Alexis Armstrong and Heather Barnes
Overview
EXP378T left San Diego and transited to Fiji. Only one USGS scientist sailed (Dale Griffin) to take atmospheric dust samples. The ship was tied-up in Fiji form Dec 11th to Jan 3rd. The Bruker XRD and Panalytical XRD were used minimally (maintenance and training purposes only) with some issues listed below.
Bruker XRD
The ship's crew performed maintenance on the chill water; and because of this, we had to shut down the Bruker XRD. After the maintenance period was completed, we were unable to turn on the machine, as there was no power going to the instrument. We replaced a blown fuse from the main power supply (going to the controller unit), and were able to restore power. We then ran standards successfully. The instrument has been functioning correctly since.
Handheld XRF
The Innovx Delta software is incompatible with Windows 10. In order to update our system to the newest version of Java, the Innovx software is running on Windows Xp Sp3, a compatibility mode for Windows 10.
Aeris Panalytical XRD
We did some training on the Aeris XRD. Reading the manual, setting up a measurement file, changing hardware in the XRD as needed, running a sample. We ran one sample successfully but on the second sample we could not get the XRay generator to start. Errors encountered were O.BootsstrapperBlockedOnXsafeUnsafe and O.Safety.XsafeUnsafe (these errors are logged on the machine). The manual's procedure for clearing this error includs turning off, opening cover and making sure it is closed correctly, restarting, toggling the HT key. We tried this several times with no avail. Steps leading to the error are: Ran one sample without issue; changed the parameter file, loaded the file, awaited the prompt to change the hardware but it did not come, I tried to open the cover while it was still locked (gently tried) to change the hardware and then we noticed the error (when exactly the error occurred we are unsure). I do not think the gentle lift on the cover while it was locked caused the error but we cannot pin point anything else to cause a Xray safe error. We have set up a Work Order with Malvern Panalytical and emailed Vladimir (XRD techs are CC'ed). WO # 001511. Vladimir is now looking at the Error Log file. He will email with possible cause/solutions.
Here are Vladimir's replies:
1.
The cover is part of x-ray safety system. Looks like x-ray safety was indeed compromised in attempt to open the cover manually while it was locked. You mentioned that the instrument was restarted, but the error cannot be cleared. Is it just the error or you still cannot turn x-ray generator ON? If this is still the case, please try following:
Turn the instrument off from control panel;
Then turn off breaker switch on the back of the instrument (if you face Aeris this toggle switch is on the right rear side) for about 30 seconds, then put it back on;
Restart the instrument with the x-ray key off ( horizontal position);
After instrument restart, open and close the cover;
Turn the x-ray key ON (vertical position);
Let me know what happed,
ABOVE STEPS DID NOT WORK
2.
Please try to turn the instrument off again from toggle switch on the back and move the goniometer arms manually to the lower angle, almost to zero or approx. 10 degrees. Do not worry, you can move the goniometer manually with the system powered off, some situations like mounting non ambient heating stage requires to move the goniometer manually to higher angle. Re-initialize the instrument and try turn the key ON.
When you tried to reboot Aeris before, have you noticed or heard that the goniometer was initializing? Does the sample changer initialize?
When the power is ON, can you open the cover and check status of LEDs on the black metal box behind sample loading door? LEDs are red and green.
And finally can you e-mail me log files? I have attached instructions how to collect log files.
Best regards,
ABOVE STEPS DID NOT WORK