sample is not in the sample changer you will not be able to click Start.
When the scan is finished, the data file automatically trasfers to the XRD lab computer and can be found in C:/ XRD Data. You can create a new folder based on Expedition, Site, Hole to keep all the scans organized. When you are ready to upload one or a batch of files, open MUT and under Options, go to Set Upload Directories and add the specific folder you want to upload. You may need to click Refresh so that MUT can find and display the files. Click Upload. Only one file, type xrdml, is uploaded per sample. File name must be this format to be recognized and uploaded U1536B_5H3_79_81_CYL19622183
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