Hardware
MatchID is not only a software platform but also integrates with different hardware solutions that might vary depending on your application. We create, test, certify, ship and provide installation of your complete turnkey solution.
Not sure where to start? Check out our standard turnkey solutions.
Turnkey solution
Despite the power of the software, the imaging quality and experimental conditions will heavily influence the final results: random errors might increase due to camera heating, lighting conditions, heat haze, etc. Systematic errors are largely subject to camera resolution, speckle quality, the calibration procedure, mounting conditions, etc. Finally, the temporal performance of the setup is mainly the result of an optimised computer configuration, dedicated triggering, synchronisation of cameras and external signals, etc.
MatchID has developed turnkey solutions that give maximal control on all of these aspects, facilitating successful testing.
Cameras
MatchID offers various camera solutions seamlessly integrated with our image acquisition software and synchronously triggered via our inhouse-made trigger unit. For quasi-static tests we collaborate with Teledyne-Flir, Allied Vision, Basler, Daheng and Baumer machine vision cameras, hereby embedding a versatility of camera resolutions and frame rates.
STANDARD HARDWARE
Lenses
To achieve solid-gold resolution and minimal image distortion, we made a refined selection of high-quality lenses (Fujinon, Kowa,etc). The camera – lens assembly is optimised in terms of sensor coverage, optical distortions, vignetting, ease of use and quality for each configuration.
The lens equipment is backed up with an appropriate filter and mechanical components as e.g. extension tubes, in order to give the best results for your particular application.
Filters
All lenses have a chromatic aberration that effects the sharpness of the images. Based on the sensitivity of the sensor, a color-adjusted bandpass filter significantly increases image sharpness and blocks excessive ambient light. MatchID offers the correct colored filters for all the suggested sensors.
In addition to filtering in the color spectrum, specular reflections can be largely reduced with appropriate polarization filters for both lenses and light. This will allow to adequately perform optical measurements of highly reflective surface.
Lighting
MatchID offers a variety of lighting solutions:
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For quasi-static applications 3000, Lumen light sets.
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White and blue LED solutions
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For high-speed camera or low exposure quasi-static time applications, higher lumen values.
The lighting sets are flexible in terms of light output and beam angle. Indeed, depending on the considered field of view (FOV), lenses on the lights can be swapped. For example, a smaller FOV might need a 15° beam angle, whereas a large structure might require a 60° beam angle.
To reduce specular reflection (reflective surfaces e.g.), linear light polarisers are offered in combination with appropriate filters for your camera lenses.
MatchID units
The in-house developed MatchID units are a central hub for a successful experiment. Accurate timing of the images during a DIC experiment is crucial. The units ensure synchronisation of all involved cameras and analog signals with high accuracy.
The MatchID Trigger unit is used to control the timing triggers, originating from the timing device and fed into to the machine vision cameras. A generic interface is provided making the Trigger unit compatible with all our supported machine vision camera brands. Additionally, an output signal is provided to allow controlling an external device with the same timing accuracy.
The default Trigger unit can support up to four cameras simultaneously but can be easily extended when required for a more elaborate multicamera setup. The number of cameras can be expanded using MatchID Camera Extension units.
With the MatchID Grabber, live DIC data can be exported to control your process using a digital communication channel. If an analog signal is preferred over a digital one, the Feedback unit can be used to convert the digital signal to an analog one.
Optical rail system
We offer a dedicated optical rail system to mount the cameras. The T-configuration provides more flexibility in bringing the cameras closer to the object without being hampered by the tripod legs. All degrees of freedom can be adjusted, while the Arca-Swiss mounting guarantees stable gripping. On top, multiple rails can be combined into a single frame setup enabling back-to-back or even 360 degree configurations.
Computers
Custom composed computers are carefully designed to control multiple cameras using our in-house designed timing equipment, hereby
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Guaranteeing image acquisition and storage speed.
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Yielding best performance for DIC analysis and real-time signal capturing.
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lncorporating all necessary ports for camera control, live experimental feedback, and accurate timing.
Calibration targets
The accuracy of a single camera or stereo measurements depends on how well the distortions from lens-sensor combinations are corrected as well as on the accurate description of the camera locations in the world space. This procedure is performed through the use of calibration targets, which quality strongly affects the results.
We provide ceramic calibration targets that combine excellent flatness and positional accuracy of the calibration dots. Dedicated targets can be selected that operate in both the IR and the white-light imaging regimes. A wide selection of calibration target dimensions is available, encompassing a few millimeter field-of-view applications up to very large structural testing.
Mobile system rack
Our easy to use Mobile system rack is tailored to store MatchID equipment. It features five drawers with custom-made foam inserts and is mounted on wheels for effortless mobility. The rack also includes dedicated space for a computer, a sideboard for the mouse, and a top plate for your screen and keyboard.
High-Speed imaging
For high-speed applications, we integrate with IX, Phantom, Photron and Nac cameras.
In order to operate with minimal exposure times, this type of equipment comes with high-insity LED solutions with various beam angles.
IR cameras: combine mechanical and temperature information
Some applications need recording of the temperature and the strains at the same time. Thanks to a dedicated heated calibration plate and procedure , the thermal data can be mapped directly on the retrieved DIC field. Hereby, the "Eulerian vs Lagrangian" ambiguity is naturally solved.
Applications include:
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Identification of temperature dependent material models.
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PCB thermal strains mapped directly on the temperature field.
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Solar panel or battery thermal strains vs. temperature mapping.
We integrate with Flir and Telops IR cameras. Contact us for the supported models.
ADVANCED EQUIPMENT
Multicamera systems
There are cases for which a single stereo setup is not sufficient to obtain the desired accuracy and results, as e.g.
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360 degree measurements (tanks, vessels, ...)
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large structures (wind turbine blades, concrete beams, ...)
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back-to-back stereo- configuration: DIC on the two faces of shell-like specimens to measure volume change or combined membrane/bending strains
Our breakout units allow to extend a regular stereo setup to a serial synchronized multiple camera configuration. Our standard desktop configuration is limited to 6 adequately controlled cameras. There is no upper limit, however, since the master-slave mode of the MatchID Grabber allows to synchronize a multifold of desktops and as such, an indefinite number of cameras.
In order to facilitate the calibration procedure, a double-sided calibration target can be provided.