MICROTEST

VE-1002 VIDEO EXTENSOMETER

VE-1002 Video Extensometer

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MICROTEST

MICROTEST, S.A.
Instruments and Equipments for Materials Testing
(+34) 91 796 33 32 www.microtest-sa.com
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 VE-1002 VIDEO EXTENSOMETER

VE-1002 Video-extensometer

The VE-1002 video-extensometer developed by MICROTEST, SA is designed to measure

deformations in non-destructive or destructive static tests and at relatively low strain rate.

The complete system consists of a high precision CCD video camera connected to an
analog image capture hardware (frame grabber interface card) installed on a PC, or a
digital camera connected to PC running Windows based software VE-1002, through a USB
or FireWire port 1394.

The video camera captures the images that are digitized in the frame grabber for the VE-
1002 software to obtain the necessary measures.
The actual working resolution is considerably enhanced by software interpolation
techniques whilst simultaneously measuring the values of multiple scanned lines. The
camera's field of view depends upon the focal length of the lens fitted and the distance
away from the specimen

Interchangeable, high precision lenses can be fitted to the camera. These can be fixed
focal length units chosen to suit specific applications or 'zoom' lens which cover a far wider
range of specimen sizes and deflections without having to adjust the camera location.

The video extensometer can be directly connected to the computer control system of a
MICROTEST testing machine. The MICROTEST SCM3000 software can be used to configure
and record the strain data from the VE-1002 system. Different channels can be configured
from each defined region of interest in the video-extensometer, resulting in the different
values of the desired strain measurements. Load and strain data values are saved
simultaneously by SCM3000 software and, then, users can obtain stress-strain or force-
elongation real time curves during the test. The test data are automatically saved in a tab
delimited ASCII or in Excel format.

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Principle of Operation

The camera is rigidly fixed to the machine frame or tripod mounted and focused on
contrasting targets marked on the specimen. It is imperative that the distance between
camera and specimen remains constant during testing as any movement will alter the
image size which in turn will be erroneously interpreted by the software as a change in
specimen size. Provided the testing machine frame is of adequate stiffness and the
specimen grips accurately aligned then this problem should not occur. The specimen
should also be illuminated at a constant level during testing and this is best achieved using
a separate external source.

Monitor display: axial targets and Grey Scale histogram.

Targets are marked by producing straight lines on the specimen using paint, a felt marker
pen of a contrasting color or by attaching self adhesive targets, alternatively the specimen
outline can be used for specimen width targets and also for axial deformations with ridged
specimens. It is essential the targets create a sharp and as great a contrast difference as
possible to ensure correct automatic target recognition and tracking. The target position is
detected at the edge of a contrast transition and is hence not affected by changes in
target width.

Conventional extensometers must be attached to specimens at a known gauge length

and the extension signal obtained is converted into a strain value. This method can result
errors as normally it is not possible to verify the exact gauge length once the extensometer
is fitted on the specimen. The video extensometer operates as a 'strain meter' by directly
calculating the measured extension as a percentage of the original length and only
requires exact knowledge of the initial gauge length if actual extension values are required.
A calibration facility for axial and transverse axes is provided to enable actual distances
between targets to be displayed and saved.

The viewed image is digitalized and the resulting grey scale values (0..255) for each pixel
stored in a continuously refreshed Frame Buffer memory location. From this information it is
possible to produce a grey scale (contrast) diagram for every horizontal scan line or
vertically at any horizontal pixel position.

Using the Frame Buffer information the software automatically detects the gauge marks and
follows them during testing.

Targets are automatically detected by differentiating the grey scale data along the scan
axis to ascertain the rate of change in values and then selecting the maximum values as
the targets.

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 VE-1002 VIDEO EXTENSOMETER

The VE-1002 software automatically detects the number of peaks corresponding to the
number of marks known to have been fitted and selects these as the targets.

Reference marks are shown on the video monitor indicating the selected targets found
within manually selected window and the operator is given the opportunity to manually
select alternatives in the event they have been incorrectly detected.

In order to assist the operator in setting the camera aperture to obtain the correct target
identification, provision is made to display the grey scale level of the datum scan line as a
histogram on the video monitor.

Having established the differential signature pattern, memory zones are defined around
each target values in the Frame Buffer so that only data within these locations is further
processed.

In order to enhance the accuracy and resolution of measurement, the mean grey scale
point is carried out over an operator selected band of scan lines either side of the datum
and the mean length computed from these values.

The crossover points are dynamically adapted throughout the testing process so that
targets are not lost if the target edge contrast reduces due to the specimen stretching.

For the study of axial strain distribution, up to 10 targets can be fitted, and the measuring
process is automatically carried for each zone with the individual lengths being saved.

Using the same technique as previously described, the image can be scanned at right
angles to the specimen axis and the data obtained used to measure width. The specimen
width outline can be used as the width target or alternatively marks can be placed on the
surface. The width can be measured at multiple equispaced distances between the outer
axial targets with the individual values being saved, thus allowing the study of transverse
strain distribution. A 'Neck-tracking' facility can be selected, whereby the specimen width is
continuously scanned and the minimum value detected and measured through to rupture.

All length and width values are transmitted to the machine controlling software SCM3000 to
be displayed and stored for further post processing.

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Method of Operation

VE -1002 Windows based software is used to control all extensometer operations and
procedures.

Firstly, the specimen is marked and then placed in the testing machine. The camera which
is ideally attached to the machine frame is positioned and adjusted so that the video
image clearly shows the targets and has a sufficient field of view to display them
throughout the test.

The position of the axial datum is set using the mouse and the histogram displays the grey
scale values along this scan line scan line, allowing the lens iris and external lighting to be
adjusted for the correct contrast condition.

The extensometer can be calibrated by placing a known distance piece adjacent to the
specimen face or measuring the specimen width/diameter with a micrometer. These
targets points are then selected using the computer mouse and their known values
entered, this results in a recalculation and display of the size of the monitor's field of view.
Provided the camera is not moved or the lens adjusted between tests, subsequent
specimens will be automatically measured without recalibration.

If transverse strain is required for the calculation of true stress, n value, Poisson's ratio etc. the
operator selects the number of zones between the axial targets over which it is to be
measured and whether the mean or minimum value is to be recorded. When the minimum
value is selected the system automatically searches and tracks the neck value.

The specimen image is continuously displayed on the monitor during a test together with
lines indicating the axial and transverse points being measured. Several calculated values
can also be displayed in real time having been selected by the operator from a
configuration menu. These can be axial and transverse values, Poisson's ratio, r-value,
operating frequency etc.

When starting a test, the software automatically identifies the targets and indicates these
on the monitor. The operator confirms the targets have been correctly identified, or
alternatively points to the correct ones using the mouse.

All targets are automatically tracked during testing with the measured values being
transmitted to the testing machine control computer. The stored data can be evaluated
using MICROTEST SCM3000 software.

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Applications
The VE1002 Extensometer can be used over a very wide range of testing.

o Metals Testing (Tension & Compression) allowing Modulus, Proof Stress, Max.
Load, Poisson's Ratio, r value, strain at break, and many more values to be
automatically calculated.
o Plastics Tensile Testing allowing Modulus, Proof Stress, Max. Load, Poisson's
Ratio, energy under curve, strain at break, and many more values to be
automatically calculated.
o Textile Testing.
o 3 & 4 Point Bending where the strain, stress values and radius of curvature
can be calculated from the deflections obtained.

Although the system has been described for use with conventional tensile, compressive or bending tests, it
can be used to accurately determine the movement of any object. i.e. movement of a bridge under load
relative to ground, sideways movement of a wall relative a fixed reference line, extension of nerves,
muscles or bones during surgical operations etc.

Resolution
The VE1002 Video- extensometer has neither a fixed gauge length nor operating range as it
depends upon where specimen targets are located and the selected field of view.
Axial Field of View Minimum Resolution
50 mm 0.35 m
90 mm 0.5 m
150 mm 0.8 m
250 mm 1 m
500 mm 2.5 m
1000 mm 10 m

Advantages of VE1002 Video-Extensometer

- Non-contacting and therefore does not influence rupture point.

- Tools for image adjustment: contrast, sharpness, etc.
- Easy calibration of the measuring system from the software VE1002.
- Directly measures strain.
- Can measure strain up to failure.
- Arbitrary choice of gauge length and operating range.
- Can be used in hostile environments and with temperature cabinets, provided a clear
window is available.
- Allows simultaneous measurement of transverse strain and vertical anisotropy.
- Allows automatic detection and measurement of specimen necking.
- Allows testing of problematic materials such as cables, thin foils, fibres, foams, composites
etc.
- Entire testing procedure can be observed on a monitor together with real time calculated
values.
- Easy integration with measurement and control software for materials testing in third through
ActiveX technology.
- No moving parts to wear out.
- Option to store and print image at moment of rupture.

MICROTEST, S.A.
C/ Valle de Tobalina, 10 28021 MADRID (Spain) Tel.: (+34) 91 796 33 32
microtest@microtest-sa.com http://www.microtest-sa.com