Creating User Defined Fields (NDF) The XL2 analyser has the ability to save data for each individual test. It comes with pre-set fields however this is full customizable.   From the test screen simply press the data entry icon. Here you can see the pre-set fields on the analyser.

Creating User Defined Fields (NDF) (cont) You can create your own data entry fields for your Niton analyser customized to your own needs and usage. These fields are saved in a special format called an NDF (Niton Data File) file. To create a new NDF file, select the File menu, then select New, then select New NDF File.   This will create a new window in which you can create your own fields, and specify their structure and parameters. The new window will appear with a single box, called “Untitled.”

Creating User Defined Fields (NDF) (cont) By right-clicking on this box, you can access a pop-up menu allowing you to set the mode of the new data fields. Select New Mode to access the menu.   The Mode you select will be the Mode within which the new data entry fields will appear. If you have multiple Modes enabled on your analyser, the new fields will only be available from the Mode you select. Only the default fields will be available from the other Mode or Modes.

Creating User Defined Fields (NDF) (cont) When you select the Mode for the new data fields, the Construction Window will change to look like this: The “M” indicates the mode you have chosen - in this case Alloy Mode. Right click on the Mode name to access a pop-up menu.

Creating User Defined Fields (NDF) (cont) Select New Field from the menu, and a blank new field will appear in the construction window. Right clicking on the New Field box will bring up another pop-up menu. This menu gives you various options for using the field in your operations. Selecting Required makes it mandatory that the new field be filled in prior to taking a measurement. This is very useful for necessary descriptors which vary from measurement to measurement, such as lot numbers, condi­tion descriptors, locations, etc.

Creating User Defined Fields (NDF) (cont) Selecting the Incremental option sets up a field which increments the field descriptor by one for each measurement taken. This option is handy for measuring several items with identical descriptors, such as samples within a single lot, or several instances of the same part number, because it appends the incremental number to the descriptor.   For example: P/N 455A2-1, P/N 455A2-2, P/N 455A2-3. Another Example: Impeller-1, Impeller-2, Impeller-3.

Creating User Defined Fields (NDF) (cont) Selecting Clear Every Reading will toggle between two states. By default, the field will fill with the data which was input during the last reading. By selecting Clear Every Reading, you tell the instrument to clear the data from the field for each new reading, insuring that the person taking the reading must input new data each time. This is very useful for times when the data descriptor is expected to vary widely between readings.

Creating User Defined Fields (NDF) (cont) The state of each of these options can be seen in the Field Status Window at the bottom of the Construction Window. All options in effect for the field selected are checked. This shows a field with no options in effect, the default configuration. This is a field that will present the previous reading’s data for this field - which may be changed by the user - without incrementing it, but does not require the user to input any data if there is none already there from a previous reading.

Creating User Defined Fields (NDF) (cont) This shows a field with both Required and Clear Every Reading options in effect. This presents a field that is cleared for each reading, and must be filled in by the user before a reading is taken. Selecting Edit from the pop-up menu allows you to edit the name of the field in the Editing Window to the right of the Construction Window.

Creating User Defined Fields (NDF) (cont) Selecting the box to the left of the field toggles the Required option on or off. Selecting Copy from the pop-up window allows you to copy the currently selected field. Once you copy a field, the Paste option can be selected to paste the copied field into the Construction Window.

Creating User Defined Fields (NDF) (cont) Selecting the New Entry option from the pop-up menu allows you to define a choice for the user for this field. This is a New Entry in the Construction Window. The “E” is for “Entry.” You can edit the entry once it is created, the same way as you edit the field name. Right click on the entry name, and choose Edit from the pop-up menu.

Creating User Defined Fields (NDF) (cont) You can sort your entries by name, alphanumerically, by right clicking on the field and selecting “Sort” from the pop-up menu.

Creating User Defined Fields (NDF) (cont) To delete a field or entry, just right click on the item you wish to delete, and select Delete From the pop-up menu. When you are finished creating your new NDF file, Upload it to your instrument using the Upload icon. Make sure the instrument is connected to your computer by testing the con­nection first. Use the Test button on the Upload Window.