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Running a sample and uploading data
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- 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.
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- Click on the MENU button
in the top left of the screen and go to Measurement.
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- The 6 circles along the top of the screen correspond to the six sample slots. Click on an active one to get started. (You can't click on one that is empty)
- Select the appropriate measurement program in the dropdown.
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- 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.
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- 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.
- While the instrument is running the first sample, click on another circle where there is a sample and add the sample information and you can click Add to Queue.
- When the sample has finished running, click on Next Measurement and you can add the next sample.
Tips:
- Once a sample is added to the Queue you cannot cancel it. If you decide there is a mistake and you don't want to run a sample that has already been added to the queue, simply remove the sample from the sample changer. When the instrument gets to the empty slot it will show a warning that no sample is present and skip to the next sample. Then you can place a sample back in the slot, click on the corresponding circle, and enter the new information.
- You cannot enter any sample information into a slot that doesn't have a sample holder placed in it. The sensor must sense a sample holder and then you will be able to add information and add it to the queue.
If instrument is in manual mode: 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 above. 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". You cannot "add to queue", you must wait for the sample to finished to run another one.
When the scan is finished, the data file automatically transfers 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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