EPSRC Engineering Instrument Pool

Other Instruments

3-D IMAGE CORRELATION SYSTEMS

Digital Image Correlation (DIC) is an optical method to measure deformation on an object's surface. The method tracks the grey value pattern in small neighbourhoods, called subsets, (indicated in red in the figure) during deformation. The surface of the subject must be covered with a speckle pattern. This can be applied e.g. by spray can.

The system is capable of measuring full-field, 3D displacement. 3D shape and the surface strain on complex geometries of many materials. Measurement fields from several mm² to >100m² can be covered by the system.

Typical applications for 3D DIC are material testing and component testing:

E1 and E2 strain field on a tensile test	Component test on wing and a gear tooth

Setup: A stereoscopic setup with two cameras is focused on the object. The optical setup is then determined automatically by using a calibration grid. Once the calibration has been carried out, it is vital that the cameras are not moved relative to each other. A series of images can then be taken of the object under stress conditions. These images are analysed by the Vic-3D software. (Vic-3D is developed by CorrelatedSolutions Inc.)

The Instrument Pool has three DIC systems as described below.

Limess Quasistatic 3D Digital Image Correlation System (3D DIC)
This system uses two 4 M pixel cameras which can record at up to 15 frames per second (fps). These cameras are connected to a supplied laptop via firewire and images are recorded directly to the laptop hard drive. Once a set of images are acquired, they can be analysed using the VIC-3D software. This software requires a dongle which is supplied and can be loaned to the user for an agreed period, after the loan of the system has ended. The user can then analyse their results using their own pc. This system is supplied with three different calibration grids to suit different size subjects, a pair of flood lights with tripods, a laptop loaded with image capture and analysis software, and associated cables and accessories. At full camera resolution, this  system is capable of displacements of 1/200,000 of the FOV (field of view), e.g. 1µm @200x200mm, and strains from 0.01% up to >500%.

Limess High Speed 3D Digital Image Correlation System (3D DIC)
The Pool has two identical high speed DIC systems. Each system uses two Photron SA-1 high speed video cameras. These cameras can record at up to 5,400 frames per second (fps) at 1 M pixel resolution. Speeds up to 675,000 fps can be achieved at lower resolution.
The set-up procedure is similar to the quasistatic system above, but this time, the cameras are connected to the laptop via an Ethernet hub. Images are recorded to the cameras own memory and only the images of interest are downloaded to the laptop and imported in to the VIC-3D software for analysis.

This system is supplied with four different calibration grids to suit different size subjects, two flood lights and tripods, a laptop loaded with camera control software and analysis software and associated cables and accessories.

At full camera resolution, these  systems are capable of displacements of 1/100,000 of the FOV (field of view), e.g. 2µm @200x200mm, and strains from 0.02% up to >500%.

GAS CHROMATOGRAPH

The Gas Chromatograph provides fast gas analysis in a compact package, offering a fast response typically < 1s, and wide dynamic range of 6 decades. Proven technology is used such as Valco® valves, standard detectors and capillary columns. Three detectors are fitted, and analytical columns can be changed easily. The instrument is suitable for a range of applications, including trace gas analysis at concentrations down to 20ppb, and is used with a PC and EZChrom software for programming parameters and analysis and presentation of results. 

The instrument has a clear ‘injector-column-detector’ configuration.

The maximum inlet sample pressure is 2 bar at temperature up to 100°C via 1.6mm (1/16″) input port fitting. The carrier gas can be helium, hydrogen, nitrogen, argon, at pressure up to 10 bar, via 1/8″ Swagelok gas fitting.

The instrument is fitted with 3 channels, one Flame Ionisation Detector (FID) channel, and two Thermal Conductivity Detector (TCD) channels. The detection limits are < 100 ppb (for the FID detector), and < 10 ppm (for the TCD detector).

The columns can be changed to suit the application. Standard available columns can be easily installed using finger-tight couplings, including capillary narrow bore columns, wide-bore columns, and (micro) packed columns.

Each column has a separate oven with temperature controlled in the range 30 to 175°C.

The use of capillary columns for gas analysis reduces the analysis time, and a typical maximum runtime is 120 seconds. No additional flush or conditioning steps are necessary so the cycle time is equal to the runtime.

All GC parameters for each channel, including valve switching, temperature and flow setting are programmable during the analysis using the ‘run-time-table’.

A brochure is available from the manufacturer’s website http://www.gassite.com/compactgc

FIBRE SPLICER

The Fujikura FSM-45PM Arc Fusion Splicer is designed for splicing polarization maintaining fibres. It has a Profile Alignment System (PAS) for core-to-core fibre alignment, and angularly rotates and aligns the polarisation maintaining fibres prior to splicing (theta alignment system). The fibre holder system provides easy handling of fibres during a series of splicing processes.

Special splicing functions are available, including splicing of various fibres such as dissimilar fibre, large diameter fibre, attenuation splicing and short cleaved length splicing.

Features include:

• Core-to-core fibre alignment system with PAS technology.
• Automatic theta alignment for polarization maintaining fibres.
• Universal Fibre Clamp for fibre diameter of 80mm to 400mm
• V- groove Driving System for various kinds of splicing work.
• Short cleaved length splicing capability.
• Splice loss estimation function.
• Cross talk estimation function for polarization maintaining fibre splicing.
• Sweep arc function for various kinds of dissimilar fibre splicing.
• Power monitor feedback alignment capability with GP-IB interface.
• USB terminal and serial port for PC communication.

Accessories provided:

• 250um, 400um Fibre Clamps
• HJS-02 Hot jacket stripper
• CT-32 High Precision Cleaver

A datasheet and technical specification can be downloaded from the manufacturer’s website: http://www.fujikura.co.uk/fibre_optics/products/splicers/index.html

SENSL TIME CORRELATED SINGLE-PHOTON COUNTER

Time-correlated single-photon counting (TCSPC) is a sensitive technique for recording low-intensity periodic light signals at extremely high time resolution.

Specification and technical details

Accessories

Optical rail, quartz lenses and XY micrometer mount for increased collection efficiency
Fast photodiode for generation of trigger pulse from an optical trigger signal

SKYSCAN 1174 CT SCANNER

The Skyscan 1174 X-Ray Micro-CT Scanner provides high resolution 3D imaging down to 6µm, for a wide range of biomedical, materials science, electronics, and geology applications.

The scanner uses an x-ray source with adjustable voltage from 20 - 50kV. The maximum samples size is 50mm in length, and from 5 – 30mm diameter, depending on magnification used. The x-ray image detector is a 1.3Mpixel CCD coupled to a scintillator via a zoom lens. The variable magnification (6-30 µm pixel size) and object positioning (50mm vertical travel) allows selection of the volume to be scanned. The scanner is controlled by a Dell T7400 desktop PC via two control cables and a FireWire (IEEE1394) input. A range of software is provided allowing fast volumetric reconstruction, 2D / 3D quantitative analysis, and realistic 3D visualization.

Two filters are provided for use when scanning higher density specimens.

Three sample stages are provided, and can be installed in place of the standard specimen holder. The stages are controlled by software independent of the main scanner control program.

Micro-Positioning Stage

The micro-positioning stage allows exact positioning of small objects in the middle of the scanning field, enabling maximum magnification and optimizing scan speed and quality. The stage allows 5mm travel in the x- and y-directions, and axial positioning is achieved by reference to projection images.

Material Testing Stage

The Material Testing Stage allows the user to combine micro-CT imaging with compression and tensile testing during scanning. The loading curve can be displayed in real time and saved, and the specimen is held at a specific loading during scanning.

The maximum load is 210N, and the stage includes an accurate load cell (± 1% of the full range) and displacement sensor (accuracy: ± 0.01mm). The maximum object diameter is 20mm, and the maximum height is 23mm (compression) and 18mm (tension), and maximum travel is 5.5mm

Cooling Stage

The cooling stage keeps an object at a cooler-than-ambient or sub-zero temperature during micro-CT scanning. It contains a two-stage solid-state Peltier cooling system which keeps object temperature at up to 35-40C below ambient temperature. A precision temperature sensor provides feedback to the stage control program for temperature stabilization at a pre-selected value, with 0.5°C accuracy.

Dimensions

The scanner 1174 footprint is 800 x 300mm and the weight is 32kg. In addition there is a large desktop PC, monitor and keyboard. The system needs a strong and stable workbench, ideally around 2m long.

Technical information about the instrument is available from the manufacturer’s website:
http://www.skyscan.be/products/1174.htm

RADIATION SAFETY

The Skyscan 1174 is a sealed cabinet device designed for desktop operation in a normal laboratory environment. The x-ray source is only switched on during scans, and access to the specimen chamber is inter-locked. Radiation measured outside the instrument is at a low level, specified by the manufacturer to be less than 1µSv/h.

However, the instrument must be installed and used in compliance with the Ionising Radiation Regulations 1999. Prospective users are advised to contact their local Radiation Protection Supervisor (RPS) for advice about their Local Rules concerning the use of x-ray instruments and requirements for x-ray safety training. The Engineering Instrument Pool RPS will provide a Radiation Risk Assessment, ensure that the instrument is safe to use, and agree the local supervision arrangements.

POLHEMUS MOTION TRACKING SYSTEMS

The Pool has two motion tracking systems which can be used in any application where accurate information about movement is required such as Biomechanics or Sports science. The systems collect data by using a radio transmitter-receiver system to track the position of a number of sensors which collect information about the position, orientation and rates of displacement of the target object.

The Polhemus Liberty is a wired system which consists of a 280/16 system electronics unit (SEU), TX4-L4 Transmitter Unit and 16 RX2-L Receiver sensors which are on a 6m cable.

The Polhemus Liberty LATUS (Large Area Tracking Untethered System) is a wireless system which consists of a 280/16 system electronics unit (SEU) along with 12 Wireless Markers and 16 signal receptors which are on  a 18.3 m cable. Each receptor can track up to 12 markers in an area 2.44m diameter allowing large areas to be monitored by using multiple receptors.  As this system uses low powered electromagnetic fields to make these measurements, care must be taken to avoid interference from the proximity of electrical systems and/or large metallic items such as steel building frameworks when using this system.

Both systems are supplied with a Dell laptop PC complete with software ready installed to allow data capture and analysis. 

PROLAB MASS SPECTROMETER

At the heart of the ProLab is a well-proven quadrupole mass spectrometer analyzer. Mass spectrometry is particularly well suited to atmospheric monitoring due to the rapid speed of analysis and versatility of the technique. Furthermore, the certainty of identification of mass spectrometry is unmatched by other multicomponent techniques. This reduces the susceptibility to false alarms. For ionization, an enclosed ion source is used to achieve maximum sensitivity and resistance to contamination. Thoria filaments are used as they operate at low temperatures and give excellent operational life and ruggedness. A dual filament design is used to ensure maximum up time, allowing replacement at scheduled maintenance intervals.

The compact triple filter analyzer covers a mass range (1-300amu), which will enable the detection of most common samples. A triple filter design is employed to enhance performance in the 50-250 amu mass range and to further increase resistance to contamination. With the enclosed ion source and triple filter design maintenance requirements are reduced to one routine service every twelve months. The analyzer incorporates a proven dual detection system. This includes a secondary electron multiplier (SEM) detector that will be for detection of samples at ppm levels. A faraday detector is also supplied to monitor higher concentrations and to calibrate the SEM.

Typical applications

Specifications