Quick Start Guide –

Adjust refraction index

®
LabTMC

Read carefully before use!

Keep for future consultation! EN
Manufacturer and commissioner
VMA - Gesellschaft für visuelle Messtechnik und Automatisierung mbH
OT Wümbach
Gräfinauer Straße 2
98704 Ilmenau
Germany

Contact and customer service

Telephone: +49 36785 587-0
Fax: +49 36785 58799
E-Mail: support@vma-online.de
Internet: www.vma-online.de

Copyright
© VMA - Gesellschaft für visuelle Messtechnik und Automatisierung mbH.
We are constantly striving to further develop our products. We reserve the right to
change the scope of delivery in shape, equipment and technology.
Forwarding and duplicating this document, exploitation and communication of its con-
tents are forbidden unless otherwise expressly permitted. Infringements will result in
claims for damages. All rights reserved where patents, utility model or design sub-
missions have been made.

Supplement to the original Operating Instructions

This is not a complete manual, but a brief guide. For more information, refer to the
enclosed Operating Instructions of the product.
 System overview

1 System overview
The compact, integrated measuring device LabTMC® measures the wall
thickness of transparent glass containers. The stand-alone system consists
of a mobile base unit [1] and an integrated optical measuring head [2] with a
pre-installed spacer for consistent, optimal measuring conditions.

System overview

1 Base unit with touchscreen

2 Measuring head with integrated sensor optics

The handy measuring system provides quickly and easily usable data of the
measured glass thickness which are displayed directly and clearly on the
device screen.
In addition to the direct and informative measured value display, an option-
ally connected pedal switch also allows individual results to be exported for
a later, detailed evaluation on a computer.
LabTMC-V1.7-2017-04-11 Page 3 of 12
 System overview

The LabTMC® operates according to the physical principle of chromatic ab-

erration. The measuring result is thus influenced by the optical parameters
of the scanned glass containers or probes.
The most important control factor is the refraction index. This dimensionless
number is material-specific, however, independent of the respective glass
colour.

The recommended refraction index for container glass is typical-

ly 1,560.

The reference disc for verifying the system is valid only with this
specific refraction index!
If the defined refraction index value changes, the displayed
measured value can deviate from the given reference value.

For special glass applications, it may sometimes be necessary to correct

the refraction index individually. This quick guide document is designed to
support you during this process.

Procedure for adjusting the refraction index:

 Prepare the LabTMC® device
 Unlock advanced configuration options of the LabTMC® system
 Adjust the refraction index

LabTMC-V1.7-2017-04-11 Page 4 of 12
 Connect and turn on the LabTMC®

2 Connect and turn on the LabTMC®

All connections and interfaces of the LabTMC® are easily accessible at the
top of the compact device case.

External connectors

Top view of the device with connection bar

1 Ethernet port (optional connection to a PC)
2 External power supply connector
3 USB port for connecting optional accessories (e.g. pedal switch, external
storage media), USB dongles

Recorded measurement data can be passed on via the LAN interface [1].
To do so, connect the LabTMC® directly to the evaluation PC using a com-
mercially available Ethernet cable.

The external power supply is connected via the centrally placed round con-
nector at the top plate of the device [2].

In addition, the supplied USB dongle or an optional pedal switch can be

connected to the external USB interface [3].

LabTMC-V1.7-2017-04-11 Page 5 of 12
 Connect and turn on the LabTMC®

Top view of the device with power supply connector

When connecting the external power supply, make sure the connector is
mechanically locked. Turn the bayonet plug of the mains cable clockwise by
90° to the right when inserting it into the device until it clicks into place.

Once the connection to the measuring device is secured, plug the power
supply into a wall outlet.

The LabTMC® device is switched on or off using the mains plug. After the
power supply is established, the device starts automatically and is ready for
measurements after a short initialization stage.

WARNING
Use only the supplied power supply to avoid damage to the
LabTMC® device!
The power supply unit may only be connected to a freely acces-
sible mains socket. In case of any danger, the plug must be de-
tached immediately!

LabTMC-V1.7-2017-04-11 Page 6 of 12
 Unlock advanced options

3 Unlock advanced options

The configuration of the refraction index is part of the advanced system op-
tions and is not visible in the clearly designed user interface in normal
measurement mode.
The settings module and the extended user rights are unlocked by import-
ing a specific license key. To do so, simply plug the supplied USB dongle
onto the free USB port on the case top plate of the LabTMC® [3].
The dongle will be recognized automatically and the settings modules will
be accessible in the menu after a successful authentication.

The USB dongle should be removed and stored safely after you
complete all the desired settings successfully.

LabTMC-V1.7-2017-04-11 Page 7 of 12
 Adjust refraction index

4 Adjust refraction index

Each transparent or semi-transparent material has its own characteristic pa-
rameters. The specific refraction index for container glass is typically 1.560.
This value is already factory-set in the device and can be used immediately
for most measurements.
However, applications and measurements on special glasses (e.g. borosili-
cate glass) may require an individual correction of the material parameters.

Tune refraction index:

1. Open the main menu by touching the menu button [1] in the upper left
corner of the device screen.

®
Homescreen LabTMC
1 Menu button MAIN MENU

LabTMC-V1.7-2017-04-11 Page 8 of 12
 Adjust refraction index

2. Open the submenu SETTINGS by pressing the corresponding entry in

the side menu [1].

Main menu
1 Opens the submenu SETTINGS (only available in advanced user mode)
2 Opens the submenu INTERFACE (only available in advanced user
mode)
3 Opens the submenu SETUP
4 Opens the submenu FIRMWARE (only available in advanced user mode)

LabTMC-V1.7-2017-04-11 Page 9 of 12
 Adjust refraction index

3. In the displayed dialog, you can change general parameters of the

measuring device as well as activate or deactivate some individual
functions.
To enter a value deviating from the standard for the refraction index,
simply press the upper input box of the same name [1].

Overview of the device settings

1 Input box Refraction index

2 Toggle Auto power saving mode
3 Input box standby timeout
4 Toggle Scope view

LabTMC-V1.7-2017-04-11 Page 10 of 12
 Adjust refraction index

4. The overlaying input dialog provides the user with a clear onscreen
keyboard for entering the correct numerical value of the refraction in-
dex.

Onscreen keyboard
1 Confirm input and close the window
2 Delete last character

By pressing the button [1], the adjusted numeric value is accepted and the
input dialog is closed. Input errors can be corrected at any time using the
button [2].
After finishing the input, the currently defined refraction index appears in the
input mask of the SETTINGS dialog and is immediately active.

The recommended refraction index for container glass is typical-

ly 1,560.

LabTMC-V1.7-2017-04-11 Page 11 of 12
VMA - Gesellschaft für visuelle Messtechnik
und Automatisierung mbH
OT Wümbach
Gräfinauer Straße 2
98704 Ilmenau
Germany