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Rhopoint IQ & Novo-Gloss FAQs

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How often should I calibrate the instrument?

The instrument should be calibrated before use. It should also be calibrated if there is a change in conditions (temperature, humidity, etc.) Generally, the calibration should be checked by taking a reading on the supplied standard at least every half-hour during continuous use.

Can I use my instrument when it is one year past the last certified date?

You can dismiss the warning that appears by pressing the centre button, and the instrument will function as normal. This message depends on the calibration date programmed into the instrument, which will match the calibration date declared on the certificate. The calibration is valid to 1 year from the date of calibration, or from the date of first use (if this has been filled in). After this, the instrument can be used for comparative use only. It cannot be used as part of a traceable process.

How do I clean my calibration tile?

To remove dust, there is a cleaning cloth supplied. Take care to touch only one side of it and use the other side to clean the tile. This will help stop finger grease from building up over time. If a replacement cloth is required, you can contact an accredited service centre, or use a fresh cleaning cloth suitable for glasses.

If you suspect there is a greasy residue on the tile, breathe on it. Any grease will show up as a slight rainbow sheen. This can usually be removed with a fresh cleaning cloth. Iso-Propyl Alcohol can be used to remove larger amounts of grease. Ensure that the IPA is removed from the tile with a lint-free cloth while still wet. Allow the tile up to an hour to settle before use.

If available, dry, clean air from a compressor can be used to remove dust.

How do I know when my calibration tile needs replacing?

The calibration tile will need replacing if the read area on the tile is damaged.

Image of the Rhopoint IQ showing the read area, indicated by the markings
Read area is indicated by markings on the instrument

If in any doubt, please contact our service department who will be able to assist you in determining if a replacement is required.

Do I need to send my instrument and tile for calibration or just tile?

You will need to send both for a full calibration. The gloss meter must be used with a certified standard for traceable results. It has its linearity tested against NIST standards. The tile has a value assigned. When the instrument is calibrated on the provided tile, the results are traceable to our NIST certification in accordance with BS EN ISO 2813, which is the main standard for the measurement of gloss.

We do have a tile-only calibration option however, we would recommend that this is used only for additional tiles.

My instrument won’t switch on

The first thing to check is the battery. Connect the instrument to a power source via the USB cable. A computer, or the supplied mains>USB converter will both work. Leave the instrument for 30s, and then try to power up again.

If the instrument beeps but the screen does not turn on, this indicates that there is an issue with the screen. This will require repair at a Rhopoint accredited service centre.

If the LED lights at the base of the instrument turn on when the power button is held, then the instrument is in programming mode. This will require repair at an accredited service centre.

I get an error message when I calibrate my instrument

There are three possible error messages that may result from a failed calibration.

“Warning! Possible calibration error”

This message appears when the results of a calibration do not match the stored one. If you have calibrated your instrument on a different tile from the normal one (such as a mid-gloss tile) you can safely ignore this message.

Check that the instrument is correctly seated on the calibration tile and that the protective white tissue supplied with the instrument has been removed.

Check the tile and optics for contaminants. A residue-less solvent such as Iso-Propyl Alcohol can be used to clean these surfaces.

“Warning! Possible contamination”

This message appears on instruments that have a haze measurement function when the haze is higher than expected. If you are calibrating on a low-gloss tile, this message can be safely ignored. If this is done regularly, “Haze Tolerance” in the calibration menu can be set higher.

Check the instrument is correctly seated on the calibration tile, and the white tissue supplied with the instrument has been removed.

Check the tile and optics for contaminants. A residue-less solvent such as Iso-Propyl Alcohol can be used to clean these surfaces.

“Calibration Reference not set”

This means that the stored calibration has been lost or corrupted. The only function of the instrument that it will affect is calibration error detection. This message can be dismissed and the instrument used as normal. This issue will be resolved as part of a standard annual recalibration with an accredited service centre.

My instrument readings vary too much

The first thing to remember is that each gloss measurement angles has different sensitivities at different gloss values. The 60° angle is used for general-purpose measurements. The 20° angle is most sensitive at high gloss values, and the 85° angle is sensitive at low gloss values.

Graph showing how the different angles have varying sensitivities

The next thing to consider is the physical stability of the instrument. Even a small rocking motion can produce large variations in the gloss reading.

The finish quality of the surface can have a large impact. Uneven colours or textures will add a random variation to the gloss measurements. The best way around this is to take several samples and average the results. The more variation in the surface, the more samples will be required for a repeatable measurement.

My instrument always reads the same

If the instrument is used in the wrong range, it can become oversaturated. This occurs when measurements on mirror-like surfaces (130+GU @60°) are taken using the black range. To get accurate results on a mirror-like surface, the range must be set mirror or auto in the measurement menu.

My instrument is displaying an error

The first thing to try with an error is pressing the reset button. This is in a recess on the base of the instrument, near the serial number sticker.

Image showing the reset button location on the underside of a Rhopoint IQ

Some versions of firmware will power off as soon as an error is encountered. This means that the fixes below will not be possible. In this case, the instrument will need to be returned to Rhopoint.

CodeMeaningCause
1Cannot open config.iniFile system corrupt or Dataflash fault.
2Cannot write config.iniFile system corrupt or Dataflash full.
3Cannot read config.iniFile system corrupt.
4Corrupt data config.iniFile data corrupt.
5Cannot open calib**.datFile system corrupt or Dataflash fault.
6Cannot write calib**.datFile system corrupt or Dataflash full.
7Cannot read calib**.datFile system corrupt.
8Error saving dataUnable to create/write to results file. Dataflash full or faulty.
9Error reading foldersFile system fault, Dataflash probably corrupt.
10RTC oscillator failureMain board hardware failure.
11Cannot create bstats.datDataflash full or faulty.
12Cannot open bstats.datFile system corrupt or Dataflash fault.
13Cannot write bstats.datFile system corrupt or Dataflash full.
14Cannot read bstats.datFile system corrupt.
15Cannot open sysdat.binUnable to open file – UC3B flash corrupt.
16Cannot write sysdat.binFile system corrupt or Dataflash full.
17Cannot read sysdat.binFile system corrupt.
18Cannot open log.txtFile system corrupt or Dataflash fault.
19Cannot write log.txtFile system corrupt or Dataflash full.
20Cannot open cf.binFile system corrupt or Dataflash fault.
21Cannot write cf.binFile system corrupt or Dataflash full.
22Cannot read cf.binFile system corrupt.
23Scanner micro failureMain board hardware failure.
24Error saving stats dataUnable to create/write to stats.csv. Dataflash full or faulty.
25Cannot open passfail.datFile system corrupt or Dataflash fault.
26Cannot write passfail.datFile system corrupt or Dataflash full.
27Cannot read passfail.datFile system corrupt.
28Corrupt data passfail.datFile data corrupt.
29Cannot open summary.csvFile system corrupt or Dataflash fault.
30Cannot write summary.csvFile system corrupt or Dataflash full.
31Cannot delete summary.csvFile system fault, Dataflash probably corrupt.
32Undefined errorMain board hardware error.

Error codes 1-4

Delete config.ini:

  • Make a note/take a photo of the settings selected in the menu
  • Connect the instrument to the PC
  • Make sure hidden folders and system files are visible (control panel -> folder options -> view)
  • Navigate to the instrument (Computer -> IQ-METER)
  • Open the SYSTEM folder
  • Delete config.ini
  • Restart the instrument
  • Check to see if any settings have changed, put them back if required

Error code 2

Error code 2 can be caused by full memory.

  • Connect instrument to PC
  • Open DATA folder and back up any measurement data required
  • Select “Delete all batches” from the menu

Error codes 5-7

This error must be resolved by an accredited service agent.

Error code 8-14

Check to see if memory is full – if so, delete readings. They can be backed up and archived with a PC. If this problem persists, or the memory was not full, then the instrument must be returned to an accredited service agent.

Error code 15 – 17

For error code 16, make sure the memory is not full. If this does not resolve the error, then the instrument must be returned to an accredited service agent.

Error code 18 & 19

  • Connect the instrument to a PC via USB
  • Delete log.txt and restart the instrument

Error code 20 – 22

For error code 21, make sure the memory is not full. If this does not resolve the error, then the instrument must be returned to an accredited service agent.

Error code 23

Make sure the reset button has been pressed. If this does not resolve the error, then the instrument must be returned to an accredited service agent.

Error code 24

The instrument must be returned to an accredited service agent.

Error codes 25 – 28

For error code 26, make sure the memory is not full. If this does not resolve the error, follow the rest of this procedure.

  • Make sure system files and hidden folders are visible (control panel -> folder options -> view)
  • Delete passfail.dat from the SYSTEM folder on the instrument
  • Restart the instrument and retest

Error codes 29 – 31

For error code 30, make sure the memory is not full. If this does not resolve the error, follow the rest of this procedure.

  • Back up the DATA folder if required
  • On the instrument select “Delete All Batches”
  • Restart the instrument
  • If the error is not resolved, then the instrument must be returned to an accredited service agent

Error code 32

The main board requires replacing – return to Rhopoint.

My instrument is stuck in a measurement loop

Measurement loops occur when the instrument cannot decide whether the surface it is measuring is a mirror or black gloss surface. The crossover is at ~130GU. In the measurement menu, “Range” can be set to “BLACK”, “MIRROR” or “AUTO”. If the sample you are measuring is in the crossover zone, try setting the range manually.

More recent versions of firmware handle switching between ranges better. You can contact an accredited service centre for details about whether there is a firmware upgrade available for your instrument.

This error can also be caused by calibration – if the black range is calibrated on a mirror surface, or vice versa, then this problem can occur. Enter the calibration menu, and make sure “Range” is set to “BLACK”, then calibrate the instrument on the supplied black tile. If a calibrated mirror tile is available, repeat this process for the mirror range.

My instrument shuts down after taking a measurement

In older versions of firmware, the instrument shut down after experiencing a fatal error. In this case, the instrument’s memory is usually full. Make sure you have backed up any important measurements to a computer with the USB connection. Switch the instrument on, and in the menu, select “Delete All Batches”.

If this does not resolve the issue, the instrument will require repair with an accredited service centre.

You can contact an accredited service centre for details about whether there is a firmware upgrade available for your instrument.

Buttons are not responding or pressing themselves

During power-up, the instrument takes an average of the input to each button to use as a baseline. This means that if your fingers or other conductive objects are near the buttons during power-up, it can affect their operation.

FAQ Category: Rhopoint IQ & Novo-Gloss