1. ‘vadia startup guide’ 2. ‘vadia suite user manual’ startup guide v2.0.pdf · the name...

VaDia Startup Guide v2.0 1/28 www.biocontrol.no/vadia

WELCOME Thank you for using VaDia; BioControl’s instrument for logging vacuum and pulsation during milking (Milking Time Test) and in the ‘dry test’. BioControl (www.biocontrol.no) provides technology for biology with focus on hi-tech products for the livestock industry. We already do this for more than 20 years now and have gained great competence and skills in this specialized area. The name VaDia is short for ‘Vacuum Diagnostics’ and illustrates the value of this hi-tech instrument for technicians, advisors and other professionals in the dairy industry that want to understand and manage udder health and milk quality problems. VaDia has been developed by BioControl in close cooperation with the International Dairy Federation (www.fil-idf.org) and Tine, the Norwegian dairy farmers’ cooperative (www.tine.no). We have designed VaDia to be the precision instrument that enables you to get better understanding of the basic milking and test the performance of the milking equipment in ‘real life’ so you can give better milking advice and achieve better udder health and milk quality results. This document is part of the following document family:

1. ‘VaDia Startup Guide’ 2. ‘VaDia Suite User Manual’

Visit the section ‘Community’ on www.biocontrol.no for latest documentation.

http://www.biocontrol.no/

http://www.fil-idf.org/

http://www.tine.no/



1. CONTENT WELCOME .................................................................................................... 1 1. CONTENT .............................................................................................. 2

Changes in this manual compared to previous version .................... 3 1.1.2. PRODUCT DESCRIPTION ..................................................................... 4 3. IMPORTANT! ......................................................................................... 5 4. PACKAGE CONTENTS .......................................................................... 6 5. HARDWARE OVERVIEW ....................................................................... 7 6. WORK WITH THE VADIA ....................................................................... 8

Power up ........................................................................................ 8 6.1. USB connector ................................................................................ 8 6.2. Battery management ....................................................................... 8 6.3. Logging ......................................................................................... 10 6.4.

7. MILKING TIME TEST WITH VADIA ...................................................... 11 Attach VaDia to the milking cluster ................................................ 11 7.1. Connect VaDia to the test points ................................................... 11 7.2.

8. PULSATOR TEST WITH VADIA (ISO 6690) ......................................... 13 9. FALLOFF TEST WITH VADIA (ISO 6690) ............................................ 15 10. CALIBRATION ..................................................................................... 18

How does it work........................................................................... 18 10.1. Common mistake 1: user clicks ‘0 kPa’ to compensate for altitude . 18 10.2. Common mistake 2: user clicks ‘40 kPa’ when there is no vacuum 19 10.3. Preventing these mistakes ............................................................ 19 10.4. How to calibrate ............................................................................ 19 10.5. Calibrating for 0 kPa...................................................................... 20 10.6. Calibrating for 40 kPa.................................................................... 21 10.7.

11. FAQ’S AND TROUBLESHOOTING ...................................................... 22 VaDia connected, VaDia Manager shows ‘USB not found!’ ............ 22 11.1. VaDia Manager shows very strange calibration values .................. 22 11.2.

12. TECHNICAL DATA ............................................................................... 23 13. CE DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY ................................................ 24 14. VADIA LIMITED WARRANTY & LIABILITY LIMITATIONS .................... 25 NOTICE FOR BIOCONTROL CUSTOMERS IN THE EUROPEAN UNION ... 26 15. STATUS LED INDICATIONS ................................................................ 28


Changes in this manual compared to previous version 1.1.• Startup Guide v2.0 completely replaces previous versions of this

Startup Guide. Even if you are an experienced VaDia user, we strongly recommend you read this Startup Guide, especially since chapters 6 (battery management) and 7 (milk filter) contain important changes. Chapters 8 and 9 have been added.

! This manual is for VaDia Manager 2.0 and VaDia firmware 2.00 or higher. Visit the section ‘Community’ on www.biocontrol.no for latest software and documentation.



2. PRODUCT DESCRIPTION VaDia logs the vacuum and pulsation at four points in the milking cluster. It is battery operated, small and lightweight enough to be taped to a teat cup during milking. VaDia works completely ‘standalone’ which enables the advisor to forget about the actual measurement and concentrate on observing milking routines. The logged data can be analyzed after milking with VaDia Suite, an easy-to-use PC-tool to view vacuum details and generate summary reports.

A Bluetooth streaming mode is standard available for online in-parlor testing and diagnostics.

VaDia can be used on all brands and types of milking equipment, including milking robots.

VaDia is a multi-purpose instrument. This manual explains how to start it up and how to use it for

• Milking Time Testing

• Pulsator Testing acc. to ISO 6690

• Falloff Testing acc. to ISO 6690


3. IMPORTANT! VaDia is taped to the milking cluster for use during milking. Note the ‘splash proof’ housing specification (chapter 12)! This means that special attention is required to protect it from water ingression!

The USB-port and the battery cover must be sealed with tape before taping VaDia to a milking cluster

In applications where water contact is very likely (e.g. robots) the VaDia should also be put in a plastic bag. Failing to take these preventive actions will allow water and moist to enter and this is not covered by the warranty! VaDia measures vacuum in reference to the air pressure in its enclosure. Therefore do not seal the VaDia with tape until the moment of using it. Always use the supplied Milk Filter when connecting to the Short Milk Tube or other tubes with liquids and foams. See chapter 7.2 Robotic Milking: switch-off steam cleaning

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4. PACKAGE CONTENTS Check your package for the following items. Please contact your reseller if anything is missing or different.

1. VaDia with rechargeable battery 2. Battery charger with mains plugs 3. USB cable 4. Startup Guide 5. VaDia CD 6. Needle tool

7. Silicon tube on roll 8. Box with accessories*:

• 2x T-piece • 2x Milk filter holder • 10x Milk-filter • 10x Stainless Steel tube

* accessory quantities doubled for VaDia-kit with 2 VaDia’s

1 2 3

4 5 6

7

8


5. HARDWARE OVERVIEW 1. Vacuum sensors 2. USB connector 3. Status LED 4. USB cover

5. Rechargeable battery 6. Battery cover 7. Overheating sensor 8. Battery type selector

1 2 3

5 6 7 8

4


6. WORK WITH THE VADIA VaDia Suite uses the program VaDia Manager to communicate with VaDia. Read the VaDia Manager chapter in the VaDia Suite manual before using the VaDia.

Power up 6.1.VaDia is supplied with a charged NiMH rechargeable battery. A plastic tab between battery+ and compartment prevents battery draining during transport and storage. Remove this plastic tab. The VaDia will startup and the LED on the VaDia will blink. This LED is the status indication. After startup the VaDia communicates its status according to the table listed on the last page of this Startup Guide.

USB connector 6.2.

The USB connector is used for both connection to the PC and for battery charging. Close the USB connector with the cover before use!!

Battery management 6.3.The VaDia is equipped with a replaceable battery and is designed to work with both rechargeable (NiMH) and 1.5V AA Alkaline batteries. The VaDia is supplied with a NiMH battery, the Alkaline-option is for ‘emergency’ in case the user forgot to charge the battery, or in case of a defect battery. VaDia Manager gives a battery level indication of the NiMH battery with following steps: 0/3, 1/3, 2/3 and 3/3 (= full battery). A full battery gives 8 hours in LOG mode or 4 hours in LOG BT mode.

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NiMH: Ensure that the battery switch is in the right position!!


The most robust battery management is to: • Always charge the VaDia overnight (min. 12 hours), or • Replace the battery with a new (Alkaline) battery before the milking Take note of the following instructions and information:

• With NiMH battery o The battery switch must point at NiMH o The battery charges when USB is connected to PC or charger o The NiMH battery must NOT be (re)placed when the VaDia is connected

to charger/PC; this makes the battery percentage indication invalid o Charge the VaDia by means of the charger supplied with the VaDia kit.

(When charging from the PC-USB, the current is often limited; also the power on the PC-USB is switched-off when the PC switches off or goes to sleep/hibernate)

o Any 5V ‘iPhone USB charger’ or similar can be used for VaDia charging o Replacement: use the same battery type/capacity (Duracell 2.400 mAh)

• With Alkaline or other AA battery o The battery switch must NOT point at NiMH o The battery will NOT charge when USB is connected o Battery-percentage indication in VaDia Manager is NOT valid

• Tips: o Make a habit of charging the VaDia after a job and leaving it on the

charger so that it is always ready when preparing for the next job. The VaDia cannot be ‘overcharged’.

o If the VaDia is not used often, make a habit of removing the battery when the job is finished and the data is saved to the PC. This avoids draining the battery too low, which can destroy the battery.

o Typically the VaDia will be full (100%) after 12 hours charging or less. It charges slower in LOG BT mode.

o To extend the battery-capacity and life, ensure that the VaDia is fully charged within 2 weeks after the last use, or disconnect the battery. This to avoid the battery from becoming ‘lazy’. Excessive battery discharging leads to battery defect in the end.

o It is always handy to have a pack of 1.5V alkaline batteries with you while on the job to deal with unexpected battery-empty situations.

The VaDia continuously measures the battery voltage during operation (logging, Bluetooth, etc.). When the battery voltage becomes too low to warrant stable functioning and storing, the VaDia will stop the log-mode to avoid recording invalid data.


Logging 6.4.The logging can begin when the following is done and verified: • VaDia is in LOG or LOG BT mode (see VaDia Suite manual) • The LED blinks according to the correct status

(see table on the last page of this Startup Guide) • The battery is charged • Sufficient water protection is ensured (chapter 3) Now attach VaDia to the test object and connect the vacuum sensors (next chapters) • After attachment: verify that the VaDia is logging

(LED blinks according to the correct status)

Autostart: Every 15 seconds (when the LED blinks), the VaDia will shortly wake up and measure the vacuum to determine if milking vacuum is present on one of the sensors. If not, the device will return to sleep mode to save batteries. When the vacuum raises above 2,5 kPa, the device will at the next 15 second interval leave sleep status and log all channels for at least 10 minutes. The VaDia will stay in this ‘awake’ status as long as the vacuum on any of these channels stays above 2,5 kPa.

Autostop: If the vacuum disappears for more than 10 minutes on all channels, the VaDia will stop logging, it will enter sleep status again and will check the vacuum only once per 15 seconds.

Feel safe: The logged data is stored in the VaDia memory and is not erased when the battery is empty or disconnected.


7. MILKING TIME TEST WITH VADIA Attach VaDia to the milking cluster 7.1.

VaDia can be connected to any vacuum source in the milking equipment. Note however that VaDia Suite uses the following test points for the analysis and reports: Use PVC or duct tape to attach the VaDia to the teat cup. Duct tape is often selected for fast working and to prevent water ingression. Note: do not be afraid to install VaDia ‘upside-down’.

Connect VaDia to the test points 7.2.When VaDia is connected to the teat cup, the vacuum sensors (4-1) can be connected to the vacuum sources by means of the supplied silicon tube (4-7) and stainless steel tube (4-8).

Slide the stainless steel tube (4-8) over the needle tool (4-6).

Find the test point and gently pierce the needle with the stainless steel tube through the material until you feel it has gone through.


Slowly retract the needle; the stainless steel tube is now in place. In case of mouthpiece: feel with your finger that it does not stick through too deep. If it does, retract it a bit to avoid teat-irritation. Now attach the silicon tube to the stainless steel tube. Cut it to length and connect the other end to the corresponding VaDia channel. Always use the supplied Milk Filter (4-8) when connecting to the Short Milk Tube or other tubes with liquids and foams. This is necessary to prevent liquids and foams from reaching the sensor, which can damage the sensor. Sensors damaged by liquids and foams are not warranty! Tape the silicon tube with an extra loop between Milk Filter and Short Milk Tube. This creates an extra ‘moisture trap’ that helps to keep the milk filter dry. Beware that the loops in the silicon tube are not too sharp! Check the milk filter for contamination or residues after milking. Replace the milk filter if necessary.

It doesn’t matter which VaDia channel is connected to what vacuum source, but make a note of it! Default settings in VaDia Suite: CH1 = Short Pulsation Tube (SPT) CH2 = Short Milk Tube (SMT) CH3 = MouthPiece Chamber rear teat (MPC) CH4 = MouthPiece Chamber front teat (MPC2)

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8. PULSATOR TEST WITH VADIA (ISO 6690) The milking equipment must be working and in the ‘dry’ position (so not milking cows). A possible connection of VaDia for the Pulsator test is shown below:

Milking parlour ready for dry-test

T-pieces (4-8) prepared for the pulsator test (Short Pulsator Tube not supplied in VaDia kit)


VaDia ready for pulsator testing

VaDia connected to the pulsator tubes Refer to the VaDia Suite user manual about working with the pulsator testing data.


9. FALLOFF TEST WITH VADIA (ISO 6690) The milking equipment must be working and in the ‘dry’ position (so not milking cows). Connect VaDia to the appropriate test point at the receiver. A possible connection of VaDia for the Falloff test is shown below:

VaDia connected to the milk receiver at point Vm (exact test point may vary due to local legislation)


Close-up of Vm (exact test point may vary due to local legislation)

VaDia prepared for Falloff recording (measurement tube closed on one end)


VaDia connected to Vm

Milking parlor must be in ‘dry test’ during falloff test


10. CALIBRATION How does it work 10.1.

The VaDia is equipped with 4 separate vacuum sensors. Each vacuum sensor is individually calibrated in the factory. To indicate this, a calibration sticker is added under the battery:

The VaDia is designed so that the user can easily (re)calibrate the VaDia. The calibration uses 2 points: 0 kPa (atmospheric pressure) and 40 kPa (typical milking vacuum); the VaDia uses linear calculation in between these calibration points. The advantage of this easy calibration is that the VaDia doesn’t need to be sent to a complex and expensive lab for (re)calibration. The downside is that users sometimes (accidentally) press the ‘0 kPa’ or ’40 kPa’ button in the ‘Advanced’ mode, which can have a big effect on the calibration and therefore on the recording.

The user is warned by messages, but still can (re)calibrate incorrectly. This chapter gives (re)calibration instructions.

Common mistake 1: user clicks ‘0 kPa’ to compensate for altitude 10.2.Users sometimes think that the VaDia should be ‘zeroed’ or ‘tarred’ to adjust it to sea level or mountain level before starting a recording; users then press the ‘0 kPa’ key in the ‘Advanced’ mode. THIS IS NOT THE CASE. There is no need for recalibrating the VaDia for different heights or barometric variations as the built in sensors are not measuring an absolute pressure. The pressure is measured relatively to the ambient pressure.

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In fact, if the ‘0’ key is pressed, one point of the 2-point calibration is likely changed, meaning that the slope of the linear line will be different. So, when the ‘0 kPa’ key is pressed, always also recalibrate the ’40 kPa’ point!

Common mistake 2: user clicks ‘40 kPa’ when there is no vacuum 10.3.If this happens, the difference between the ‘0 kPa’ calibration point and the ’40 kPa’ calibration point is very small, sometimes can even be negative. This of course leads to the VaDia giving unrealistic recordings. It can easily be checked if this has happened by clicking ‘status’ in the ‘Advanced’ mode:

If the difference between the sensor ‘tara’ and ‘calib’ value is in the magnitude of approx. 600 it is ok. If the ‘calib’ value is close to the ‘tara’ value, it is likely that the ’40 kPa’ button was pressed, meaning that it should be recalibrated.

Preventing these mistakes 10.4.VaDia Manager gives a warning when ‘0 kPa’ or ’40 kPa’ is clicked. This will prevent many of the accidental recalibrations.

How to calibrate 10.5.It is of course possible to return the VaDia for factory calibration, but that is complex, expensive and not always necessary. Some users have access to milking equipment calibration equipment, but it is also easy to ‘do it yourself’. A ‘VaDia gauge-kit’ is available for this purpose, see pictures below.

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BioControl VaDia gauge kit consists of

manometer, professional syringe, tubes and junctions It is important that all 4 channels are connected so that the same pressure is on all four sensors.

Calibrating for 0 kPa 10.6.

When calibrating for ‘0 kPa’, make sure there is no obstruction or vacuum to the 4 sensor nipples. Disconnect the syringe from the tubes and set the vacuum manometer to ‘0’ (refer to manometer user manual).


Now click ‘*’ button at the ‘0 kPa’ line.

Calibrating for 40 kPa 10.7.

Calibrating for ‘40 kPa’ will need the 40 kPa vacuum applied to all sensors when you click the ‘*’ button at the ‘40 kPa’ line. Connect the tube to the syringe and create vacuum with the syringe until the manometer displays 40 kPa.

Now click ‘*’ button at the ‘40 kPa’ line.


11. FAQ’S AND TROUBLESHOOTING VaDia connected, VaDia Manager shows ‘USB not found!’ 11.1.

This sometimes happens when the initialization of the PC-USB port is delayed. Follow the trouble shooting instructions displayed in the window. Note: the USB-connection is refreshed by clicking ‘Status’.

VaDia Manager shows very strange calibration values 11.2.

This sometimes happens when the VaDia is connected to the PC. It is typically solved by clicking the ‘Status’ button again.


12. TECHNICAL DATA Measuring frequency: 200 Hz pr. Channel Accuracy: +/- 0.2 kPa Measurement range: 0 to -80 kPa No of channels: 4 Communication: USB for setup and normal functions

Bluetooth Class 1 for Streaming mode. .

Battery: Rechargeable or replaceable standard format AA Weight: <80g with battery Log transfer speed: Approx. 25 sec. per hour of log Casing: Splash proof, but care must be taken to minimize risk

of malfunction due to moisture inside the unit. Memory: Approx. 8 hours of logging. PC min. requirements: Windows 7 and 8 100 MB available hard disk space, 500 MB RAM, USB

communication port


13. CE DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY As manufacturer, we declare under our sole responsibility that

Product name: VaDia Part Nr.: 0800.71001.00 Options: Bluetooth

complies with requirements of the following directives: EMC:

EN 300 328 (V1.7.1) EN 301 489-01 (V1.8.1) EN 301 489-17 (V2.1.1)

Reference:

NEMKO Report No. 174 801/2 Date: 07.06.2011 Signed: Name: Even Jahren Position: Managing Director Name and address of manufacturer:

BioControl AS Grimstad Gård, 1890 Rakkestad NORWAY


14. VADIA LIMITED WARRANTY & LIABILITY LIMITATIONS This product is limited warranted against defects in materials and workmanship for twelve (12) months from the original date of purchase. The battery carries a limited warranty of 6 months from the manufacturing date. The battery must be properly charged according to the instructions in this manual. If notice is received of such defects during the limited warranty period, the proven defective product(s) will either be repaired or replaced, at the manufacturer’s option. Replacement products may be either new or like new. The manufacturer does not warrant that the operation of the products will be uninterrupted or error free. The limited warranty does not apply to defects resulting from (1) improper or inadequate maintenance or calibration, (2) software, interfacing, parts or supplies not supplied by the manufacturer, (3) unauthorized modification or misuse, (4) operation outside of the published environmental specifications, or (5) physical damage due to external causes, including accident, abuse, misuse or problems with electrical power. The product must be adequately sealed against water or moist ingression since damage to PCB and vacuum sensors due to water, moist or milk is not covered by this limited warranty. To the extent allowed by local law, the above limited warranties are exclusive and no other warranty or condition, whether written or oral, is expressed or implied, specifically disclaiming and implied warranties or conditions of merchantability, satisfactory quality, and fitness for a particular purpose. To the extent allowed by local law, the remedies in this limited warranty statement are the customer’s sole and exclusive remedies. Except as indicated above, in no event will the manufacturer or its distributors 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.


NOTICE FOR BIOCONTROL CUSTOMERS IN THE EUROPEAN UNION To recycle BioControl products WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment products that run on electrical power), please ask for instructions at [email protected] References: [email protected] www.biocontrol.no/vadia

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.biocontrol.no/vadia


PAGE INTENTIONALLY EMPTY TURN TO NEXT PAGE


15. STATUS LED INDICATIONS The LED on the VaDia reports the status to the user. Remember the following basic rules:

1. Green is good 2. Blue is Bluetooth 3. Red is charging or attention 4. 2 sec. message interval is ‘awake’ 5. 15 sec. message interval is ‘sleeping’ 6. 1x blinking is ‘log’ mode 7. 2x blinking is ‘stop’ mode

Below table lists the LED indication at all possible statuses:

Mode

Status Awake Sleeping Undefined Deep sleep

Normal Low Battery

Charging Normal Low Battery

Charging See note * below

See note ** below

Stop 2x green blink / 2 sec.

1x red blink after 2x green blink / 2 sec.

1x long red after 2x green blink / 2 sec.

2x green blink / 15 sec.


VaDia wakes up, stays awake, light as in awake charging

1x red blink / 1 sec.

No light

Log 1x green blink / 2 sec.


1x long red after 1x green blink / 2 sec.

1x green blink / 15 sec.



Log BT 1x blue blink / 2 sec.

1x red blink after 1x blue blink / 2 sec.

1x long red after 1x blue blink / 2 sec.

1x blue blink / 15 sec.

1x red blink after 1x blue blink / 15 sec.


Error*** 4x red / 2 sec. 4x red / 15 sec.

* VaDia goes to status ‘undefined’ when the battery is so low that the performance cannot be warranted. VaDia will then stop recording and will blink as indicated until it is connected to the charger and the voltage is at a level again that the VaDia is under control. VaDia will then go to status ‘charging’ again.

** When VaDia is not connected to the charger in the ‘undefined’ status, it will go to the status ‘deep sleep’ when the battery reaches a too low level. The light will then switch-off. It can only be brought back to life by connecting it to the charger or by replacing the battery.

*** The Error indication can show a few seconds when a new fresh battery is inserted. This Error indication will then soon disappear. Contact your VaDia vendor if the Error message doesn’t disappear.

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