Section 1

 

1.1 Test Types

ProCalV5 allows for the addition of different “Test Types” to the database that may be applied to any item master record whose required calibration does not fit perfectly into the typical ProCal template.  Test types may be used to provide specific testing in addition to or instead of a standard calibration with target set points and as found/as left readings.   Examples of some calibration test types that ProCalV5 normally could not accommodate efficiently are extreme values, linearity and standard deviation tests.

1.2 Set Up Test Type Packages Screen

The Set Up Test Type Packages screen (shown in Figure below) is used to add, modify and if necessary delete test type packages from the database.  This screen is invoked by selecting the “Set Up Test Type Packages…” option on the File menu when the System Options and Defaults screen is open.



1.3 Adding New Test Types

To add a new test type to your database you must first copy the required library file “GradPropTest.bpl” into the folder labeled “bin” under the ProCalV5 directory (typically “C:\Program Files\Prime Technologies\ProCal V5\bin”) in Windows Explorer.  The “GradPropTest.bpl” file contains all the information necessary for the test type’s automatic and proper setup in ProCal.  Once the file has been copied into the correct folder you may launch the Set Up Test Type Packages screen.  Once the screen is open you may click the Add New Record button or select “New Record” from the screen’s File menu.  This will invoke a browser screen titled Choose New Package File that automatically directs you to the “bin” folder in which all the “.bpl” files reside. Select the required file “GradPropTest.bpl” and click the Open button or double-click the file name.

Once the correct file has been selected you will be returned to the new test type record which will already be set up for you.  In this instance you can save the record, making it available for application to all types of item master records in the system (i.e. instruments, loops, systems, test instruments, in addition to any PM records that may require a calibration).   Once a test type has been saved to the database, as long as it is marked as “Active”, it will be available for selection on the Test Type field’s drop-down list on the Calibration Points tab in all screens where that tab exists.  

Although you will have no ability to change the test type’s calibration requirements, you do have the ability to make some customizations to it in terms of field label changes and also giving users the ability to edit target set points and such when entering calibrations using that test type.

1.4 Distributing Test Types

Test Types only need to be installed in the System Option and Defaults screen once, but for all Client, Administrator, or Mobile Workstations, the “GradPropTest.bpl” file must be present in the “bin” directory one level down from the ProCalV5 installation directory.

Section 2

2.1 Entering Item Records Using the HPLC Pump Gradient Test Type Package

When creating a new master record that uses the HPLC Pump Gradient Proportioning Test Type, the test type must be applied to the record through the Calibration Points tab on the master record screen.  Once a new group has been added to the record, click the Test Type drop-down list and select HPLC Pump Gradient Proportioning from the available test types, as shown in the figure below:



Once the test type has been selected, the inputs will change according to the settings defined by the library file. This test type package allows each individual channel in an HPLC pump to be represented by its own test point, and for each of those individual test points to make up their own fraction of the %Contribution for the HPLC pump.

 

The Tolerance% and the Volume Unit can be entered into the corresponding fields under the Additional Test Type Inputs grid, accessed by clicking the Show Group Options button on the right side of the screen. This interface is shown in the figure below.

 

The inputs are as follows:

  • Test Performed- List contents: “Yes” “No”; If No is selected, no failure fields will be set regardless of other data entered.
  • Gradient Proportioning Valve Present- List contents: “Yes” “No”. For data capture only.
  • Tolerance %- The allowable percentage of inaccuracy for each resultant %Contribution.
  • Volume Unit- List of Signal Types for the current company. For display purposes.


The available input options on the Calibration Points tab while the Group Options are hidden have mostly been removed from the Test Point Group, as shown in the figure below. The Input Specifications, Accuracy, and Description dialogue boxes remain standard and the “Calculate” and “Restore Defaults” buttons retain their standard functionality.



Section 3

3.1 Entering Calibration Records

Once a Test Point Group has been created for a master item record that uses the HPLC Pump Gradient Proportioning Test Type, a calibration record can be created and data can be entered on the Test Results tab on the Calibrations screen.  It should be noted that the required inputs must be entered on the master item record as detailed above.  See the figure below:



The exact specifications for this test point group can be viewed by pressing the “Show Group Details” button, opening the Test Point Group Details window (Figure Below). The fields on this window are modifiable only on the items master record.



Pressing the “Enter Data” button will open the Gradient Proportioning Inputs pop-up screen (Figure below). During Calibration entry, each point will have a field for the user to enter the start and end volume. From that point, all other fields are calculated.



On this screen the user can enter calibration result data for each channel contributing to the HPLC pump, and the difference in Start Volume and End Volume is calculated to generate the Channel Vol. The Total Volume is calculated as the sum of each of the individual Channel Volumes. The Percent Contribution for each channel passes if it falls between the range of the High% and Low%, calculated as the acceptable range for each channel according to the previously specified Tolerance%.

Press the “Apply” button to save changes on the screen to the unsaved instance of this record or press the “Close” button to exit the screen.

Back on the Test Results tab, the user may now press the “Recalculate Test Type Outputs” button, which will populate the fields entered in the Gradient Proportioning Inputs pop-up window into the Test Type Outputs box. (Figure below)



3.2 Pass/Fail Logic

The calibration is “Passed” or “Failed” depending on whether or not the %Contribution for each channel falls into the allowable range calculated by the Tolerance%. If one of the channels is out of tolerance, the %Contribution will be displayed in red. This interface is shown in the figure below. This field is where the Test Type Package draws its Pass/Fail outcome.



If the user attempts to Save a calibration record with an out of tolerance channel %Contribution as passed, the user will be prompted with a Test Point Group Warning (Figure below), similar to a standard Calibration.