Welcome to a new era of petroleum testing
Instruction Manual
ERAFLASH RCS
Remote Control Software for
Flash Point measurement at its best
ERAFLASH Firmware Version: 108
RCS Software Version: 107
Document Revision: ERAFLASH-RCS-78000
eralytics GmbH, Lohnergasse 3, 1210 Vienna, Austria Handelsgericht Wien, FB No.: 293139 m; UID/VAT: ATU63391207
Tel: +43 1 890 50 330 / Fax: +43 1 890 50 3315 / E-mail: [email protected] / Skype: philipp.jordan / Internet: www.eralytics.com
Table of Content
1 Introduction ......................................................................................................... 3
2 Installation........................................................................................................... 4
3 Getting started..................................................................................................... 6
3.1 Connecting via USB..................................................................................... 7
3.2 Connecting via Ethernet............................................................................... 8
4 Operation ............................................................................................................ 9
4.1 File Transfer Features.................................................................................. 9
4.1.1 Download results ................................................................................ 10
4.1.2 Download Printer Format Files ........................................................... 11
4.1.3 Upload Printer Format Files ................................................................ 12
4.1.4 Software upgrade ............................................................................... 13
4.1.5 Extended Maintenance Features ........................................................ 14
4.1.5.1 Backup Calibration Parameters....................................................... 16
4.1.5.2 Backup Settings Parameters........................................................... 17
4.1.5.3 Backup All Parameters.................................................................... 18
4.1.5.4 Upload Calibration Parameter Backup ............................................ 19
4.1.5.5 Upload Settings Parameter Backup ................................................ 20
4.1.5.6 Upload All Parameters Backup ....................................................... 21
4.2 Measuring with Erasoft RCS ...................................................................... 22
4.2.1 Enter the Erasoft RCS Software Code................................................ 22
4.2.2 Change Settings ................................................................................. 24
4.2.3 Starting and Stopping a Measurement................................................ 25
4.2.3.1 Show Measuring Results................................................................. 26
4.2.3.2 Customizing the Measuring Result Table........................................ 27
4.2.3.3 Copy Results into a Spread Sheet .................................................. 29
4.2.3.4 Print Results.................................................................................... 30
4.3 Create a Device Table ............................................................................... 31
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1 Introduction
The base module of the Erasoft RCS software is a free software that gives some
basic features like result download, setting up printer files, software upgrade etc.
Optional a software code is available that the instruments can be fully remote
controlled. Please ask your local dealer or Eralytics for such a software code.
This software works with Windows XP, Windows Vista and higher.
The ERAFLASH software must be >108.
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2 Installation
The Erasoft RSC software is delivered with each instrument on a memory stick (flash
drive). Please check the memory stick for the folder “erasoft RCS”
Open the folder “erasoft RCS” and run “setup.exe”
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Follow the instructions on the screen to install the Erasoft RCS software.
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3 Getting started
Start the software ErasoftRCS.exe. By default you can find it in c:\programs\Eralytics
or click the windows start button and see programs -> Eralytics.
ATTENTION: If Windows XP is used and the Erasoft RCS software shows an error
message and cannot be started, run “vc_redist_x86.exe”. This file can be found in
the “Erasoft RCS” folder.
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3.1 Connecting via USB
Connect the instrument to the PC with a USB cable (not included in scope of
delivery).
PC
ERAFLASH
ATTENTION: It is possible that your operating system is asking for installation of a
FTDI driver. This driver can be found on the memory stick in the erasoft RCS folder
where the setup program is located.
When the driver is installed switch the top grid to the USB tab. All connected
instruments are automatically detected. If later some further instruments are
connected press the button “update device list”.
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3.2 Connecting via Ethernet
Make sure your instrument has got a name (see ERAFLASH manual) and is
connected to the network by a Ethernet cable. Choose the “Measure” menu on
ERAFLASH.
Switch the top grid to the “LAN” tab. Then enter the instrument name in the “IP”
column.
When the actual measurement settings are shown the instrument is connected
successfully to the network and can communicate with Erasoft RCS.
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4 Operation
4.1 File Transfer Features
The Maintenance features can be used for all ERAFLASH instruments even if the
option for full software support was not purchased.
You can download the Results, QC-Results, Printer-Files and the Archive files
pressing the “Get File(s)” button
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4.1.1 Download results
Select the command “Results” from the dropdown menu in the “Receive from
Instrument” section. In the “Local File System” section select a destination folder.
You can also create a new folder by a right click in the “Local File System” section.
Select “New Directory” and create a new folder. By a right click you can also delete a
folder.
Click the button “Get File(s)” and all result files are downloaded to the selected
folder. You can open the files by double clicking or right click and selecting “Open”.
The program “Word Pad” can be used to view and modify the results.
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4.1.2 Download Printer Format Files
Select the command “Printer-Files” by the dropdown menu in the “Receive from
Instrument” section. In the “Local File System” section select a destination folder.
You can also create a new folder by a right click in the “Local File System” section.
Select “New Directory” and create a new folder. By a right click you can also delete a
folder.
Click the button “Get File(s)” and all result files are downloaded to the selected
folder. You can open the files by double clicking or right click and selecting “Open”.
The program “Word Pad” can be used to view and modify the results.
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4.1.3 Upload Printer Format Files
Modified Printer Files can be uploaded to the instrument by selecting the command
“Printer Files” in the dropdown menu of the “Send to Instrument” window. Select one
or more printer files and click the “Send File(s)” button. The new printer files are
uploaded to the instrument.
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4.1.4 Software upgrade
Select the folder where the new ERAFLASH software is located.
Select the command “Software update” in the dropdown menu of the “Send to
Instrument” section and select the .zip file containing the new software package.
Click the “Send File(s)” button, the software is transferred to the instrument. After
ERAFLASH is restarted the software upgrade is automatically performed.
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4.1.5 Extended Maintenance Features
There are several more features which are not routinely needed like storing
instrument settings or calibration values. These additional features can be made
accessible by the following procedure:
1) Connect the instrument with the Erasoft RCS software as describes in a
previous chapters.
2) Highlight the command button in the “Receive from instruments” section.
3) On the PC keyboard press “Ctrl” + “a” simultaneously. A beep confirms that
the additional features can be used now from the command drop down list.
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4.1.5.1 Backup Calibration Parameters
Select a folder in the “Local File System” section where the data should be stored.
Then select “Parameter Calibration” from the dropdown menu. Click the button “Get
File(s)”, a folder will be created named according to the instrument serial number. In
this folder a subfolder called “Parameters” is created where the file with the
calibration parameters (p-cal) is stored.
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4.1.5.2 Backup Settings Parameters
Select a folder in the “Local File System” section where the data shall be stored.
Then select “Parameter Settings” from the dropdown menu. Click the button “Get
File(s)”, a folder will be created named according to the instrument serial number. In
this folder a subfolder called “Parameters” is created where the file with the setting
parameters (General) and measuring profiles (profilesrc) are stored.
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4.1.5.3 Backup All Parameters
Select a folder in the “Local File System” section where the data should be stored.
Then select “Parameter All” from the dropdown menu. Click the button “Get File(s)”,
a folder will be created named according to the instrument serial number. In this
folder a subfolder called “Parameters” is created where files with all important
parameters (commonrc, countrc,flashrc) are stored. These files store all parameters,
also those which are in the “General” file and “p-Cal” file.
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4.1.5.4 Upload Calibration Parameter Backup
If the calibration parameters became corrupt or wrong the backup file can be
uploaded to the instrument. Highlight the “parameter” folder of your instrument in the
“Local File System” section and select the “Parameter Calibration” from the
“command” dropdown menu in the “Send to instrument” section. Select “Calibration”
and click the “Send File(s)” button, the calibration parameters are uploaded to the
instrument.
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4.1.5.5 Upload Settings Parameter Backup
If the settings parameters became corrupt or wrong the backup file can be uploaded
to the instrument. Highlight the “parameter” folder of your instrument in the “Local
File System” section and select the “Parameter Settings” option from the “command”
dropdown menu in the “Send to instrument” section. Select “General” and click the
“Send File(s)” button, the calibration parameters are uploaded to the instrument.
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4.1.5.6 Upload All Parameters Backup
If the settings parameters become corrupt or invalid the backup file can be uploaded
to the instrument. Highlight the “parameter” folder of your instrument in the “Local
File System” section and select the “Parameter -all” option from the “command”
dropdown menu in the “Send to instrument” section. Select all files and click the
“Send File(s)” button, all instrument parameters are uploaded.
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4.2 Measuring with Erasoft RCS
4.2.1 Enter the Erasoft RCS Software Code
If the option for full access was purchased a code is supplied with the instrument.
Enter this code in the “System” menu in the “Method Code” field.
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On the “Net” tab the message “Remote Control Module Installed” must appear.
Otherwise the key was not entered successfully.
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4.2.2 Change Settings
If the Standard method or the Profile has to be changed just click the respective field
in the table. Select the method or profile from the dropdown menu. Changes will be
automatically transferred to the instrument.
All other changes must be transferred by the clicking the “Send Settings” button.
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4.2.3 Starting and Stopping a Measurement
After all settings are downloaded the measurement can be started. Click the “Start”
button for the respective instrument. The measurement is automatically started.
The line turns from green to red (only visible when the instrument line is not
selected). When the measurement is finished the line color turns to green again.
If the measurement has to be stopped, click the “Stop” button. The line color turns
from red to green and the “Start” and “Send Settings” buttons are displayed again.
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4.2.3.1 Show Measuring Results
First select a result path where all measurement results should be downloaded to.
From the menu bar select “Settings” and “Result Path”. Enter the result path where
the files should be stored.
If the measurement results should be displayed select the Results tab. After each
test, automatically the results are updated and shown in the result grid for the
selected method.
For downloading the results from all different methods to the selected result path
click the “Get all Results” button. Select the standard method in the above dropdown
menu for which the result should be displayed.
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4.2.3.2 Customizing the Measuring Result Table
Reset Width:
The width of each column in the result table can be manually changed with the
mouse. However with the “Reset width” button the optimal column width is
automatically adjusted.
Result Table:
If not all columns are of interest you can customize the results table.
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Click the “Result Table” button in the Columns window and the following menu
appears:
The left table shows the hidden parameters which are not displayed.
The right table shows the parameters which are shown in the results table.
Change the parameters which should be shown with the buttons “>>” and “<<”.
Change the order with the buttons “Up” and “Down”.
The decimal character for the result table can be selected in the “Misc” section (dot
or comma).
Click “OK” to store the new settings for the result table.
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4.2.3.3 Copy Results into a Spread Sheet
Mark the data you want to copy into a spread sheet with your mouse.
With the key combination “Strg” + ”C” copy the data and with “Strg” + “V” paste it into
the spread sheet. If you need a comma as decimal point change the result table
settings (see the previous chapter) before copying the data.
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4.2.3.4 Print Results
Select the results which should be printed and click the “Print” button. The results are
printed on the installed printer of your PC.
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4.3 Create a Device Table
If always the same instruments are connected to the RCS software a device table
can be created. This device table will automatically connect the instrument with the
Erasoft RCS software after the program is started and the device table was selected.
Connect all instruments which should be memorized in a device table. From the
menu bar select “File” and “Save Device Table as…”.
Enter a name for this device table and save it. You can create as many device tables
as you want.
After starting the Erasoft RCS software click “File” and “Open Device Table” in the
menu bar. Select the device table you want to open. All instruments are then
automatically detected by the Erasoft RCS software given that the ERAFLASH
instruments are switched on and on the “Measure” menu.
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