Manual Pods

Manual
PODSWare 2.3
ARGO-HYTOS GmbH
Table of Contents
PODSWARE INFORMATION...............................................................................6
Welcome to PODSWare ................................................................................................... 7
Introduction................................................................................................................................... 7
Note to New PODSWare Users ................................................................................................... 7
PODSWare Features ........................................................................................................ 7

System Requirements....................................................................................................... 8
Hardware and Operating System ................................................................................................. 8
Minimum System Requirements .................................................................................................. 8
The First Run of PODSWare ............................................................................................ 8

Uninstalling PODSWare.................................................................................................... 8
PODSWare Support.......................................................................................................... 8
PODSWare Technical Support..................................................................................................... 9
THE PROGRAM WINDOW...................................................................................9

The PODSWare Window ................................................................................................ 10
The Menu Bar ................................................................................................................. 10
About the Menu Bar.................................................................................................................... 11
Using the Menus ....................................................................................................................................11
File .............................................................................................................................................. 11
Edit.............................................................................................................................................. 11
View ............................................................................................................................................ 12
Data ............................................................................................................................................ 13
Instrument................................................................................................................................... 13
Extras.......................................................................................................................................... 14
Language ...............................................................................................................................................14
Options...................................................................................................................................................14
Help ? ......................................................................................................................................... 14
The Toolbar..................................................................................................................... 15
About the Toolbar ....................................................................................................................... 16
Displaying/Hiding the Toolbar ................................................................................................................16
Moving the Toolbar ................................................................................................................................16
The Toolbar Buttons...............................................................................................................................16
The Treeview Window .................................................................................................... 16

About the Treeview Window....................................................................................................... 18
Folders ...................................................................................................................................................18
Folder (Category) Properties Dialog........................................................................................... 18
The Data Grid ................................................................................................................. 19

About the Data Grid.................................................................................................................... 20
General Section .....................................................................................................................................20
Remarks.......................................................................................................................... 20
Section Standards and Particle Distribution.................................................................... 20
Standards ................................................................................................................................... 20
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Particle Distribution..................................................................................................................... 21
User defined ranges ................................................................................................................... 21
Section Physical Data ..................................................................................................... 21

Selecting records ............................................................................................................ 21
Selection of more than one record.................................................................................. 21
Select all records ............................................................................................................ 21
Move/Copy selected records to other folders ................................................................. 21
Edit Remarks .............................................................................................................................. 22
The Data Plot .................................................................................................................. 22

Particle Concentration Plot......................................................................................................... 23
Standards Plot ............................................................................................................................ 23
Plot Commands .......................................................................................................................... 24
The Control Panel ........................................................................................................... 25

About the Control Panel ............................................................................................................. 26
The Status Bar ................................................................................................................ 26

About the Status Bar .................................................................................................................. 27
PODS Status Display .............................................................................................................................27
THE CHARTS .....................................................................................................27

The ISO 4406 Chart........................................................................................................ 28
The SAE AS4059 Chart .................................................................................................. 28
The Time Chart ............................................................................................................... 29
Display a Time Chart: ................................................................................................................. 29
The Viscosity Chart......................................................................................................... 30

Display a Viscosity Chart:........................................................................................................... 30
The Chart Window .......................................................................................................... 31

The Toolbars in the Charts ......................................................................................................... 31
The Toolbar ................................................................................................................................ 31
Z-Ordered View .......................................................................................................................... 31
The Annotation Bar..................................................................................................................... 32
The Palette Bar........................................................................................................................... 32
Change the current Palette ....................................................................................................................32
Change the colors of series....................................................................................................................32
The Pattern Bar .......................................................................................................................... 32
THE REPORTS...................................................................................................32
Report Basics.................................................................................................................. 33
Printing Reports.......................................................................................................................... 33
Fixed Reports: Report ISO 4409, SAE AS4059 and NAS 1638 ................................................ 33
The Report Viewer...................................................................................................................... 33
The Report ISO 4406...................................................................................................... 33

The Report SAE AS4059 ................................................................................................ 34
The Report NAS 1638..................................................................................................... 35
User Defined Report ....................................................................................................... 36
ALARMS.............................................................................................................36
Alarm Handling ............................................................................................................... 37
PERSONALIZING PODSWARE.........................................................................38
General Options.............................................................................................................. 39
General Settings......................................................................................................................... 39
Date ............................................................................................................................................ 39
Time............................................................................................................................................ 39
Units Selection............................................................................................................................ 39
Oil Data Settings......................................................................................................................... 40
Options Data Grid ........................................................................................................... 40

Visible Grid Columns: ................................................................................................................. 40
Grid Appearance ........................................................................................................................ 40
Options Charts ................................................................................................................ 40

Chart ISO 4406........................................................................................................................... 41
Time Chart.................................................................................................................................. 41
Viscosity Chart............................................................................................................................ 41
Options Reports .............................................................................................................. 41

General Settings......................................................................................................................... 42
Size and Alignment..................................................................................................................... 42
Options Instrument.......................................................................................................... 42
Device Connection ..................................................................................................................... 43
Download Data Selection ........................................................................................................... 43
Options Alarm ................................................................................................................. 43

Acoustic Alarm............................................................................................................................ 44
Visual Alarm ............................................................................................................................... 44
HOW DO I... ........................................................................................................44

Manage Database Files .................................................................................................. 45
Open an existing Database File ................................................................................................. 46
Create a new Database File ....................................................................................................... 46
Create a new folder in a Database............................................................................................. 46
Rename a Folder........................................................................................................................ 46
Copy Records into other Folders................................................................................................ 46
Select Records ........................................................................................................................... 47
Delete Records........................................................................................................................... 47
Delete Folders ............................................................................................................................ 47
Export Data................................................................................................................................. 48
Print Data.................................................................................................................................... 49
Save the Data............................................................................................................................. 49
Copy Records to Clipboard ........................................................................................................ 49
Create an oil data table as MS-Excel Sheet............................................................................... 49
Download Data from PODS ............................................................................................ 50

Download Data ........................................................................................................................... 51
Generate a Chart ............................................................................................................ 51

Display Data as a Chart.............................................................................................................. 52
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Generate a Report .......................................................................................................... 52

Printing Data as a Report ........................................................................................................... 53
Select a MS-Word Template ...................................................................................................... 53
Create a new MS-Word Template.............................................................................................. 54
General Informations:.............................................................................................................................54
Measurement Identification............................................................................................. 54
Date and Time ................................................................................................................ 55
Physical Data .................................................................................................................. 55
Particle Distribution per mL............................................................................................. 55
Particle Distribution per Liter........................................................................................... 56
Particle Concentration per 100 mL ................................................................................. 56
Chart ............................................................................................................................... 56
Output Format................................................................................................................. 56
PODS ENZYCLOPEDIA .....................................................................................57

PODS Encyclopedia ....................................................................................................... 58
TECHNICAL SUPPORT AND LICENSING ........................................................64

License Agreement ......................................................................................................... 65
Feedback ........................................................................................................................ 65
PODSWare Information
Welcome to PODSWare
Introduction
PODSWare is a user friendly powerful program for saving, managing, displaying and deploying data from PODS, the Portable Oil
Diagnosis System by ARTI. Oil analysis data are displayed in a data grid, as graphical distribution charts using several international
cleanliness standards as well as in printed oil sample reports. Download data generated by PODS and document the particle
contamination as well as temperature and viscosity of your oil.
PODSWare is the window to the oil condition of your machine!
PODSWare Features
Note to New PODSWare Users

If this is the first time you are using PODSWare, browse through the help topics to get an idea of what the program can do and
familiarize yourself with the program.
You can learn more about using this help system and the other help resources in Using PODSWare Help.
Current Revision: PODSWare Version 2.3 (Oktober 2009)
PODSWare Features
Store, display and handling data from PODS
Display data in a data grid, customizable display and column selection
Display data as time plot, display as particle concentration or standard selectable
New: SAE AS4059 Standard

Manage data in a tree-like, easy to use structure
New: Individual Input of Remark Text for each Sample

Display graphical distribution for various standards
Display and Print oil analysis reports
Controlling of PODS and setting of parameters via software
Performing measurements under software control (bottle or online)
Comprehensive PODS status display
Alarm handling, alarms selectable for particle concentration or available standards
User entry for additional data (notes)
Export to selectable formats (Excel, Text, HTML, PDF, XML)

Export graphical data to bitmaps
Intuitive Microsoft Office Look-and-Feel
System Requirements
Hardware and Operating System
PODSWare is a 32-bit Windows application. It requires one of the following Windows operating systems on your PC:
Windows 98 / ME
Windows NT 4.0 with SP5 and Internet Explorer 4.01 or higher installed
Windows 2000
Windows XP
Minimum System Requirements
Pentium 120 MHz
40 MB of free disk space
16 MB RAM, 32 MB recommended
VGA Graphic, min. 256 colors
A CD-ROM
A free serial port and an appropriate serial cable for data input from the PODS device
To get a reasonable data display screen resolution should be set to 1024 by 768 or higher. Color resolution should be 32768 (15 Bit)
or higher. 256 colors will definitely not provide satisfying results when displaying charts.
The First Run of PODSWare
PODSWare will ask for a new database on first startup:
Select Create New Database and click OK. Follow the on-screen prompts.
Uninstalling PODSWare
Click Start and select Settings -> Control Panel
Click Add/Remove Programs, select PODSWare
Click the Add/Remove button
Follow the on-screen prompts.
PODSWare Support
If you have any questions about using PODSWare, first have a lock to your manual and to this help file. If the problem is not fixed,
please contact FSP Technical Support.
You can find the PODSWare manual on the CD-ROM.
Accessing and using the help file
General information on using Microsoft Windows Help
8
The " How Do I . . . " topics in the help system,
PODSWare Technical Support

If you have a question and cannot find a solution in the help system or manual, please e-mail to:
service@fluid-systems-partners.de
The Program Window
The PODSWare Window
The Menu Bar
10
About the Menu Bar

Click a menu heading to open the menu and choose a command. The commands you use frequently are also displayed on the
Toolbar.
Note: Menu items that appear in gray either do not apply or are unavailable.
Using the Menus

You can display menu commands using the following methods:
Clicking the desired menu in the Menu Bar, or
Pressing the <Alt> key plus the underlined letter in the menus title. For example, to display the File Menu, press <Alt> + <F>.
Select or execute a menu command:

Clicking the item in the menu,
Pressing the <Alt> key plus the underlined letter in the menus title, and then pressing the underlined letter of the menu item. For
example, to select the menu item File Open, press <Alt> + <F> + <O>, or
Using the cursor or the <Up>, and <Down> keys to highlight a menu item, and then pressing the Enter key; or
Use an appropriate Toolbar button.
File
New: Create a new Database File

Open: Open an existing Database File
Save As ...: Save the data
Export Data: Export your data to an Excel Worksheet, to a text, HTML or XML file (Click File-Export Data and select the
desired format. Follow the on-screen prompts)
Note: If you export your data to an Excel Worksheet, the unit of the temperature will be C and the unit of the viscosity cSt.
You can convert them in MS-Excel
Print Data: Starts the Printer dialog(Click File-Print Data and follow the on-screen prompts.)
MRU List (most-recently-used): This menu item displays the names of files that have previously been opened. To re-open one of
these databases, click its name in the list. The maximum number of files listed in the menu is limited to 4.
Note: If you have just installed PODSWare and no files have been opened before, this list will be empty.
Exit: Terminates PODSWare
Edit
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Cut: Not implemented yet.

Copy: Click to copy selected records to the Windows clipboard.
Paste: Not implemented yet.
New Category: Creates a New Folder. Follow the dialog instructions.
Rename Category: Rename current category (folder).
Delete Category: Delete current category including all sub-categories. A confirmation dialog is displayed first to avoid accidental
deletion.
Delete Records: Click to delete selected records.
Select All: Click to select all records in the Data Grid.
Edit Remarks: Create or edit remark text of currently selected samples.
Properties: Displays the properties dialog for the currently selected database folder (category).
View
To check/uncheck an item, click the item or press the underlined letter on the keyboard.
Toolbar: Shows/Hides the toolbar
Status Bar: Shows/Hides the status bar
Treeview: Shows/Hides the treeview window (
Instrumentpanel: Shows/Hides the control panel (
12
).
).
Grid Window: Shows/Hides the data grid (
).
Plot Window: Shows/Hides the data plot (
).
Select Category: Select a database folder (category) via dialog. This function is equivalent to clicking a folder in the treeview
window but works even with the treeview window hidden..
ISO 4406, NAS 1638, SAE AS4059 or NAVAIR 01: Select the standard displayed in the Data Grid.
Show ACFTD Sizes: When checked displays the measured particle distribution according to the Air-Cleaner-Fine-Test-Dust
(ACFTD) in the Data Grid and in the ISO Report By default the measured particle distribution is shown according to the test dust
ISO MTD.
Refresh: Refresh the data grid display. This function can be useful, when data was written to the current database by another
application but is not displayed yet.
Data
Distribution ISO 4406: Particle distribution according to ISO 4406 standard.(
Distribution SAE AS4059: Particle distribution according to SAE AS4059 standard.(

Time Chart: Particle distribution over time.(
Viscosity Chart: Display normalized viscosity over time (

Report ISO 4406: Report using ISO 4406 standard.(
).
)
)
Report SAE AS4059: Report using SAE AS4059 standard.(

Report NAS 1638: Report using NAS 1638 standard.(
User Defined Reports: Your own reports defined by a Word template (
Note: You must first select one or more records to display a Chart or a Report!
Instrument
Connect Instrument: Switch on PODS and select this menu item to connect PODS to the computer. The checked item signals
an active connection. Errors during connection will be flagged in the status display.
Readout Data: Download buffered samples from PODS. A dialog allows setting of selection parameters.
Start Measurement: Start a measurement. This item is enabled only if PODS has been successfully connected. Measurement
parameters can be set in the Control Panel.
13
Device Setup: Set connection port and download parameters via Option dialog.
Gertedaten lesen: Klicken Sie auf Gertedaten lesen, um den Dialog 'Daten auslesen' zu ffnen. Dort wird Ihnen die Schnittstelle
angezeigt an, die Sie momentan eingestellt haben. Klicken Sie auf Setup, wenn der richtige COM Port noch nicht eingestellt ist und
korrigieren Sie die Einstellung.
Status Bar Display:
The color of the image in the status bar shows information about the connection status of PODS.
No connection to the PODS
Successful connection to the PODS
PODS error ( an appropriate message is shown next to the image)
Extras
Language
Click and select the desired language. Possible selections depend on the language available in your PODSWare installation.
Options
Use this dialog to set application parameters of PODSWare. Click Options to start the dialog.
Help ?
Click Menu Item -> ? , or
Press <F1>
Choose Contents to display this help file.

Click About PODSWARE to see version and system info.
14
The Toolbar
15
About the Toolbar

The Toolbar allows you to use menu commands quickly. You can close and open the Toolbar as needed, and drag it around the
screen.
Place the mouse pointer over a toolbar button. A pop-up hint referred to as a ToolTip appears.
The Toolbar can be incorporated into the edges of the workspace (docked) or pulled away and floated (undocked).
Displaying/Hiding the Toolbar

Choose Menu Bar - View and select/unselect the Toolbar.
Moving the Toolbar

Move you mouse pointer on the Toolbar. Keep the left mouse button pressed drag the Toolbar to a new location drop the
Toolbar.
The Toolbar Buttons
New Database
Open a Database
Save the Data
Copy records to the Windows Clipboard
Delete records
Display the ISO 4406 Distribution Chart
Display the SAE AS4059 Distribution Chart
Display a Time Chart
Print a Report according to the ISO 4406 standard
Print a Report according to the SAE AS4059 standard
Print a Report according to the NAS 1638 standard
Print a user defined report
Select the standard displayed in the Data Grid
Oil selection
Viscosity Chart
Display/Hide treeview window
Display/Hide control panel
Display/Hide data grid window
Display/Hide data plot window
The Treeview Window
16
17
About the Treeview Window

The Treeview lets you navigate easily within a current database. Click the + sign to open folders and to display the affiliate subfolders.
Click a folder to select it. A selected folder has a blue background.
Folders
The folders treeview is supposed to reflect the organization of your oil analysis (like company divisions, sites, machines, tested
devices or simply different tests taken).
There is a (virtually) unlimited number of different folders and levels of subfolders. Feel free to use them intensively for documentation
and organization of your data.
Data can be transferred (moved or copied) between folders easily via Drag&Drop.
You can enter new, rename or delete folders or subfolders in the tree view pane. Additional properties can be adapted in the
properties dialog.
The Treeview implements the Look&Feel of MS Office, especially MS Outlook, for easy adaptation of a novice user.
Folder (Category) Properties Dialog
Open this dialog via menu command Edit -> Properties or by right-clicking the desired folder in the treeview and selecting
"Properties".
18
Category Name: Name of category (database folder).

Category Notes: Additional notes for measurements in this category. This user selected text is stored in the database.
Flags: Info flag in database. Currently not used.
Date Created: Creation date and time of this category (folder), read-only.
Oil Selection: Selection of an oil type used for calculation of a normalized viscosity for this category's measurements. The
available selections are read from a parameter file on application startup.
Oil Description: Additional information on the selected oil, read-only.
The Data Grid
19
About the Data Grid

The Data Grid displays all samples within the selected folder of the database and is divided into four sections, which cant be shown
complete in the Data Grid window. Use the scrollbar at the bottom of the Data Grid to see one or more sections.
General Section
The column General shows individual settings of the single records, like the name of records and the date and time of the
measurement.
You can set your Date/Time format via the Menu Bar Extras - Options in the general tab.
PODS Mode
Display Text
Bottle
BOT
Filter
FIL
Online
ONL
Unknown (older PODS-Versions)
-X-
Remarks
Remarks are user-defined text entries in the PODS device and may contain up to 30 characters (3 lines of 10 chars.).
Remarks may be created or edited by the user.
Section Standards and Particle Distribution
Standards
This section shows the selected standard. Possible selections are:
ISO 4406
NAS 1638
SAE AS4059
NAVAIR 01
To change the standard displayed in the Data Grid you may either:
Right click the header of the Data Grid and select the desired standard in the pop up menu.
Choose View in the Menu Bar.
20
Choose Extras-Options-Data Grid

Use the appropriate Toolbar button.
Particle Distribution
Here you can see the measured number of particles sorted by size ranges. The unit is Particles/mL.
To show the measured particle distribution according to the Air-Cleaner-Fine-Test-Dust (ACFTD), right click the header of the Data
Grid and check "Show ACFTD Sizes".
If "Show ACFTD Sizes" is unchecked, the measured particle distribution is shown according to the new test dust ISO MTD.
User defined ranges

If measurements are taken with user defined channel sizes, particle concentrations cannot be properly classified. Standards are thus
invalid and will be displayed as "---". The particle concentration data will be displayed in blue followed by the channel size in brackets.
Section Physical Data
This section displays the physical data of the single records. The standard viscosity depends on a reference temperature and an oil.
Reference temperature and oil can be set via options Oil Data , and the units for temperature, viscosity, standard viscosity via
options General. The selected reference temperature is shown in brackets after the header (Viscosity ( 40 C)). The standard
viscosity is only shown, if an oil is selected, else <no oil sel> will be printed.
Volume and Flow rate are defined by the PODS.
Selecting records
Select the desired record(s) by clicking the grey field on the very left. Selected rows will be displayed with a blue background.
Selection of more than one record

Select the first record. To select a range of records, select the last record with <Shift>-Click (hold down the Shift key on the keyboard
while clicking). To freely select any number of records, use <Ctrl>-Click.
Select all records

Use the menu command: Edit-Select All
Move/Copy selected records to other folders
21
Move the mouse pointer into the blue background of the selected records.
Press the right mouse button (the pointer changes to a hand).
Keep the right mouse button pressed and drag the records to the desired folder in the Treeview Window.
Drop the records into the desired folder. Make your choice in the Popup menu.
Edit Remarks
PODS measurements can be annotated with a 30 character remarks text.
This text has to be manually entered in the PODS device before each measurement.
PODSWare offers the ability to create or edit remarks for existing measurements.
This allows the user to easily document conducted measurements afterwards.
Warning: Existing remark texts will be deleted - there is no possibility for retrieving accidentally overwritten data!
A warning is displayed if multiple records are selected to avoid accidental overwriting of data:
The Data Plot
22
Particle Concentration Plot
This plot shows the distribution of particle concentration in a sequence of samples.

The range will be set to a reasonable value when loading the data and can be adjusted by the user thereafter.
Sample data can be loaded from the data grid by a toolbar command or directly via Drag&Drop.
Standards Plot
23
This plot shows the distribution of the selected classification in a sequence of samples.
The desired standard may be re-selected at any time by the buttons in the right upper corner of the plot.
Plot Commands
Plot Toolbar Commands:

Move axis range.
If this mode is selected (button pressed) the visible range an axis can
be moved with the mouse. Left-click an axis and drag the mouse to get
the desired visible range.
Scaling of axis.
If this mode is selected (button pressed) the scaling of an axis can be
zoomed with the mouse. Left-click an axis and drag the mouse to get
the desired scaling.
Show/Hide data cursor.
Copy an image of the plot to the clipboard.
24
Save the plot as meta file (EMF) to disk.
Print the plot.
Scale the X axis (time axis) to a preselected value.
Load data from table to the plot.

Selected records will be loaded into the plot. If no records are
currently selected, all table data will be loaded.
Clear plot.
Note: Selecting an interval will reset any manually adjusted scaling of the X axis to the selected value.
The Control Panel
25
About the Control Panel
The control panel allows direct access to the PODS.

Available parameters can be entered or selected by the user.
The progress bar at the bottom allows a quick check of the current operation status.
The Status Bar
26
About the Status Bar
The Status Bar is the horizontal area in PODSWare below the Data Grid and provides information about actions performed as well as
the the current state of the PODS in the very right pane.
To connect a PODS to your PC, check Connect Instrument in the Menu - Instrument.
PODS Status Display
No PODS device connected.
PODS connected.
PODS Error (An error description is displayed next to the icon).

The Charts
27
The ISO 4406 Chart

The Chart ISO 4406 displays the cumulative particle distribution with the ISO 4406 cleanliness code overlaid on the right ordinate. In
the background of the chart area the correspondent ISO classes are shown as white and gray sections. The ISO codes are printed at
the right side of the chart area.
Tip: Right click the chart area to start the options dialog.
Display an ISO 4406 Chart:
Select one or more records
Choose Menu Bar-Data-Distribution ISO 4406, or
Click the Toolbar button
The SAE AS4059 Chart

The Chart SAE AS4059 displays the differential particle distribution as a bar graph according to the standard SAE.
Display SAE AS4059 Chart:
Choose Menu Bar-Data-Distribution SAE AS4059, or
28
The Time Chart

The Time Chart displays the temporal trend of your measurements with the ISO 4406 cleanliness code overlaid on the right ordinate.
In the background of the chart area the correspondent ISO classes are shown as white and gray sections. The ISO codes are printed
at the right side of the chart area.
Display a Time Chart:

Choose Menu Bar-Data-Distribution-Time Chart, or
29
The Viscosity Chart

The viscosity chart displays the temporal trend of your measured oils. A standard viscosity is calculated from the measured viscosity
and temperature. You can change the reference temperature via Options-Oil Data.
The viscosity chart can only be shown, if there are data about the viscosity distribution, i.e. if you selected an oil (Options Oil Data)
The printed time axis (X-Axis) is equal to the time axis in the time chart.
Display a Viscosity Chart:

Choose Menu Bar-Data-Distribution-Viscosity Chart, or
30
The Chart Window

The Toolbars in the Charts
The following bars are available in the Charts:
The Toolbar
The Annotation Bar
The Palette Bar
The Pattern Bar
You can close and open the bars as needed, and drag them around the screen. The bars can be incorporated into the edges of the
workspace (docked) or pulled away and floated (undocked).
To hide the Toolbar in the Charts, double click the Toolbar, then click the Close button in the upper right of the new window. To
show the Toolbar again, restart the Chart.
To show or hide another bar click the Tool button
in the Toolbar of the Charts and check or uncheck an item.
The Toolbar
Hints are provided by the ToolTips
Z-Ordered View
31
draws all data series (lines or bars) behind each other. You might not be able to see some of the
Selecting the Z-Ordered View
data, when covered by foreground objects (e.g. higher bars).
This selection is most useful in 3D perspective
and for changing the Color or Pattern of series.
The Annotation Bar
With the help of the Annotation Bar you can write notes into the chart, mark important sample data and more. Feel free to try out the
features of the Annotation Bar. A complete help documentation is beyond the scope of this product but useful hints are provided by
the Tooltips.
The annotation objects (selected via the Annotation Bar) are provided as a means to improve special printouts (like drawing an
explanatory text or a dart pointing to an important fact) and will not be preserved (stored) when the chart is closed.
The Palette Bar
With the help of the Palette Bar you can assign colors and color schemes to series.
Change the current Palette
Click the Palette image on the right side of the Palette Bar and select a new Palette.
Change the colors of series

Click a color in the Palette Bar (keep the left mouse button pressed) and drag it to the desired series and drop the color.
Tip: To change the color of series use the Z-Clustered-3D View of your chart and assign your colors to the series.
The Pattern Bar
The Pattern Bar allows you to assign different pattern to the series. (See: Change the color of series)
The Reports
32
Report Basics
Use a Report to generate a compact and informative result of your oil analysis data.
Printing Reports
Select one ore more records in the Data Grid.
Use Menu Bar -Data - Report or click the appropriate Toolbar button,
Fixed Reports: Report ISO 4409, SAE AS4059 and NAS 1638
These reports show a set of records, either in the ISO 4409, SAE AS4059 or NAS 1638 format.
The layout is fixed and cant be changed, but you can use your own logo. The selection is done via Options Reports .
Reports are shown in the Report Viewer.
The Report Viewer

The Report Viewer displays one record (one sample) per page. Move between the pages with the "Next"
buttons.
and "Previous"
Reports can be saved to file in portable document format (PDF) via the toolbar button "Save". These files can be distributed and
displayed with Acrobat Reader.
The Report ISO 4406
Use this report to get a compact and informative result about your oil analysis data according to the standard ISO 4409.
Note: You must select one or more records before printing a Report!
33
The Report SAE AS4059

Use this report to get a compact and informative result about your oil analysis data according to the standard SAE AS4059.
34
The Report NAS 1638

Use this report to get a compact and informative result about your oil analysis data according to the standard NAS 1638.
35
User Defined Report

Use this report to print your data and charts in a MS-Word document, designed to your layout request.
Requirement: You must have MS-Word installed on your system and you must have selected a template. The standard selection is the
template last used.
Select a template
Create a new template
Alarms
36
Alarm Handling
Open Alarm property dialog via menu Edit -> Properties or right-click to a category in the treeview window and select "Properties".
Alarm enabled: Activate alarms for this category.

Alarm Direction: Select alarm on values exceeding or below the selected limit.
Alarm Acknowledge: Select the desired acknowledge of an alarm by the operator.
Alarm Selection: Select the type of alarm. Limits selection is depending on this selection.
Alarm Limits: Setting of the alarm limit values depending on the alarm type. Channels can be selected individually for alarm
handling on alarm types offering more than one limit value (e.g. ISO, particles/mL).
Note: Alarm parameters are stored in the database and are valid for all measurements in a category (folder).
The action taken on alarm is selectable in the Options.
Alarm Limits for Alarm Type "Particles/mL":
37
Alarm Limit values are selectable as ISO standard codes.
Personalizing PODSWare
38
General Options
Use this dialog to set general settings of PODSWare.

Choose Menu Bar - Extras - Options,
General Settings
In the General Tab you can set your favored date and time format, displayed in the Data Grid and the Reports.
Date
System Settings (Long Date): Use system setting Long Date
System Settings (Short Date): Use system setting Short Date
User Format: Select a predefined format from the Drop-Down.
Time
Use System Settings: Use system setting Time
User Format: Select a predefined format from the Drop-Down.
Units Selection
Select units used for data display of temperature and viscosity in datagrid, charts and reports.
39
Oil Data Settings

Selection of viscosity data table. This data is read during application startup and is used to calculate a normalized viscosity at a
reference temperature. Selection of a certain type of oil is on a per-category basis (i.e. a selected oil is used for all measurements
stored in a database folder).
The Reference Temperature for Viscosity is used to calculate a normalized viscosity based on the oil data given. Standard value is
40C.
Note: Your selections will be stored, when exiting PODSWare.
Options Data Grid
Visible Grid Columns:

Selection of columns displayed in the datagrid.
Grid Appearance
Selection of visual parameters for datagrid (background color, text color on error or non-standard channel sizes).
Clicking "Reset standard values" resets the default values.
Options Charts
40
Tip: Right click the chart area for a qiuck start of this option dialog.
Chart ISO 4406

Line Width: Line width setting
Show ISO Labels in 3D View: Show labels normal or in 3D View.
Time Chart
Line Width: Line width setting.
Max. Number of Time Marks: The number of time marks on the time axis (X-Axis). PODSWare automatically determines a
reasonable division depending on the time values given in the sample data. Maximum number of tickmarks can be set between 2 and
12.
Viscosity Chart
Line Width: Line width setting
Options Reports
41
General Settings
Use Default Logo: FSP logo
Use Custom Logo: Printing your logo in the report. You can use one of the following files:
Bitmaps (*.bmp)
Gif Files (*.gif)
WMF Files (*.wmf)
JPG Files (*.jpg)
Size and Alignment

Your logo will be changed to a predefined size. The alignment will be centered.
You will get good results with the following proportions:
Height: 32 mm (about 150 pixels)
Width: 160mm (about 750 pixels)
Note:
The selected logo will be printed in all standard reports.
The logo file will not be saved within the PODS Database. If is is required to pass the logo with the data, you must pass your logo
as file.
Options Instrument
42
Device Connection
Select the serial port (COM port) used for communication to your PODS.aus. Only ports avaliable on this computer will be listed and
selectable .
Download Data Selection
Select data records for download from POPDS.
All Samples: All records buffered in PODS will be downloaded (up to 500 records)
Date: Only records taken within the selected date will be downloaded
Sample ID: Only records with a certain name will be downloaded. Selection criterion is the beginning of a sample name i.e. input
of "SAMP" will select all samples with a name starting with "Samp" for download (e.g. "Sample1", "Sample2" etc.). The selection
is not case-sensitive!
Options Alarm
43
Acoustic Alarm
Activate an acoustic signal on alarm (PC beep).
Visual Alarm
Activate a visual alarm indication by flashing the title bar of the application and the info bar (text bar below toolbar) in a selectable
color.
Hint: Choose a GREEN color for indication of reaching a certain level of cleanliness (alarm direction 'Low') and RED for
exceeding critcal limits.
How Do I...
44
Manage Database Files
45
Open an existing Database File

Choose Menu Bar - File - Open, or the
Most-Recently Used List, or
Click the Open button
on the Toolbar.

You can see the filename and the folder in the Treeview Window. If the database contains subfolders, you will see a + sign before the
Database icon. Click it to expand the tree.
Create a new Database File
Before you create a new Database File, think about how you will use it.
Basically you should use efficient filenames for your oil analysis data (e.g. company divisions, machines, tested devices or simply
different tests taken).
Choose Menu Bar - File New, or
Click the New Database button
on the Toolbar.

Select the folder, where the new database should be created, use an efficient filename and click Save. The file extension (.pod) will be
added automatically.
You can see the new filename and the folder in the Treeview Window. A standard folder is automatically created.
Tip: Move the mouse pointer in the Treeview Window to database name to see the full name and path of the file.
Create a new folder in a Database
First of all think about a useful structure of your database file.
Right click on the desired parent folder in the Treeview Window. In the pop-up menu click New Folder.
Use an efficient name in the next dialog and click <OK>.
Rename a Folder
Right click a folder in the Treeview Window and select Rename Item in the pop-up menu
Rename the folder.
Save your changes.
Copy Records into other Folders
46
You can copy/move selected records to other folders in a database file using Drag&Drop.
1.
Click the folder with the source records to show them in the Treeview Window
2.
Select the desired records
3.
Move your mouse pointer to the blue background of the selected records
4.
Right click the selection (the mouse pointer changes to a hand)
5.
Drag the records to the destination folder in the Treeview Window
6.
Drop the records into the new folder. Make your choice in the context menu.
Select Records
Select the desired record(s) by clicking the grey field on the very left of the Data Grid. Selected rows will be displayed with a blue
background.
Selection of more than one record
Select the first record. To select a range of records, select the last record with <Shift>-Click (hold down the Shift key on the keyboard
while clicking). To freely select any number of records, use <Ctrl>-Click.
Select all records
Use Select All in the menu Edit.
Delete Records
Choose Menu Bar - Edit - Delete,
Clicking the Delete button
on the Toolbar.
A warning message is issued to the user before the actual deletion to avoid accidental loss of data.
Delete Folders
Right click a Folder in the Treeview Window.
Select Delete Item in the pop-up menu
47
A warning message is issued to the user before the actual deletion to avoid accidental loss of data.
Export Data
Choose this command to export your data either to an Excel Worksheet, to a pure text or to a HTML formatted file.
File Export Data
Click the desired item to start the Export Dialog.
Export to:
Enter the folder and the filename, or click
to start the save dialog and follow the on-screen instructions.
A user selection for exporting only the selected rows or all rows in the Data Grid is possible.
48
To analyze your data in Microsoft Excel, use the feature export to Excel Worksheet. A suggestion for the name of the new Excel
Worksheet is given in the dialog "Save As...". You may accept this name or enter a new one. It is recommended to avoid special
characters and symbols for the worksheet name.
Try especially exporting to HTML and view the exported data with Internet Explorer.
There is no functionality yet to export a complete database including all folders and subfolders implemented yet. This is one of the
planned features.
The PODSWare database format is MS Jet 3.x so *.pod files can be opened and processed in Access97!
Note: When exporting data to an Excel Worksheet, temperature values will be given C and viscosity in cSt. If required,
convert values in MS-Excel.
Print Data
Print the raw grid data as displayed. Only the complete displayed Data Grid can be printed in the present version.
Menu Bar - File Print
Save the Data
Click Menu Bar - File Save As, or
Click the Save button
on the Toolbar.

Copy Records to Clipboard
Select the records you want to copy to the clipboard.

Click Edit -> Copy in the menubar or ...
Enter Ctrl-C on the keyboard or ...
Click to
in the toolbar.
The selected records are copied to the clipboard as formatted text. You may then paste this test into any Windows application.
Create an oil data table as MS-Excel Sheet

By means of viscosity data given in a MS-Excel sheet PODSWare allows you to display a viscosity value normalized to a reference
temperature for your samples.
Basic oil data is distributed with PODSWare but can be adapted or extended at user's requirements.
Create a new MS-Excel workbook and insert a worksheet for each type of oil.
Enter your oil data into the worksheets using the following layout:
49
Note:
Create a separate worksheet for each oil. Worksheet names are freely selectable and will not be used by PODSWare.
Four columns of data are required. The table headers (first row) are unimportant.
A (unique) name for the oil is required (in line 2), a description text can be entered at user's discretion.
Temperature values must be given C , viscosity values in cSt. If desired, convert data within the Excel sheets.
Oil viscosity data must be starting in the second row. A minimum of 2 lines of data (2 rows) is required to enable interpolation
of data.
No special order of the data is required, sorting is done by PODSWare.
The temperature steps used between 2 pairs of data is freely selectable (e.g. every 10 C or 10 C, 15 C 25 C, 28 C, 84
C). For important temperature ranges use smaller intervals (about every 2 C), so viscosity interpolation is more precise.
Download Data from PODS
50
Download Data
Select Instrument-Readout Data to start the Readout Data Dialog.
Click Setup if you want to change the COM port, where your PODS device is connected to.
Click Start to download the data. A progress bar shows the download process in continuation.
After a successful download the new data are displayed in the PODSWare Data Grid.
If you select Start and the following message is shown:
Please check:
The communication port used via menu command Extras Options.
The connection of your PODS device to the computer with a normal serial cable.
Make sure PODS is switched on.
Generate a Chart
51
Display Data as a Chart

Select one or more records in the Data Grid
Choose Menu Bar-Data, select either Distribution ISO 4406, Distribution SAE AS4059 or Time Chart
Or click an appropriate Toolbar button
Generate a Report
52
Printing Data as a Report

Select one ore more records in the Data Grid.
Use Menu Bar -Data - Report... or click an appropriate Toolbar button,
The Report Viewer window is shown with a set of records, either in the ISO 4409, SAE AS4050 or NAS 1638 format.
Each record is shown on a separate page.
Select a MS-Word Template

Click Menu Bar>Data>User Defined Reports and select a template. Standard templates can be found in the folder
PODSWare/ReportTemplates.
Create your own template
The menu item Open Report Template you will display the 4 templates used last. When called for the first time, this menu item will be
empty.
53
The standard selection is the template last used.

Create a new MS-Word Template
A template is a MS-Word document defining the layout of a User Defined Report. This template will not be altered during generation of
a report, i.e. the layout and standard elements will remain unchanged.
The first step is to create a MS-Word document with the desired information.
Place a token into your document whereever you want to prinout data from PODSWare. During report generation all tokens will be
replaced by the appropriate data.
Use the following tables for the tokens:
Note: A token is a string embedded between two colons. It consists of two parts separated by _
For example: ":P_TMC:" -> "P" stands for physical data, "TMC" for temperature in C
General Informations:
Token
Data
:G_DB:
Name and folder of the current database file
:G_CAT:
Current category of the database file
:G_ALS:
Alias for Category (currently not used)
:G_NOT:
Notes for Category
:G_EST:
PODS Error Status
:G_ETX:
PODS Error Information (Text)
Measurement Identification
Token
Data
:I_ID:
Measurement ID (Name String plus ID Number)
:I_NAM:
Measurement Name String
:I_NUM:
Measurement ID Number
:I_MOD:
PODS Mode
:I_ALM:
Alarm State (active, no alarm etc.)
54
Classification
Token
Standard Class / Code
:S_IS1:
ISO Code Channel 1 (4 m)
:S_IS2:
ISO Code Channell 2 (4,6 m)
:S_IS3:
ISO Code Channel 3 (6 m)
:S_IS4:
ISO Code Channel 5 (14m)
:S_NAS:
NAS Class (00 - 12)
:S_MIL:
MIL Level (1 - 1000)
:S_NAV:
Navair Class (0 - 6)
Additional Informations for Samples

Token
Data
:N_INF:
Additional Info (currently not used)
:N_ANN:
Annotations (currently not used)
:N_RMK:
Remarks from PODS PODS, 30 characters
:N_RM1:
Remarks 1
:N_RM2:
Remarks 2
:N_RM3:
Remarks 3
Date and Time

Token
Data
:D_DAT:
Date of Measurement
:D_TIM:
Time of Measurement
:D_DTM:
Date and Time of Measurement
Physical Data
Token
Data
:P_TMC:
Temperature value in C
:P_TMF:
Temperature value in F
:P_VIC:
Viscosity value in centiStokes
:P_VIS:
Viscosity value in SUS
:P_VNC:
Normalized viscosity in centiStokes
:P_VNS:
:P_TVN:
:P_FLW:
Normalized viscosity value in SUS

Reference temperature for normalized viscosity in C
Flowrate
:P_VOL:
Volume
:P_TAN:
<not used yet>
:P_OCP:
<not used yet>
:P_DIE:
Dielectrical constant
:P_WTR:
Water concentration in the sample
Particle Distribution per mL

Token
Data
:C_1:
Number of Particles greater than 4m per mL
:C_2:
Number of Particles greater than 4,6m per mL
:C_3:
Number of Particles greater than 6 per mL
:C_4:
55
:C_5:
:C_6:
:C_7:
:C_8:
Particle Distribution per Liter

Token
Data
:L_1:
Number of Particles greater than 4m per Liter
:L_2:
Number of Particles greater than 4,6m per Liter
:L_3:
:L_4:
:L_5:
:L_6:
:L_7:
:L_8:
Particle Concentration per 100 mL

Token
Data
:R_2_5:
Particle Concentration between 2 and 5 m per 100 mL
:R_5_10:
:R_5_15:
:R_10_25:
:R_15_25:
:R_25_50:
:R_50_100:
:R_100:
Particle Concentration between 100 m pro 100 mL
Chart
Token
Data (Chart)
:X_ISO:
Chart ISO 4406
:X_NAS:
Chart NAS 1638
Note: Place the token for a chart into a MS-Word textbox to set a desired size for the chart. The dimensions of the chart will
automatically be resized.
Oil Data
Token
Data
:O_NAM:
Oil Type (Name)
:O_DES:
Oil Description
:O_REF:
Reference Temperatur for Viscosity Calculation
Alarm Information
Token
Data
:A_TYP:
Type of Alarm (ISO, NAS etc.)
:A_ENA:
Alarm State (enabled/disabled)
:A_DIR:
Alarm Direction
:A_ACK:
Alarm Acknowledge
Output Format
Optionally the data display in a user report can be formatted at user's requirements.
The format definition must be following the token and starts with a '#'.
56
Remark: Actual formatted output depends on the local settings of the computer!
Possible Format Definitions:
Numbers:
#0.0 Setting of decimal places, use zeros after the dot.
#,##0 Include a thousand separator with a komma.
Example:
:C_1#,##0.00: displays: "45.345,30"
:R_2_5#0.0: displays: "3287,9"
Date/Time:
DD Day-of-Month (1 - 31)
MM Month (1 - 12)
MMM Month as short text (Feb., Apr.)
YY Year, 2 digits
YYYY Year, 4 digits
HH Time-of-day, Hours
MM Time-of-day, Minutes
Example:
:D_DTM#DD.MMM.YYYY - HH:MM: displays: "12.Apr.2000 - 13:44"
PODS Enzyclopedia
57
PODS Encyclopedia
m:
Denomination of the particle size dimension according to the former ACFTD calibration
m(c)
Denomination of the particle size dimension according to the new NIST/ISO 11171 calibration
Accessories
Rollerbox, Bottle-Adapter, Online-Adapter, Pressure tubing 1 meter long, Gas bottles (2), Plastic sample b
120 mL (10), Power adapter, Printer paper rolls (2), Shoulder strap, Cleaning brushes (2), Wrench "
ACFTD
Filter test dust (Air-Cleaner-Fine-Test-Dust), which was used since 25 years in hydraulics for filter testing a
manufactured by General Motors Company. 1992 its production was stopped. The new test dust ISO MTD
investigated in lengthy tests by microscopy and particle counters
ACFTD-Calibration
ACFTD was used until recently for the calibration of particle counters. The particle number concentration (
in oil) for a given dust addition (mg/L) was standardized in ISO 4402. During the years it became more and
apparent that this distribution was wrong.With introduction of the new calibration standard ISO 11171 (199
calibration standard ISO 4402 becomes invalid and ACFTD is no longer a valid calibration standard.During
the channel voltages (thresholds) of the individual size channels are varied and tests are repeated until the
number distribution for an ACFTD-suspension in oil (typical 5 mg/L) matches the standardized distribution.
"count-calibration" achieves better number accuracy than the "voltage-calibration" used with other particle
which uses Latex-spheres in water. Especially the use of oil as carrier fluid achieves a more realistic calibr
ACFTD-Sizes
PODS-users can choose between ISOMTD- and ISOACF-standard settings, even after the measurement.
ISOMTD the results are printed along with the NIST-sizes, with ISOACF the results are printed with the AC
PODS-users who have had ACFTD-calibrated particle counters are advised to use the ISOACF-setting firs
more familiar to them from former work than the ISO MTD-reporting scheme.
Advantages of PODS versus other

"online-batch" competitors
1. High system pressure (420 bar) in the sensor, no pressure reduction before the sensor, therefore no bu
formation by outgasing
2. High concentration (ISO 24 or 90000 P/mL at 10% coincidence), which eliminates dilution (dilution is im
the field!)
3. High viscosity (up to 800 mm/s, at the current temperature), even in the bottle-mode, which eliminates d
4. Automatic flow adjustment to the viscosity and pressure conditions
5. Calibration by the new test dust (ISOMTD) according to the new ISO 11171:1999. Comparability with AC
measurements.
6. Compatibility with mineral oils and phosphate esters (like Skydrol), so both fluids can be measured wit
exchanging any O-rings in PODS
7. User friendly, very comfortable software (Podsware)
8. Option for a relative water sensor, refitable, near future
9. Fast measurement (usually 1 min, may longer at very high viscosity)
10. High memory capacity (500 samples)
11. High gas-bottle capacity (60 samples)
12. High battery capacity (360 samples at low viscosity, 160 at high viscosity)
13. Less battery memory effect by using Ni MH-battery
14. Laser life 70000 h @ 21C
15. Local calibration centers at ARTI, FSP and RION
Air pressure connector
For USA/Canada ARTI delivers PODS with an SAE-4 quick-connect fitting mounted into a female 1/8 inch
For Europe FSP replaces this by a German connector
Air quality
PODS operates when the gas pressure is over 4 bar (internally regulated). The air should be particle free a
otherwise the internal filter is contaminated. If this internal filter is clogged it has to be changed at the servi
Backflushing the protection screen
PODS has a screen of 15 m mesh width behind the sensor to protect the components after the sensor. T
be cleaned by back flushing from time to time. For this purpose the sunken cleaning port on the left side of
to be opened by means of the " wrench. Then clean, filtered oil is pressed into the outlet port of PODS, w
through the cleaning port. During this cleaning Pods has to be switched on and has to be in the purge mod
Bottle analysis
Bottle analysis is often the only method of particle monitoring, when an online-measurement is not possibl
pressure (in tanks) or low fill volume (gearboxes). In order to prevent secondary contamination, only clean
58
be used. One should use glass bottles at clean oils.

Bottle-adapter
The bottle-adapter is a cylindrical container, which takes up the sample bottle. It is screwed into the adapte
and pressurized to 7 bar with CO2-gas or shop air.
Calibration,Primary
Reference particle counters for secondary calibration must have a primary calibration by the manufacturer
calibration occurs with NIST-standards SRM 2806.
Calibration, Secondary
For recalibration at the service centers a secondary calibration may be used. This occurs with SRM 8231 s
which must be measured by a reference-sensor having a primary calibration.
Calibration-Centers
1. Fluid-Systems-Partners GmbH, ARTI/RION-Service-Center, Industriestrae 9, D-76703 Kraichtal, Germ

+49-7250-76-522, Fax. +49-7250-76-575
2. ART Instruments Inc., Service-Center, 1055 Redwood Ave, Grants Pass, OR 97527, USA, Tel +1-541-4
Fax. +1-541-472-0196
3. RION Co. Ltd, Service-Center ARTI, 20-41 Higashimotomachi 3-chome, Kokubunji, Tokyo 185-8533, Ja
+81-42-359-7878, Fax +81-42-359-8533
Classification
PODS classifies the cleanliness by 5 internal standard settings:

ISO 4406:1999 for NIST/ISO 11171 sizes (m(c)), internally named ISOMTD
ISO 4406:1999 for ACFTD/ISO 4402 sizes (m), internally named ISOACF
SAE AS4059 Rev. D (2001)
NAS 1638:1987
MIL-STD-1246C:1994
NAVAIR 01-1A-17:1998
The standard must be chosen in the set-up. The result is printed and stored in the memory. The standard c
changed after the measurement, too.
No cleanliness standard except ISO 4406:1999 specifies a specific calibration method. Usually users work
ACFTD-calibrations in former times. Since now ACFTD is no valid calibration material any more and partic
manufacturers must change to NIST-calibrations, the other standards also have to use the NIST-sizes if th
cleanliness codes shall stay the same.
Classification sizes
The cleanliness standards use the following NIST sizes:
m(c)
ISOMTD
ISOACF
SAE AS4059
4.6
x
NAS
MIL
NAVAIR
9.8
14
21.2
38
68
CO2-bottles
CO2-bottles from FSP can be transported in the filled state in Europe.The bottle pressure of
about 75 bars is internally reduced 7 bar for bottle sampling. The bottle is mounted vertical, so
no liquid gas fills the tubing during transport.FSP sells sets of 10 each CO2-bottles, additional to
the standard bottles (2) in the regular PODS accessories. Bottles returned by the customer, in
sets of 10 each, will be exchanged by full bottles. The customer may also order his local filling
service to refill the bottles.
Computer-Interface
PODS has a Sub-D serial connector (9 pin female) for RS 232C. A standard 9-pin-Sub-D
male/female serial cable is required for data-dump or remote control by a PC.
Concentration
The display and the printer show the concentration in "Particles per Milliliter" (P/mL) as a
running average. In the standard a display as (P/10 mL) may also be set.
Dilution
Dilution for particle counting is generally necessary to reduce the viscosity or the particle
concentration, in order to achieve values below the sensor limit values. PODS with is high
concentration and viscosity limits requires dilution very seldom compared with any other
system.
Dilution problems
Some fluids, depending on the additives, may require dilution even with particle concentrations
much below the concentration limit of PODS. If dilution is required is a matter of experience.
59
Drain tubing
The drain tubing may be of PVC or a similar soft material (6 mm O.D.). There may be no
pressure on the outlet when draining into a bottle.
Flow cell
The PODS sensor flow cell is from Sapphire, a very hard optical material with extreme material
strength, which can stand the high pressure forces when 420 bars are applied directly to the
sensor. The cell is sealed to the inlet/outlet-fittings by AFLAS O-rings, that are compatible
both with mineral oil and Skydrol.
Flow meter
The flow rate is measured by a gear-flow meter after the sensor.
Flow regulation
PODS uses a gear-flow-meter followed by a regulation valve to regulate the flow to values
between 15 mL/min and 50 mL/min. The first 15 mL purge-run of each sample is used to
measure and regulate the flow rate. The regulation accuracy is less than about 2%. Other units
can operate at one flow rate only to which the sensor must be calibrated.
PODS is the first system to adjust the flow rate automatically to the current viscosity and
pressure conditions.
Fluid aging
Biodegradable fluids like triglycerides (Rape oil) and unsaturated synthetic esters discompose
in presence of water into acid and alcohol. This increases the acidity and the viscosity of the
fluid. Both quantities may be used to monitor the oil condition.
Fluid properties measured
Particle concentration (size distribution), fluid viscosity
Fluid properties, meaning
Particle concentration: Abrasion, blockage and failing of system components

Viscosity: Increases with degradation (aging) of an oil, mixing with an oil of other viscosity
Fluids, difficult to measure
- Fluids with free water (AOT makes these fluids measurable)

- Used engine oils, especially those from Diesel engine, need dilution (>100 times), due to the
large soot content absorbing the light.
- Glycol-water mixtures
- Mixtures of chemically incompatible fluids like mineral oil and synthetic esters
Fluids, easy to measure
- Transparent, non-turbid fluids

- Mineral oils
- Environmental pressure fluids
- Phosphate esters (like Skydrol).
- Gear oils
- Fresh engine oils
- Biologically degradable fluids (synthetic esters must be treated before the measurement to
remove water).
- Glycols
Flushing mode
Before an online measurement is started PODS should be flushed in order to renew the dead
volume in the tubing of Pods and the complete tubing to Pods to make sure that the status of
the sampled fluid is identical with the fluid in the system. To get rid of "dirt" on the walls of the
former oil one should flush 3-5 times of the complete dead volume. Even with highest purge
volume one will never measure the system oil temperature, but the Minimess hose and the
large thermal mass of Pods are cooling down the oil. During the flushing mode Pods has to be
switched on and operating in the puring mode.
Free water
Biodegradable fluids like triglycerides (Rape oil) and unsaturated synthetic esters discompose
in presence of water into acid and alcohol. Water in excess of the saturation limit is free water,
suspended as water in oil droplets. Water contents above the saturation concentration are
called "free water" and are water droplets in oil. Water droplets are counted like solid particles.
Both mineral oils as well as synthetic esters should be excluded from the measurement, if water
contamination is suspected.
Functioning
In the online-mode the system pressure drives the oil through the sensor. After the sensor a
screen (15 m mesh) protects the following components, then the pressure is reduced by two
pressure-regulators to 90 psi (6 bar) and 52 psi (3,5bar). Then the flow passes the sensors for
60
temperature, pressure and the flow regulator, after which it is drained with no (atmospheric)
pressure. With the sensors signals the viscosity is calculated.
In the bottle-mode CO2-gas or shop air, internally reduced to 7 bar, drives the fluid through the
sensor.
I/O connector
PODS has a round digital I/O connector to switch external devices such as a horn, a lamp or
the circulation pump of the ECOLINE UM45P filter service cart, when the filter mode is used.
ISO Cleanliness Codes
ISO 4406 (1999) specifies the cleanliness code for the following sizes:
1.) 5/ 15 m for old instruments (with ACFTD-calibration)
2.) 4/ 6/ 14 m(c) for new instruments (with NIST-calibration)
ISO MTD
ISO MTD is the new filter-test dust and its number distribution in dependance of the mass
concentration is standardized in ISO 12103-1(1997) for filter testing. It is available from PTI Inc.
in USA or their European representative ELIS COMPONENT. One certified batch of ISO MTD
is available from NIST as SRM 2806 for primary particle counter calibration. For secondary
calibration NIST supplies dry dust (SRM 8231) to be dispersed in oil. .ISO MTD replaces
ACFTD as calibration material and in the Multipass-Test.
Light Extinction
Light Extinction, in literature also called "Light Blockage" or "Light-Obscuration", is a "shadow

measurement in the bright field": The Laser projects a thin light sheet across the sapphire cell,
which hits directly on the detector (PIN-diode) on the other side of the cell. Without the
presence of a particle in the beam the detector generates a maximum signal (10 Volt). A
particle in the beam absorbs or scatters the light and the reduced light intensity is correlated
with the particle size.
Light Source in PODS
PODS has a Laser diode with a life of ca 70000 h at 21C. The wave length is 780 nm. The
Laser life depends on the temperature. Each 10 C temperature increase reduce the Laser life
by a factor of 2. Continuous operation at high temperatures should therefore be prevented.
Measuring error
The counting error is the difference between the actual and the measured particle
concentration. This error is mainly dependent on number statistics and thus increases with size.
At particle counts higher than 1000 (class 17) this error is typically about 1-3 %; at particle
counts less than 1 (class 7) this error may rise to about 10 % due to stochastically errors.
Insufficient treatment (for example not enough purging) usually causes errors higher than 10 20%, at smaller particle counts even at about 50 % or more.
The viscosity error may be relatively high if there is no sufficient temperature exchange between
oil and Pods; several measured quantities (Temperature, Pressure, Flow Rate) are affecting the
viscosity accuracy. With reliable temperature exchange error is about 10%.
Measuring principle of particle

counting
PODS measures the particle size with a Light-Extinction sensor. This method is suitable for
particles >1 m. For smaller particles scattered light may be used.
Multipass-Test
This test is standardized in ISO 16889(1999) and used for filter testing. A suspension of ISO
MTD is continuously added to the flow through the test filter and the Beta Ratio of the filter is
measured in dependance of the total mass added and the differential pressure over the filter.
NIST
National Institute of Standards of the USA

Address: SRM Sales Department, Building 202, Room 204, Gaithersburg, MD 208899, USA,
Tel +1-301-975-6776, Fax. +1-301-948-3730
NIST-Calibration
NIST-calibration, for which most existing particle counters are not suitable, uses the new test
dust SRM 2806, which is ISO MTD suspended in oil. Calibration of all particle counters with this
standard guarantees small count differences world wide.
NIST-Sizes
The new ISO 4406 (1999) is unchanged with respect to the concentrations of the cleanliness
codes. However, since ISO MTD has higher concentrations under 10 m and lower
concentrations over 10 m than ACFTD and the ISO-Code shall not change, particle counters
with ISO MTD-calibration must measure with the so-called "NIST-sizes", count-equivalent to the
ACFTD-sizes. Thus a counter like PODS, calibrated with ISO MTD, measures the same counts
and ISO-codes at 4/ 4,6/ 6,4/ 9,8/ 13,6/ 21,2/ 38/ 68 m(c) as an ACFTD-calibrated counter at
1/ 2/ 5/ 10/ 15/ 25/ 50/ 100 m.
Online-Adapter
The online-adapter is identical in its dimensions with the bottle-adapter and replaces the latter
61
for online-measurements. It applies the high pressure to the lower end of the suspension tube.
The upper part of the adapter is at ambient pressure and has an overflow. The pressure force
(about 1200 N) is taken by the thread between the adapter-holder and the online-adapter.
The online-adapter has a Minimess M16x2 fitting for the pressure tubing which is compatible
with mineral oil and Skydrol.
Online-Batch-Systems
Portable particle counters, which allow online-samples (Online) and bottle samples (Batch).
Online-Only-Systems
Portable particle counters, which allow only online-samples (without separate units).
Online-Sample-Ports
Due to the balance between inertia forces of the particles and viscous forces of the flow the fluid
should (theoretically, in order to achieve a size-independent sampling) be sampled isokinetically
(against the flow direction, in the middle of the tube, with the local mean velocity). This normally
requires sampling through a thin axial tube on a tube bend. The sample tube should reach at
least 1 tube diameter over the knee in order to prevent secondary flows from influencing the
sampling.
Minimess-ports sample the oil near the wall and normal to the flow direction, which may lead to
a separation of sizes. It would be better to lead a bent sample tube against the flow onto the
axis of the tube and weld the Minimess-port to the outer end of this tube.
For cases where customers do not have a Minimess sample port at the required location, some
companies offer sample connectors, which may be mounted on the tube (without interrupting
the system operation), press a hole into the wall and sample through this hole. This wall
pearcing causes a bending of the tube wall to the inside, which has the advantage that the
sample is taken from the turbulent core rather than the laminar sub-layer.
Online-sampling
Online-sampling, where the oil is pressed directly through the sensor, is the safest method of
particle monitoring and prevents any secondary contamination of the oil due to dirty bottles.
Operation modes of PODS
1. Online, under system pressure

2. Batch from sample bottles
3. Filter mode with ARGO-ECOTEC filter service unit UM45
PODSWare
PODSWare is a software package to control PODS and display, edit, download and store
PODS data records.
Display data in user-adjustable tabular form.
Data display as time plot, selectable as particle concentration or oil standard
Administration of data in tree-like structure
Graphical charts using different oil standards
Printing of user-defineable cleanliness reports.
Remote control of PODS, data download from device.
Measurements in Bottle or Online mode.
Alarm functions.
Data export to various formats (Excel, Text, HTML, PDF, XML, Bitmaps)
PODSWare runs on Win98, WinME, Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000, Windows XP
Power Adapter
PODS is delivered with an automatic power adapter which adjusts to any AC-voltage from 90 to
240 VAC. For Europe a German power cord is delivered, which fits in most central-european
states.
Pressure tubing
The pressure tubing (6 mm O.D., 1 m long, 630 bar rated pressure) is a standard accessory. It
has Minimess M16x2 fittings on both sides, which are compatible with mineral oil.
For phosphate esters a special tubing with EPR/EPDM-O-rings can be supplied.
Printer
PODS has a thermal printer (80 mm wide paper, 25 m long).
Purpose of PODS
Portable system to monitor the fluid cleanliness in the field under system conditions, in hydraulic
or lubrication systems. Analysis of bottle samples in the laboratory.
Rollerbox
PODS is supplied with a water proof plastic case with rolls, which contains all accessories
including 6 sample bottles. The case weighs about 20 kg. It serves especially for transport to
62
the next Service-Center. For hand carry air trips an optional soft bag with the main accessories
can be supplied.
Run
With each run the particles in 5, 10 or 20 mL (in online and filter mode also 50 or 100 ml) oil are
counted. The 3 runs of each sample are measured after another without interrupting the flow.
SAE AS4059
Cleanliness Classification for Hydraulic Fluids defined by Aerospace Standard.
Sample
Each sample consists a purge run (> 15 mL) and 3 consecutive runs of 10 mL (or 5, 20 ml and
50, 100 ml in online and filter mode) each taken after another. The purge run is necessary to
measure and set the flow-rate, but also to purge PODS from the last sample, which may have
had another contamination or viscosity. All runs are printed (optional) and internally stored or
transferred to the computer (optional) in the remote mode.
Sample bottles
PODS is delivered with 10 PP-plastic bottles (120 mL). These are regularly used in
USA/Canada, cheap and good for training the handling of PODS. For instance, PP-bottles may
be used in order to flush the sample tubing of the sampling pimp with several bottle-fillings
before taking the actual sample for analysis. The final sample then is taken in a 100 mL glass
bottle.
FSP recommends cleaned glass bottles (sealed in plastic bags) in order to prevent secondary
contamination. Clean glass bottles are more expensive. FSP sells sets of 25 each glass bottles
to its customers.
Sample locations for PODS-Online
Suitable sampling points for online-measurements with PODS:

- Upstream of the high pressure filter (condition after pump)
- Upstream of the return filter (condition after system)
- Upstream of the bypass-filter (tank condition)
If the pressure in the bypass-flow is not high enough or the viscosity of the oil to high to achieve
the required flow rate through the particle sensor in Pods between 15 and 50 ml/min, then
PODS shows a "Waiting for Pressure" message. In this case the pressure must be increased by
a check valve in the filter line.
Sensor cell
The sensor cell of PODS is from Sapphire, a very hard optical material with extreme tension
and scratch-resistance, which resists the high pressure forces at 420 bar in the sensor. The cell
is sealed against the inlet/outlet fittings with O-rings, which are resistant to mineral oil as well as
Skydrol.
Sensor cleaning, brushes
PODS is supplied with a set of 2 cleaning brushes. These are used to clean the sensor in case
it is contaminated or blocked by particles. Normally this does not happen very often. The
cleaning brushes are from plastic and fit into the flow cell with its small cross section. On the left
side of PODS there is a sunken inch Swagelock-cleaning port which must be opened using
the " wrench in the PODS accessory kit. Then the brush is turned and carefully pushed into
the oily drain tube after the sensor until there is a sensible resistance. Then, the conic opening
of the flow cell must be found while softly turning the brush, and the brush is carefully pushed
into the cell (10 mm only) and back, which removes any objects blocking the cell.
Sensor cleaning, back-flushing
When particles block the cell one may try to back-flush the cell and thereby clear the cell
passage. This is done by pumping clean, filtered oil from the outlet port through the sensor into
a sample bottle, using a inch tubing connected to the outlet port behind the bottle adapter. It
is recommended to back-flush the protection filter before this in order to remove any particles
which might cause another blocking of the sensor cell. To back flush one has to switch on Pods
and have it running in the flushing mode.
Skydrol
One phosphate ester used in the aerospace industry as a non-combustible hydraulic fluid.
Skydrol dissolves elastomer seals which are compatible with mineral oils. Therefore, for
measuring Skydrol, another pressure tubing must be used which either has EPM or EPDM Orings in the Minimess-fitting or JIC-AN connectors on both sides.
SRM 2806
This material is a certified NIST standard for Primary Calibration of particle counters, which
consists of 2 bottles 400 mL Mil-H-5606 with 2,8 mg/L ISO MTD.
SRM 8231
This material is a certified NIST standard for Secondary Calibration with self-made
suspensions, consisting of 20 g dry ISO MTD.
63
Standards for Filtration and Calibration

ISO 4402
ACFTD
ISO 4406:1999
Cleanliness Industry ISO MTD
ISO 11171:1999
Calibration ISO MTD
NAS 1638
Cleanliness Airforce
MIL-1246C
Cleanliness USA-Military
NAVAIR-01-1A-17
Cleanliness USA-Navy Airforce
ISO 16889:1999
Multipass-Test ISO MTD
ISO 4572-81
Multipass-Test ACFTD
ISO 12103-1
ISO MTD
Vacuum Sampling Pump
Tank samples are taken with the manual Vacuum-Sampling-Pump, which is part of
the PODS-accessories. The pump fits to the 38 mm-thread on the bottles, and the
fluid is sucked into the bottle by vacuum generated manually. Prior to sampling the
sampling tube (6 x 1 mm PVC) should be flushed with tank oil. This is done by
sampling several bottle contents into one PP-bottle and drain it outside of the tank,
before taking the actual sample into a clean glass bottle. During filling the glass
bottle must be held upright with the sample tubing bent downwards into the tank.
Viscosity measurement
The viscosity measurement in PODS with accuracy's of about 10 % allows a

check of the oil condition; aging mixtures with oils of a different viscosity can be
detected. The measurement uses the pressure difference over a nozzle, which
depends on the flow rate (known) and the density (temperature).
Viscosity, minimum
The lower end viscosity range is limited by slip-losses in the gear-flow meter, which
increase with decreasing viscosity. Due to the slip-losses the flow rate is assumed
smaller than the actual one and the measured particle concentration is
correspondingly higher than the true one.
The minimum viscosity for a flow rate error of 5% is about 10 mm/s.
Water in oil
Different oils may contain different amounts of solved water, this depends on
temperature and pressure, too. The range may be from 50 ppm (Skydrol) to 3000
ppm (raps oil). A lot of hydraulic oils solve water in the range of 300 to 500 ppm.
Higher water contents are suspended in the oil as droplets called "free water". Due
to the surface potential between water and oil the droplets have sizes between 10
and 20 m. Water droplets scatter the light similar to solid particles and are
therefore, since the counter does not ask for the source of scattered light, counted
as solid particles.
Free water in the oil causes a milky shine before the sky. Samples having the
faintest milky appearance must be treated prior to the measurements in order to
remove the water.
Technical Support and Licensing
64
License Agreement
FSP Software License Agreement
ATTENTION: USE OF THE SOFTWARE IS SUBJECT TO THE FLUID-SYSTEMS-PARTNERS GmbH (hereafter referred to as FSP)
SOFTWARE LICENSE TERMS SET FORTH BELOW. BY USING AND/OR INSTALLING THE SOFTWARE YOU ACCEPT ALL THE
TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT. IF YOU DO NOT ACCEPT THESE LICENSE TERMS, YOU MAY RETURN THE UNUSED
SOFTWARE WITHIN THIRTY (30) DAYS FOR A FULL REFUND.
1. Use of the Software
FSP grants you a license to use one copy of the Software. "Use" means storing, loading, installing, executing or displaying the
Software on a single computer. The primary user of the computer, on which the Software is installed, may make a second copy for his
or her exclusive use on a portable computer. You may not modify the Software or disable any licensing or control features of the
Software. You may not reengineer, disassemble or decompile any part of the Software.
2. Copyright
The Software is owned and copyrighted by FSP or its third party suppliers. Your license confers no title or ownership in the Software
and is not a sale of any rights in the Software. FSP's third party suppliers may protect their rights in the event of any violation of these
License Terms.
3. Copies
You may only make copies of the Software for archival purposes or when copying is an essential step in the authorized use of the
software. You must reproduce all copyright notices in the original Software on all copies. You may not copy the Software onto any
bulletin board or similar system.
4. Transfer
Your license will automatically terminate upon any transfer of the Software. Upon transfer, you must deliver the Software, including
any copies and related documentation, to the transferee. The transferee must accept these License Terms as a condition to the
transfer.
5. Limited Warranty
FSP warrants to you, that the software will perform substantially in accordance with the documentation for the ninety (90) day period
following your receipt of the software due to defects in material and workmanship when properly installed and used.
If FSP is unable, within a reasonable time, to repair or replace the software to a condition as warranted, you will be entitled to a refund
of the purchase price upon prompt return of the product.
FSP Warranty does not apply to defects resulting from (a) improper or inadequate installation or maintenance, (b) software,
interfacing, parts or supplies not supplied by FSP, (c) unauthorised modification or misuse.
6. Disclaimer of Warranty
The Software is being delivered to you AS IS and FSP makes no warranty as to its use or performance.
TO THE EXTENT ALLOWED BY LOCAL LAW, THE REMEDIES IN THIS WARRANTY STATEMENT ARE YOUR SOLE AND
EXCLUSIVE REMEDIES. EXCEPT AS INDICATED ABOVE, IN NO EVENT WILL FSP OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR LOSS
OF DATA OR FOR DIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL (INCLUDING LOST PROFIT OR DATA), OR OTHER
DAMAGE, WHETHER BASED IN CONTRACT, TORT, OR OTHERWISE.
Some states or jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental, consequential or special damages, or the exclusion of
implied warranties or limitations on how long an implied warranty may last, so the above limitations may not apply to you.
7. Termination
FSP may terminate your license upon notice for failure to comply with any of these License Terms. Upon termination, you must
immediately destroy the Software, together with all copies, adaptations and merged portions in any form.
Feedback
We are in urgent need for user feedback. Please eMail any problems to us, but dont forget to add any information about the version of
your operating system, installed service packs, computer system and environment used as well as a description of the problem (as
detailed as possible) and - if possible - a way of reproducing the problem on our test systems.(See: PODSWare Problem Report).
You may also attach a specific record set for checking the problem.
We do also welcome any suggestions, hints as well as feature requests. We will try our best to take them into best consideration for
the final version.
EMail reports or requests to:
65
service@fluid-systems-partners.de
Have fun with PODSWare.
The FSP Service Team
66
Index
A
About PODSWARE....................................................................................................................... 13
About the Toolbar ........................................................................................................................ 15
ACFTD ............................................................................................................................... 11, 19, 57
ACFTD-Calibration ....................................................................................................................... 57
ACFTD-Sizes................................................................................................................................. 57
Air-Cleaner-Fine-Test-Dust ......................................................................................................... 57
Annotation Bar ............................................................................................................................. 30
AOT................................................................................................................................................ 57
ARGO-ECOTEC ............................................................................................................................ 57
ART Instruments Inc .................................................................................................................... 57
ARTI ........................................................................................................................................... 6, 57
ARTI supplies ............................................................................................................................... 57
ARTI/RION-Service-Center .......................................................................................................... 57
C
Calibration ISO MTD .................................................................................................................... 57
Calibration-Centers...................................................................................................................... 57
Change .......................................................................................................................................... 57
Chart ISO 4406........................................................................................................................ 27, 39
Chart NAS 1638 ............................................................................................................................ 39
Chart Window ............................................................................................................................... 30
Charts ..............................................................................................................15, 27, 28, 30, 39, 51
Cleanliness Airforce .................................................................................................................... 57
Cleanliness Industry ISO MTD.................................................................................................... 57
Cleanliness USA-Military............................................................................................................. 57
Cleanliness USA-Navy Airforce.................................................................................................. 57
Color .............................................................................................................................................. 30
COM ......................................................................................................................................... 12, 50
COM1 ............................................................................................................................................. 38
Connect ......................................................................................................................................... 26
Connect Instrument ..................................................................................................................... 12
Copy Records......................................................................................................................... 15, 46
Copy Records into other Folders ............................................................................................... 46
Count-calibration ......................................................................................................................... 57
Create a new Database File................................................................................................... 10, 45
Create a new folder in a Database.............................................................................................. 45
Create a new MS-Word Template ............................................................................................... 53
Create an MS-Excel sheet "Oil Data" ......................................................................................... 48
D
Data..................................................................................................................12, 17, 46, 47, 50, 52
Data Grid .................................................................................10, 11, 19, 39, 46, 47, 48, 50, 51, 52
Database files ............................................................................................................................... 10
Date/Time ...................................................................................................................................... 19
Delete Folders .............................................................................................................................. 46
Delete Records ................................................................................................................. 10, 15, 46
Delete Selected Records ............................................................................................................. 10
Display Data as a Chart ............................................................................................................... 51
Displaying/Hiding......................................................................................................................... 15
Download Data ....................................................................................................................... 12, 50
Drag&Drop .............................................................................................................................. 17, 46
67
E
Edit........................................................................................................................................... 10, 46
Europe ARTI ................................................................................................................................. 57
Europe FSP ................................................................................................................................... 57
Excel Worksheet .................................................................................................................... 10, 47
Export ............................................................................................................................................ 47
Export Dialog................................................................................................................................ 47
export to Excel Worksheet .......................................................................................................... 47
Exporting Data........................................................................................................................ 10, 47
Extras ................................................................................................................................ 13, 19, 38
F
Feedback....................................................................................................................................... 64
File ..................................................................................................................................... 10, 45, 48
File-Export Data............................................................................................................................ 10
File-Print Data............................................................................................................................... 10
Flow Rate ...................................................................................................................................... 57
Fluid-Systems-Partners GmbH................................................................................................... 57
FSP ................................................................................................................................................ 57
FSP Service Team ........................................................................................................................ 64
FSP Software ................................................................................................................................ 64
FSP Technical Support.................................................................................................................. 7
FSP Warranty................................................................................................................................ 64
G
General about the Reports .......................................................................................................... 32
General Options ........................................................................................................................... 38
H
Hardware ......................................................................................................................................... 7
Help................................................................................................................................................ 13
HTML ............................................................................................................................................. 47
HTML file ....................................................................................................................................... 10
I
Instrument............................................................................................................................... 12, 26
Internet Explorer .......................................................................................................................... 47
ISO 11171 ...................................................................................................................................... 57
ISO 12103-1................................................................................................................................... 57
ISO 16889 ...................................................................................................................................... 57
ISO 23 ............................................................................................................................................ 57
ISO 4402 ........................................................................................................................................ 57
ISO 4406 ............................................................................................................................ 11, 12, 57
ISO 4406 Distribution Chart ........................................................................................................ 15
ISO 4409 ........................................................................................................................................ 52
ISO 4572-81................................................................................................................................... 57
ISO Cleanliness Codes ................................................................................................................ 57
ISO MTD .................................................................................................................................. 11, 57
ISO MTD.Standards...................................................................................................................... 57
ISO MTD-calibration..................................................................................................................... 57
ISO MTD-reporting ....................................................................................................................... 57
ISO/NAS Report............................................................................................................................ 41
ISOACF.......................................................................................................................................... 57
ISO-Code ....................................................................................................................................... 57
ISOMTD ......................................................................................................................................... 57
L
License Agreement ...................................................................................................................... 64
Light Source ................................................................................................................................. 57
68
M
Menu Bar ....................................................................................................................................... 10
MIL/NAVAIR Report...................................................................................................................... 41
MIL-STD-1246C....................................................................................................................... 52, 57
Modifying Charts.......................................................................................................................... 30
Most-Recently-Used-List ............................................................................................................. 10
Move/Copy .................................................................................................................................... 19
N
NAS................................................................................................................................................ 57
NAS 1638..................................................................................................................... 11, 12, 52, 57
NAS 1638 Distribution Chart ....................................................................................................... 15
National Institute .......................................................................................................................... 57
NAVAIR.............................................................................................................................. 11, 52, 57
NAVAIR 01-1A-17 ................................................................................................................... 52, 57
New Database......................................................................................................................... 15, 45
New Database File........................................................................................................................ 10
New Folder.................................................................................................................................... 45
NIST ............................................................................................................................................... 57
NIST/ISO 11171............................................................................................................................. 57
NIST-calibrations.......................................................................................................................... 57
NIST-sizes ..................................................................................................................................... 57
NIST-standards SRM 2806........................................................................................................... 57
No PODS device connected ........................................................................................................ 26
O
Online-measurement ................................................................................................................... 57
Open .............................................................................................................................................. 15
Open a Database file.................................................................................................................... 45
Open an existing Database file................................................................................................... 10
Operating System .......................................................................................................................... 7
Options.................................................................................................................................... 13, 38
Options Charts ............................................................................................................................. 39
Options Data Grid ........................................................................................................................ 39
Options Reports ........................................................................................................................... 41
P
Palette............................................................................................................................................ 30
Palette Bar .................................................................................................................................... 30
Pattern ........................................................................................................................................... 30
Pattern Bar .................................................................................................................................... 30
PODS ............................................................................................................................................. 26
PODS connected ......................................................................................................................... 26
PODS Enzyclopedia ..................................................................................................................... 57
PODS Error ............................................................................................................................. 12, 26
PODS Status Display ................................................................................................................... 26
PODS-Online................................................................................................................................. 57
PODS-users .................................................................................................................................. 57
PODSWare ................................................................................................................................ 6, 57
PODSWare Problem Report ........................................................................................................ 64
PODSWare Technical Support...................................................................................................... 7
Portable Oil Diagnosis System ..................................................................................................... 6
Primary Calibration ...................................................................................................................... 57
Printing Data ........................................................................................................................... 10, 48
Printing Data as a Report ............................................................................................................ 52
R
Reading Data from PODS ............................................................................................................ 50
Readout Data of the PODS Device ............................................................................................. 50
Recalibration ................................................................................................................................ 57
69
Rename a folder ........................................................................................................................... 45

Report............................................................................................................................................ 52
Report Basics ............................................................................................................................... 32
Report ISO 4406/NAS 1638.......................................................................................................... 12
Report MIL STD 1246/NAVAIR 01 ............................................................................................... 12
Report Viewer window................................................................................................................. 52
RION Co......................................................................................................................................... 57
S
Save Data ...................................................................................................................................... 48
Save the Data.......................................................................................................................... 10, 15
Select a MS-Word Template ........................................................................................................ 52
Select Records ................................................................................................................. 10, 19, 46
Serial Connection......................................................................................................................... 38
Service-Center ARTI .................................................................................................................... 57
Setup Connection ........................................................................................................................ 12
Show ACFTD Sizes ................................................................................................................ 19, 41
Standards.......................................................................................................................... 11, 15, 57
Start ............................................................................................................................................... 50
Start Measurement....................................................................................................................... 12
Status Bar ............................................................................................................................... 12, 26
System Requirements ................................................................................................................... 7
T
The First Run of PODSWare.......................................................................................................... 7
The PODSWare Window ................................................................................................................ 9
The Viscosity Chart...................................................................................................................... 29
Time Chart......................................................................................................................... 12, 15, 28
Toolbar ........................................................................................................................ 11, 15, 45, 48
Toolbar Buttons ........................................................................................................................... 15
Treeview Window ............................................................................................................. 17, 19, 45
U
Uninstalling PODSWare................................................................................................................. 7
User Defined Report .................................................................................................................... 35
Using the Program Resources ..................................................................................................... 7
V
View ......................................................................................................................................... 11, 15
W
Welcome.......................................................................................................................................... 6
Z
Z-Ordered View............................................................................................................................. 30
70

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Manual

PODSWare Features ........................................................................................................ 7

The First Run of PODSWare ............................................................................................ 8

THE PROGRAM WINDOW...................................................................................9

The Treeview Window .................................................................................................... 16

Folder (Category) Properties Dialog........................................................................................... 18

The Data Grid ................................................................................................................. 19

Section Physical Data ..................................................................................................... 21

The Data Plot .................................................................................................................. 22

The Control Panel ........................................................................................................... 25

The Status Bar ................................................................................................................ 26

THE CHARTS .....................................................................................................27

The Viscosity Chart......................................................................................................... 30

The Chart Window .......................................................................................................... 31

The Pattern Bar .......................................................................................................................... 32

The Report ISO 4406...................................................................................................... 33

Options Data Grid ........................................................................................................... 40

Options Charts ................................................................................................................ 40

Options Reports .............................................................................................................. 41

Options Alarm ................................................................................................................. 43

HOW DO I... ........................................................................................................44

Download Data from PODS ............................................................................................ 50

Generate a Chart ............................................................................................................ 51

Generate a Report .......................................................................................................... 52

PODS ENZYCLOPEDIA .....................................................................................57

TECHNICAL SUPPORT AND LICENSING ........................................................64

Note to New PODSWare Users

New: SAE AS4059 Standard

New: Individual Input of Remark Text for each Sample

Export to selectable formats (Excel, Text, HTML, PDF, XML)

PODSWare will ask for a new database on first startup:

The " How Do I . . . " topics in the help system,

PODSWare Technical Support

The PODSWare Window

The Menu Bar

About the Menu Bar

Using the Menus

Select or execute a menu command:

New: Create a new Database File

Cut: Not implemented yet.

Grid Window: Shows/Hides the data grid (

Plot Window: Shows/Hides the data plot (

Distribution ISO 4406: Particle distribution according to ISO 4406 standard.(

Distribution SAE AS4059: Particle distribution according to SAE AS4059 standard.(

Viscosity Chart: Display normalized viscosity over time (

Report SAE AS4059: Report using SAE AS4059 standard.(

User Defined Reports: Your own reports defined by a Word template (

No connection to the PODS

Successful connection to the PODS

PODS error ( an appropriate message is shown next to the image)

Choose Contents to display this help file.

About the Toolbar

Displaying/Hiding the Toolbar

Moving the Toolbar

The Toolbar Buttons

About the Treeview Window

Category Name: Name of category (database folder).

The Data Grid

About the Data Grid

Unknown (older PODS-Versions)

Section Standards and Particle Distribution

Choose Extras-Options-Data Grid

User defined ranges