GOLDSCREENBOX Instruction Manual November 2020, Rev 3, 05/21 © 2020 MARAWE GmbH & Co. KG, All rights reserved. Printed in the EU. All product names in this manual are trademarks of the respective holders. Table of Contents 1. About Goldanalytix / Contact ....................................................................................................... 2 2. Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 2 3. Scope of Supply ............................................................................................................................. 3 4. Measurement Principle................................................................................................................. 3 5. Safety Instructions for optimal Measurement Conditions ........................................................... 4 6. Operation and Display Elements .................................................................................................. 5 7. Starting the Device and Performing a Measurement ................................................................... 5 8. Evaluation and Interpretation of the Results ............................................................................... 9 9. Important Hints for Measuring with the GoldScreenBox ........................................................... 12 10. Special case small coins and bars ............................................................................................... 15 11. A1. Overview of the conductance for typical alloys in investment objects ............................... 21 12. A2. Overview of Conductance of more Precious Metal Alloys and Metals ................................ 23 13. More non-destructive Gold-Testing Devices by Goldanalytix .................................................... 24 1 1. About Goldanalytix / Contact Goldanalytix, established in 2010, is the leading provider of precious metal testing methods in Germany. In our team we are working on the development of safe and reliable testing methods for each kind of precious metal. The GoldScreenBox has been developed and is manufactured completely in Regensburg/Germany. Thanks to the close synergy of analytics know-how and device development, we are always up to date. Due to continuous improvements we achieve and guarantee highest standards of quality. Do you need support with product data, service assistance or customer service? Feel free to contact us through one of the following channels: Homepage: www.gold-analytix.com E-Mail: [email protected] Phone: +49 941 29020439 We are looking forward to your contact! 2. Introduction Congratulations on your purchase of the Goldanalytix GoldScreenBox. The Goldanalytix GoldScreenBox is an easy, fast-to-use and non-destructive testing device for the determination of the electrical conductance of precious metal mouldings. This device was especially developed to test the authenticity of precious metal coins and bars up to ca. 50 grams. The Goldanalytix GoldScreenBox allows for a fast and unequivocal statement within seconds. Interpretations of the results are no longer necessary. The measuring principle of the GoldScreenBox is based on a non-contact, inductive method that allows not only for measuring the electrical conductance at the surface but also up to a depth of 650 µm. Please read these operating instructions carefully prior to the first use in order to use the GoldScreenBox properly. Please note: The development of improved counterfeits is the goal of each forger. In order to stay up to date on this dynamic field we recommend informing yourself on our website at www.gold-analytix.com/goldscreenbox under “Description”. There you can always find the most recent version of the instruction manual. 2 3. Scope of Supply Your GoldScreenBox set is delivered with the following elements: GoldScreenBox Charger Calibration piece (Copper) Instruction manual Small suitcase Cardboard box In the unlikely event that something is damaged or missing please contact Goldanalytix immediately (for contact data see page 2). 4. Measurement Principle The GoldScreenBox utilises the electrical conductance of metals for its measurement principle. Every metal exhibits a characteristic conductance value (unit: Megasiemens per meter [MS/m]), which enables the identification of falsifications. Due to similar densities, the most used metals for falsifications like tungsten, lead or tantalum usually differ significantly in their conductivity compared to precious metals or gold alloys. The patented, inductive testing method uses low-frequency, electromagnetic alternating fields, whose penetration depth depends on the applied frequency and the electrical conductance of the testing sample. The frequency of the GoldScreenBox was adjusted in a manner, that chemically or galvanically plated metal layers of falsifications are totally pervaded. The penetration depth depends on the conductance of the testing sample and ranges from approximately 250 µm (pure silver, highest conductance) up to 650 µm (gold alloys, e.g. Krugerrand, lower conductivity range; pure gold: ca. 350 µm, middle conductivity range). The sensor as well as the evaluation unit is situated inside the compact casing of the battery- powered device allowing the use of the GoldScreenBox as a mobile device. 3 5. Safety Instructions for optimal Measurement Conditions Please be aware of the following remarks while performing measurements: Please use the enclosed charger only (Charging time approx. 4 hours when empty). Inferior products can cause incorrect measurements or damage the internal electronic components of the GoldScreenBox. Do not use the testing device in the presence of explosive gases, vapours or dust, or in wet environment. Please operate the device at room temperature and not in proximity of heat sources (e.g. fan output of your laptop). The measured values are temperature dependent and linearised by best fit algorithms, but the best accuracy is achieved at room temperature. 4 6. Operation and Display Elements ④ ⑤ ⑤ ⑥ ② ⑥ ① ③ ⑦ # Description ① LCD Colour Screen ② Sensor Field (Ø 20 mm) Control knob to control and select the desired metal / ③ alloy in the menu ② ④ Connector for charger ⑤ Indicator on charge level of battery Display of measurement result (green, yellow and red ⑥ range) as well as display of the conductance in MS/m ⑦ Additional information for specific alloys Table 1 – Description of the operation and display elements 7. Starting the Device and Performing a Measurement Starting the device: In order to switch the device on please push the control knob ③. Step Screen Description After activating the device you will see the main menu. If you want to change the previously set language, please turn the 1 control knob so that the red dot is next to “Language selection” and confirm your selection by pressing the control knob. 5 If you have decided to change the language, the language selection menu will be shown. You can choose a language with the control 2 knob. After selecting you will automatically be brought back to the menu. On demand, we also can provide the GoldScreenBox with other language packages. If you would like to verify an object please choose “Metal selection” in the menu. Move the red dot to the desired alloy. Au stands for gold (lat. Aurum), Ag for silver (Argentum), Pt for Platinum, Pd for Palladium and Rh for Rhodium. The number behind the two letters tells you 3 the ratio of the metal in the chosen alloy (e.g. 999: 999 of 1000 parts), the other parts are copper (Cu). However, there are two exceptions: The alloy 916 (B) consists of 916 parts gold, 54 parts copper, and 30 parts silver (“American Gold Eagle alloy”). The 916 (C) alloy has equal parts of copper and silver added to the 916 parts gold. In the top part of the Metal selection you can switch to Page 2, where you will find more values. This is especially important for small objects (1/10 ounce gold coins, 5 g, 2/2.5 g and 1 g gold bars), because the conductivity 4 value is slightly smaller than for objects of more than ¼ ounce (details see Special case small coins). Please always place the coins in the center of the sensor field. By pressing ‘Menu’ you will come back to the main menu. For a measuring example we chose one ounce pure gold, so we selected Gold 999. Next to “DES.” you can see the desired conductance (at 20 °C) of the selected alloy (here: “45.0” – because Gold 999 has a conductance of 45 MS/m at 20 °C). Different factors like 5 embossing depths / knurls / scratches / air gaps etc. will change the conductance slightly (other than a perfectly plain gold plate, which would be at 45). This is absolutely normal and does not impede a good measurement. This is why each alloy has a tolerance range around the theoretically desired value, where the result is supposed to be (the green part of the 6 measuring scale, see Evaluation and Interpretation of the Results). The device is now ready for measuring: Place the test object (e.g. the 1 ounce gold coin with the stamping Au 999) in the center of the sensory field ②. This is especially important for small objects (< ¼ ounce, see “Evaluation and Interpretation of the Results”). The measured conductance is immediately displayed numerically in Megasiemens per meter (MS/m) next to “VAL.” and is shown graphically as a black cursor in the coloured scale. The spot of the cursor shows, if the object is in the tolerance range. When we test a 1 ounce gold coin, the result