zs xplorer tips and tricks for new users · •save .zmes file in the measurement data folder,...

© Malvern Panalytical 2018

ZS XPLORER tips and tricks


Overview

• Measurement set up • Why can’t I select measurement type/cell?

• Different ways to do repeats

• Thermal ramps

• Why can’t I run my schedule?

• Data analysis • Record selector

• Changing viewable data

• Viewing transient and unfiltered data

• Parameters table

• Moving data • Exporting data from a table

• Exporting data from a graph

• Exporting as a .zmes file

• Importing data

• Finding recent results

10 August 2018 Title of the presentation 2


Measurement set up

Unable to select measurement type

• The cell selected does not support that

measurement type

• Need to change the cell type selected

Unable to select cell type

• Measurement(s) in the schedule which the cell

you want to select doesn’t support

• Need to clear or edit schedule


Why can’t I select measurement type/cell?

Cannot select zeta

or particle conc

measurements as

cell is incompatible

Limited cell options as

MADLS measurement in

schedule. Only MADLS

capable cells available

for selection


Measurement set up


Different ways to run repeats

Repeat button

• Will optimise before the first

measurement and use those

parameters for all repeats

Duplicate

• Copies across parameters

• Each measurement will go

through optimisation

Group

• Each measurement will go

through optimisation

Multi-measurements

• Repeats all measurements in

group

• Can repeat individual

measurements in group


Measurement set up

• Thermal ramps currently have to be completed manually


Thermal ramps

Choose appropriate cell

• Indicated high temperature

compatible cell

Set up measurement

Duplicate

• Duplicate for as many

temperature steps are

required

Alter temperature

• Individually alter temperature

for each measurement

• Adjust equilibration time as

required


Measurement set up

• Having set up a schedule, the software sometimes won’t allow

you to run the measurement as the play button is grey

• This can be because of a number of reasons:

• Instrument not connected - check bottom right hand corner. The instrument area should

be green and state the serial number

• You are trying to run a measurement that requires 90° but connected to a Pro - this

should only occur when a schedule has been opened

• You have created a new project but haven’t clicked the green tick to save the project


Why can’t I run my schedule?

✔ ✘


Data analysis


Record selector

Right click headers to

choose which parameters

are shown

Click and drag a parameter to

sort into sections

Left click headers to sort

by parameters by value

TIP: Repeat process to nest parameters


Data analysis


Changing viewable data

Select Analyze tab

Choose view configuration

Change plot/table type

shown

Change layout to contain

1-4 plots/tables

TIP: Changes to custom

tab will remain. Others

tabs will return to default


Data analysis

• N.B. Can only be done on Correlogram and size

distribution by intensity/number/volume plots

• Click the ellipsis button

• Click the cog button

• A pop up box will appear

• Select which data you

would like to view

• Click ok

• The plot will be updated


Viewing transient and unfiltered data


Data analysis

• To add parameters to the parameter table

• Click the ellipsis button

• Click the cog button

• Pop up window will appear

• Find parameters by either: • Typing parameter name

• Searching through drop downs

• TIP: Minimum number of characters

for searching is currently 3

• Add or remove parameters accordingly 10 August 2018 Title of the presentation 10

Parameters table


Moving data

• Select the required data from the Record Selector, Parameter Table, or Statistics Table • TIP: Use the Ctrl and Shift functions to select multiple records

• TIP: To select all records in the table, click on the table and press Ctrl+A

• Press Ctrl+C to copy the data

• Press Ctrl+V to paste the data into an appropriate programme e.g. Microsoft Excel


Exporting data from a table


Moving data

To export as an image • Click the export as image button

• Use Ctrl+V or right click and paste

in a suitable programme

Choose the desired graph • Click the ellipsis

To export as data • Click the export as data button

• Use Ctrl+V or right click and paste

in a suitable programme


Exporting data from a graph

TIP: When you click an export button, there is no confirmation message to say that it has been copied


Moving data

• Click the Analyze tab

• Choose the desired project

• Select the desired results

• Click the export button

• Save to the desired location

Tip: The file name will automatically be the same as

the project, unless it is changed


Exporting as a .zmes file


Moving data

• Save .zmes file in the measurement data folder, which can be found here:

Documents Malvern Instruments ZS XPLORER Measurement Data

• In the software: • Go to the Analyze tab

• Open Explorer

• Click on the Import tab

• Choose the desired file from the list (all

files from the Measurement Data folder

will be available)

• Click the Import button

• The data will be moved into the project

selected

• TIP: If the file does not appear in the list, click the refresh button. If this does not work,

check that it is saved in the Measurement Data folder as a .zmes folder 10 August 2018 Title of the presentation 14

Importing data


Moving data

Click Explorer tab

Select time period

Select results and copy into project


Finding recent results