BEFORE USING THIS SYSTEM

Before Using This System

 Before using this system, be sure to read this product guide.

 This system must be operated correctly according to related laws and regulations
of the country in which it is used.

Rigaku Corporation will not take any responsibility for accidents caused by a user’s carelessness.

MEC9-00 20141006

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Outline of Instrument
Our X-ray fluorescence spectrometers are analyzers that can be used in various fields from
research and development to process control analyses in factories.
Each instrument has various options and its specification varies for each customer, so check the
specification of your instrument before operating it.
For the general specification and description of each instrument, see the instruction manual and
maintenance manual.

Legal Obligations
This system must be operated correctly according to related laws and regulations of the country in
which it is used.

Exportation of This Product

When exporting this product for its transfer, resale, temporary transfer or the like, an export
license by the country in which the product is used may be needed.

Exportation of This Product or Its Component(s)

When exporting this product or its component(s) on the customer’s own account after purchasing
this product in Japan, a procedure is required according to the law for regulation concerning
foreign trade. In this case, if necessary, we issue the document(s) required for the procedure for a
consideration.

For further details, contact our sales department.

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Caution
This instrument generates high-powered X-rays, and careless usage by a customer may lead to
exposure to X-rays. This instrument also generates high voltage to generate the X-rays. You may
get an electric shock during the maintenance or checking of the inside of the instrument. Operate
the instrument correctly according to the instruction manual.
Be sure to keep the following rules to prevent accidents described above:

 Do not remodel the instrument and do not remove a part.

Some parts of the instrument have been attached to prevent exposure to X-rays. Do not remove
any of those parts carelessly, and do not change the function of any of those parts carelessly.

 Caution in maintenance work

Make sure beforehand that the X-rays are turned off to prevent any part of the body such as a
hand from being placed in the X-ray path and from being exposed to scattered X-rays around
the X-ray path for a long time.
When doing maintenance work for the high-voltage part of the X-ray instrument, a person
with appropriate expertise should do it with the power turned off and with the high-voltage
charge fully discharged.

 Do not use this product for purposes other than the original one.
This product is an analyzer for the element analysis of matter using X-rays. Do not use this
product for any other purposes. Do not remodel the instrument and do not remove any part
without consulting us.

 Move or reinstallation of the product

When you plan to move or reinstall this product to another place, be sure to consult us. If the
product is moved or reinstalled without consulting us, we will not guarantee it to operate
normally in that place.

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Warning Indications

 Method of General Warning Indications According to PL Law

Classification of Warning Indications

The degree of possible danger or damage in the case of mishandling is classified into the
following three levels, “DANGER”, “WARNING” and “CAUTION”:

 DANGER
In the case of mishandling, a user may immediately be killed or suffer a serious injury.

 WARNING
In the case of mishandling, a user may be killed or suffer a serious injury.

 CAUTION
In the case of mishandling, a user may suffer a slight or medium injury or material damage
alone is expected.

The serious injury mentioned above means loss of eyesight, an injury, a burn (high-temperature or
low-temperature), an electric shock, a fracture, poisoning or the like which involves an aftereffect,
hospitalization or going to hospital for a long term for medical treatment. The slight injury means
an injury, a burn, an electric shock or the like which does not involve hospitalization or going to
hospital for a long term for medical treatment. The material damage means extended damage to
related facilities or acquired data.

Pictographs for Warning Indication

Pictographs prepared according to the guidelines by the ISO and the ANSI have been posted. For
details, see the list of warning labels.

 When a warning label is damaged, please inform us, and we will send a new label.

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List of Warning Labels Used for This Instrument

(Whether each label is posted or not varies depending on the type of the instrument.)
Warning Label Contents
Beware of the X-ray generator!

Exposure to X-rays may cause radiation injury. Switch off the power
of the instrument before maintenance work.

Beware of the high-voltage component!

Switch off the power of the instrument before maintenance work to

avoid an electric shock by touching a high-voltage part.

Beware of the mechanical driving part in operation!

To avoid catching your hand or finger in gears or belts in operation,

do not put your hand or finger carelessly inside a cover or door.
Switch off the power of the instrument before maintenance work.

Beware of the high-temperature component like a heater!

Its high surface temperature may cause a burn. Wait until its
temperature lowers sufficiently before maintenance work.

Beware of the contents of maintenance!

To avoid accidents, carry out maintenance and checking according to

the description.

Beware of the source of a high-frequency wave.

A high-frequency wave may have a dangerous effect on a person

who uses a pacemaker.

Beware of the laser oscillator!

If you look at the laser directly, you may suffer injuries to your eyes.
Switch off the laser oscillation before maintenance work.

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Installation Requirements
To operate the instrument safely and make the best use of its performance, installation
requirements must be satisfied. They are described in detail in a separate document, so prepare
facilities according to it.
Be sure to operate the instrument in conditions that satisfy the installation requirements. If not, the
instrument will not perform well and, furthermore, a problem concerning safety may arise.

Limitations on Usage

Although some types of instruments with appropriate specifications can analyze powder and
liquid samples as well as solid samples, the analyses of the following samples may produce a bad
effect on the inside of the instrument. When analyzing a risky sample, do not use the instrument or
give some consideration before a measurement.

 Flammables
 Highly volatile samples
 Samples that melt even at a low temperature
 Samples that scatter or break during evacuation

If the above samples are measured improperly, the inside of the instrument may be contaminated
and, furthermore, units and parts in the instrument may be damaged.

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Cautions in Handling X-Ray Tube

 Cautions in Handling X-Ray Tube

(1) Metal beryllium (Be) is used for the X-ray radiation window of the X-ray tube. Beryllium
does not affect the human body under normal condition. However, if it touches the
human body in the form of powder or vapor, it will work as a toxic chemical. As a result,
a rash or an ulcer may break out or a wound may not close. Furthermore, if beryllium is
inhaled, it may cause serious damage to the human body and can cause death.
Therefore, never scrape, polish, wipe with a chemical or burn beryllium to produce its
powder or vapor. Never touch beryllium with your bare hand.
(2) Beryllium is sensitive to acids, alkalis and water, and produces a reaction when it touches
any of them.
When this reaction develops, it may lead to a vacuum leak. Therefore, keep beryllium in
a controlled environment (the vacuum or helium mode for the inside of the instrument)
with low humidity or above the dew-point temperature.

 Cautions Concerning Retainment of X-Ray Tube With Output of 3kW or 4kW

(1) When the X-ray tube is to be retained, put the protection cap on the X-ray radiation
window and retain it in a desiccator. This cap protects the X-ray radiation window from
mechanical shocks and shuts out airflow from the outside to prevent condensation. If the
X-ray tube cannot be retained in a desiccator, evacuate the inside of the protection cap
using a vacuum pump or the like to shut off the X-ray tube from outside air.
(2) When the X-ray tube is to be retained immediately after it is used, remove cooling water
left in the anode and cathode parts using air blows or the like. Take care not to splash
cooling water on the X-ray radiation window.
(3) The X-ray tube must not be retained where dew is apt to form or the temperature and
humidity are high. Keep variations in the temperature and humidity as small as possible.

 Cautions Concerning Retainment of X-Ray Tube With Output of 200W or Less

(1) When the X-ray tube is to be retained, put the protection cap on the X-ray radiation
window. This cap protects the X-ray radiation window from mechanical shocks and
shuts out airflow from the outside.
(2) The X-ray tube must not be retained where dew is apt to form or the temperature and
humidity are high. Seal it together with desiccant in a vinyl bag that has a fastener seal,
and keep variations in the temperature and humidity as small as possible.

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Cautions Concerning Cooling Water Hoses

 Deterioration of Cooling Water Hoses

The cooling water hoses may harden and break because of aged deterioration and under the
influence of operating environment. If breakage occurs, a floor and an area under it will be
swamped, water will leak downstairs in some cases and great damage may result.

 Implementation of Periodical Replacement of Cooling Water Hoses

The cooling water hoses have been classified into the time-change components, and we
recommend that they be replaced every five years. Periodical replacement is required to
prevent a water leakage accident and to maintain performance.

Maintenance
For the everyday maintenance of the instrument, see the chapter for the maintenance in the
maintenance manual.
When people in charge are divided into one group for operation and another for maintenance, it is
recommended that areas of everyday maintenance under each group’s charge be made clear
beforehand. Personnel who have expertise on the instrument should carry out maintenance work.
For items that are not described in the maintenance manual, consult with our service department.

We recommend that the maintenance contract be made to keep the instrument maintained by
experts.

Some types of instruments have inside units that are kept turned on even after the power is turned
off using operation panels. Before repairing the inside of the instrument, be sure to turn off the
main breaker of the instrument main unit.

 Term of Supply of Parts

Parts for this instrument are supplied in 10 years after delivery.

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Cautions Concerning Long-Term Shutdown of Instrument

When the instrument is not to be used for a long period, keep it where the following requirements
are satisfied:
(1) The temperature is 40C or lower, and the humidity is 75% or lower.
(2) There is no dust or corrosive gas.

To prevent the analyzing crystals and X-ray tube from deteriorating, evacuate the analysis
chamber periodically. When the instrument is to be retained for a long period with the analysis
chamber kept in the air atmosphere, contact the nearest service station because the analyzing
crystals and X-ray tube must be removed and retained separately.

Discard
Metal beryllium is used for the windows of the X-ray tube and some types of detectors such as the
SC and SDD. The surface of metal beryllium may be oxidized. Because oxidized beryllium is
highly toxic, separate it from ordinary wastes when discarding it. A discard process must comply
with related laws and the regulations of each region.

Cautions Concerning Chlorofluorocarbon (Only for Supermini200)

Chlorofluorocarbon is used as refrigerant for the heat exchanger to cool the X-ray tube. In many
countries, emitting chlorofluorocarbon into the atmosphere is prohibited, and chlorofluorocarbon
must be collected before discarding this instrument.

Cautions in Handling High-Pressure Gas

Laws and regulations have been enacted concerning the handling of high-pressure gas and gas
cylinders. Comply with the related laws and regulations under the guidance of the vendor.

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Precautions in Using This Instrument (Excluding Safety)

We will not take any responsibility for damage when data stored in the main unit is lost or
changed because of an accident or a failure. We recommend taking the following precautions:

 Backup of Data
Periodically back up data, measuring conditions, etc. in the personal computer.
When measuring conditions, constants, coefficients or other parameters have been changed,
record them in external storage using the data saving function contained in the software.

 Use copied floppy disks.

When floppy disks are supplied for custom-made software or the like in addition to the
program CD, be sure to use copies and retain the masters. When floppy disks have been used
or stored for a long time, they may become unusable because of wear or deterioration.

 Cleaning of Floppy Disk Drive

Clean the floppy disk drive periodically. If not, a floppy disk may be damaged.

 Arrangement of Data Files

When measuring conditions are created and analyzed results are recorded, the number of files
in the personal computer increases gradually. As the number of files increases, the processing
of the software may become slower because it takes a long time to search for files.
When the processing of the software is too slow, the number of files may be tool large. In this
case, delete files or move them to another folder after data saving.

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 Cautions Concerning P-10 Gas for Detector

In the case of an instrument that requires P-10 gas for its detector, be sure to keep P-10 gas
flowing always regardless of whether the instrument is turned on or off. The window of the gas
flow type detector (F-PC) consists of a very thin macromolecular film. If the instrument is
operated when the faucet of the P-10 gas cylinder or the gas flow adjustment valve is closed or
the cylinder is empty, the pressure in the F-PC will lower to cause a discharge or the window
will be damaged by the external pressure when the analysis chamber is opened to the
atmosphere.
Never operate the instrument with the P-10 gas flow stopped or with the P-10 gas cylinder
empty.
When the P-10 gas flow is to be stopped, be sure to disconnect the P-10 gas supply pipe, in
order to open the inside of the piping to the atmosphere.

Note: In case of an instrument equipped with the P-10 gas shut-off valve, the above operation
is unnecessary. As the existence of the P-10 gas shut-off valve depends upon the
instrument, please check its specification or configuration.

 Analysis Protection Film (Macromolecular Film)

When a liquid or powder sample (including a loose powder sample) is analyzed, the analysis
protection film (macromolecular film) may be torn depending on the X-ray tube output and
analysis time. In the case of an analysis using the analysis protection film to retain the sample,
analysis conditions must be determined while checking the analysis time and the effect on the
protection film.
For details, consult with the nearest service station (SS) or analysis center.

*1: As the tube current becomes larger with the same output, the influence of X-rays
becomes greater.
*2: For reference: When the 4kW X-ray tube and the PP window are used, complete an
analysis within five minutes.

 Measurement of Hygroscopic Sample

When a hygroscopic sample is measured, it may take a long time to heighten the vacuum
degree of the pre-evacuation chamber or the pre-evacuation chamber vacuum error may occur
(the target vacuum degree cannot be attained within the predetermined time). In this case, we
recommend that the sample be dried beforehand using a drier or the like and measured
immediately after it is taken out of the drier. If the problem still persists, contact the nearest
service station (SS).

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Warranty and Exemption

A failure caused by any of the following reasons shall not be covered by warranty:

 Abnormal condition such as a natural disaster or a fire

 Use of the system for a purpose other than the original one
 Remodeling by the user or a third party without prior consultation with the manufacturer
 Installation condition considerably different from the installation requirements
 Serious fault (including an operational mistake) or intentional act by the user or a third
party

Inquiry concerning X rays

a) Local countries of Rigaku Service Representative

Customer service window

b) Rigaku Corporation Japan

International Service Department

14-8, Akaoji-cho, Takatsuki-shi

Osaka 569-1146, Japan
email: xrf-wws@rigaku.co.jp
Tel: +81 72-693-7910
FAX: +81 72-694-3722

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