Decagon AquaLab Quick Start Manual - Page 6

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V S A Q u i c k S t a r t G u i d e

2. AquaLab VSA Performance Verification overview—

• AquaLab VSA performance and cleanliness should be

checked frequently; before each isotherm test is

recommended.

• Press until you are at the Measurement screen (2nd tab).

• Use AquaLab Verification Standards to verify performance

or adjust linear offset.

• To verify, remove weigh pan and then place sample cup

containing one of AquaLab's verification standards in

sample chamber. Close lid and carefully avoid spillage; See

Figure 5: Sample Chamber.

• Move latch left and/or press to start a reading. The

pinwheel will spin indicating a measurement is running.

The

reading for the standard and the temperature

will display when finished. Make sure the

on the standard is within +/-0.005 of the correct

standard. (+/- 0.02 if cap sensor is used)

• If an offset adjustment is needed, refer to chapter 7 in the

user's manual.

Base

Figure 5: Sample chamber

reading

for the

Lid

3. Sample Preparation—

• Fill sample cup no more than half full (~7ml).

Do Not Overfill!

• Minimum sample amount should cover bottom of sample

cup (500-2000 mg) (small gaps OK).

• Ensure rim and outside of sample cup are clean.

• Make sure sample temperature is not more than 4°C above

chamber temperature.

4. Starting a Test—

• Before starting a test, set the Volatiles: Yes/No option in

the configuration menu. If your sample has volatiles,

select "Yes" otherwise select "No".

• On the main screen, select the test wizard .

• Provide a name for the test using the arrow keys and then

press . (The name of a previous test will appear by

default.)

• Enter initial moisture content if known (optional). Press

to continue or to go back.

• Setup each stage of the isotherm test. A stage is used to

adjust the isotherm settings for an individual sample (up to

20 stages). Each stage is setup with the isotherm method

(DDI or DVS) and the settings for that portion of the

isotherm. Once a stage is created, it can be modified or

deleted anytime before the test is started.

i.e. For milk powder, Stage 1 could use the DDI method to

ramp quickly from 0.1 to 0.4

the DVS method to step from 0.4 to 0.8

0.05

increments.

• To setup a new stage, select "new" and press . A screen

with several parameters will appear. If a previous test

has been run, the stages for that test will be listed by

default. These stages can be used as is or updated with

new settings. If you need to delete a stage, go to the

specific stage and press . Scroll down to the bottom of

V S A Q u i c k S t a r t G u i d e

and Stage 2 could use

slowly in