ZEISS CORRELATE

ZEISS CORRELATE offers an integrated camera control and recording function for USB 3 cameras that comply with the GenICam standard. With this, you have everything to start with the 2D digital image correlation and 2D point tracking. 2D image acquisition and evaluation of the data including the reporting functionalities.

ZEISS CORRELATE includes various functions for aligning measuring data. These include: alignment based on a 3-2-1 transformation, alignment based on geometry elements or 3D coordinates, alignment in a local coordinate system, alignment using reference points and various best-fit procedures, such as global best-fit and local best-fit. In addition, using function “Transform By Component”, a rigid-body motion compensation can be carried out. With the rigid-body motion compensation, the relative motion of a reference component with respect to another component is analyzed. The reference component serves as a fixed reference in 3D space.

Thanks to the intelligent algorithm for detecting and eliminating measurement outliers in ARGUS 3D coordinate meshes, unpleasant spots and slots in the 3D measuring data are a thing of the past.
Measurement outliers are automatically detected and corrected by ZEISS CORRELATE: for an even more precise and faster evaluation and creation of reports in ARGUS.

This function offers the possibility to filter the coordinates in an ARAMIS project over time (available for surface, facet point and point component). This allows you to achieve an even higher accuracy in the strain and displacement measurement and to significantly reduce the effect of interferences like turbulent airflow caused by convection or Moiré effects.

For the controlling sheet metal forming processes, the forming analysis is being used. In the forming analysis, the forming limit curve that is obtained from the Nakajima test series is combined with the measurement of forming states of a sheet metal part using ARGUS systems. Data picker allow a fast analysis of the forming situation.

Digital image correlation (DIC) is an optical, non-contact method to measure 3D coordinates for the evaluation of movement and deformation in 3D space and for the determination of surface strain. Stochastic contrast patterns are used to measure 3D coordinates with subpixel accuracy.

ZEISS CORRELATE can display deformations, such as bulges, dents, bumps and slots excessively in the 3D view and thus, can be displayed plastically. Scalar values can be transformed accordingly into a kind of a height map and thereby, facilitate the qualitative analysis of the 3D measuring values.

The software offers the possibility to evaluate full-field and point-based measuring results. A stochastic contrast pattern is applied to the specimen for full-field measuring results, such as strain distributions. For point-based measurements, reference point markers are used. The reference point markers on the specimen are detected automatically by the software and the measured 3D coordinates are displayed. There is the possibility to use the full-field and point-based evaluation method together within one measurement. For both methods, the software provides data such as strain, 3D deformations and 3D displacements.

ZEISS CORRELATE has many interfaces for importing common file formats, such as ASCII, STL, PSL, PL and CT data. By importing ASCII files, for example, coordinates for creating 3D point clouds can be read in or force values of the testing machine can also be synchronized with the project stages.

During the ongoing 2D measurement with ZEISS CORRELATE, pre-defined result values like strain values can be computed and displayed live. This allows for checking the progress of a measurement and offers direct feedback to the user.

For point-based measurement of 3D coordinates and their tracking over the time course of dynamic or (quasi-)static tests, measuring objects are given ultra-light measurement targets. The 3D coordinates of every measurement target are measured by photogrammetric methods with subpixel accuracy. In a measurement, the point tracking method can be combined with the digital image correlation method. Grouping several measurement targets creates characteristic constellations that can be tracked by the software over time. Therefore, at the end of the image processing, the coordinates, displacements, velocities and accelerations for each measurement target are available for evaluation.

In ZEISS CORRELATE local coordinate systems can be defined and attached to point groups. As a result, the local coordinate systems move together with the point groups and enable 6DoF analyses. The 6DoF analysis serves to determine the translational and rotational motions of the point groups in relationship to each other or as absolute motions in all directions in space.

Exchange test results between colleagues, different departments and customers for presentations and further discussion: ZEISS CORRELATE supports you with its reporting module, which offers documentation that is ready for printing and fully animated PDF exports. For an improved representation of the results and a better understanding, complete project files can be replaced and viewed in the 3D user interface of the free ZEISS CORRELATE software.

ZEISS CORRELATE allows tracking of single measuring points and evaluation of 3D displacement, velocity and acceleration. With this function, you now only need to apply one instead of three coded measurement targets to capture a 3D coordinate measuring value and to evaluate the displacement, velocity acceleration at this point. This saves space and helps in situations where measurement targets simply cannot be applied. Moreover, the tracking of single measuring points can help to save time during the measurement preparation.

Using velocity and acceleration checks, ZEISS CORRELATE analyzes how fast individual elements move relatively to their position in the previous and next stage. Apart from the general acceleration, you can check the acceleration tangentially to a curved trajectory. The software also offers the possibility for checking the acceleration on a circular path with respect to the circle center point.

The software computes strain values, such as major strain and minor strain or strain in X-direction and Y-direction from 3D coordinated measured over the entire surface and at specific points. Point groups, so-called components, can be defined from the individual measuring points. The software can identify the point groups over the entire time course of the test. This enables the accurate computation of displacements, velocities and accelerations in 3D. Furthermore, point groups can be used for compensating rigid-body motions. Thus, analyzing motions with a point group as a fixed reference in 3D space is possible.

Using the trajectory function, you can visualize trajectories of individual points, point groups, local coordinate systems and construction elements. The trajectory displays the location of the selected elements overt the entire time course of the measurement. That way, the motion curve of the test object can be analyzed and visualized. The motion curve is also available in the software for further evaluation steps, for example, fitting geometries like circles can be constructed using the trajectory.

The function allows a non-contact measuring of the length change with an exactly specified reference length and can be used in 2D and 3D projects. The length change can be checked within a project in two or more directions in space. Due to the non-contact optical measuring principle, the measuring results are not influenced by mechanical influences. In addition, ZEISS CORRELATE offers the possibility to define a variety of virtual extensometers for the acquisition of longitudinal strains and transverse strains. Another advantage is that virtual extensometers with different initial lengths can be defined and, therefore, local and global strain effects can be examined simultaneously.

Neutral formats such as IGES, JT Open and STEP, but also native formats like CATIA, NX, SOLIDWORKS and Pro/E can be imported into ZEISS CORRELATE with a Pro license. Simply import the individual file formats via drag & drop and the software identifies and transfers them automatically. After the import, extensive functions for aligning the 3D measuring data to the CAD data are available for accurate evaluations.

The Pro license of ZEISS CORRELATE has many interfaces for exporting common file formats, such as ASCII, CSV, XML and UFF.

Comparing and simultaneously visualizing measuring data and exchanging data in general becomes more and more important in metrology. Therefore, it is possible to import additional scalar values into ZEISS CORRELATE, such as temperature data and geometries, from simulation programs. The measuring data created in the software can be exported in different formats and can be used, for example, for vibration analysis in a third-party software.

ZEISS CORRELATE is based on a parametric basic concept. Basically, all functions follow this concept. As a result, all process steps are traceable and editable. As a result, ZEISS CORRELATE ensures high process reliability of measuring results and reports. You do not need to create a new evaluation for another specimen of the same type. With the parametric concept, you can simply upload new measuring data into your project and get the results immediately.

The Pro license of ZEISS CORRELATE offers you a fast and simplified data access for complex scientific computations using the Python programming language. Freely available Python libraries can be easily integrated and used in ZEISS CORRELATE with an external Python installation. That way, you can easily create computations as well as diagrams, which, for example, are necessary for vibrational analyses (FFT) and tensile tests. Furthermore, ZEISS CORRELATE also offers a command recorder that can record all executed operations in the software. That way, you can execute the recording repeatedly. By editing the recorded script, you can adapt the script to other tasks or generalize it.

ZEISS CORRELATE offers the possibility to create project templates. This function helps you to carry out recurring evaluations fast and easily. That way, you can save the project as a template after the evaluation of your measuring date. As in a project template also the inspection elements, project keywords and reports are saved, you do not need to set up the project again when carrying out another evaluation of the same type, but only need to click on Recalculate project – and done!

The analysis of airbag deployment tests is also possible with ZEISS CORRELATE. The functionality tracks the contour of the airbag in any high-speed video recording and helps to identify the maximum deflection point in the local coordinate system of the steering wheel. In addition to that, specific deflection points can be easily identified in space and time. Based on contrast tracking methods, you can also use this function for outlines of widening holes and contours of deformed objects.

Measured 3D data can be combined with imported temperature data in ZEISS CORRELATE. The advantage of this visualization is a simplified and faster understanding of the correlation of thermal and mechanical component behavior. You can import images from different thermography cameras. Then you can transform these imported images into the coordinate system of the ARAMIS 3D data. Afterwards, the temperature data is read out and mapped onto the ARAMIS 3D data. That way, you obtain the correlation of the measuring data and temperature data for all measuring points at each time of measurement.

ZEISS CORRELATE enables the tracking of crack tip points and the evaluation of the trajectory of crack tip points. With the help of contrasting methods, the position of crack tip points can be detected in homogeneously colored samples. Other factors like crack length, crack holes and crack modes in 3D can also be derived. The function can be used for a broad range of applications in materials research and works for numerous materials, like metals, composite materials and plastics. The analysis of crack propagation is used in many industries with high security requirements, like aerospace, automotive and civil engineering.

The measured data from typical materials testings, such as Nakajima, bulge, tensile, bending, shear and hole expansion tests, are evaluated in the software to determine the material characteristics. With the material characteristics, reliable data such as forming limit curve, failure strain, n-value, r-value, Poisson’s ratio, Young’s modulus (elastic modulus), stress-strain curve and material thickness reduction are computed. These are used as input parameters for the simulation, enabling a more precise material model and a more accurate prediction of material behavior.

Scalar values and geometries, for example, from simulation programs, such as ABAQUS, LS-DYNA, ANSYS, PAM-STAMP and AutoForm, can be imported for a direct comparison with the 3D measuring data. The 3D measuring data can be transformed into the coordinate system of the simulation model by various alignment functions. Thus, the geometry of the simulation model can be compared with the measured 3D surface in a first step. Further analyses, such as the direct comparison of displacements, deformations and strain, can be carried out for each stage.

The software can display the type of vibration for a first and fast interpretation of the measured displacement data. An analysis shows the displacement of all measured points full-field or point-based in all three spatial directions. Additionally, the envelopes of the frequency response of all points and the corresponding type of vibration are displayed three-dimensionally. For further vibration analysis, the 3D coordinates and the displacement values can be exported in Universal File Format (UFF). This format is supported by most Apps for vibration analyses.