PORTABLE WALK-THROUGH METAL DETECTOR

BASIC PRODUCT TRAINING: M-SCOPE

BY

TECHNICAL PROFFESSIONALS

JAN 2014

Your Dependable Provider of Quality Security and Office Communications

Solutions

OUTLINE:

• Introduction

• The M-Scope Part

• The System Setup

• Operation

• Basic troubleshooting concepts

Introduction
The M-scope portable walk-through metal detector is the world’s most versatile metal detector that brings
Fisher’s expertise, innovation and reputation for quality metal detection solutions to the critical and
demanding security market.

Features:

• Modular construction for rapid deployment (the different parts of the system are easy to assemble
i.e. one man construction with no tools in a bout 5min; can easily fit in the car- no truck needed).

• Adaptable to virtually all the environment (the unit can be customized to work in different
environments e.g. sensitivities may have to be changed to comply with a certain environment).

• User-friendly control panel (it’s easy to use, i.e. buttons are labeled, different accounts can be
made thus giving them different privileges).

• Adjustable rate, alarm, transit and target counter to record key statistical data.: i.e with the unit,
it’s possible to adjust different parameters like the rate at which traffic is controlled(how fast
detection is done)

• Intuitive 3 zone detection and alarm status indicators, on both entry and the exit sides.

• Self-diagnostic (It has self diagnostic software. During the powering, it performs diagnostic
checks of the different components thus helping in discovering any fault in the systems
componets).

• 100 sensitivity settings with password protection (demonstration using the panel; and this caters
for different sizes of metal objects).

• Ease-of-use facilitates “split recognition” freeing the operator to monitor surroundings (the 3
zones of the unit help to show a particular location of the metal object thus making handheld
metal detector optional).

• 40 hours of battery life on a single charge (they have rechargeable batteries, while other detectors
have no batteries or 10 hour battery time. Explain ways of charging the unit).

• Audio alert with adjustable volume control (volume menu alarm length, pattern and volume).

M-scopes Parts

• The Control Panel: This one contains a keypad where all of the M-scope’s commands are
entered.

• The Transmitter panels: They have 16 spring loaded contact pins, no LEDs (validating lights)
but plastic caps, and red labels on the exit side.

• The Receiver panels: They have 32 spring loaded contact pins, one LEDs (validating light) on
each edge of the panel and white labels on the exit side.

• The Base units: These ones have ports for charging the unit and also offer stability of the system
on the ground.
System Setup
This section includes the assembly and disassembly instructions.
Assembly Instructions
These are steps taken when carrying out unit assembly and they include:
• Selecting the most even and level surface to assemble your unit.
• Placing the control unit on top of the bases to ensure that the bases are properly spaced,
and parallel to one another.
• Pulling out the adjustable outriggers supports built into the sides of the bases until they
are free to rotate.
• At this point decide which side of the pass way is the entrance or exit. The operator’s
position is the exit i.e the side facing the LED bar graph and the display screen.
• Identify the transmitter and the receiver panels. Transmitter panels have: 16 spring loaded
contact pins, no LEDs (just plastic caps) and red labels on the exit side. Receiver panels
have 32 spring loaded contact pins, LEDs on each edge of the panel, white labels on the
exit side.
• Placing the transmitter panels on one base and receiver panels on the other base. Fasten
the latches to secure the side panels to the bases. Then stack the other panels to their
corresponding sides. i.e Transmitters on one side and receivers on the other side.
• Place the control panel on top with the wheels over the receiver’s side, latch it on top of
the side panels.
• Push the outriggers back into the bases. Then you may plug the charger into either of the
two bases.
Note: As long as the unit is powered on, one charger can charge the two batteries on each base.
Disassembly Instructions
Dismantling is only done when there is need to relocate the unit, store and incase of faulty
panels. The following are the steps when dismantling the unit:
• Power down the (turn off) the M-scope prior to disassembling or swapping of the
transmitter or receiver panels. Re-extend the outriggers.
• Undo the control unit’s latches and remove the control unit. Lay the control unit with the
wheel side down.
• Dissemble the remaining panels and set them aside. Re-insert the outriggers into the
bases.
• Turn the bases upside down and place them on the control unit.
 • Stack the panels on top of the bases such that the cones are nearest to the wheel ends of
the control unit. Make sure their stacking features are firmly engaged such that the
panels, bases, and the control unit all nest together.

Operation

Basic Start up operation

a. Turn the unit on by momentarily pushing the on/off [numeral 0] on the control panel key pad

b. The LCD will display the title screen and the battery voltage during the self check. During the self
check, the multi-colored, triple zone, alarm indicator LEDS as well as the two multi-colored ready
indicator LEDS, glow red then all change to green.

Detection and Alarms

a. Sensing the objects: The metal detection alarm decision-making process starts the moment an object
breaks any of the invisible beams inside the M-scope’s passageway.

b. Outside interference: This is caused by signals from devices like radios, CRO’s, x-ray scanners thus
making the panel not ready to detect by glowing red at the zone LED indicator. For ready to detect, LEDS
at the entrance and exit sides of the M-scope turn green.

c. Battery low alarm and recharging methods: When the battery voltage gets low [i.e <11 volts], the
LCD indicates the “low battery alarm”. After the unit shuts down, keep it off and charge both batteries for
several hours using following ways:

• Shutdown the unit and charge it by plugging in power to one port of the bases using the cable
provided for at least 1 hour while in use and leave it charging until 13.7 volts..

• Turn the unit on and leave it running for 24 hours or more until the display shows a low level.

Note: The batteries can be fully charged and maintained while in storage using an optional Y-cable.
Charging while in storage takes about 8-12 hours. You must charge both batteries as unbalanced
batteries can cause errors.

d. Zone indication: The M-scope has 3 zones. If one or more zones detect’s target signals strong enough
to exceed the threshold, an alarm will sound and LEDs flash several times. The zone that detects a signal
will repeatedly change its color between red and green. After finding the detected object, the alarm will
continue beeping and indicator lights continue to flash for about 5 sec before the M-scope indicates the
readiness to accept the next object.

Key stuck alarm: When the key is held for more than 20 seconds, alarm sounds for a short time upon
releasing the key thus causing the bar graph LEDS go dark, the zone and ready indicators turn red with
the LCD showing “Key Stuck!”

f. Going too slow: If any of the six light beams is blocked for more than a few seconds, the unit goes into
the Photo Detector blocked alarm mode, featuring the red zone and ready indicator LEDS and a special
LCD screen displaying “Photo Diode Blocked”.
g. Going too fast: When the M-scope detects something in the passageway, it begins measuring the time
between when the first beam crossed upon entering and the second beam crossed upon exiting the
passageway. This measurement tells the unit how fast the object is going, if it exceeds the M-scope’s
selected limit the LCD displays “Speed Violation” as the alarm goes on and zone lights flash red.

h. Finding metal targets without speed violations: While the pass way, is occupied, the zone lights stay
green, the status glow yellow, and the ready lights glow red. The LED bar graph reflects the received
signal strength.

Basic troubleshooting concepts

Battery low: This happens when the voltage is below the minimum,11.0v
Effect: Constant alarm with an indication count down from 5-1 on the LCD display. At this
point, the system shuts down completely.
Solution: Plug one end of the power cable with charger into the socket. In this case, the system
will remain in off mode until minimum of 1 hour has elapsed, then only you can turn it on using
the on/off button at the control panel. In case, the system comes on automatically with no
constant alarm, this is normal. BUT if the alarm continues with “system shut down”, contact
your technical team.
Speed violation: This occurs when an object passes through the M-scope with an exceeding
speed of the set value, 0.5, 1.5, 2.0 m/s causing a “Speed violation” alarm. If the speed violation
alarm persists, contact the technical team.
Powering of the unit: The unit plugged into the charger but the voltage isn’t going up. In this
case make sure the AC plug is plugged into the socket and also check if the power plug is pushed
in well into one of the unit’s port. DO NOT plug in the power cable on both ports of the unit at
same time. If this happens by mistake, the system will shut down completely. At this point,
disconnect one of plugs from one of the unit’s ports and turn it on using the on/off button at
the control panel .
Environmental interference: This is caused by detection of stray objects within the vicinity of
the unit, like radios(walkie talkies), computer monitors, x-ray baggage scanners and trolleys
among others causing false “metal detection” alarms. If this occurs, contact your technical team.