# Rhopoint TAMS > Section of the Rhopoint Instruments Manual. This file bundles all 18 pages of this section as Markdown. # Rhopoint TAMS [Getting Started with TAMS](rhopoint-tams-getting-started-with-tams.md) ![image description](../_images/1770486623097-TAMS1.jpg.webp) ## What is Rhopoint TAMS? Rhopoint TAMS (Total Appearance Measurement System) is a **portable, imaging‑based instrument** that quantifies how reflective surfaces actually appear to a human observer. It was developed with Volkswagen AG for automotive body panels, but the same principles apply to any product where perceived finish quality is critical, including domestic appliances, consumer electronics, plastic components, decorative metalwork and coil‑coated sheet. TAMS uses Phase Measurement Deflectometry and high‑resolution surface mapping to capture how a surface reflects and distorts structured patterns in **less than 10 seconds**, directly on the part. The instrument generates detailed 2D and 3D data and converts this into perception‑based High Gloss metrics such as Contrast, Sharpness, Waviness and Dimension, along with composite indices Quality (Q) and Harmony (H) that describe overall appearance and panel‑to‑panel matching in a way that aligns with human vision. In separate a Low Gloss mode, TAMS focuses on surface topography and roughness for stages such as raw material, E‑coat and primer. The full‑field altitude map is filtered using ISO GPS‑style methods (for example ISO 16610 / ISO 25178 concepts) to generate optical roughness and waviness values compatible with modern surface specifications, linking roughness control directly to final visual appearance. --- # Calibrate the TAMS ## Calibrate the TAMS Before taking measurements, calibrate TAMS using the supplied plate so focus and reference values are correctly calibrated. ### Calibration plate The plate includes three tiles: - **Plastic‑ref** – for surface focus. - **Silver‑ref** – for screen focus and reference calibration. - **Check tile‑ref** – for later verification only (not used during calibration). ### Start calibration 1. On the instrument, select **Menu → Calibration → Start calibration process**. 2. Confirm with **YES** and press **OK**. ### Step 1 – Plastic‑ref 1. Place TAMS on the **Plastic‑ref** tile (top tile). 2. Ensure all four feet are flat on the tile. 3. Select **Continue** and press **OK**.ly calibrated TAMS now sets the surface autofocus. ### Step 2 – Silver‑ref 1. Move TAMS to the **Silver‑ref** tile (mirror‑like middle tile). 2. Ensure all four feet are flat on the tile. 3. Select **Continue** and press **OK**. TAMS now sets the screen autofocus and reference calibration, then returns to normal operation. ### Step 2 – Gloss 1. Move TAMS to the **Gloss‑ref** tile. 2. Ensure all four feet are flat on the tile. 3. Select **Continue** and press **OK**. TAMS now calibrates the gloss measurement. --- # Cleaning the TAMS ## Cleaning the TAMS sensor This page explains how to clean the TAMS optical area and contact surfaces to maintain reliable measurements while avoiding damage to the instrument or sample surfaces. ### Safety and general rules - Do not open the instrument housing or remove any internal covers. - Always stop measurements and, where possible, switch off the instrument before cleaning. - Never use household cleaners, abrasive pads or unapproved solvents on any part of TAMS. *** ### Cleaning the sensor lenses and LCD screen The viewing window and internal optics of TAMS are precision components. They must only be cleaned using a **dedicated lens cleaning kit** (for example a camera/optical kit with blower, soft lens brush and lens tissues or microfiber cloth). 1. Place the instrument on a stable surface with the measurement aperture facing up. 2. Inspect the optical window under good lighting for dust, fingerprints or smears. 3. Use the blower from the lens kit to remove loose dust and particles; do not use your breath. 4. If particles remain, use the soft lens brush from the kit with very light strokes, avoiding any pressure on the window. 5. For fingerprints or smears, apply a small amount of lens cleaning fluid to a clean lens tissue/microfiber from the kit. 6. Wipe the window gently in straight lines, then dry immediately with a fresh, dry lens tissue. Do not: - Spray or drip liquid directly onto the measurement aperture. - Use paper towels, standard cloths, cotton buds or abrasive wipes. - Press hard on the window, scrub in circles or reuse dirty tissues. > [!warning] > Optic cleaning may result in measurement issues if not performed correctly. > Contact Rhopoint Service if in any doubt- if possible return instrument for factory or service centre cleaning *** ### Cleaning the rubber feet and contact area The soft rubber feet around the measurement base form the light enclosure and protect the surface being measured. Keep them clean to avoid contamination and sealing issues. 1. Wipe the rubber feet and surrounding base gently with a clean, lint‑free cloth slightly dampened with water or mild detergent if needed. 2. Remove any paint flakes, dust or debris, taking care not to push contamination into the optical aperture. 3. Allow the rubber to dry completely before using TAMS again. Avoid strong solvents that may swell or damage the rubber material. *** ### Good practice to prevent contamination - Store TAMS in its case or on the docking station when not in use. - Avoid placing the measurement base on dusty, abrasive or heavily contaminated surfaces. - Allow freshly painted surfaces to flash off and harden according to process guidelines before measurement. - Inspect the optical window regularly; clean promptly if contamination is visible or if measurement stability degrades. Regular cleaning with a dedicated lens cleaning kit and careful handling will help preserve the optical performance of TAMS and ensure stable, repeatable appearance measurements over the life of the instrument. --- # Getting Started with TAMS ### System requirements TAMS can be used as a **hand‑held, stand‑alone instrument**, operated directly via its built‑in screen, menus and on‑board storage for fast checks on the line, in the lab or at the audit station. When you want PC control and advanced analysis, TAMS can be connected to a compatible Windows 10 or 11 PC or tablet with Rhopoint software installed. The host device should provide a stable USB connection (or approved wireless link), sufficient storage for maps and results, and user permissions to install and run Rhopoint applications. ### Software TAMS works with two Rhopoint software platforms: - **Appearance Elements (AE)** – full GUI software for running measurements, viewing TAMS maps and images, and managing jobs, batches and reports alongside other Rhopoint instruments. - **Headless Elements (HE)** – a background service used when TAMS is integrated into automated or third‑party systems, providing measurement control and data access without the full AE user interface. --- # High Gloss Mode ## High Gloss Mode overview High Gloss Mode evaluates smooth, reflective surfaces where visual impression is critical, such as painted panels, plastics, decorative metals, glass and high‑gloss coatings. TAMS projects a series of patterns onto the surface and uses techniques such as Phase Measurement Deflectometry, Optical Transfer Function analysis and line deformation methods to characterise how the surface reflects and distorts these patterns. This behaviour is condensed into a set of perception‑based metrics, so users can see at a glance how good a finish looks and how closely different parts or samples match. ## Quality and Harmony metrics High Gloss Mode reports two main indices: **Quality (Q)** and **Harmony (H)**. - **Quality (Q)** describes the overall visual appearance of a high gloss surface, combining contrast, sharpness and waviness into a single 0–100% value, where 0% indicates a poor, dull or highly distorted finish and 100% represents a mirror‑like surface. - **Harmony (H)** describes how similar two high gloss surfaces are when viewed side by side, for example adjacent panels or reference versus production. A value below 1 suggests that most observers would accept the difference in texture and orange peel between the two; values above 1 indicate differences that many viewers are likely to notice and find unacceptable. These indices are designed to follow how people actually judge surfaces, making them suitable for specification, process control and communication with non‑specialists. ## Colour‑dependent perception in High Gloss Mode TAMS Quality automatically includes **basecoat colour** through the contrast parameter, so dark and light colours are handled correctly. Contrast depends on colour—white and metallic finishes have low contrast, while deep black can approach 100%—which changes how strongly texture, haze and DOI are seen. Because colour is built into the measurement, surfaces with very different colours can be controlled on the **same Quality and Harmony scale**, instead of using separate limits or rules for each colour shade. This simplifies specifications and ensures that appearance control reflects what people actually see on the finished product. ## Underlying appearance parameters To calculate Quality and Harmony, TAMS first extracts several sub‑characteristics from the reflected image. - **Contrast (C)** measures the difference between bright highlights and dark areas in the reflection and is directly linked to surface colour: deep black, high‑impact finishes give high contrast, while white and metallic surfaces have low contrast. - **Sharpness (S)** quantifies how clearly details are reflected. At close distances it indicates how well fine features are reproduced; at normal viewing distance it is closely related to haze and clarity. Values range from 0% (blurred, low definition) to 100% (very crisp reflection). - **Waviness (W)** describes the overall wave‑like distortion of the reflection caused by larger‑scale texture or orange peel. A value of 0 corresponds to a visually flat surface with minimal distortion; values up to around 30 represent increasingly wavy, distorted reflections. - **Dimension (D)** indicates the dominant texture scale seen at a typical viewing distance of around 1.5 m. It is expressed in millimetres, typically between 0.5 and 8 mm, and helps distinguish fine, tight texture from coarse, large‑scale structure. Together, these parameters allow High Gloss Mode to summarise complex reflection behaviour into intuitive numbers that match visual perception and support both quality control and process optimisation on any high gloss surface. --- # Low Gloss Mode Low Gloss Mode is used to evaluate surfaces where texture and roughness dominate the visual impression, such as pre‑treated metals, primers, electro‑coats, matt and semi‑gloss finishes, and many raw or semi‑finished materials. In these situations, the final appearance of any high‑gloss topcoat depends strongly on the underlying roughness and waviness, so measuring earlier process steps provides valuable insight and control. In this mode, TAMS generates a full‑field 3D altitude map of the surface and derives roughness‑ and texture‑based parameters from this map. ## Quality Control roughness and texture parameters Low Gloss Mode reports several key indices from the altitude map, without applying additional filtering in the standard algorithm. - **Optical‑Ra (O‑Ra)** is an image‑based equivalent of the familiar Ra parameter, calculated as the arithmetical mean deviation of the altitude profile across the measured area. It is derived from the 3D map, so it captures roughness over a defined field rather than a single line. - **Optical‑Rq (O‑Rq)** is the root‑mean‑square deviation of the altitude profile, analogous to Rq in classical roughness analysis. Like O‑Ra, it is computed from the full‑field elevation data to give a robust description of surface height variation. - **Waviness** describes the larger‑scale movement of the surface texture using slope information and standard deviation calculations. Values run from 0 (very low texture) to around 30 (very strong texture), and are often influenced by upstream processes such as rolling, forming or blasting. - **Quality (Q)** in this mode is derived from waviness and expressed on a 0–100 scale, providing a single indicator of how smooth or textured the surface is from a process standpoint. These parameters allow users to quantify how well different stages (for example substrate, pre‑treatment, low gloss coatings) prepare a surface for later finishing, and to understand which processes have the greatest impact on final appearance. ## Advanced roughness analysis For applications that require more classical ISO‑style roughness evaluation, Low Gloss Mode can be extended with the **O‑Rough** algorithm. In this configuration, TAMS applies ISO‑16610 band filtering to the altitude map before calculating roughness characteristics. Users can define high‑pass, low‑pass or band‑pass filters, including multiple bands, to isolate specific wavelength ranges of interest. After filtering, TAMS calculates parameters such as Sa, RaX, RaY and RsM according to ISO 25178, using the full measurement field. This provides a direct bridge between TAMS measurements and traditional profilometers or areal topography systems, making it easier to compare results, set shared limits and integrate low gloss surface control into existing ISO GPS‑based specifications. --- # Packing List ## Packing list The instrument is supplied as a standard package, complete with all accessories required to calibrate, operate and recharge the unit: - Rhopoint TAMS instrument - Rubber instrument aperture cap - 2 × 3.7 V 6800 mAh Li‑Ion batteries - Power supply (9 V / 2 A) for charging - Calibration plate (plastic‑ref, silver‑ref, gloss reference tile) - Quick Start Guide - Lanyard (fitted to instrument) - Protective carry case with custom foam insert - 16 GB SD card containing: - Optimap Reader software - User manual (PDF) - Smart Manager data management software - Release notes (PDF) - Cleaning cloth --- # Powering the TAMS ## Powering the TAMS The Rhopoint TAMS is powered by two removable high‑capacity lithium‑ion cells. When fully charged, the instrument will operate continuously for approximately 5 hours or more than 1,500 readings. The mains charger will fully recharge the instrument in under 5.5 hours when the TAMS is switched off and in charging mode. To charge the TAMS, connect the charger output plug to the power input socket (1), then connect the charger to a suitable mains supply. ![image description](../_images/1770490416655-2026-02-07_18-53.png) To reduce charging time and conserve power it is recommended to charge the instrument in powered off state. When plugged into power the main screen indicates charging progress (1) ![image description](../_images/1770490731916-2026-02-07_18-56.png) Extra battery sets are available with an external charging station so spare batteries can be charged and swapped in during long or intensive use. To change batteries, remove the screws (1), slide off each compartment lid (2), withdraw the cells and fit the new ones; the battery bays are keyed so cells can only be inserted in the correct orientation. ![image description](../_images/1770490968549-2026-02-07_19-02.png) To switch the instrument on, press the lower side button (1), after about 25 seconds TAMS is ready; press any key to proceed to the main screen. ![image description](../_images/1770491362281-2026-02-07_19-07.png). ## Soft Reset If the instrument ever becomes unresponsive, it can be reset by pressing and holding the top side button (2) for about 15 seconds. ## Sleep mode TAMS includes an automatic sleep function to conserve battery power. After a configurable period of inactivity it prepares to switch off, emitting three quick beeps followed by a 10‑second window in which any key press cancels shutdown. If no key is pressed, three normal beeps are emitted and the instrument powers down. ## Battery swap behaviour When new batteries are fitted, TAMS automatically learns their capacity. After a swap it starts up and goes straight to the main screen; a pop‑up confirms the change and instructs to unplug the PSU and wait about 15 seconds while this update completes. --- # Select Surface Type and Algorithim ## High Gloss Mode – select surface type and algorithm To use High Gloss Mode, TAMS must be set to the correct surface type and algorithm so that Quality and Harmony are calculated for smooth, reflective finishes. ### Choose the High Gloss surface type 1. Open the **Menu**. 2. Go to **My Car** (or the surface settings section, depending on firmware). 3. Set **Surface type** to the option used for high‑gloss, top‑coated surfaces (typically **C‑Coat** or equivalent in your version). This tells TAMS that measurements will be taken on smooth, reflective finishes rather than low‑gloss or raw surfaces. ### Select the High Gloss algorithm 1. Open **Menu → Admin → Quality control algorithm**. 2. For the chosen surface type (for example **C‑Coat**), scroll through the available algorithms. 3. Select the standard High Gloss algorithm (typically **CC‑TAMS‑STD** or the site‑specific High Gloss mode name). 4. Confirm the selection with **OK**. In this configuration, TAMS reports the sub‑parameters **Contrast (C)**, **Sharpness (S)**, **Waviness (W)** and **Dimension (D)** for each measurement, and uses them to calculate the perception‑based indices **Quality (Q)** and **Harmony (H)** after batching. ### When to use other algorithms If special evaluation methods are required for particular products or customers, additional High Gloss algorithms may be available as options under the same surface type. These can be selected in the same way as CC‑TAMS‑STD. Custom algorithms should only be used where specified by internal procedures or Rhopoint support; otherwise the standard High Gloss mode is recommended for general use. --- # Specifications and Dimensions | Device | TAMS (Total Appearance Measurement System) | |-----------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Size (H x L x W) [mm] | 172 x 129 x 53 | | Weight [g] | 1,000 (including batteries) | | Power | Rechargeable lithium‑ion batteries or external 9 V DC, 2.0 A PSU | | Control | 5 touch keys, 2 physical buttons, sensor system | | Interface | Micro USB (data), SD card (data transfer) | | Indoor/Outdoor | Portable use in lab, audit room and production line environments | | Operating temperature | 15°C – 40°C | | Storage temperature | 0°C – 45°C | | Calibration env. | 22°C ± 2.5°C, ≤ 55% RH | | Relative humidity | Operating humidity: up to 85% (non‑condensing) *(for site use)* | | Memory | >100,000 readings | | SD card slot | Up to 32 GB (data transfer only) | | Readings per charge | Approx. 1,200 | | Optical system / imaging | | |----------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------| | Measurement area (FOV) [mm] | 27 x 16 | | Surface image type | Monochrome surface image | | Surface / height map resolution | 37 µm/pixel (X/Y) <0.1 µm (z) | | Measurement principle | Phase Measurement Deflectometry (PMD), 3D altitude maps | | Standards / analysis | DIN EN ISO 4287 (Ra‑like), DIN EN ISO 25178 (Sa‑like), ISO GPS compatible | | Typical acquisition time | 5 s | | Typical computation time | 2 s (depends on image saving and filtering options) | ``` --- # Take a measurement ## Measure with TAMS This section explains how to take a basic measurement with TAMS and how to interpret the status LED during the measurement cycle. ### Before measuring - Ensure TAMS has been [**calibrated**](rhopoint-tams-calibrate-the-tams.md) on the supplied plate. - Check that the **aperture** and the **surface** are clean and dry. - Select the correct **surface type and algorithm** (for example High Gloss or Low Gloss) in the menu. ### Start a measurement The current shutter mode is shown by the letter in the centre button on the main screen: - **M – Manual**: Press the middle touch key or the lower side button to start a reading. - **S – Sensor**: Lower TAMS onto the surface; when sensor mode is active, contact on the feet automatically starts the measurement. - **A – Auto**: Press the middle key once to start an automatic sequence of measurements. Keep the instrument still once the measurement has been triggered. ### LED status during measurement The LED near the aperture shows the measurement status and when it is safe to move TAMS: - **Red LED** – TAMS is capturing images and 3D height data. Keep the instrument firmly in place with all four feet on the surface; do not move it. - **Blue LED** – Image capture is complete and TAMS is calculating results. It is now safe to lift or move the instrument away from the surface. - **Green LED** – The measurement cycle is finished and results are available on the main screen for review. ### View the results After the LED turns green: - The main screen displays the key parameters for the active mode (for example Contrast, Sharpness, Waviness, Dimension, Quality, Harmony, O‑Ra or O‑Rq). - Batch name, result index and job mode are shown in the header and footer. - Use the left/right keys to scroll through stored results, and the **Info** key to see configuration and job details linked to the measurement. All measurements are saved automatically in TAMS and can be reviewed on the instrument or exported via SD card for further analysis. --- # Batching Measurements ## Batching measurements with TAMS Batching is used to group several individual measurements on the same part, surface or condition and to calculate averaged values such as Quality and Harmony. Working with batches improves repeatability and makes it easier to compare results between samples, lines or process settings. ### Why use batches? - Reduces the influence of local variation or single outliers. - Provides average values for key metrics (for example Q, H, O‑Ra, O‑Rq, W). - Organises results by part, panel, process step or job. For most applications, at least **three measurements per batch** are recommended. ### Batch modes Batch behaviour is configured in the **Admin → Batch settings** menu: - **Manual batch mode** – The operator decides when to close a batch. - **Auto batch mode** – TAMS automatically closes a batch after a set number of measurements (Auto batch count). Choose manual mode for ad‑hoc measurements and investigations; use auto mode for routine checks where the same number of positions is measured each time. ### Creating a batch (manual mode) 1. Ensure the correct **surface type and algorithm** are selected. 2. Take a series of measurements on the same part or condition (for example three or more spots on a panel). 3. When finished, press and hold the batch button (as defined in your firmware) to **close the batch**. 4. TAMS calculates the average values for that batch and, in high‑gloss mode, adds the **Quality (Q)** and **Harmony (H)** indices. If Job mode is set to **Manual** or **Guided** with a database loaded, TAMS can also prompt for a **batch name** linked to part or job information. ### Creating a batch (auto mode) 1. In **Batch settings**, set **Batch mode = Auto** and choose an **Auto batch count** (for example 3). 2. Take measurements as normal. 3. After the specified number of measurements is reached, TAMS automatically closes the batch and calculates the averages and Q/H or roughness indices. Auto mode is especially useful in guided workflows where the same pattern of points is measured on each part. ### Reviewing batched results On the **Main screen**, TAMS offers two review modes: - **By result** – scrolls through every individual measurement in order. - **By batch** (Q&H mode) – jumps between batch averages only (COUNT #0), which include Quality and Harmony in high‑gloss mode. Use the left/right keys to move through results, and the **Info** screen to see batch index, count and any job/part information. Batched data can later be exported via SD card and analysed in Smart Manager, Appearance Elements or other tools. --- # Setting up the batch and job database ### Setting up the batching database The batching database works together with **Job Mode** to attach part and process information to batches and, in Guided mode, to step through a defined list of parts in a fixed order. It is stored as one or two CSV files loaded into TAMS from the SD card. #### Create the main database file (TAMSdatabase.csv) The main database is an Excel/CSV file with up to 15 columns and up to 100 rows (including the header). - **File name:** `TAMSdatabase.csv` - **Separator:** Comma or semicolon (detected automatically). Structure: - **Column 1 – Part name (required):** List of batch/part names (for example “Panel A”, “Door LH”, “Cover 1”). This name can be used as the batch name and is shown on the main screen in Manual and Guided Job Modes. - **Columns 2–15 – Additional fields (optional):** May include model, colour, process step, environment, coating type, repair status, customer, etc. Up to 15 fields in total (including Part name), with a maximum of 60 characters per entry. Example: |Part name|Model|Colour|Process|Environment|Clear coat|Repair| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |Hood|A123|Blue|Line 1|Lab|Type X|None| |Door|A123|Blue|Line 1|Production|Type X|Stage 1| |Roof|A123|White|Line 2|Exterior|Type Y|Stage 2| #### Fields shown on the Info screen Up to four database fields can be displayed on the **Info** screen: - These must be in **columns 2 to 5** of `TAMSdatabase.csv`. - Typical choices include model, colour, process and environment, helping identify each batch during review. #### Loading the batching database 1. Copy `TAMSdatabase.csv` to the **root** of the SD card (not inside a folder). 2. Insert the SD card into the TAMS SD slot. 3. On the instrument, open **Menu → My Car → Load database from SD card**. 4. Wait for the “Loading database completed” message, then return to the main screen. Job Mode can now use the part list and fields when naming and organising batches. --- ### Using the database with Job Mode Job Mode is set in **Menu → My Car → Job mode** and defines how the database is used. - **OFF** - Database is ignored. - Batches are recorded without names; suitable for quick checks. - **Manual** - Database is used as a pick‑list when closing batches. - After a batch is closed, the instrument prompts to assign a name or leave it unset. - Available names come from **Column 1 (Part name)** in `TAMSdatabase.csv`. - **Guided** - Database is used to guide the operator through a predefined list of parts. - After selecting **Start new job/car**, identification fields are set, and the next part to measure is shown at the bottom of the main screen. - Parts are presented in the order they appear in **Column 1**, or in a sequence list if configured (see below). In both Manual and Guided modes, part names and associated fields are stored with each batch for easier filtering and analysis later. --- ### Configuring sequence lists (optional) Sequence lists allow Guided Job Mode to follow different measurement orders (for example S1, S2, S3…) using an additional sequence file. #### Step 1 – Add a SEQUENCE field to TAMSdatabase.csv In `TAMSdatabase.csv`: - Add a column named exactly **`SEQUENCE`** (it must not be Column 1). - For each part, enter the sequence ID to which it belongs (for example S1, S2, S3…). Example: |Part name|Model|Colour|Process|SEQUENCE|Clear coat|Repair| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |Hood|A123|Blue|Line 1|S1|Type X|None| |Door|A123|Blue|Line 1|S1|Type X|Stage 1| |Roof|A123|White|Line 2|S2|Type Y|Stage 2| Include an entry such as `none` in the SEQUENCE column for parts that should follow the default order and not use a special sequence. #### Step 2 – Create the sequence file (TAMSsequence.csv) Create a second CSV file: - **File name:** `TAMSsequence.csv` - Same basic limits as the main database (up to 15 fields, up to 99 items per list). Structure: - Each **column header** is a sequence ID (S1, S2, S3, etc.). - Under each header, list the **Part name** entries in the exact order you want them measured in that sequence. Example: |S1|S2| |---|---| |Hood|Roof front| |Door|Roof back| |Roof|Trunk| Save the file and copy it to the **root** of the SD card alongside `TAMSdatabase.csv`. #### Step 3 – Load and use sequences in Guided Job Mode 1. Load both `TAMSdatabase.csv` and `TAMSsequence.csv` from the SD card using **Load database from SD card**. 2. Set **Job mode = Guided** in the My Car menu. 3. When starting a new guided job, select the desired sequence (for example S1, S2…). 4. TAMS will now propose parts in the order defined in `TAMSsequence.csv` for that sequence. If the sequence file or selected list is not found, TAMS automatically falls back to using the order in **Column 1** of `TAMSdatabase.csv`. --- # Using the Job Mode Job Mode controls how TAMS organises measurements into named jobs or parts. It can be used simply to record a few readings, or to guide an operator through a predefined list of parts using a database. #### Job Mode options Job Mode has three settings: - **OFF** - No job or part information is used. - TAMS records measurements and batches, but does not ask for batch names. - Best for quick checks and ad‑hoc measurements. - **Manual** - The operator chooses job/part information when closing a batch. - TAMS can prompt for a **batch name** taken from a database (for example a list of parts). - Suitable when parts are measured in flexible order, but still need to be labelled. - **Guided** - TAMS guides the operator through a predefined list of parts or positions. - Each batch is linked to a specific item in the database (for example “Panel A”, “Panel B”). - Best when a complete product must be measured in a specific sequence. Set Job Mode in **Menu → My Car → Job mode** (names may vary slightly with firmware). --- # Using Guided Job Mode Guided mode is designed for repeated, structured measurement routines. 1. Set **Job mode = Guided** in the My Car menu. 2. Choose **Start new job/car** (wording depends on firmware). 3. Enter any required identification fields (for example serial number or product ID). 4. TAMS displays the **next part to measure** on the main screen. 5. Measure and batch as normal; when the batch for that part is complete, TAMS moves on to the next part in the sequence. Guided mode continues until all parts from the list have been measured, at which point a message such as “Finished” is shown. To repeat the routine for another item, select **Start new job/car** again. If a listed part cannot be measured, a long‑press on the relevant key (as defined in the instrument) allows it to be **swapped** (measured later) or **ignored** for that job. --- # Using Manual Job Mode Manual mode links batches to names, without enforcing a fixed sequence. 1. Set **Job mode = Manual** in the My Car menu. 2. (Optional) Load a measurement database from SD card so that part names are available. 3. Take measurements and close batches as usual (manual or auto batching). 4. When a batch is closed, TAMS prompts whether to assign a name. - Choose a name from the list (for example a part or job ID) or skip naming. On the main screen, the current job mode is shown at the bottom (for example “Job mode: Manual”) and the selected batch name appears on the top line. --- # Connecting TAMS via LAN TAMS is connected to a local network using [WIFI](rhopoint-tams-connecting-tams-to-your-pc-or-network-connecting-tams-via-wifi.md) or via an ethernet cable. ![image description](../_images/1773143810762-tams-ethernet.png) TAMS is supplied with cables and adaptors for connection![image description]![image description](../_images/1773160120182-Screenshot-2026-03-10-162737.png) Alternatively the TAMS can be connected to a PC via a wired LAN connection. ![image description](../_images/1773143231822-tams-ethernet-pc.png) Additional cables (supplied) are used to connect to a PC ![image description](../_images/1773160568807-Screenshot-2026-03-10-163444.png) Slide down the door on the TAMS to access the Micro USB port (1) ![image description](../_images/1773151291324-ziSTtfVG8W.png) --- # Connecting TAMS via WIFI To set up wifi TAMS uses an AP mode connection to connect to a local network: **MENU>Admin>Device Settings>Factory>Connectivity>Wifisetup** ![image description](../_images/1773144435906-SC0REKUHCv.png) 1. Switch WIFI to **ON** 2. Click WIFI setup The TAMS will initialise wifi and wait for a connection. The green dot (1) indicates the wifi is initialised. ![image description](../_images/1773147693677-VjlCdgAuQK.png) On your PC navigate to Wifi and network settings in windows 11. ![image description](../_images/1773144875310-id8qAi4JoW.png) Show available networks then double click on TAMS_AP. When prompted enter the password **Tams1234** in a browser navigate to the following website- [10.42.0.1](http://10.42.0.1/) 1. In the dropdown select the network you wish to connect to 2. Enter the wifi password for this network 3. Press connect ![image description](../_images/1773145555930-t7NDbVaw94.png) Once connected the number of green circles (1) indicate the strength of the wifi signal 2- good, 1- OK, 0- poor ![image description](../_images/1773148376985-8IejBn9PFX.png)