This user guide provides an overview of the IMS-SRM version 10.2 software application for operating the 2G Cryogenic Magnetometer. The SRM software is capable of processing section halves and discrete samples.  Maintenance procedures for the SRM are outlined in the at:

Content:

This user guide provides an overview of the IMS-SRM version 10.2 software application for operating the 2G Cryogenic Magnetometer. The SRM software is capable of processing section halves and discrete samples.  Maintenance procedures for the SRM are outlined in the at:

Launching the IMS-SRM application

The IMS-SRM software can be launched from the Windows Start menu or from a desktop icon (Figure 1).

At launch, the program begins the following initialization process:

• Tests all instrument communications
• Reloads configuration values
• Homes the tray in the track
• Sets the degauss controller to a known state

After successful initialization, the main IMS-SRM window will appear (Figure 2).

A Quick Introduction to the IMS Program Structure

IMS is a modular program. Individual modules are as follows:

• INST plug-in: code for each of the instruments
• MOTION plug-in: code for the motion control system
• DAQ Engine: code that organizes INST and MOTION plug-ins into a track system

The SRM system, specifically, is built with one INST module (SRM), one MOTION module, and one DAQ Engine module.

The IMS Main User Interface (IMS-UI) calls these modules, instructs them to initialize, and provides a user interface to their functionality.

Each module manages a configuration file that opens the IMS program at the same state it was when previously closed and provides utilities for the user to edit or modify the configuration data and calibration routines.

The four buttons on the IMS-UI window provide access to utilities/editors via dropdown menus as shown in Figure 3.

Initial Instrument Setup

SRM Configuration

Configuration values should be set during initial setup and configuration by the paleomagnetics technician or scientist(s). There should be no need to change these values unless the configuration file is corrupted.

SRM Instrument General Setup

To open the SRM instrument setup window (Figure 4), select Instruments > SRM: Setup from the IMS panel menu (Figure 3).

1)     Ensure the values in the window are set as shown in Figure 4.

• The SQUID constant values are provided by 2G and should not be altered.
• Once the offset to the SQUIDS is determined, this value should not change.

2)     Click OK to save the changes and write them to the configuration file. Click Cancel to revert to previous values.

Degauss and Drift Locations Track Setup

This window is used set the distance to the drift measurement locations and the degauss staging positions. To open the Degauss and Drift setup window (Figure 5), select DAQ > Degauss-Drift Locations from the IMS panel menu (Figure 3).

1)     Ensure the values in the window are set as shown in Figure 5.

• These values should never change unless the hardware is replaced or the configuration file is corrupted.

These positions will ensure that a 160-cm section is outside of the SQUIDS during zeroing and outside of the degauss region while ramping the coils up and down.

Defining Section Half and Discrete Tray Setups

At the beginning of an expedition, or any time the tray is replaced, the scientist(s) or technician must define the two active tray definitions. The program will have in memory the values for just one section half tray and one discrete tray at a time. To open either the Section Tray or Discrete Tray editors, select DAQ > Tray Section Editor or DAQ > Tray Discrete Editor from the IMS panel menu (Figure 3).

• For section trays, define the distance from the home switch (edge of tray that strikes the home switch) to the location of the top of core (top offset). Set the total tray length (Figure 6).
• For discrete trays, define the discrete centers (offset from the tray’s edge that strikes the home switch to the center of the position in which the specimens are placed). Set the total tray length (Figure 7). When measuring the background of the discrete tray, only these specific locations will be measured. The user will select which positions are actually used later during sample entry. To remove a discrete center, right click on the position and select Delete element. 

Making changes to the tray settings will invalidate the background measurement. The user will be given a warning when they try to start a measurement.  A new background will be needed before a measurement can be completed.

Setting Up for a Measurement

Prior to measuring section halves or discrete samples in the SRM the user must:

• Set the measurement interval
• Take a background measurement of the empty tray
• Create or select a measurement sequence
• Create or select a sample type preset

Setting the Measurement Parameters

To open the Measurement Editor (Figure 9), select DAQ > Measurement Editor from the IMS panel menu (Figure 3).

This window allows the user to view and adjust the SRM DAQ Parameters. The current settings are shown in the bottom left hand corner of the window.

• Interval: Interval in cm between measurements. This is only valid for SECTION HALF measurements. The measurement interval can range from 0.1 to 20 cm. The most common measurement intervals used are 2.5 cm, 5 cm, and 10 cm.
• Average: The number of measurements to take at each position. The measurements will be averaged and the mean will be written to the data files.
• Leader/Trailer Length: The distance in cm that is measured before and after the section. This is used in deconvolution processing.
• Measurement Speed: User selects slow or fast speed, which determines the settling time and data filter.  Slow speed reduces noise while fast speed completes measurements more quickly.  Slow speed is recommended.

FLUX Alarm Threshold: The flux count value above which the SRM program will trigger a Flux Jump Alarm. Flux counts between the positive and negative threshold value will not trigger the alarm.

If a change is made, the user may see a red indicator next to DAQ Valid, indicating a new background measurement is necessary (Figure 10).

The SRM software is designed to check if the current measurement interval matches the current background tray measurement interval. If the intervals differ, the user must complete a new background measurement. The software will not allow the user to begin a measurement if the values differ.

Click OK to exit the Measurement Editor Window once the parameters are set. Select Revert to return to the previous values or select Cancel to leave the window without saving any changes.

Measuring Tray Backgrounds

To measure the background of a section or discrete tray:

1)     Select Instruments > SRM: Section Background or Instruments > SRM: Discrete Background (depending on the tray type used (Figure 11) from the IMS panel menu (Figure 3).

• The default action for the tray background measurement is to demagnetize the tray and then to measure the empty tray.
• The user may adjust the demagnetization level (maximum of 80 mT) or choose to measure without demagnetizing the tray. The demagnetization level setting box will be disabled when the user has selected a background only (no demagnetization) measurement.

2)     Click START to begin the background measurement process.

3)    

When the process is complete the user will be prompted to save and use the background data (Figure 12).

If the data are saved, a new background tray file will be written. The most recent tray measured for each type (section or discrete) will be kept in memory.

These background data will be applied to all subsequent measurements of the same type.

Creating a Measurement Sequence

1)    

Open the Sequence Editor (Figure 13) by selecting DAQ > Sequence Editor from the IMS panel menu (Figure 3).

2)     Select a sequence action on the left side of the window. In-line and off-line treatments are mutually exclusive. Once a treatment type is selected, the other treatment type will be disabled.

• Measure only should be used to make an NRM measurement.
• In-line AF Demag allows users to assign a degaussing step with a field ranging from 1 to 80 mT.

Off-line Treatment will place an “off-line treatment” into the sequence list.  Accept the sequence.  A dialog box will be triggered (Figure 14) during the measurement process prompting the user to perform an offline treatment. The user may enter the type of offline treatment and comments regarding the treatment. The types of treatments available are shown in Figure 14. Click Continue Sequence to continue with the measurement and Abort to end the sequence.

3)     Users may copy an existing sequence from a file by clicking the Copy From File button.

• A new window with a list of existing sequences will be displayed (Figure 15).
• Select an existing sequence and press the Copy button.

Once selected, a sequence will be displayed in the sequence action list and the user may edit the sequence (Figure 13).

4)     Click Add to List to place a new step into the sequence action list.

• In-line AF Demag steps will be automatically ordered by increasing value.
• Each in-line AF Demag step automatically has a measurement step.

5)     Once the list is completed, click Ok Save and name the sequence

• The sequence will be saved with a new name or the user may save over an existing sequence.

Defining the Sample Presets

The data calculations for the SRM are volume dependent and therefore it is necessary to assign the appropriate shape and volume to the sample prior to measurements. In the sample preset editor window the user can set the sample shape, section half, and the orientation of the sample. The volume used for each shape is displayed, and in some cases, may be edited.

Create Sample Presets

1)     To open the Sample Preset Editor (Figure 16), select DAQ > Sample Preset Editor from the IMS panel menu (Figure 3).

2)     Select a sample shape from the left hand column.

Section Half-Piston and Discrete J-cube are the most commonly used presets.

3)     Note the volume or area values.

1. The Section Half-Piston, Section Half-Rotary, Discrete IODP, Discrete J-Cube, and U-channel sample shapes have fixed volumes.
2. For all other sample shapes the user may edit the actual volume/area value. Only one value may be assigned to a shape. Always check the volume/area value.
3. For Section Halves, Select Section Half-Piston or Section Half-Rotary (Figure 16):

• Verify the area. Piston cores should be 17.50 cm² and Rotary cores should be 13.40 cm².

4)    

Select the section half at the bottom of the window. In most cases this should be ARCHIVE for section halves.

5)     For Discrete Specimens, Select a Discrete Cube shape and orientation (Figure 17).

• Shapes include: Discrete IODP-Cube, Discrete J-Cube, Discrete Mini Core, and Discrete Other.
• Orientation includes Face Orientation and Arrow Orientation:

Face Orientation refers to which direction the face of the cube with the arrow is facing relative to the SRM (i.e., Top means the arrow is on the top of the cube, left means that the arrow is on the left side of the cube when looking toward the SRM).

Arrow Orientation refers to the direction the arrow is facing (i.e., Into means the arrow is pointing into the SRM, Right means the arrow is pointing to the right when looking toward the SRM).

The arrow in the diagrams indicates the arrow or hatch mark placed on the split face of the core section during sampling. The arrow points to the top of the core.

• There are 24 possible cube positions. During Expedition 318 it was determined that three positions were sufficient for measuring discrete cubes. These three orientations were: Top-Into, Top-Right, and Away-Up.

6)     Select the face orientation and arrow orientation that the cube will be placed in the tray. Orientations are relative to the SRM when the user is looking from the load zone toward the SQUIDS.

Place the cube into the tray so that the cube arrow matches the preset display.

7)    

Select the section half at the bottom of the window. In most cases this should be WORKING for discrete samples.

Save the Sample Preset

1)     Check the white square box on the right side of the screen (Figure 16 and Figure 17).

2)     Click on one of the six sample preset buttons and a window will appear (Figure 18).

3)     Enter a name for the button in the NAME field.

• Include the orientation in the name (i.e., Archive, Working, Top-Away, etc.).
• For section halves, include the type of core (i.e., Rotary or Piston).

4)     Select UPDATE BUTTON to save the preset.

Disable Button will clear any preset already saved to this button.

• Cancel edit will close the edit preset button name window without making any changes.

5)     The preset name should be visible on the right hand side of the page. Figure 17 has two presets assigned: SHLF- Archive and J-Cube Arch Top Away.

To Review what has been assigned to a preset button, click the preset button once. The screen image will update to show the current preset.

To clear a preset

1)     From a single button:

Open the button as if to name a preset.

• Select Disable Button.

2)     For all six buttons:

• Select the Clear All Presets button.
• User will be asked to confirm the deletion (Figure 19).

3)     Select OK to exit the preset editor.

Starting Measurements

Sample Information Window

Click START on the IMS panel (Figure 2) to open the sample information window (Figure 20–Figure 26). This is where the user enters the sample ID for a section or discrete sample and initiates the measurement.

There are four available tabs on the sample information screen. The first 3 tabs allow the user to enter sample identification information using 3 different methods. The fourth tab allows the user to select a measurement sequence.

Sample Entry Tabs

• Scanner: Scan the IODP barcode to enter the sample’s Text ID and Label ID values.
• LIMS: Select expedition, site, hole, core, and section values from a series of list boxes that are populated with data from the LIMS database.
• Manual: Manually enter the sample’s Text ID and Label ID values and a length. The name fields will accept any name, so the user must be careful to enter the name properly. If the name is incorrect a file will be created, but it may not upload properly.

Measurement Sequence Tab

The user can select a premade measurement sequence in the Measurement Sequence tab (Figure 20). The last used measurement sequence will remain in memory and is displayed at the bottom of the sample information window. If the sequence displayed is correct, the user does not need to utilize the measurement sequence tab.

• Click on sequence name in the Measurement Sequence Files list to start a sequence with the first step.

To begin at a specific step within a sequence, click on a step in the sequence action list and highlight it blue. Be careful! If a demagnetization step is highlighted blue in the sequence action list, the demagnetization process will start once the MEASURE button is pressed. As of November 2018 this feature does not work. 

Section Half Sample Entry

1)     Select START on the IMS panel (Figure 2) to open the sample information window (Figure 21).

2)     Select a measurement sequence in the Measurement Sequence tab (Figure 20). The sequence may already be selected and displayed in the lower portion of the window.

3)     Select the appropriate sample type and orientation preset on the left side of the screen.

4)     Enter the Sample ID Information

• Scanner mode: Place cursor in the scan box; scan the section half label from the end cap (Figure 21).
• LIMS mode: Select a section using the hierarchy columns (Figure 22). Only the sections/cores that match your preset will display (e.g., if you select an archive half section preset, only archive half sections will be displayed).
• Manual entry mode: Type in the sample label ID (i.e., 362-U1480A-1H-1-A) and LIMS Text ID (i.e., SHLF7851761) and length of section (Figure 23).

Any entry will be accepted, but that does not guarantee the data will upload. The Text ID information must match an actual section in order for the data to upload.

Select USE ID and Length Valuesto update the IDs and enable the MEASURE button.

5)     Check that the displayed length of the section matches the core length.

To override the section length, first scan the label on the Scan tab and then select the Manual tab. The Sample ID and Text ID values will be copied. Enter the length in the USER Length numeric control and then click the USE ME button.

6)    

Click MEASURE.

Discrete Sample Entry

1)     Click START on the IMS Control Window (Figure 2) to open the sample information window (Figure 21).

2)     Select the appropriate discrete sample type and orientation preset on the left side of the screen.

3)     Select a measurement sequence in the Measurement Sequence tab (Figure 20).

4)     Enter the Sample ID Information:

• Scanner mode: Place cursor in the scan box and scan the discrete cube label (Figure 24). The sample will be immediately assigned to the tray position highlighted on the right side of the screen.
• LIMS mode: Use the hierarchy selection columns to select a discrete sample (Figure 25). You must select a sample from the Discrete Sample list box before you can assign it to a tray position. Double click on the Tray Position list to assign it to a tray position.

Samples can be listed by core or section and filtered by sample type and/or code. See the special features: LIMS Filter Section of this guide for further information.

Remember that only samples that match the preset’s sample source (Archive or Working) will be displayed. For example, if you select an archive preset then any samples from the working half will not be displayed.

• Manual entry mode: Type in the sample label ID (i.e., 362-U1480B-1H-2-W 117/119-PMAG) and LIMS Text ID (i.e., CUBE7990351) (Figure 26). Anything will be accepted, but that does not guarantee the data will upload. The ID information must match an actual sample in order for the data to upload.
• Click the USE ID and Length Values button to use the ID information. Double click on a Tray Position to assign the ID information to that tray position.
• The Sample ID and LIMS ID should be displayed below the manual entry tab as seen in Figure 26.

5)    

Click MEASURE to begin measuring the discrete samples

Other features

• A black diamond next to the tray position number indicates that a sample has been assigned to this position. Click on the tray position to display information about the discrete sample in the tray information box (Figure 27).

To clear a tray position, hold the CONTROL key on the keyboard and double click the tray position you would like to clear.

• The Reload Discrete Tray button reloads the sample names of the last measured tray of discrete specimens. Make sure that the physical samples are placed in the tray in the correct order and position.

Each discrete sample can only be assigned to one position in the tray. If the user tries to assign the same sample ID to two positions in the tray, an error message will appear (Figure 28). Change the Sample ID.

Database Validation

Whenever there is a live network connection to the LIMS database, IDs entered with either the Scanner or LIMS tabs will be validated and values such as section length for sections halves or sample offset for discrete samples will be updated with the most current value. If the connection fails when either the LIMS tab is selected or when scanning a barcode, the user will see this error message (Figure 29). If you click Check Connection, the program will attempt to connect with the LIMS database, opening the window shown in Figure 30.

If Disable LIMS is clicked or the reconnection fails, the LIMS tab is disabled, the Network Status indicator turns red, and a button labled Connect to LIMS appears (Figure 31). Clicking this button will attempt a LIMS reconnection.

When the Network Status indicator is red, the program will use the information stored in the barcode. Generally, for sections this information is correct but if the core has been curated and the length changed, the length value may be wrong and there is a possiblity that measurment will not include all of the material. It is always good practice to check the length against the meter stick on the sample handler.

Sample Entry Caveats

• If START is pressed and the background interval and measurement interval are mismatched, the user will receive an error (Figure 32) and be sent back to the IMS-SRM main window.

This prevents the user from measuring a section or discrete samples with invalid or mismatched background data.

The preset must match the label type (i.e., working half preset will only accept a working half label ID). If the preset and label do not match, the user will be notified (Figure 33).

During a Measurement

Active Display

• Once MEASURE is selected, the central IMS-SRM panel (Figure 34) displays. The data are graphed as each measurement is acquired.
• As sequential demagnetization steps are completed, new lines in a new color are added to the display, allowing monitoring of changes in the inclination, declination, and intensity with each step.
• A variety of graphs can be chosen to view during measurements by selecting a different tab at the top of the screen (Figure 34). These tabs include:
  • General view (XYZ moments, inclination, declination, and intensity)
  • RAW moments
  • Drift-corrected moments
  • Background-corrected moments
  • Background and drift-corrected moments
  • Tray Background
  • Flux Counts
  • The current active measurement step is highlighted under measurement steps in the Information Panel.
  •  During the degaussing process, the active coil, the field being applied, and the status of the coil are displayed on this screen (Ramping up, Tracking, Ramping Down).

If the Degausser Internal error window (Figure 35) appears, abort the sequence or repeat the sequence step once the problem has been corrected.

• The maximum flux counts recorded during each step and the remaining flux counts at the end of measurement step can be monitored to identify flux jumps. See the Special Features section for more information on flux jump monitoring.
• When a sequence is completed, the program returns to the sample information window.

Emergency Procedures

There are multiple features available in the IMS-SRM software and hardware for addressing SRM measurement emergencies. These features are:

• SRM Software Abort button
• SRM Hardware Abort buttons (2)
• Degausser Ramp Down Now command
• Loss of Ship’s Chill Water

SRM Software Abort Button

The SRM Software Abort button is on the left side of the screen during measurements (Figure 34). Clicking this button brings up a window with three options (Figure 36).

• ABORT Return to Load: Return the section to home. If the Abort was clicked during a degaussing step, the degausser will ramp down before the core is moved to the load position.

ABORT Do Not Move: Leave the core exactly where it was when Abort was clicked and exit the measurement process. This feature is useful if a core is jammed and further action is needed before moving the tray to the load position. Motor power is shut off and the user is given a warning when this option is selected (FIGURE)

• Continue: Continue the sequence from the exact point that Abort was clicked.

If the user aborts during a degaussing step a dialogue box will appear and the system will automatically begin ramping down (Figure 37 Motor Power Turned off Warning

Figure 38).

Ramp Down: If the system does not automatically begin ramping down, the user may attempt to use the ramp down command.  The degausser will not accept a command if it is ramping up or down.

• Continue: Move the core back to the first degauss stating position and ramp up the first coil and begin the sequence again. (Currently this behavior is malfunctioning and moves the core to finally staging position and then sends another dialogue box).
• ABORT Return to Load: Return the section to home position
• ABORT Do Not Move: Leave the core exactly where it was when Abort  was clicked and exit the sequence.

Get Status: Ask the degausser for its status and display the results. See the degausser manual for specifics on what each of these codes means (Figure 39).

SRM Hardware Abort buttons

There are two hardware Abort buttons for the SRM track system. One is positioned next to the load zone of the track (Figure 40), and the other is above the SRM computer monitors. These emergency stop buttons will immediately stop track motion. These buttons remain locked in position until the user manually unlocks them by twisting the red knob.

• The user abort dialogue box (Figure 36) will appear when the hardware abort buttons are pressed. The hardware abort does not control the degausser behavior.

Ramp Down Now

Selecting Instruments > SRM: Ramp Down Now from the IMS panel menu (Figure 3) will immediately send the ramp-down command to the in-line degauss controller. If successful, the active coil will ramp down to zero.

ALWAYS check that the degausser control box tracking light is off and the zero light is on after using this command. The manual commands on the degausser should be used if for some reason the computer/software stops communicating with the degausser unit.

Loss of Ship’s Chill Water

The ship’s chill water is used to cool the Cryomech compressor, which keeps the helium lines under pressure and the SRM at superconducting temperatures.  Without chill water the Cryomech compressor will shut down and the SRM will not be operational. See Appendix A for further details on the compressor and the backup chill water system.

Special Features

A few special features are available in the IMS-SRM software to help the user facilitate the measurement process on a variety of materials. These features include:

Pause and Confirm

• Exclude Intervals
• MagSpy data visualization program
• Flux Jump Alarm
• LIMS Filters

Pause and Confirm

Typically, a user sets a measurement sequence and lets the program complete the sequence to the last step. But if a user decides they wish to monitor the data collection more closely, a feature called Pause and Confirm is available.

This feature can be turned on or off by selecting the button on the bottom right side of the screen (Figure 41). The button turns blue when pause and confirm is activated. If this feature is on, the IMS-SRM program will pause when it reaches the end of a measurement step and display the pause and confirm window (Figure 42).

There are 6 available actions for the user to select in the Pause and Confirm screen.

• Save Data?: When activated, the most recent measurement data are written to a file and placed in the IN folder for upload. The program defaults to saving all data; the user must choose to not save.
• Repeat Measurement?: Repeats the measurement that just concluded.
• Repeat Sequence Step?: Repeats the demagnetization process and the measurement of the most recent step.  (Currently restarts the entire sequence, not just the particular step)
• End Sequence?: Ends the sequence immediately; program returns to the sample information window
• Insert a New Sequence Step?: Inserts a new step to the sequence during a run without stopping the measurement sequence process. If an additional step is added the sequence will be saved with a new name.
• Reduce Speed: User may choose to reduce all movement speeds by 10 or remain at the normal operating speed.

Select ACCEPT to initiate the IMS-SRM program to perform the actions selected in the Pause and Confirm window.

Exclude Intervals

The Exclude Intervals feature is available in the Sample Information Window (Figure 21) and applies only to section halves, whole rounds, and U-channels. This feature is especially useful when measuring cores with sandy intervals or hard rock pieces that are surrounded by bins of rumble.

To turn Exclude Intervals ON:

1)     Click Exclude Intervals to open the Exclude Intervals window (Figure 43).

2)     Enter the top and bottom offset of the interval to exclude from measurement. Multiple intervals may be selected at a time.

3)     Select OK once all intervals are set. The program returns to the Sample Information window.

The indicator next to the exclude intervals button on the sample information window should now be green (Figure 44).

The excluded intervals will be automatically cleared once the measurement sequence has completed.  To manually turn off or edit the excluded intervals:

1)    

Click Exclude Intervals to open the Exclude Intervals window

2)      Select Clear All to remove all excluded intervals OR select the specific interval to be cleared and select the Clear Interval button. 

3)     Click Cancel to exit out of the window

The green indicator next to the exclude intervals button on the sample information window should now be gray.

Caution! The entire core will still be demagnetized! Only the measurement process is controlled by the Exclude feature.

MagSpy Data Visualization Program

MagSpy is opened by selecting Instruments > SRM: Display Plots from the IMS Panel menu (Figure 3), or it can be opened by double clicking the desktop icon (Figure 45).

Plots include: an equal area diagram, Zijderveld plot, demagnetization graph, and graphs of inclination, declination, intensity, and XYZ moments for each discrete sample or point measured on a section (Figure 46).

• Move the red vertical bar along the intensity plot to scroll through each measurement point for a section or each discrete sample in a tray.
• Only current data can be viewed.
• MagSpy includes the ship’s heading data from the WinFrog navigation system (via the JRData Server). If the data is not available, the heading will not update. No error notice will be given.
• The Print Current View Button prints the current Zijderveld plot, equal area diagram, and demagnetization plot. The command is sent immediately to the PC’s default printer.

Flux Jump Alarm

This feature notifies the user if the remaining negative or positive flux counts during a measurement exceed a user-determined threshold value. 

• The flux jump alarm threshold parameter is set in the Measurement Editor window found under DAQ > Measurement Editor (Figure 3).
• The SRM Parameters window will open and the user may alter the Flux Alarm Threshold value (Figure 9).
•  If the remaining flux counts at the end of a measurement sequence exceed the flux alarm threshold, the Pause and Confirm window will open with a flux jump warning message (Figure 47).
• The user may adjust the data acquisition speed to reduce the likelihood of flux jumps:

Two options are available for DAQ speed reduction (Figure 48).

The speed reduction control is available in the pause and confirm window (Figure 42) and in the sample information windows (Figure 21–Figure 26).

• There is no method for shutting the flux jump alarm feature off. To avoid receiving the message the user may simply adjust the flux jump threshold to a higher value.

Caution! If you are receiving a large number of flux jumps, check for cell phones or laptops in the area around the load zone that may not be in airplane mode or may be connecting via the Wi-Fi.

LIMS Filter

The LIMS filter on the sample information window (Figure 21) allows the user to reduce the number of samples they must search through when entering discrete specimens. This feature is not available for section halves.

• Click LIMS Filter to open the LIMS Filter setup window (Figure 49).
• To filter for PMAG samples only, enter PMAG in the sample name field.
• To save the filter, click Done. Only the discrete samples that match the filter criteria will be shown in the LIMS hierarchy search.
• To clear the filter options, select Clear All. Click Done to clear the filter from memory.

Utilities

There are six main utilities currently available within the IMS-SRM software. These can be found under the Instruments menu (Figure 3). The six utilities are:

1)     Time Series Utility

2)     DAFI Utility

3)     Uturn Utility

4)     USB 6008 Utility

5)     Data Recovery

6)     Degauss Utility

Time Series Utility

The Time Series Utility runs a background measurement over an extended period of time. During this measurement, the tray is not in the SRM. Open the Time Series Utility (Figure 50) selecting Instruments > SRM: Time Series Utility from the IMS Panel menu (Figure 3). The ship’s heading is recorded along with the X, Y, Z moments.

• SQUID Meter settings: The user can adjust the SRM settings with controls on the right side of the screen. Options in bold are the default settings used for the SRM.
  • Filter: 1, 10, 100 Hz or WB
  • Range: 1X, 10X, 100X or EXT
  • Slew: On, OFF
  • Feedback: Open, Close
    • Period box: Set the frequency of measurements
    • Time Unit Switch: Set time series units to minutes or seconds with the control on the top of the screen.
    • Select START to begin the measurement (button label will toggle to STOP).
    • Select STOP to end the measurement process.
    • Clear graphs: Use Clear Graphs to clear any previous data from the screen.
    • Save data: Select this button to output the data currently shown on the graphs to a .csv file
      • Note: Right click on the individual graphs to open a context menu and export the data for that graph directly to MS Excel. This will only output the data for the selected graph.

Select Done to close the Time Series Utility.

DAFI Utility

The DAFI utility collects and displays 3 channels of data from the National Instruments USB-6008 Multifunction I/O device (or any equivalent DAXmx compliant device) against track position. This means that the USB-6008 can be connected to the XYZ analog output of the 2G Applied Physics 520 Fluxgate or the single channel analog output of the LE Model 6010 Gauss/Teslameter (Hall Probe) and used to measure the field in the SQUID measurement region or to measure the field produced by the degauss coils. This is best done as a two-person experiment so someone can monitor the cables as the instruments are run through the SRM.

The DAFI Utility (Figure 51) is opened by selecting Instruments > SRM: DAFI Utility from the IMS Panel menu (Figure 3).

1)     Secure the Fluxgate or Hall probe in the section-half boat and note the position of the measurement sensor.

2)     Enter the position of the measurement sensor into the ‘In Tray Offset’ field.  Recommended position is 140 cm.

3)     Set the measurement interval in the ‘DAQ Interval’ field and the number of measurements to average at each position in the ‘Average’ field.

4)     If you are using the Fluxgate magnetometer, set the range of the probe in the ‘Range’ field.  Recommended range is 10 mOe.

5)     Set the Start and End offset for the measurements. The tray will move to place the sensor at the Start offset before any measurements are taken. 

• Example: If you wish to begin measurements at 160 cm from the home position, enter 160 cm in the start offset field.

6)     Click START and monitor cables as the tray moves into the SRM. The measurement window will open (Figure 2) and the measurements will begin.

7)     Data will be saved automatically to C:\AUX_DATA\DAFI when measurements are successfully completed.

U-Turn Utility

The U-turn utility is used when a core has been put into the SRM with the top of the core nearest the SRM. The background data is applied incorrectly in this situation, and therefore the values need to be recalculated. This utility performs the recalculations and produces data files for upload.

The U-Turn Utility (Figure 52) is opened by selecting Instruments > SRM: U-Turn Utility from the IMS Panel menu (Figure 3).

• Select a mode for correcting the data (Figure 53).
  • Change to Working flips the data so that the data is in working coordinates
  • Change to Archive flips the data so that the data is in archive coordinates
  • Flip Top to Btm corrects the data when a core is placed in the track with the top of the core toward the SRM
  • Select a file or a folder of files to correct
    • Select Read File to correct one file
    • Select Process Folder to correct a large number of files.  Before selecting process folder, place the files to be corrected in a new folder.
    • Once the Read File or Process Folder button is selected, a browser window will open. User should select a file or folder of files to correct.
    • The folder of processed data is output as soon as Process Folder is selected in the browser window
    • For a single file, user must select Confirm to output the files on the U-turn screen to output the file

The files are written directly to C:\Data\IN

When a single file is processed the U-Turn utility will display the original file, the corrected file (Figure 54), and a sample comparison window (Figure 55). The user can page between each of these windows using the tabs. Nothing will be displayed if the Process Folder button is used.

USB6008 Utility

The USB6008 Utility is a free-form utility designed to allow the user to hook up any instrument to the USB6008 (Figure 56). This can be particularly useful in locating the position of the SQUIDS and Degauss Coils when used with the Motion Widget control. During field trapping, the USB6008 can be attached and the signal of each SQUID can be monitored with this utility.

Open the Motion Widget window by selecting Motion > Motion Widget from the IMS front panel (Figure 3).

• This step is necessary if you wish to dynamically adjust the position of a hall probe, fluxgate, or other device while using the USB6008 utility.
• In the Motion Widget window the tray position can be adjusted using relative or absolute moves (Figure 57).

The USB6008 utility is opened by selecting Instruments > SRM: USB6008 Utility from the IMS front panel (Figure 3).

• The utility immediately begins to measure (Figure 58).
• Adjust the position of the sensor and tray using the motion widget.

When measurements are complete, click Done to exit.

Data Recovery Utility

During normal and background data acquisitions, all pertinent data is recorded to a LabVIEW data log file in real-time as a means to recover data in case of a hardware/software crash or file corruption.

NOTE, this data is overwritten each time a new measurement starts (when the first drift measurement is taken). Recovery of previous data must be completed prior to the first drift measurement.

To recover data from the data log file select Instruments > SRM: Data Recovery from the IMS panel menu (Figure 3). Data from the data log is immediately written to both the SRM load (data upload file format) and the standard backup file (csv format). The data recovery window opens to confirm completion of operations (Figure 59).

Degauss Utility

The degauss utility can be used to send commands to the degauss controller and to retrieve the status of the degauss controller (Figure 60).  The user can ramp up, ramp down, and get the current status of each coil.  The utility will automatically ramp down after a set amount of time to prevent over heating the coils.  Get Status can be pressed while the system is ramped up or down.  If the status window appears blank, try again.  The system may have been between commands when the Get Status command was sent.  The value behind the letter A is the field the degausser is at in Gauss.  The letter following the C is the active coil.  See the degausser vendor manual for further details on what the values in the status window mean.

File Formats and File Uploading

Data Upload Files

Data upload files are text files used by the MUT application to load acquired data into LIMS. Files with the SRM extension contain section (whole round and U-channel) data, and files with the DSC extension contain discrete data. Either file is written to the C:\DATA\IN folder where MUT will process them and then move them to the C:\DATA\ARCHIVE folder. Any file that fails to upload is moved to the C:\DATA\ERROR folder.

Sections

SRM data files are written for each sequence step and in addition to the section data, include the leader, trailer, and the two drift measurement data points.

Discrete

DSC data files are written for each sequence step and each discrete sample. These files include discrete specimen data and the two drift measurement data points (duplicated for each file). There is no leader or trailer data in this context.

Auxiliary Files

Auxiliary files are csv formatted text files written for both section and discrete data types. These are “kitchen sink” files that contain both final and intermediate calculation data, rotational data, flux counts, process values (demag level) etc. One file of this type is referenced in the data upload file between the <FILE> tags and is archived in the ASMAN database.

Sections

In a section file, each row is a single measurement starting with the Drift #1, Leader, Section, Trailer, Drift #2. File names are Sample ID, Text ID, Time stamp, and Demag level; therefore there is only one file per section per sequence step.

Section data is saved in the folder: C:\AUX_DATA\SRM\SECTION.

Discrete

In a discrete file, each row is a single measurement ordered as Drift #1, Sample, Drift #2. File names are Sample ID, Text ID, Time stamp, and Treatment; therefore there is only one file per discrete sample but it contains all of the sequence steps for that sample. Note, because of the format, repeated measurements for discrete samples will end up in the same file.

Discrete data is saved in the folder: C:\AUX_DATA\SRM\DISCRETE.

Background Files

Background files are text files written in a standard csv format. They contain the acquisition parameters, tray definition, and include both the raw and drift correct values for the SQUID’s XYZ values. Either the section or the discrete file is referenced in the data upload file between the <FILE> tags and is archived in the ASMAN database.

Sections

The filename contains the type of tray, time stamp, and treatment.

File is saved in the folder: C:\AUX_DATA\SRM\SECTION-BKGND.

Discrete

The filename contains the type of tray, time stamp, and treatment.

File is saved in the folder: C:\AUX_DATA\SRM\DISCRETE-BKGND.

Measurement Sequence File

The sequence file is a text file written in a standard ini format and contains the data that describes each sequence step (process values). This file is referenced in the data upload file between the <FILE> tags and is archived in the ASMAN database.

File is saved in the folder: C:\IMS\SRM CONFIG\Measurement Sequence\User.

SRM Configuration File

The configuration file is a text file written in a standard ini format. There is only one current configuration file that contains a snapshot of all the pertinent data that was used during acquisition. This file is referenced in the data upload file between the <FILE> tags and is archived in the ASMAN database.

File is saved in the folder: C:\IMS\CONFIG\CURRENT.

Motion Control Setup:

Motion control should be set during initial setup and further changes should not be necessary. Motion control setup can be accessed by selecting Motion > Setup from the IMS panel menu (Figure 3).

• The M-Drive Motion Setup control panel will open (Figure 61).
• The user may select between four setup panels from this window.
  • Motor and Track Options
  • Fixed Positions
  • Limit and Home Switches
  • Motion Profiles

Motor and Track Options menu

Once these values have been properly set, they should not change. This panel is only for initial setup.

• Make sure to use the values shown for the SRM (Figure 62).

User should be familiar with the M-Drive motor system prior to adjusting these settings.

• The relationship between motor revolutions and linear motion of the track is defined in this window and is critical to both safe and accurate operation.
  • Select Axis: In the case of the SRM it is always X.
  • Encoder Pulses/rev: Defined by the manufacturer of the M-Drive as 2048.
  • Screw Pitch: Set to 0.0627 (the ratio of 2048 steps per revolution and chain displacement (cm) as a function of the drive gears diameter).
  • Gear Ratio: There is not a reduction gear so this value is set to 1.
  • Direction: Clockwise rotation moves the tray in a positive direction (from home to end of track).
  • Click the Motion Utlity button to open the Motion Utility window (Figure 63) and test the settings. Click Close to exit this window.
  • Click Done to save the values or Cancel to return to previous values.

Fixed Positions menu

Once these values have been properly set, they should not change. This panel is only for initial setup.

In this window the user may define fixed track locations used by IMS motion control. For the SRM make sure to use these value unless there has been a physical change to the system (Figure 64).

• Select Axis: In the case of the SRM it is always X.
• Max Section Length: Maximum length of section that can be placed in the track. This value is set to 160 cm.
• Track Length: Distance in cm between the limit switches. Use the Motion Utility (Figure 63) to determine this value by moving from limit switch to limit switch plus the length of the tray used.
  • Load and Unload: For the SRM set to 0. This will always bring the tray back to the sample load end after a measurement sequence.
  • Top-of-Section Switch?: Not used.
  • Top-of-Section Switch Offset: Not used.
  • Push Past: Not used.
  • Fast Past: Not used.
  • Run Out Switch?: Not used.
  • Click the Motion Utiilty button to open the Motion Utility window (Figure 63) and test the settings. Click Close to exit this window.
  • Click Done to save the settings. Click Cancel to return to previous values.

Note, these values along with the positions set in the Degauss-Drift Location window and the SQUID offset set in the SRM setup window are necessary to fully define the track geometry. Take a lot of care in setting these values!

Limit and Home Switches Window

Once these values have been properly set, they should not change. This panel is only for initial setup.

• This panel is used to define the orientation of the track system, limit switches, and the home switch (Figure 65). The MDrive can be used with either a dedicated Home switch or a limit switch as a home switch. In the case of the SRM track we use only a limit switch. There is no home switch installed.
  • Select Axis: In the case of the SRM it is always X.
  • Select Track and Home Geometry:For the SRM, select CW limit.
  • Click the Motion Utility button to test the settings.
  • Click Accept to save the settings. Click Cancel to return to previous values.

Motion Profiles

The motion profiles window can be used to adjust the speed and acceleration profiles used by the track (Figure 66) for various types of movements.

Setting the correct values for the motion profile takes a little experimentation to make the track run efficiently and safely. It is not unusual to modify these values as the lithology changes to balance the need for speed without inducing flux jumps.

• DAQ Move: This profile controls moves between measurement positions (leader and trailer measurements included) and the move to the drift 2 position. Set this to a reasonable speed with gradual acceleration and watch out for flux jumps. In addition, when you use the speed reduction feature to control flux jumps, this value is the base value for the reduction.
• Limit Seek: This profile is used for the following moves:
  • This profile finds the limit switch location. Do not exceed 3 cm/sec. Do not use a large acceleration value, but always use a large deceleration value.
  • Home Final: This profile finds the final location of the home switch. Do not exceed 3 cm/sec. Do not use a large acceleration value, but always use a large deceleration value.
  • Load/Unload: This profile is used for moving the tray in and out of the SRM for general movements and moving out of the SRM to the final position prior to ending a measurement or beginning the next degaussing step.
  • Drift 1: This profile is used to move to the drift 1 position and to move from the last trailer position to the drift 2 position
  • Drift 2:  Unused
  • Degauss Stage: This profile is used to move to the degauss start position
  • Degaussing: This profile is used to move the section/discrete samples from degauss stage position through the in line AF degauss coils for X, Y, and Z.
  • User Define: This profile is used for testing only in the Motion Utilities (Figure 63) program.
    • Click the Motion Utility button to open the Motion Utility (Figure 63) window and test the settings.
    • Click Done to save the settings. Click Cancel to return to previous values.