OPERATOR'S MANUAL

FISCHER DataCenter

Coating Thickness Materials Analysis Microhardness Materials Testing

FISCHER DataCenter
Software for evaluating and archiving measurement data.

Document order number: Version: Issue date:

992-507 2.0 10/2011

Instrument manufacturer:

Helmut Fischer GmbH

Phone: +49 7031 303-0
Institut für Elektronik und Messtechnik Fax: +49 7031 303-710
Industriestraße 21 www.helmut-fischer.com
D-71069 Sindelfingen [email protected]

On our home page www.helmut-fischer.com you will find the addresses of our
sole agencies and subsidiary companies around the globe.

Quality Assurance System of the Helmut Fischer GmbH

DIN ISO 17025 Calibration lab with DKD accreditation according to

DIN ISO 17025 for certified mass per unit area standards

ISO 9001 Management system certified according to ISO 9001 by

Germanischer Lloyd Systems Certification

© 2011 by Helmut Fischer GmbH, Sindelfingen, Germany

This manual remains the copyrighted property of Helmut Fischer GmbH Institut
für Elektronik und Messtechnik. All rights reserved. This manual may not be re-
produced (print, photocopy, microfilm or any other method) in full or in part, or
processed, multiplied or distributed to third parties by electronic means without
the written consent of the Helmut Fischer GmbH Institut für Elektronik und
Messtechnik.
Subject to correction and technical changes.
DUALSCOPE® and FDD® are registered trade marks of the Helmut Fischer
GmbH Institut für Elektronik und Messtechnik in Germany and/or other coun-
tries.
Note: The fact, that the trademark characters ® and ™ may be missing does not
indicate that such names are free trademarks.
1 FISCHER DataCenter Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
1.1 Software Versions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
1.2 Installation Routine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

2 Measurement Strategy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

3 The FDD - Factory Diagnosis Diagram. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

3.1 The Factory Diagnosis Diagram (FDD):. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3.2 What is the Real Purpose of a
Coating Thickness Measuring Instrument? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

4 Overview FISCHER DataCenter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

5 Establish a connection to the FISCHER DataCenter . . 14

5.1 Setting up the instrument in the FISCHER DataCenter . . . . 14
5.2 Retrieving Measurement Data from the Instrument . . . . . . . 16

6 Evaluation of Measurement Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

7 Creating the Report Template. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

7.1 Function: Insert Defined Table. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
7.2 Option: Selected Reading Objects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
7.3 Applying a Report Template to a Measurement Result . . . . 29
7.4 User Rights Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Bedienungsanleitung FISCHER DataCenter 3

4 Bedienungsanleitung FISCHER DataCenter
1 FISCHER DataCenter Installation

FISCHER DataCenter Installation

To be able to use the FISCHER DataCenter, FISCHER DataCenter IP
and FISCHER DataCenter IP-Multi software, it must first be installed on
your PC. Please note the system requirements for the PC:

● Microsoft Windows 7 / Vista SP1 / XP SP3 - 32 or 64 Bit

● Hard disk space at least 950 MB (32 bit)
or 2.1 GB (64 bit)
● 1 USB port for FISCHER DataCenter
● 2 USB ports for FISCHER DataCenter IP / IP-Multi

1.1 Software Versions

Three versions are available for the FISCHER DataCenter software:

● FISCHER DataCenter
● FISCHER DataCenter IP
● FISCHER DataCenter IP-Multi

FISCHER DataCenter IP and FISCHER DataCenter IP-Multi ONLY:

The installation is identical for all three versions. The IP and IP-Multi
versions are enabled using different FISIMs (Fischer Software Identifica-
tion Modules). These are USB dongles that are plugged into a USB port
of the computer prior to starting the FISCHER DataCenter.

No USB dongle is required for the FISCHER DataCenter version. You

can easily upgrade to a higher DataCenter version simply by ordering the
respective FISIM dongle from FISCHER.

Please note: Only portable FISCHER instruments beginning with the

DUALSCOPE® FMP100 and beginning with version number Fxx18
feature the test plan function. Please contact FISCHER Service, if you
have an older version or difficulties with your version.

Operator Manual FISCHER DataCenter 5

 1.2 Installation Routine
FISCHER DataCenter Installation

► Insert the supplied CD into the CD-ROM drive.

The Autorun window will open automatically with the selection option for
installing the FISCHER DataCenter. Perform the steps of the installation
routine.

If the installation routine does not start automatically, double-click at the

root level of the CD on CD_Start.exe. After installation, a new shortcut
will appear on the desktop and an entry in the Menu Programs.

6 Operator Manual FISCHER DataCenter

2 Measurement Strategy

Measurement Strategy
Making measurements is a central step in quality control and product
development. It is essential to determine the desired knowledge one
expects to gain from the acquired measurement data and the measure-
ment results derived from the data prior to making measurements. In a
measurement strategy, one specifies how and what shall be measured,
to obtain findings about a running process for its optimization. Thus,
developing a measurement strategy with the associated data acquisition
plan is crucial for the information content of the measurement results and
the effectiveness of the measures derived from them.

For example, if strip material of a coating plant is to be coated as

uniformly as possible, then it will be prudent to divide the material into a
grid of measurement points along the production direction and perpen-
dicular to it. This will allow for drawing conclusions about the time
stability of the process and the adjustments of the system.

Measurement Strategy Evaluation

Result:

● MV, spread "along the time"

● MW, spread entire area
● Influence of the factor "width" –
i.e., "machine"

Result:

● MV, spread "at one location"

● MV, spread "in one track"
● Influence of the factor "time"

Operator Manual FISCHER DataCenter 7

 3 The FDD - Factory Diagnosis Diagram
The FDD - Factory Diagnosis Diagram

Production monitoring for purposes of

quality assurance plays a significant role in
practically every industry, also in coating
processes.

The FDD is used for the graphical presen-

tation of production parameters such as
coating thickness mean values, including
the stray areas of individual objects, in a hierarchy and will put it in rela-
tion to tolerance limits.

Irregularities within a total system or within a component become

apparent immediately. It provides the user with a quick, graphical over-
view of the distribution of production parameters. Thus, this software is
an innovative aid to save costs in a manufacturing operation.

3.1 The Factory Diagnosis Diagram (FDD):

● enables graphical monitoring of process values, such as,
for example, the coating thickness
● analyzes measurement data using statistical methods without the
user having to understand the underlying statistical methods
● visualizes significant deviations of the relevant process parameters
or deviations from specified tolerances in a simple manner and thus
enables targeted control for improving the production process
● enables in this manner a quality-relevant view of the whole

FDD is part of all FISCHER DataCenter software versions.

3.2 What is the Real Purpose of a Coating Thickness

Measuring Instrument?

It is not just about controlling parts but also about providing the user with
information that is used to make informed decisions on a daily basis! Are

8 Operator Manual FISCHER DataCenter

the parts within the tolerance or not? Does the process require modifica-

The FDD - Factory Diagnosis Diagram

tions? Is the machine in use suitable for this process? Is another
machine needed or will a change of settings do? The more costly the
decisions, the more important is it for decision makers to have a quickly
understandable overview.

Operator Manual FISCHER DataCenter 9

 4 Overview FISCHER DataCenter
Overview FISCHER DataCenter

► The software can be started using the desktop shortcut or the Win-
dows Start menu. The program interface appears:

Menu command Software version

1 2 3

Toolbar

File Directory

10 Operator Manual FISCHER DataCenter

Menu command button

Overview FISCHER DataCenter

A pulldown menu with additional functions is located under the command
Menu command button:

Element Explanation
Settings General: Change the software location here. This
is the place to enter a network folder. The
preferred unit of measurement can be specified
here as well.
Language: Select the program language.
Display: Select the display of the decimal places.
An upper limit of the standard deviation can be
defined here.
Export: Define the export settings here.
Devices: Switch the first window of the Setup
Assistant on or off here.
User Rights Management Turn the user rights management on or off here
and specify privileges for each user.
About Shows Copyright information and the installed
software version.
Exit Exits the FISCHER DataCenter.

Operator Manual FISCHER DataCenter 11

 Toolbar
Overview FISCHER DataCenter

The toolbar is one of the central operating elements. It allows for quick
access to all relevant elements. It is divided into sixfive sections :

No. Element Function

Create New Object Creates an object in the selected path.
1

Edit Edits the selected object using the respective

2 function.
The search function is a useful tool for finding
desired contents quickly.
The remaining functions cut, copy or insert a
selected object.
It also possible to rename or remove (or de-
lete) an object.
Get Measurements Receives measurement data from current or
3 selected applications. Readings can be re-
ceived directly in real time using the Online
function.

4 Save: Manual temporary saving. When

an object is closed, the changes are saved
automatically.

Show / Hide: Shows or hides the directo-

ry and file explorer. This increases the display
window.
Import/Export Additional functions appear in the toolbar un-
5 der the Import/Export tab.
Copy to DataCenter: Copiers folders or indi-
vidual files to the directory FISCHER Data-
Center.
Copy from DataCenter: Copies folders or in-
dividual files to a desired directory.
Import: Imports measurement data from a
CSV file into the directory FISCHER Data-
Center.

12 Operator Manual FISCHER DataCenter

 Overview FISCHER DataCenter
File Directory

The file directory of the FISCHER DataCenter is located in the left area.
The files stored there are physically located in the root directory of your
FISCHER DataCenter.

Custom folders can be set up and managed in the Data folder. Inspection
results, images, Inspection plans, report templates, reports or received
measurement data are archived in these folders.

Operator Manual FISCHER DataCenter 13

 5 Establish a connection to the FISCHER
Establish a connection to the FISCHER DataCenter

DataCenter

5.1 Setting up the instrument in the FISCHER Data-

Center

A FISCHER instrument must be set up for data exchange between the

FISCHER DataCenter and FISCHER instruments. In doing so, the
connection parameters are stored. First ensure that the FISCHER Data-
Center is running.

Setting up a FISCHER instrument in the FISCHER DataCenter:

1. Connect the instrument via the USB port, Bluetooth or RS232 to

your PC. Please obtain the connection settings from the respective
instrument manual.
2. Under Create New Object click Device. The wizard opens
automatically and guides you step by step through the setup
procedure.
3. Under Add a new Device choose your connected instrument.
Confirm the selection using Next.

4. Click Browse to select or set up a folder, where the device settings

are to be stored.
5. Assign a separate name under Name of device. Then click Finish.

14 Operator Manual FISCHER DataCenter

 Establish a connection to the FISCHER DataCenter
6. The instrument that has just been set up appears in the folder in
which it has been set up under # 4.

Operator Manual FISCHER DataCenter 15

 5.2 Retrieving Measurement Data from the Instrument
Establish a connection to the FISCHER DataCenter

To retrieve measurement results from the instrument, it must be set up

first. See: "Chapter 5.1 Setting up the instrument in the FISCHER Data-
Center" on Page 14.
Receiving measure-
ment data

Receiving measurement data

Three different functions are available to retrieve measured measure-

ment data from the instrument:

Current Application:

► To retrieve measurement results from the currently open application,

click Current Application.

Selected Application

► To retrieve measurement results from a specific application, click

Selected Application.

Online

► To receive measurement results in real time parallel to measuring,

click Online.

16 Operator Manual FISCHER DataCenter

6 Evaluation of Measurement Results

Evaluation of Measurement Results

After retrieving the measurement results from the Instrument as
described in "Chapter 5.2 Retrieving Measurement Data from the Instru-
ment" on Page 16, different evaluation options will be available to you.

Keep the Ctrl key pressed to combine several measurement results

using the left mouse button.

Delete Settings Filter Export Print

Tab with evaluations

Tab with evaluations

► Under the tab with Evaluations, you can find different presentations
of graphical and statistical evaluations. You only need to click the
respective tab.

Delete
● Deletes the selected block or reading under the value. It will no lon-
ger be included in the evaluations.
● Selecting the deleted block or value again will switch the command
button to Restore. Clicking this button will restore the deleted block
or reading.

Operator Manual FISCHER DataCenter 17

 Settings
Evaluation of Measurement Results

Using the Settings command button, manual specification limit moni-

toring can be enabled and values can be defined. Units for the measure-
ment results can be defined here as well.

Filter

► Click Filter to define filter rules according to desired criteria. Mea-

surement data can be hidden quickly. The filter function is enabled or
disabled by checking/unchecking the check box .

Export

► Using Export, the measurement results are exported to an Excel-

compatible CSV file. Clicking reveals additional export formats.
Among them are the PDF or CQATK format (additional information
on the Coatings Quality Assurance Tool Kit format can be found at
https://cqatk.mitsinc.us/). The last export selection remains and can
be selected directly via the Export button.

Print

► Click the Print button to print measurement data. Additional statistic

print options are available by clicking . The last print selection
remains and can be selected directly via the Print button.

18 Operator Manual FISCHER DataCenter

7 Creating the Report Template

Creating the Report Template

Inspection and measurement results can populate a self-designed report
template in an automated fashion. Respective placeholders are inserted
for the results into the created template. The object type for which the
features of the placeholders are set up must be defined. To set up a
report template for a test result, either the FISCHER DataCenter IP or
the FISCHER DataCenter IP-Multi are required.

To set up the report template for measurement data, proceed as follows:

1. Under Create New Object click Report Template in the toolbar.

2. Assign a unique name to the report template.
3. Specify a storage location for the report template and confirm the
entry with Create.

Operator Manual FISCHER DataCenter 19

 The text editor allows for the integration of a logo or of addresses. The
Creating the Report Template

design of a report template according to custom criteria is thus possible.

General Graphics
1st Toolbar

2nd Toolbar

Placeholder fields

General

Placeholder fields are offered under General. They can be positioned at

a desired location in the report template using Drag and Drop or by
double-clicking. A right mouse click on a placeholder field reveals the
following functions for selection:

● Click Edit to specify the parameters of the field.

● Click Delete Field to remove a placeholder field.

Graphics

You can find placeholders for graphics under the Graphics tab. These
are adjusted automatically to the received measurement results in the
same manner as the placeholder fields.

20 Operator Manual FISCHER DataCenter

1st Toolbar

Creating the Report Template

Icon Element Function
Print Prints the report template.

Print Preview Displays the print template in the manner it

will be printed.
Cut Cuts the selected section of the report editor
and copies it to the clipboard.
Copy Copies the selected area of the report editor
to the clipboard.
Paste Pastes the data from the clipboard.

Undo Undoes entries in the report editor.

Redo Redoes entries in the report editor.

Find Searches the document for respective en-

tries in the report editor.
Insert Page Number Inserts the page number. (Current page
number of the report template)
Insert Page Count Inserts the number of pages. (Total number
of all pages of the report template)
Show Markers Displays the Show Markers.

Zoom Sets different zoom display levels for the

document.
Additional commands Additional functions such as the ones below
are accessible under Additional com-
mands:

Show border: Displays the document in

the report editor with margins.

Page setup: Distances from the margin,

the header and the footer as well as the
page format are selected here.

Operator Manual FISCHER DataCenter 21

Creating the Report Template

Icon Element Function

Edit header/footer: Displays the head-

er and footer in the document for editing.

Set background image: Insert a back-

ground image, for example your own
scanned template.

Set default template: Sets the currently

open report template as the default tem-
plate. Each newly created template will au-
tomatically look like the defined default
template.

Insert page break: Inserts a manual

page break.

Insert picture: Inserts an image such

as a company logo or a specimen in the re-
port template.

Insert table: Inserts a table. Custom

definition of rows and columns.

Insert defined table: Inserts a table

that has already been populated automati-
cally with placeholders for measurement da-
ta, blocks, etc. See "Chapter 7.1 Function:
Insert Defined Table" on Page 24

Insert textbox: Adds a text box at any

freely definable location in the document. It
can be placed freely and provided with
placeholders and is suitable for scanned
templates.

Insert line: Inserts a freely scalable

line.

22 Operator Manual FISCHER DataCenter

 Creating the Report Template
Icon Element Function

Current insertion mode: Specify the

insertion mode here. Inline inserts the in-
serted elements in a line. The element
moves with the line. With fixed-to-page, the
inserted element remains anchored at the
insertion location in the document.

2nd Toolbar

Icon Element Function

Font Selects the characters to be used.

Font size Defines the character font size.

Bold The selected characters are bolded.

Italic The selected characters are italicized

Underline The selected characters are underlined

Align Left Aligns the selected characters or objects

left-justified
Center Aligns the selected characters or objects
centered, i.e., in the middle.
Align Right Aligns the selected characters or objects
right-justified
Justified Aligns the selected characters left- and
right-justified.
Numbering Inserts consecutive numbers.

Bullets Adds list bullet points.

Increase Indent The selected paragraph will be indented.

Reduce Indent The indent of the selected paragraph will be

reduced.

Operator Manual FISCHER DataCenter 23

Creating the Report Template

Icon Element Function

Set text color Defines the color for the selected charac-
ters.
Set background color Defines the background color of the select-
ed characters.

7.1 Function: Insert Defined Table

Using the additional function Insert defined table, a table populated with
placeholders is added quickly and easily to the report template. It is not
necessary to manually insert individual placeholders into a table.

Two types of defined tables are available. One with statistical values and
one with measurement data. The defined table with statistical values
includes all placeholders with selected statistical values (e.g., mean
value, standard deviation, etc.). The defined table with measurement
data includes placeholders for the individual block readings.

Insert table with placeholders for statistical values

1. In the 1st toolbar of the report editor, click the button

Additional commands > Insert defined table
2. Select the option Statistical Values and click the Next button.
3. In the window Please configure your table! select the desired
placeholders and/or add the labels. Add columns and rows using
or remove them using .
4. Click Finish to set up the table.

Insert table with placeholders for readings

The following table formats are differentiated:

Readings (specific):
The individual readings are arranged in blocks by columns or rows.

24 Operator Manual FISCHER DataCenter

Readings:

Creating the Report Template

The individual readings are arranged independent of blocks by columns
and rows.

1. In the 1st toolbar of the report editor, click the button

Additional commands > Insert defined table
2. Select the option Readings and click the Next button.
3. Select the desired table format (Readings (specific) or Readings)
and click the Next button.
4. Set the desired parameters and confirm them with Finish.
Parameter Readings (specific)
Parameters Explanation
Number of blocks Number of blocks to be displayed.
Number of readings per Number of readings to be displayed for each
block block.
Selected Reading Ob- If you select two received measurement results
ject using the CTRL key and a left mouse click, the
measurement data output can be combined
here.
Number of coatings Number of coatings to be displayed.

Parameter Readings
Parameters Explanation
Number of readings Number of readings to be displayed.
Number of rows Number of rows where the measurement data
are to be displayed.
Number of coatings Number of coatings to be displayed.

Operator Manual FISCHER DataCenter 25

 Image editor
Creating the Report Template

Once you have added an image to the FISCHER DataCenter, you can
provide it with measurement markings, arrows or a label. An image editor
is available for this purpose:

Tools Properties

Fig. 7-1 Example of inserted graphical elements

To edit an image with the image editor, proceed as follows:

1. Use the left mouse button to click the image you want to edit.
2. Click the Edit button.
The image editor will open and at the same time make a copy of
your image.
3. Use the elements listed under Tools to edit your image.
4. Size color and also the label can be edited under Properties.
5. After editing, the image can be assigned to a Characteristic under
Parts in the inspection plan.

26 Operator Manual FISCHER DataCenter

7.2 Option: Selected Reading Objects

Creating the Report Template

The option Selected Reading Objects is available under
Placeholder > Edit and Insert defined table or by right-clicking on a
placeholder under Edit.

When you select two or more reading data objects (in this example,
measurement data from applications) using the CTRL key and the left
mouse button you can define the output value in a report template using
the option Selected Reading Objects. See the following example:

1
The placeholder Readings (specific) under has been defined using
the Selected Reading Objects 1, blocks 1 and measurement data 1.

Operator Manual FISCHER DataCenter 27

Creating the Report Template

2
The placeholder Readings (specific) under has been defined using
the Selected Reading Objects 2, blocks 1 and measurement data 1.

Then the two measurement results Hybrid Application 1 and Hybrid

Application 2 were selected. The report template with the defined place-
holders was selected under Report. The placeholders were populated
automatically with the values.

28 Operator Manual FISCHER DataCenter

7.3 Applying a Report Template to a Measurement

Creating the Report Template

Result

How to use a set up report template for the received measurement

results:

1. Open a received measurement results.

2. Select the Report tab.
3. To use the newly created report template for these measurement
results, select the newly created template from the selection under
Report Template.
4. The placeholders are automatically populated with the readings.

Report

Select report template

Operator Manual FISCHER DataCenter 29

 7.4 User Rights Management
Creating the Report Template

You can create users and release different privileges under the menu
option User rights management. The user name is coupled with the
Windows user logon. I.e., with an active user management, the program
will not request a user name and password, instead, the user name of
the Windows logon will be automatically used as identification.

The first user who starts the FISCHER DataCenter on a computer is

automatically provided all the privileges.

● User rights management is enabled by clicking the check box Acti-

vate User Rights Management.

30 Operator Manual FISCHER DataCenter

How to set up a new user:

Creating the Report Template

1. Start Windows and log in using your user name.

Windows User
name login

2. Start the FISCHER DataCenter.

3. Click the Menu button.

4. Click User Rights Management.
The window User Rights Management opens.
5. Then click the Add button and set up a new user.
6. Enter a user name with an associated domain.
IMPORTANT: The name must match the user name for the
Windows login.
7. Click the check mark to the right of the name to assign or withdraw
privileges.
A mouseover on the column headers provides an explanation on
the respective elements.
8. Click OK to confirm the entries.

Operator Manual FISCHER DataCenter 31

Creating the Report Template

32 Operator Manual FISCHER DataCenter

A Parameter Measurement data (spe-
cific) 25
About 11
PDF 18
C Placeholders 20
CQATK 18 Printing 18
Current application
16 R
Receiving measurement data 16
D Report template 19
Defined table 22, 24
Delete 17 S
Delete field 20 Selected Application 16
Selected measurement data object
E 27
Edit 20 Settings 11, 18
Evaluation 17
T
Exit 11
Tab evaluations 17
Export 18
Test plan 29
F Toolbar 12
FDD 8
U
Field 20
USB Dongle 5
File Directory 13
User rights management 11, 30
Filter 18

I
Image editor 26
Installation Routine 6

M
Measurement results 17
Measurement Strategy 7
Menu command button 11, 31

O
Online 16
Overview 10

P
Parameter Measurement data 25

Bedienungsanleitung FISCHER DataCenter Seite 33