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The reason being is that the gun writes one file per day containing all the measurements taken in that 24-hour period. For example: if measurements are taken using the computer system, the gun is then detached, and measurements are then taken using the gun, if you re-attach the gun to the computer system (to export data) you will only be able to retrieve the data attached to the gun. Measurements taken earlier that day while attached to the computer system will have been overwritten and lost.
If Caution: if using the computer system method : do not un-plug the gun, turn off or exit the program, or turn off the gun prior to exporting data. If you do so, there is a possibility you will lose data.
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Turn on the pXRF by pressing the power button for located on top of the machine (Figure 1). When the button turns green the pXRF is powered on.
Figure 1. Power button to pXRF
Connect the Gun to the computer through the Micro USB cable labeled AC gun power.
Click on the "Innov-x Delta Advanced PC Software" icon on the desktop (Figure 2).
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You will see this initial startup window (Figure 3). You may need to click on 'Close Device App' Button first. Then, click on the 'Import Data Only' Button Button. This allows data storage on the computer. Do NOT click 'Import to PC' as this removes all configurations from the gun.
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Figure 3. Initial Startup Window. The 'Import Data Only' Button is outlined in red.
Then Click the 'Start ' button. This brings up a login screen where you will enter the following information and then click 'Login ' (Figure 4):
User Name: innovx
Password: 1776
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You are now in the main measurement window. First set the Mode to measure in. The gun has a Geochemical and Soil Mode. Each mode has different scanning parameters which preferentially pick up some elements better than others. The gun will remember the chosen mode and does not have to be chosen each time a new measurement is taken or the Gun is turned off/on.
Choosing a Mode (Soil or Geochem)
- To access the Modes click on 'Mode' at at the top of the screen (Figure 5). This directs you to the 'Mode' Screen and in the left panel you can choose between the Geochemistry and Soil modes. Click on each to see the features of each Mode and select the one best for your analysis.
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- Now that the Mode is set, establish the a measuring time for each beam.
Timing each beam
- Each Each Mode has preset measuring times but these are changeable. To access the Measurement Time click on the 'Setup' Button Button at the top of the screen (Figure 6). Then in Left Panel click on ' Test Condition. ' This brings up a screen that shows the Minimum and Maximum time currently set for each beam. Adjust the settings to your liking and click 'Save'.
Figure 6. Test Condition Window. A. 'Setup' Button on the top right of the screen. B. 'Test Condition' Option in the Left Panel. C. Minimum and Maximum Time Settings for each beam. D. 'Save Button
Note: If the minimum time is set to 1 and the maximum to 30, if the gun determines it has a good profile in less than 30 seconds it will stop actively measuring. If you want to ensure it measures for the full time, set the minimum and maximum time to the same number.
Ex: Minimum 30s and Maximum Beam 1 Min 30s
Beam 1 Max 30s
Beam 2 Min 30s
Beam 2 Max 30s
Making a Measurement
When you turn on the gun for the first time you need to make a 'Cal Check' before before any other measurements are taken. Place the gun in its stand as shown in Figure 7.
Figure 7: Handheld XRF gun resting in stand
Then click on the blue 'Cal Check' button on the bottom left of the screen (Figure 8). This tells the gun to measure the stainless steel disk located in the stand. This is an internal calibration which ensures the gun is measuring properly.
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In the Analysis Window, click the blue 
button with three dots in the upper left corner (Figure 9, arrow B). The white bar shows the current run number (arrow A).
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Editable fields are as follows: Run Number, Sample Name, Text ID, SHLF Offset, and Comment (optional field).
Enter the run number manually:
Run Number: A sequential number increased by +1 with every measurement, ex: 1, 2, 3… This number should start at 1 for the first measurement of the expedition. The run number should be unique throughout the expedition, so the use of a logsheet is highly recommended.
Use a scanner to enter the Sample Name and Text ID:
When using the scanner make sure to run the pXRF Barcode Rules Feb 2022.pdf first when changing from measuring section half to discrete or standard samples. If you do not the Barcode Rules the sample name will not scan properly and the sample name will show commas and punctuations.
Sample Name: Sample Name according to the sample or section half label. For a section half use the end cap label. For a powder mount scan the label on the bag.
Ex: 366-U1234A-20F1-W:
Section Half: 999-U9999-1H-1A
Discrete: 999-U9999A-1H-1W XRF
Standards: QAQC XRAYPXRF pXRF_BHV0 2
Text ID: Unique 11 digit ID for each sample or section half located under the barcode on the label. The Text ID will populate automatically with the scanner after you enter your Sample Name with the scanner.
Ex: SHLF11239051
Enter the Offset for SHLF and Comment manually:
Offset for SHLF: The point where a measurement is made on a section half, measured as distance from the top of the section. This field will only have a value for section half measurements.
Comment: A brief description of the measurement. An optional field.Enter the run number manually. This should be unique throughout the expedition, so the use of a logsheet is highly recommended. Then in the 'Sample Name' field scan your label. For a section half use the end cap label. For a powder mount scan the label on the bag. This populates the 'Sample Name' and 'Text_ID' Fields. If measuring a section half enter the offset in 'Offset for SHLF' field When using the pXRF on discrete or standard samples Offset for SHLF will always be zero. The offset must be a single number (e.g., 100, 120.5), entering a range is not valid.
Comment: A brief description of the measurement. An optional field For all other measurements (powder mount) leave the offset field blank. You may enter a brief description of the measurement in the 'Comment' Field (e.g., Rep1, Rep2 for repeated measurements on the same point).
Click 'Save' in the lower right portion of the screen. There is no confirmation that the information has been saved. If you do not click 'Save' the information will revert back to the prior run and there will be two measurements with the same name. The measurements are parsed by time so measurements will not overwrite one another there will just be multiple measurements with the same information.
Now that a Cal Check has been performed and the sample information is updated you can start measuring.
pXRF Instrument Set up
Take the gun out of the stand and either attach it to the Flex Stand for powder measurements or screw it into the leaded shielding drape for section half measurements (Figure 11base (Figure 11b) and snap in the sample chamber (Figure 11a) into the nose of the gun for discrete measurements (Figure 11-1). For section half measurements (Figure 11-2) set the gun on the leaded mat (Figure 11c) and screw it into place using the two screws on the leaded mat (Figure 11d). Keep a hand on the handle while measuring to ensure it does not fall.
Figure 11. Sample Chamber (a) snaps into the gun of the nose for measuring discrete samples (1).
Leaded Shielding(c) for Section Half measurements (2). The nose of the gun goes into the opening and is tightened with the side screws(d).
Press the green 'Start' Button in the bottom left of the screen to start the measurement. This can be done while in the 'Test Information' window (Figure 10, arrow C) or you may click to the Analysis page and then click 'Start' (Figure 12, arrow D).
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