Number of this manual: B e Date of issue: AxioVision Graphite. Reference Guide

Transcription

1 Number of this manual: B e Date of issue: AxioVision Graphite Reference Guide

2 Carl Zeiss Vision draws the User's attention to the fact that the information and references contained in these documents may be subject to technical modifications, in particular due to the continuous further development of Carl Zeiss Vision's products. The documents enclosed do not contain any warranty by Carl Zeiss Vision with regard to the technical processes described in the documentation or to certain reproduced product characteristics. Furthermore, Carl Zeiss Vision shall not be held liable for any possible printing errors or other inaccuracies in this documentation, unless proof can be furnished that any such errors or inaccuracies are already known by Carl Zeiss Vision or that these are not known to Carl Zeiss Vision due to gross negligence and that furthermore Carl Zeiss Vision has for these reasons refrained from eliminating these errors or inaccuracies appropriately. Carl Zeiss Vision hereby explicitly draws the User's attention to the fact that this manual only contains a general description of the technical processes and information, the implementation of which in any individual case may not be appropriate in the form described here. In cases of doubt, we recommend the User to consult Carl Zeiss Vision. This manual is protected by copyright. Carl Zeiss Vision has reserved all rights to this documentation. It is prohibited to make copies, partial copies, or to translate this manual into any other language. Carl Zeiss Vision explicitly draws attention to the fact that the information contained in this manual will be updated regularly in compliance with the technical modifications and supplements carried out in the products and furthermore that this manual only reflects the technical status of Carl Zeiss Vision's products at the time of printing. Reproductions, copies, and even excerpts may only be made with explicit approval from Carl Zeiss Vision GmbH Zeppelinstr München-Hallbergmoos czv_support@zeiss.de Copyright 2003 by Carl Zeiss Vision GmbH Microsoft, Windows, Windows 2000 Professional, Windows XP Professional and Excel are registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the USA and/or other countries.

3 Safety Refer to the safety notes and instructions in the manuals of all necessary devices (e.g. microscope peripherals, cameras, computers, computer additionals, etc.) before installing and using the software.

4 Table of Contents Table of Contents 1 AxioVision Graphite Important Notes... 1 User Group with Administrator Rights ("Supervisors")... 1 User Group without Administrator Rights ("Operators")... 2 How do I start the software... 3 What is a project?... 4 How do I start a project?... 5 How do I generate a new project? How do I start a defined project? Project Menu New (Ctrl+N) Load (Ctrl+O) Save (Ctrl+S) Save As (Alt+A) Project Settings (Ctrl+Shift+S) Sample Description - Sample Data Image Sources - Image Sources The Scaling Wizard Step 1: Select image Step 2: Select scaling method Step 3: Drawing in scaling distance Saving Active Image Source - Folder Properties Processing Processing - Select Processing Processing - Setup Processing Processing - Discrimination Reports - Report Templates Exit (Alt+F4) Analysis Menu Analysis Settings Active Image Source - Folder Properties Processing - Discrimination Sample Description (Ctrl+D) AxioVision Graphite Reference Guide i

5 Table of Contents 3.3 Run Analysis (F5) Reset (Del) Make Report (Ctrl+R) Export Data View Menu Show Status Window (Alt+S) Show Image Pool (Alt+I) Work Bar (Alt+W) Live (Alt+L) Reset Windows Layout Help Menu Load Demo Project [Ctrl+Shift+O] Content (Ctrl+F1) Index About Materials Measurement Methods General Key Combinations Literature Appendix - Graphite Standards and Image Analysis Algorithms The Form Spatial Distribution of Graphite The Size Sizes ii B e

6 Important Notes 1 AxioVision Graphite 1.1 Important Notes To work with AxioVision Graphite, you need to be aware of the following important point: There are two different user groups (these are described in detail in the two sections below). User Group with Administrator Rights ("Supervisors") This group generates the projects in AxioVision Graphite and specifies the necessary Project Settings. Camera settings, image processing functions, measurement methods and report templates can only be changed by this group. They cannot be changed by users without administrator rights (operators). All functions, displayed in the Project menu, are available to the administrator. These are: Project --> New: to create new projects. Project --> Load: to open existing projects. Project --> Save: to save projects. Project --> Save As: to save projects under a new name. Project --> Project Settings: to change project settings. Project --> Recent Projects: list of recent project files. Project --> Exit: to exit the program. AxioVision Graphite Reference Guide 1

7 Important Notes User Group without Administrator Rights ("Operators") The actual user (operator) falls under this group. The operator performs the required tasks (analyses) in AxioVision Graphite. However, as he/she has lower-level user rights, he/she is unable to change fundamental project settings. Nevertheless, the operator can perform all measurements (project analysis) and change the sample settings (within the context of such an analysis). Only certain functions, displayed in the Project menu, are available to the operator. These are: Project --> Load: to load projects created by the administrator and his/her own projects (saved within the context of his/her limited user rights). Project --> Save: to save his/her own projects (within the context of his/her limited user rights). Project --> Save As: to change current projects and save them in his/her own document area as his/her own projects, within the context of his/her limited user rights. Project --> Recent Projects: list of recent project files. Project --> Exit: to exit the program. 2 B e

8 Important Notes How do I start the software Start the AxioVision Graphite software on your monitor by double-clicking on this icon or alternatively via Start --> Programs --> Carl Zeiss Vision --> AxioVision Graphite. AxioVision Graphite Reference Guide 3

9 Important Notes The user interface of AxioVision Graphite will be displayed: Click on the symbol to display the windows as shown above. What is a project? A project contains settings for a defined measurement routine, such as the scaling, measurement method, image source and image processing steps. The project is defined and saved by the administrator. The user then loads the project so that he/she can work with it. However, the user can only change a small number of settings, e.g. camera settings and segmentation. To ensure that the conditions of a project remain the same, the user cannot save changes in the project file. 4 B e

10 Important Notes How do I start a project? Three demo projects are integrated in the software. They should serve as an introduction in the functionality and the possibilities of the application. DEMO Sintercast Analysis: Particle shape analysis by Sintercast method. DEMO Lamellar Graphite: Space distribution of the lamellar graphite particles. DEMO Spherolite Graphite: Space distribution of the spherolyte graphite particles. The demo projects use series of stored images, that are loaded and analyzed automatically. In the menu bar click in the Help menu on the function Load Demo Project or use the key combination Ctrl+Shift+D. In the dialog window Open Project click on the first demo file "DEMO Lamellar Graphite.zvampr". Click Open. AxioVision Graphite Reference Guide 5

11 Important Notes In the Workflow click on Run Analysis. The Sample Description form will be displayed. Edit the both text fields Job Number: and Number:. 6 B e

12 Important Notes Click OK. The demo images will be imported and analyzed automatically. AxioVision Graphite Reference Guide 7

13 Important Notes The results of the measurement will be displayed colored in the Images field. Use the tabs to toggle between the original image, processed image and output image. Using the arrow keys you can move from the first to the last image (in this case three images) and control the particular results. In the Status Window the list of the measurement values are displayed, when the Output tab is active. Click on window click on to display the report. In the Material Reports to see the report in windows size. The report is multilateral. Using the arrow keys you can see the next 8 B e

14 Important Notes pages. The first report page contains the sample data, the first image and the appropriate measurement values. Run the other demo projects in the same manner, as well as the projects which were defined by the administrator. These projects can be loaded with the Load function in the Project menu (key combination Ctrl+O). AxioVision Graphite Reference Guide 9

15 Important Notes How to create new projects is described in chapter 2 "Project Menu". The measurement methods are described in chapter 6 "Measurement Methods". Please note, that creating new projects requires administrator rights, as described in chapter 1.1 "User Group with Administrator Rights ("Supervisors")". How do I generate a new project? Select from the Project menu the New function (this requires administrator rights). The Choose the project type dialog window is opened. Click on the icon for the measurement method that you want to work with, and enter a name for your new project in the Name field. The path for saving the project is indicated in the Location field. Click on OK. A new project file is created. This file contains everything required for a routine measurement: the image source used (images acquired by the camera or saved images); the desired image processing steps; the preferred measurement method; the desired report template. You can specify the content of the project file under Project Settings (Project menu or key combination Ctrl+Shift+S). To do this, please read the detailed description under 2.5 "Project Settings". How do I start a defined project? Select from the Project menu the Load function. You will now see the Open dialog window, where you can select the desired project. Click in the Workflow workbar on Run Analysis, and enter all the required settings one after the other. Run through the program step by step by clicking on the OK button each time it appears. At the end of the program, the results are displayed in the status window. If you activate Make Report, the results are displayed in a report too. 10 B e

16 Project Menu 2 Project Menu 2.1 New (Ctrl+N) This function opens the Choose the project type dialog window. In this dialog window select the measurement method you want to use for the analysis. Enter a name for the new project file and select the directory where you want to save it. The usual place to save the files is in a subdirectory within your "Documents and Settings" folder. Click on OK to finish the procedure or on Cancel if you want to cancel it. AxioVision Graphite Reference Guide 11

17 Project Menu A new project file is created. This file contains everything required for a routine measurement: The image source used images acquired by the camera saved images are analyzed. The desired image-processing steps. The measurement method to generate the desired data from the image. The desired report template. You can specify the content of the project file under Project Settings (Project menu or key combination Ctrl+Shift+S). The following three measurement methods are available: : Size determination as per ISO / ASTM standard for nodular graphite samples. : Size determination as per ISO / ASTM standard for lamellar graphite samples. : Nodularity determination - vermicular and nodular graphite analysis as per Sintercast. 12 B e

18 Project Menu 2.2 Load (Ctrl+O) This function can also be called up by left-clicking on the toolbar. The dialog window for opening projects is opened. icon on the You can select and load an existing project file. This deletes the images and results of any previous analysis you may have performed. Project files have the extension *.ZVAMPR and are saved by default in the directory "C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\Carl Zeiss\Data\ MATProjects\ and then AxioVision Graphite..." 2.3 Save (Ctrl+S) This function can also be called up by left-clicking on the toolbar. icon on the The current project file is saved. If you have made changes in Project Settings, these changes will also apply to future measurements of this project file. "C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\Carl Zeiss\Data\ MATProjects\ and then AxioVision Graphite..." AxioVision Graphite Reference Guide 13

19 Project Menu 2.4 Save As (Alt+A) You can save the current project file under a different name. Use this function to create a new version or a copy of a current project file. "C:\Documents and Settings\<Username>\Documents\Carl Zeiss\ Data\MATProjects\ and then AxioVision Graphite..." 2.5 Project Settings (Ctrl+Shift+S) This function can also be called up by left-clicking on the toolbar. The Properties dialog window is opened. icon on the Here you can specify the individual steps of the analysis (these can be selected in the Configuration field). Sample Description specifies the input form for the analysis. Image Sources specifies the image source for the analysis (camera, storage medium etc.). Active Image Source allows you to make adjustments to the live image (if camera has been selected under Image Sources) or to select the directory (if folder has been selected under Image Sources). Processing specifies the image-processing steps. Reports allows you to select the report template and the export format (XML or CSV). Click on OK to finish the procedure or on Cancel to cancel it. 14 B e

20 Project Menu Sample Description - Sample Data Data relevant to the sample must be entered before every analysis from the supervisor. The following example shows the definition (first screen Sample Data) and the result (second screen Sample Description). In this example the property page consists of three fields: JOB, SAMPLE and ENVIRONMENT, which are entered in the text fields 1, 6 and 10. If the check box is activated in front of a text field, you must complete that field. Otherwise no entry is required (the field is gray). The entry in the text AxioVision Graphite Reference Guide 15

21 Project Menu fields 12 and 13 can be done by the supervisor. Otherwise the entry will be done automatically by the system. In this dialog window you can see as a result the three control fields JOB, SAMPLE and ENVIRONMENT. 16 B e

22 Project Menu Image Sources - Image Sources Here you can select between the image sources available. You have the following options: Storage medium (e.g. hard disk) AxioCam HR (optional) AxioCam MR (optional) Meteor 2MC (optional) In the list activate the source that is to apply for the current project file. Open the live image by clicking on. Now click on new scaling. to start the Scaling Wizard and set a AxioVision Graphite Reference Guide 17

23 Project Menu The Scaling Wizard There are three steps involved in generating scalings using the Scaling Wizard: "Select image", "Select scaling method", "Draw in scaling distance", and is finished by saving the entries. Step 1: Select image For scaling, an image of a structure with known dimensions is acquired using all the magnifications available on the microscope (various objective and optovar positions as well as camera resolutions) and the scaling is saved. It is possible to use, for example, a calibrated scale or a grid with a known grid distance. Place the scale or the grid under the microscope. In the Project menu use the function Active Image Source under Project Settings for the image settings (e.g. exposure time, focus). Start now the Scalings Wizard using the function Image Sources under Project Settings in the Project menu by clicking on. The image is automatically acquired. If the image exists as a document, click in the Scalings Wizard dialog window on the button. The Windows standard dialog for opening files opens. Select the image file you wish to use for the scaling. It is then loaded into the Scaling Wizard. 18 B e

24 Project Menu Gallery: This button has no functionality in the AxioVision Grains software. Next: Takes you to the next step in the scaling process. Cancel: Exits the scaling wizard. Step 2: Select scaling method In the scale or grid, distances of known lengths are defined interactively. The information on the distance and the number of pixels between the start and the end of the line is used to calculate the scaling for the set magnification (size of a pixel in x and y direction). AxioVision Graphite Reference Guide 19

25 Project Menu Select method Here select how you want to define the distance. The distance is drawn in during the next step. With scaling can be carried out to different degrees of precision using different scaling methods. Single distance (X=Y): A distance is defined interactively. This distance is used to calculate the scalings for the x and y directions. Automatic line detection possible. 20 B e

26 Project Menu Distances in X and Y: A horizontal and a vertical line are defined. Both distances are used to calculate independent scalings for the x and y directions. Automatic line detection possible. Single parallel lines (X+Y): Two parallel distances are interactively defined. These parallel lines can be used by the program to correct errors in the parallel axis, which arose, when the lines were drawn. The system automatically draws a third, corrected line and uses this to determine the scaling. Automatic line detection required. Parallel lines in X and Y: As with 3, except that the scaling for the x and y directions is calculated separately. Automatic line detection required. Rectangular grid: Two parallel lines in a grid are interactively defined in the x direction. The system automatically determines the resulting rectangle and uses the data from it to calculate an average scaling in the x and y directions. Automatic line detection required. Select a scaling method and if necessary activate the Automatic Line Detection check box. Automatic line detection: Switches automatic line detection on or off for the start and end point of the distance drawn. If you activate the check box, lines in the area of the interactively defined distance are automatically recognized. Back: Takes you back to image selection, e.g. to load an image with greater contrast if automatic line detection is not functioning. Next: Takes you to the next step in the scaling process. Cancel: Exits the Scaling Wizard. AxioVision Graphite Reference Guide 21

27 Project Menu Step 3: Drawing in scaling distance Depending on the scaling method selected in step 2, here you need to draw in the scaling distance in the x and/or y direction. Click start point and end point of the distance you want to measure. Indicate the distance you want to measure in the Distance edit field for the x direction and, if necessary, for the y direction. You can alos select the unit of measurement from the corresponding drop-down list box. Assign range (x direction / y direction): Distance: From the lists, select the distance and unit of measurement for the distance you want to draw in. Alternatively, you can also enter individual values using the keyboard. 22 B e

28 Project Menu Factor: Shows the resulting scaling after the distance has been drawn in. Undo: Undoes, step-by-step, all the distances that have been drawn in. You can then draw them in again. Back: Takes you back to the selection of the scaling method. Finish: a) Opens the dialog for saving the scaling. b) Opens the dialog for entering a new name for the scaling. Cancel: Exits the scaling wizard without saving the scaling. Saving If you want to save the averaged scaling click on Finish. In the dialog window Please enter a new name enter a name here (make it as meaningful as possible), and confirm by clicking on OK. You then exit the wizard. The scaling now appears in the list of available scalings. If you want to cancel the scaling procedure click on Cancel. You then exit the wizard automatically und return in the Properties dialog window. The scaling file has the extension "ZVSC", and can be found in the directory "C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\User Data\Carl Zeiss\ Data\Scaling\" Repeat the Scaling Wizard for all other scalings by clicking again on the button. AxioVision Graphite Reference Guide 23

29 Project Menu Active Image Source - Folder Properties Once you have specified the image source on the Image Sources property page, you can then set its properties here. In the Path list box select the current subdirectory from which you want the images to be loaded. You can select a new directory by clicking on the button. The Type list box contains the common image types that the program can read. The Files field displays the list of image files of the selected file type that have been found in the selected subdirectory. By entering "*.*", you can also select all file types, if you do not know what has been saved in the subdirectory. On the basis of the file list you can then make the correct selection of file type and file name. 24 B e

30 Project Menu You can also control the selection using the Name field. If, as in the above example, you only want to select the files that begin with "Pro13", enter "Pro13*" in the Name field. If you enter "*", all files of the selected type are shown. Click on the entries in the list to view the images. If you want all images to be subsequently analyzed without a query/selection option being displayed each time, activate the Auto check box. If Auto is not activated, you can select the next image yourself during the analysis. Processing The original image may contain disruptive noise or other features that lead to artifacts during the analysis of the image. To avoid this, the project can include pre-processing steps that are designed to prepare each image that you want to process for the measurement in the best possible way. The functions that are used and the sequence that applies are specified by the project administrator when he/she defines the new project. They cannot be changed by the user. The property page itself consists of three tabs: Select Processing: this is used to activate the necessary image-analysis functions. Setup Processing: on this property page you can set the parameters for the activated functions. Discrimination: here specify the detection of the graphite particles. AxioVision Graphite Reference Guide 25

31 Project Menu Processing - Select Processing Three pre-processing functions are available in the Function field. Activate the check box in front of the relevant pre-processing function to adjust the parameters of that function. To avoid using these routines unnecessarily, first of all check whether the results are sufficient without pre-processing routines. 26 B e

32 Project Menu Processing - Setup Processing Here you can enter optimum settings for the method of operation of the activated functions. The easiest way to determine the optimum settings for the images in your project is to check and adjust the parameters in practice. To do this, move the sliders of the individual parameters until an optimum setting is achieved. The change is displayed automatically in the image. Shading Correction is used to correct illumination irregularities. Additive performs the correction additively and influences the brightness of the image. Multiplicative performs the correction multiplicatively and influences the contrast of the image. Offset can be used to adjust the resulting image, if it is too bright or too dark. AxioVision Graphite Reference Guide 27

33 Project Menu A noisy image can be smoothed using the Median filter. Avoid using large values for Size. If the resulting image is not satisfactory, you should optimize image acquisition. To intensify the transitions between different phases in the image (halo correction), you can use the Delineate function. The Size parameter should correspond roughly to the width of the unsharp edges of the objects in the image. Threshold can be used to optimize the degree of correction. Processing - Discrimination Here specify the detection of the graphite particles. 28 B e

34 Project Menu 1. What range of gray values do the particles have? For this you can use the Threshold High and Threshold Low sliders. Set the lower threshold to zero and adjust the upper threshold such that all the graphite particles to be measured are superimposed with green....too low... too high set correctly 2. What range of forms do the particles take? For this you can use the Form Factor Low and Form Factor High sliders. Set the roundness or otherwise of the graphite particles by moving the sliders. If you are analyzing lamellar graphite, you can ignore the round graphite particles. If, on the other hand, you are analyzing nodular graphite, it is precisely the round particles that are of interest and the lamellar particles should be excluded as artifacts. For the Sintercast analysis all particles should be analyzed. AxioVision Graphite Reference Guide 29

35 Project Menu Lamellar graphite only: Form factor 0 to 0.5 All graphite particles: Form factor 0 to 1 Nodular graphite: Form factor 0.5 to 1 Enter a value in the Minimum Size text field to remove artifacts below this size. The result is displayed directly in the image. Activate the Exclude Boundary Regions check box if particles that are cut off at the edge of the image should be excluded from the measurement. The result is displayed directly in the image. Reports - Report Templates Click on one of the entries in the Report Templates field to specify the desired template. The selected template is then displayed. 30 B e

36 Project Menu In the Description field you will find a brief description of the selected report. The output format for the data (XML or CSV) can be selected in the Export Data field. The corresponding check box must be activated. Your measurement results are then saved in the corresponding format as Export.xml or Export.csv. 2.6 Exit (Alt+F4) The AxioVision Graphite program is closed. AxioVision Graphite Reference Guide 31

37 Analysis Menu 3 Analysis Menu 3.1 Analysis Settings This function can also be called up by left-clicking on the toolbar. The Properties dialog window is opened. icon on the This function can be used to make settings for image acquisition (optimize camera setting and/or select directory). You can also change the standard too. Active Image Source - Folder Properties In the Path list box select the current subdirectory from which you want the images to be loaded. You can select a new directory by clicking on the button. The Type list box contains the common image types that the program can read. The Files field displays the list of image files of the selected file type that have been found in the selected subdirectory. 32 B e

38 Analysis Menu By entering "*.*", you can also select all file types, if you do not know what has been saved in the subdirectory. On the basis of the file list you can then make the correct selection of file type and file name. You can also control the selection using the Name field. If, as in the above example, you only want to select the files that begin with ""Pro13"", enter ""Pro13"*" in the Name field. If you enter "*", all files of the selected type are shown. Click on the entries in the list to view the images. If you want all images to be subsequently analyzed without a query/selection option being displayed each time, activate the Auto check box. If Auto is not activated, you can select the next image yourself during the analysis. AxioVision Graphite Reference Guide 33

39 Analysis Menu Processing - Discrimination Here specify the detection of the graphite particles. 1. What range of gray values do the particles have? For this you can use the Threshold High and Threshold Low sliders. Set the lower threshold to zero and adjust the upper threshold such that all the graphite particles to be measured are superimposed with green. 34 B e

40 Analysis Menu...too low... too high set correctly 2. What range of forms do the particles take? For this you can use the Form Factor Low and Form Factor High sliders. Set the roundness or otherwise of the graphite particles by moving the sliders. If you are analyzing lamellar graphite, you can ignore the round graphite particles. If, on the other hand, you are analyzing nodular graphite, it is precisely the round particles that are of interest and the lamellar particles should be excluded as artifacts. For the Sintercast analysis all particles should be analyzed. Lamellar graphite only: Form factor 0 to 0.5 All graphite particles: Form factor 0 to 1 Nodular graphite: Form factor 0.5 to 1 AxioVision Graphite Reference Guide 35

41 Analysis Menu Enter a value in the Minimum Size text field to remove artifacts below this size. The result is displayed directly in the image. Activate the Exclude Boundary Regions check box if particles that are cut off at the edge of the image should be excluded from the measurement. The result is displayed directly in the image. 3.2 Sample Description (Ctrl+D) This function can also be called up by left-clicking on the toolbar. The Sample Description dialog window is opened. icon on the 36 B e

42 Analysis Menu A new analysis is started. Enter the sample information and confirm your entry with OK. If measurement values and images that have not yet been printed out as a report are still available from the previous measurement, you are first asked whether you want to generate the report. 3.3 Run Analysis (F5) This function can also be called up by left-clicking on the toolbar. icon on the If a camera has been defined as the image source, the first image is acquired and analyzed. If the Images and Status windows are open, these are filled with the corresponding information during the analysis. If the hard drive has been selected as the current image source and the Auto check box has also been activated, the first image is read and analyzed, followed automatically by the next image until all images have been analyzed. If Auto has not been activated under sample settings, the selection of the next image is left up to you and you have to select the next image file from the image directory. To do this, click again on the icon. You can use the live image to locate and focus a new image field, instead of viewing the sample directly through the eyepiece. 3.4 Reset (Del) This function can also be called up by left-clicking on the toolbar. icon on the This function can be used to start the analysis again from the beginning. In contrast to the Run Analysis function, here you do not need to complete the input form. AxioVision Graphite Reference Guide 37

43 Analysis Menu The sample information entered under Run Analysis is retained and does not have to be entered again, but click again on the icon to continue with the analysis. This function is useful if you want to analyze various samples quickly without spending a lot of time on administration. 3.5 Make Report (Ctrl+R) This function can also be called up by left-clicking on the toolbar. icon on the The Materials Report dialog window, containing a new toolbar with the following icons, is opened: prints the report closes the dialog window magnifies or reduces the report leafs through the pages of multi-page reports. 38 B e

44 Analysis Menu 3.6 Export Data You can save the measurement values directly in XML or CSV format. If you have activated the check boxes for XML and CSV format in the Export Data field of the Report Templates property page (under Project Settings on the Project menu), your measurement results are saved automatically as "Export.xml" and "Export.csv". The XML document can be displayed directly using Internet Explorer and the CSV file can be edited using Excel. You can also call up the export to XML function with the key combination Ctrl+Shift+X, and the export to CSV function with the key combination Ctrl+Shift+C. AxioVision Graphite Reference Guide 39

45 View Menu 4 View Menu 4.1 Show Status Window (Alt+S) This function can also be called up by left-clicking on the toolbar. icon on the In the Status window the Project Info and Output tabs are available. In the Project Info window you will find information on the scaling and image source that apply. In the Output window the intermediate results of the analysis (e.g. the grain size distribution) are displayed. 4.2 Show Image Pool (Alt+I) This function can also be called up by left-clicking on the toolbar. icon on the In this window the images that have been read in, the images that have been processed and the resulting images are displayed. Clicking on the and forth between the various images. buttons enables you to switch back At the bottom of the image window there are three buttons: : original image (before image processing) : input image after image processing but before the analysis : resulting image with results superimposed in color If you right-click in the image window, the shortcut menu is displayed. 40 B e

46 View Menu If you click on Normal View (1:), the image is displayed without magnification or reduction. If the image is bigger than the available window, you can change its size using the roller bar. The Auto Zoom function adapts the image size to the image window. Click on the + Zoom or - Zoom functions to increase or decrease the size of the image display by one step. If you click on the Ruler, the ruler is shown or hidden at the lefthand and top edge of the image. The View Annotations button has no function in the AxioVision Graphite Software. 4.3 Work Bar (Alt+W) This function can also be called up by left-clicking on the toolbar. icon on the AxioVision Graphite Reference Guide 41

47 View Menu The WorkFlow groups together the most important steps of the analysis in a simple manner. Once you have loaded the desired project file, all you need to do is call up the individual steps from top to bottom. If you right-click in the workflow window, you will see a shortcut menu, which you can use to change the size of the icons. The functions on the WorkFlow toolbar are identical to those on the Analysis menu. 4.4 Live (Alt+L) This function can also be called up by left-clicking on the toolbar. icon on the In this window your camera s live image is displayed. If you right-click in this window, you can open the shortcut menu. This allows you, for example, to zoom into or out of the image. If you click on the camera icon at the bottom of the live window, you can influence the speed of the live image (if an AxioCam camera is connected). 42 B e

48 View Menu The speed of the live image can be affected when an AxioCam camera is connected. Live mode Fast Medium Slow Description Greatly reduced resolution, fast frame rate Medium resolution, moderate frame rate High resolution, slow frame rate 4.5 Reset Windows Layout You can adapt the positions and sizes of individual windows (workflow, status window, images etc.) and then use this function, if required, to restore their original settings. AxioVision Graphite Reference Guide 43

49 Help Menu 5 Help Menu 5.1 Load Demo Project [Ctrl+Shift+O] With this function you can run a demo project. Clicking on Load Demo Project opens the dialog window Open Project. Select one of the demo projects by double-clicking on the corresponding name. Now click on the button. The Sample Description dialog window opens. Make the entries required and click OK. Now the demo procedure runs automatically - loading the images, analyzing them and storing the data. When the last image has been analyzed, click on the button. The results will be displayed in the Materials Report window. 5.2 Content (Ctrl+F1) Opens AxioVision Graphite online help function. 5.3 Index Opens the index of AxioVision Graphite online help function. 5.4 About Materials Provides basic information about the system used. 44 B e

50 Measurement Methods 6 Measurement Methods 6.1 General There are three measurement methods available for graphite analysis: GJS - Space distribution of the spherolyte graphite particles: the nodular graphite particles are detected and classified according to size (i.e. diameter). Classification is based on the ISO standard (EN ISO please see also chapter 8 "Literature"). GJL - Space distribution of the lamelar graphite particles: with this measurement method the size of individual lamellar particles in each image is measured and their distribution displayed. Classification is in accordance with the ISO standard ref 1, whereby the length of the lamellae is taken as the size. GJV - Particle shape analysis by Sintercast method: in order to determine the quality of the product, the relative proportions of GJV and GJS graphite need to be measured as follows: Particles that are smaller than 10 µm, as well as particles that lie at the edge of the image, are excluded from the analysis. The graphite particles are divided into three classes according to their form: GJS: form class VI - nodular graphite GJV: form class III - vermicular graphite other: particles from classes IV and V For classification into these three classes the proposal made by Sintercast Corp is applied: Class Roundness GJS (ISO form VI) > Intermediate form (ISO forms IV,V) GJV (ISO form III) < AxioVision Graphite Reference Guide 45

51 Measurement Methods whereby... ((Rundheit = roundness)) ((Max _ Durchmesser = max _ diameter)) The required nodularity is then calculated as the proportion of GJS form: ((Nodularität = nodularity)) ((Zwischenform = intermediate form)) ((Alle Klassen = all classes)) NOTE: The Appendix contains a description of the standards for graphite. 46 B e

52 Key Combinations 7 Key Combinations New project Load project Save project Save project as Project settings Exit program Start analysis Next image Reset all Generate report Save data in a CSV file Save data in an XML file Status window on/off Images on/off Workbar on/off Live image on/off Help Ctrl+N Ctrl+O Ctrl+S Alt+A Ctrl+Shift+S Alt+F4 Ctrl+Shift+N F5 Del Ctrl+R Ctrl+Shift+C Ctrl+Shift+X Alt+S Alt+I Alt+W Alt+L F1 AxioVision Graphite Reference Guide 47

53 Literature 8 Literature EN ISO Gusseisen - Bestimmung der Mikrostruktur von Graphit ASTM A247- Standard Method for Evaluating the Microstructure of Graphite in Iron Castings SAE J434c Automotive Ductile (Nodular) iron Castings SAE J1887 Automotive Compacted Graphite Iron Castings 48 B e

54 Appendix 9 Appendix - Graphite Standards and Image Analysis Algorithms The standard used here follows EN ISO Cast Iron Designation of Microstructure of Graphite. This standard is based on and comparable with the standard ISO 945 Cast Iron - Designation of Microstructure of Graphite A brief summary of the standard is presented here. 9.1 The Form The form is indicated using Roman numerals from I to VI. I II III IV V VI Here you can see the six main types of graphite, from lamellar to spherolite. There are, of course, other less common types. The forms of graphite also tend to be labeled as follows: GJL - lamellar graphite, form I. Is also still known as GGL for historical reasons GJS - nodular graphite, form VI. Also known as GGG GJV - worm-like or vermicular graphite, form III. AxioVision Graphite Reference Guide 49

55 Appendix 9.2 Spatial Distribution of Graphite A B C D E Here you can see five spatial distributions of graphite, labeled A to E, which expressly relate to lamellar graphite (form I). 9.3 The Size B e

56 Appendix The size standards shown above relate to lamellar graphite (form type I). The equivalent standards are also available for spherolite particles (form type VI). In both cases the particles are divided into 8 sizes with the following boundaries (size in micrometers): > The standards mentioned below for size, distribution and spatial distribution are based on experimental values. Sizes For long thin particles (e.g. type I and II) the length, or otherwise the so-called equivalent diameter (i.e. linear size, on which the particle area is based), is adopted for the particle size: D(circle) = sqrt(area*4/π) AxioVision Graphite Reference Guide 51

57 Index Index A active image source 24, 32 adapt the positions and sizes of individual windows 43 additive correction 27 administrator rights 1 analysis 37 Analysis Menu 32 analysis settings 32 analysis starting again 37 annotations 41 appendix 49 assign range 22 C configuration 14 create report 38 CSV format 31 D data export 39 demo projects 5 discrimination 28, 34 E export 31 export data 39 F folder properties 24, 32 folder to open projects 13 folder to save projects 13, 14 form classes 45 form ranges 29, 35 G gray value ranges 29, 34 H Help menu 44 how do I generate a new project? 10 how do I start a defined project? 10 how do I start a project? 5 how do I start the software 3 I image acquisition settings 32 image pool 40 image processing 25 image source folder 24, 32 image sources 17 image types 32 images read-in 40 K key combinations 47 L lamelar graphite particles 45 literature 48 live image 42 live window, shortcut menu 42 load demo project 44 Load function 13 load project 13 M make report 38 measurement method, select 11 measurement methods 12, 45 measurement results 8 Menus AxioVision Graphite - Reference Guide I

58 Index Analysis 32 Help 44 Project 11 View 40 multiplicative correction 27 N New function 11 new scaling 17 nodular graphite 45 O operators 2 P please note 1 processing 25 Project Menu 11 project settings 14 projects, save 13 R report 8, 9 report templates 30 reports 31 Reset function 37 reset windows layout 43 ruler 41 run analysis 37 S sample data 15 sample description 15, 36 sample description form 6 sample information 37 Save As function 14 Save function 13 save projects 13 save scaling 23 scaling distance 22 scaling method 19 scaling wizard 18 select image for scaling 18 select processing 26 select scaling method 18, 19, 20 settings 27 settings for image acquisition 32 setup processing 27 shading correction 27 shortcut menu of live window 42 shortcut menu of the image 41 Sintercast method 45 spatial distribution of graphite 50 speed modes 43 spherolyte graphite particles 45 start analysis 37 status window 40 supervisors 1 V vermicular graphite 45 View menu 40 W what is a project? 4 without administrator rights 2 work bar 41 workflow toolbar 41 X XML format 31 Z zoom functions 41 II B e