User Testimonial - dhs

Forschungsinstitut für Nichteisen-Metalle Freiberg GmbH
Business Unit Materials Technology
Dpt. Diagnostic
Lessingstr. 41 Tel.: 03731 / 375-248 www.fne-freiberg.de
D-09599 Freiberg (Germany) Fax: 03731 / 32857
Modern image management applications and methods in material research
User report on the dhs Image Data Base – the entire information at one glance!
FNE Freiberg GmbH offers research and development for materials, manufacturing technologies
and processes as a service. Particular main focuses of research and work are sputter targets,
special semi-finished products made of refractory non-ferrous metals, light metals, ceramic
materials, alloy development with transferability to technical use, component coating via thermal
sprays, soldering pastes, as well as the entire joining technology.
The tasks of the company’s Diagnostic Department include the quality control of in-house products
(sprayed coatings, ceramic materials, aluminium alloys, etc.), the inspection of joints (e.g. on
electronic components) as well as the processing of damage events. The company has three
methodical fields available to this end:
� Material inspection (determination of mechanical-technological material properties)
� Metallography (surface and joint characterisation in the macro and micro zones)
� Microanalysis (scanning electron microscopy, electron beam microanalysis –
material characterisation in the micro zone)
On average, 180 samples are prepared in the Metallography Department per month. In the case of
approx. 80% of the samples, the client requests an extensive evaluation (joint composition and
evaluation, specification of coating thickness, determination of a phase percentage, bonding
qualities).
In order to enable these requests to be processed, the department has been provided with the
dhs Image Data Base manufactured by dhs Dietermann & Heuser Solution GmbH at three
workstations. The image processing system was introduced to the various workstations in January
2005 and replaced the previously used ProImage image archiving system of the former company of
MicroMotion, later to become aquinto AG. Thanks to the internal corporate network, all data are
located on the in-house server. The program has been installed locally on the three respective
workstations. Two of these stations are permanently coupled with optical microscopes. The third
workstation is used solely for reporting purposes.
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User report dhs Image Data Base
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Initially, the data specific to orders, materials and customers are captured and archived in the dhs
system, thus guaranteeing the possibility of long-term access. The relevant data to every image is
recorded during image acquisition. In addition, the use of video converters (frame grabbers) allows
the analogous cameras of the stereomicroscope as well as the macro-stand to be integrated in the
system and photos to be archived.
The rapid software-driven switchover between the camera systems results in a considerable time
saving. In addition, the automatic number assignment during acquisition also ensures a simple and
rapid search in the case of queries.
Efficient methods of image processing and image analysis with a high level of utilisation
1. Use of the “Panoramic Image“ module for displaying overview photographs:
Two individual images were
combined to achieve this resulting
image. It is still possible to change
the brightness and contrast of each
individual image when joining the
two together. In addition, the
images can be rotated either
individually or together at a defined
variable angle.
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User report dhs Image Data Base
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2. Determination of the phase percentage in an alloy (Area Detection):
3. Evaluating “Coating Thicknesses”:
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Original Image Result
Any objects which cuts
the edges were ignored
in the result image. The
interesting greyscale
value is detected with the
aid of a variable
threshold value.
The applied coating thicknesses
were specified in the
acquired image. In order to
determine a statistically
guaranteed average value,
the measurement can be
achieved by applying a grid
at a defined interval. All
measurement values can be
either directly processed
(addition, creation of an
average value, etc.) or can
be transferred into an Excel
table for more extensive
calculations by means of a
fully automatic process.
Conclusion:
Using the dhs Image Data Base guarantees simple and convenient data archiving and reporting.
Due to the clear and simple handling, the use of the various software modules (Panoramic Image,
Sharpness Reconstruction, Area Detection, inter alia.) proves very helpful when evaluating the
joints. As one can imagine, very little training is required for the software. When creating quality
reports including a large number of images, various page designs can be created in the desired
layout and in an appealingly clear format as MS Word- document templates (forms). The image
databank workflow was designed in such a way by the software manufacturer dhs Dietermann &
Heuser Solution GmbH, that it can be adapted to meet the requirements of one’s own company
with little effort.
The complex archiving of all the images and documents associated with a project guarantees that
individual processes can be quickly retraced at any time. In conclusion, one can summarise that
the easy handling, the broad functionality spectrum, as well as the option of individually adjusting
the database allows the user an optimal mode of operation.