SAFE® PERFOtronic: Tips for Use

Getting the most out of your PERFOtronic requires a little know-how. Follow these expert guidelines for accurate, consistent results every time:

• Avoid direct light on the work surface. The PERFOtronic operates on light sensors — ambient or direct light falling onto the working area can interfere with measurement results. Work in controlled, indirect lighting for best accuracy.
• Stamp not reading correctly? Try flipping it. The device can extrapolate perforation counts even on stamps with missing or defective teeth. If you receive an unexpected result, rotate the stamp 180° and remeasure. If there are too few teeth or the test area is defective, the display will show "error".
• Understanding how perforation is measured. Per international agreement, perforation is counted over a 2cm span — so a gauge of 12¼ means 12.25 teeth per 2cm. The PERFOtronic measures to 1/1000mm internally and rounds to standard ¼ increments for display (e.g., 12.25 = 12¼, 12.5 = 12½).
• Advanced Mode. Borderline readings on American or British stamps? Some stamps fall exactly between two standard values. If you receive a reading like 14.126 that rounds ambiguously, hold the ON switch for 3 seconds to activate high-precision mode and obtain a more exact 1/100 measurement (e.g., 12.24).
• Catalogue numbers may differ from Perfotronic results. Older philatelic catalogues were compiled before electronic gauges existed — mechanical gauges of the past were imprecise and inconsistent. Additionally, paper and gum expansion under varying temperature and humidity conditions can cause minor measurement variation, especially for stamps with perforations falling between two standard values.
• Large, edge, and coil stamps are no problem. The PERFOtronic handles oversized, margin, and rolled stamps without issue — just ensure the stamp is correctly placed and aligned on the work surface per the user manual.
• Keep the device clean and stable. Avoid vigorous shaking or drops. Keep the work surface as dust-free as possible, as debris on the sensor plate can affect light readings and measurement accuracy.