Advanced Video Extensometer (AVE)

High Performance, Non-Contact Video Extensometer

Advanced Video Extensometer

Setting the Pace for Video Extensometry

Contact or Non-Contact Systems?
Measurement of strain during material testing is traditionally carried out using some form of contact strain measurement device. While providing accurate measurements in many applications, contact extensometers may have an adverse effect on test results. Knife-edge contact points can initiate premature failure. The operating force of the extensometer can increase the apparent stiffness of the test specimen. The weight of a contact extensometer can also distort delicate specimens.

Instron s Solution: The Advanced Video Extensometer

Different Fields of View (FOV)

The AVE is available with different FOV to suit different applications. The 200 mm (8 in) FOV lens is suitable for testing a variety of materials: J Plastics, including thin films J Metals, including wires and foils J Elastomers J Composites J Textiles J Paper J Biomaterials The 500 mm (20 in) FOV lens is primarily designed for testing elastomers and other materials with high strain to failure. The 60 mm (2.4 in) FOV lens uses a specialized telecentric lens and is optimized for a range of testing on small specimens and components.

Instron introduced the first commercial video extensometer in 1991 and is now the leading supplier of video extensometers for materials testing. The new Instron Advanced Video Extensometer (AVE) is a high performance, non-contact extensometer with measurement performance that meets or exceeds that of traditional contact extensometers. The unit contains no moving mechanical parts and therefore is not susceptible to effects from mechanical inertia or wear. The AVE uses a high resolution digital camera and advanced real-time image processing to make precise axial and transverse (optional) strain measurements on material test specimens. High performance is matched by an ergonomic design that allows easy set up and provides very good operator access to the test area.

Key Features
J J J J J J J J J J J

Non-contact measurement High resolution and accuracy Ergonomic design: easy to use and to set up Setup wizards to guide the operator Simple specimen preparation Robust and tolerant of ambient lighting conditions and specimen surface color and finish Fully integrated with Instron testing software High data rate (50 Hz) Transverse strain measurement (optional) FOV to match the application Precision two-dimensional calibration fixture

Transverse Strain Measurement Option

The transverse strain measurement option provides the ability to measure r-value in sheet metals testing.

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G AVE with integral illumination unit

The AVE Offers Numerous Benefits Over Traditional Contact Extensometers

J J

No influence on the test specimen No problems with knife-edge slippage J No errors due to inertia of moving parts J No moving parts eliminates errors due to wear J No possibility of damage due to energy release at failure

G AVE mounted on a table model testing frame

Engineered for Precision and Ease of Use

Easy Set Up and Operation
Wizards allow easy set up and calibration. Operators can calibrate the extensometer, enable and disable its use, and optionally define the area of interest to be measured. Once setup is complete, acquisition of the marks defining the gauge length and the measurement of strain starts automatically when the test is started. Full integration of the extensometer with Instron Bluehill 2 application software means that only one computer is required to run the testing system, saving cost and space, and improving ease of use.

Absolute Measurement Capability

Generally, non-contact measurement systems are only capable of relative measurement (this is the measurement of change in displacement relative to an initial distance, and is commonly called strain). In contrast, the AVE has absolute measurement capability, allowing extension to be measured in absolute displacement units as well as percentage strain. This means accuracy can be verified using established extensometer calibrators and standards. In addition, the actual gauge length is automatically measured before the beginning of each test and used for strain calculations, eliminating errors introduced by inaccurate specimen marking.

Gauge Mark Location and Tracking

The video image captured by the digital camera is transferred via the IEEE 1394 (Firewire) interface to the PC. Real time image processing algorithms running on the PC then locate the centers of the two gauge marks (or up to four marks if the transverse strain option is installed). Specimen strain is then calculated from the mark separation at the start of the test (gauge length) and the current mark separations. Tracking the center of the mark eliminates possible errors caused by stretching of the marks at high elongations.

Specimen Preparation
The AVE measures strain by tracking contrasting gauge marks placed on the specimen. The gauge marks can be in the form of dots or lines, and they can be applied to the specimen by a variety of methods. Marker pens are suitable for many specimen types, and these are supplied with the extensometer, along with a marker template to aid positioning of the marks. In addition, there are several other automated methods of marking, such as the hand-operated marker. Expert advice on additional techniques and approaches is available.

Hand-Operated Marker (HOM)

The HOM allows for marks to be placed on a specimen with consistent size, color density and spacing. Inks will stretch along with the specimen, unlike traditional stick-on paper dots that may move as the material is being strained, which can introduce error.

Multi-Point Two-Dimensional Calibration

Using non-contact optical systems, imperfections in the optics can introduce errors in the calculated strain or extension. The AVE compensates with full multi-point two-dimensional calibration using a grid of precision marks. A calibration wizard guides the operator through the calibration process, simplifying the process and ensuring consistency.

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G Plastics tensile test G Hand-Operated Marker (HOM)

System Elements

Constant Density Air Tube

Two-Dimensional Calibration Fixture

Integral Illumination Unit

G Calibration fixture and wizard

Camera
A high-performance digital camera with a megapixel sensor and an IEEE 1394 (Firewire) digital interface provides both high resolution and high data rates.

Patented Constant Density Air Tube

Now awarded US and European patents (US 7,047,819 B2 and EP 1 424 547 B1), the careful control of the air between the camera and specimen ensures high resolution and accuracy by eliminating noise caused by refraction of light by unwanted air currents.

Calibration Wizard Software

Patented Illumination
Now awarded US and European patents (US 7,047,819 B2 and EP 1 424 547 B1), the integrated, high intensity-pulsed, low voltage LED illumination system ensures that optimum lighting is maintained under all ambient lighting conditions. The use of innovative light filters completely eliminates bright reflections from certain materials providing unrivaled mark contrast and accurate measurement.

Image Processing Algorithms Accessory Kits

Real time calculation of strain from the camera images is achieved using sophisticated image processing algorithms that track the center of the marks. This approach eliminates errors that can occur due to stretching and distortion of the marks. The AVE extensometer is supplied with a case containing: marker pens, a gauge mark template, a two-dimensional calibration fixture and adapters. The case can be used to store spare lenses..

Example Applications
Plastics and Composites
The AVE is ideal for testing a wide variety of plastic and composite materials in both tension and compression. Use of non-contact measurement overcomes a number of limitations encountered with contact extensometers including: J No knife-edges to damage the test specimen and cause premature breaks J No influence of the weight and/or operating force of a contacting extensometer on the test results J No possibility of damage to the extensometer due to energy release at failure The AVE meets the requirements of the following plastics test standards: J Tensile: ASTM D 638, ASTM D 882, ISO 527* J Compression: ASTM D 695, ASTM D 1621, ISO 604

G Fully integrated software - plastics test

Elastomers
The non-contact strain measurement means that the AVE is ideal for tensile testing a wide variety of elastomeric materials, including rubbers in both tension and compression. The AVE offers superior performance to traditional contacting extensometers in areas such as: J No knife-edges to damage the test specimen and cause premature breaks J No influence of the weight and/or operating force of a contacting extensometer on the test results J No possibility of damage to the extensometer due to energy release at failure J Sufficient travel when testing material with high extension to failure The extensometer meets the requirements of the following rubber test standards:
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G High extension rubber testing

J ISO 37, ASTM D 412

*Partial compliance

Metals Tensile Testing

The high accuracy of the AVE makes it ideal for measuring strain in a metals tensile test. With the transverse strain measurement option, the extensometer can also be used to measure r-value. The unique capabilities of the AVE mean that it can be used to test a wide range of metal specimen types including wires, foils, sheet, bar and wire. The AVE offers the following advantages for metals testing: J High accuracy J No possibility of knife-edge slippage J No possibility of damage to extensometer due to energy release at failure J Lighting system eliminates reflections from shiny specimens ensuring good mark contrast The extensometer meets the requirements of the following metals test standards: J Metals tensile: ASTM E 8, EN 10002-1, ISO 6892 J n-value: ASTM E 646, EN 10130 J r-value: ISO 10113, ASTM E 517, EN 10130
G Tensile test on sheet metal

G Nitinol wire test

Specifications
Fields of View (FOV) Axial Measurement Resolution Accuracy Data Rate Recommended Marking Alternative Marking Maximum Following Speed Transverse Measurement Option Transverse FOV Maximum Transverse Gauge Width Resolution Accuracy Data Rate Resolution with Chamber (Axial and Transverse at 23 C) Accuracy with Chamber * Whichever is greater 60 mm (2.4 in) 200 mm (8 in) 500 mm (20 in)

0.5 m 2.5 m or 0.5% of reading* 50 Hz 2 mm (0.08 in) diameter dots 1 mm (0.04 in) thick lines 150 mm/min (5.9 in/min)

1 m 2.5 um or 0.5% of reading* 50 Hz 4 mm (0.16 in) diameter dots 2 mm (0.08 in) thick lines 500 mm/min (20 in/min)

5 m 25 um or 0.5% of reading* 50 Hz 4 mm (0.16 in) diameter dots 5 mm (0.2 in) thick lines 1000 mm/min (40 in/min)

8 mm (0.32 in) 5 mm (0.2 in) 0.5 m 2.5 m or 0.5% of reading* 50 Hz 3 m + 1 m/25 C 6 m or twice resolution*

28 mm (1.1 in) 25 mm (1.0 in) 1 m 2.5 m or 0.5% of reading* 50 Hz 5 m + 1 m/25 C 10 m or twice resolution*

30 mm (1.2 in) 27 mm (1.1 in) 5 m 25 m or 0.5% of reading* 50 Hz 50 m + 1 m/25 C 100 m or twice resolution*

Classification to Standards
Strain Measurement (Axial and Transverse) Classification to IS0 9513, EN 10002-4 Classification to ASTM E 83 60 mm (2.4 in) Class 1 B-1 (G.L. > 25 mm) B-2 (G.L. > 12.5 mm) 200 mm (8 in) Class 1 B-1 (G.L. > 25 mm) B-2 (G.L. > 12.5 mm) C (G.L. > 25 mm) D (G.L. > 10 mm) 500 mm (20 in)

Notes: 1. PC platform - The AVE runs on the same PC as the testing machine software. The minimum specification for the PC is: 3.06 GHz Pentium 4 with 512 M memory and Windows 2000 or Windows XP operating system. The PC must have an available PCI slot and a parallel printer interface with EPP (IEEE 1284).

2. Application software - The AVE is supported by Instron Bluehill 2 software.

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