IMETRUM: Universal Video Extensometers

• Time and cost savings, with minimal sample preparation and intuitive software
• Measures through failure without risk of damage to the equipment
• Avoids problems of clip-on devices that can compromise results, such as knife edges slipping or causing damage to the specimen
• Eliminates the costs and operational challenges of using strain gauges
• Re-analyse a test, even after the specimen has been destroyed, by post-processing a video archive
• Compatibility with a wide range of test frames and control software
• Simple target marking solutions to facilitate the highest quality measurements
• Works with all materials (composites, metals, plastics, rubbers, ceramics…)
• Use for tension, compression, flex and shear tests
• Hazard-free use for high and low temperature testing (from less than -100°C to more than 1000°C)
• More than 200 simultaneous measurements in real time
• Measures axial, transverse and dual-average strains & extensions
• Measures modulus, elongation, Poisson’s ratio, shear strain, rotation and displacement
• Incorporates Full-field Digital Image Correlation capability.

An Imetrum^® Video Extensometer consists of the following parts:

• Extensometer Module(s) with mounting solution and lighting – each extensometer module consists of a camera and lens that will deliver the required gauge length and strain range.
• A System Controller with Video GaugeTM software – up to four extensometer modules can be simultaneously connected to a system controller.
• Optional Signal Interface Unit – this allows live data exchange with your test frame.

Extensometer modules

Imetrum’s extensometers are offered with a range of modules that enable gauge lengths from <1 mm to >1 m and strain ranges from <100 microstrain to >1000 % strain. Extensometer modules come in two variants:

• UVX Flexi
• UVX

Controller and Video Gauge^TM software options

The system controller runs our Video GaugeTM software, using top of the range processors and hardware. It allows up to four extensometer modules to be connected and operated simultaneously. It can be operated either independently or from an existing computer, such as the PC that controls your test frame.

Imetrum’s video extensometers are ordered either as ‘Routine Testing’ or ‘Advanced Testing’ specification, with available measurements including: Strain; Extension; Gauge Length; Dual-Average Strain; Poisson’s Ratio; Rotation; True and Engineering Shear Strain; Position and Distance. A full-field Digital Image Correlation option, and a Crack Length Gauge also available. All software options allow simple calibration to engineering units (e.g. mm) and support live measurements, recording of a video archive, a review mode for re-playing tests. Post-process licences are also available, to allow re-analysis of recorded data away from the test frame.

Optional signal interface unit

The optional signal interface unit allows full integration with your test frame, enabling live data exchange between the video extensometer and the test frame in both directions:

• Live strain data can be sent from the video extensometer directly into your UTM. This allows the strain / extension data to be captured, displayed and reported by your UTM control software just as if you had been using a clip-on extensometer or conventional strain gauge.
• Live load data can be sent from the test frame into the video extensometer. If you later post-process the video archive in Video GaugeTM software, load data is displayed alongside measurements.

Other Imetrum systems include the Precision Displacement Tracker and the Dynamic Monitoring Stations