Deformation analysis
– The world is not perfect
As soon as a product has gone through its manufacturing process, it is exposed to internal and external influences.
This changes the product until it no longer has its intended properties and must be disposed of. This process can neither be stopped nor predicted in detail. The process of industrial computed tomography is suitable for fault and optimization analyses of internal structures.
However, by analyzing empirically collected data in the form of visual measurement reports, the manufacturing processes can be improved in such a way that the deformation of the product is halted for as long as possible. This is made possible by a deformation analysis.
Tracking down the deformation
Deformation analysis is a process in which geometric changes to a component can be detected and validated. High-precision results are made possible by modern 3D measurement technology in particular.
This applies to both gradual processes and sudden influences on the product. Typical cases that can trigger deformation are
- Collisions
- Explosions and implosions
- Volume change due to chemical or physical influences
- Thermal influences from outside
- Permanent loads
The collision is a classic case for a deformation analysis. The design of safe passenger compartments for passenger cars would not be possible at all without a valid deformation analysis.
This is why thorough measurement of the wreck after a crash test is part of the deformation analysis in vehicle construction.
Explosions and implosions are particularly massive cases of deformation. They usually result in the complete destruction of the component. Nevertheless, there are numerous cases in which the exact behavior of a product during an explosion is relevant.
Examples of chemical or physical influences that lead to the deformation of a component are
- Swelling on contact with moisture
- Diffusion of ingredients (e.g. embrittlement of rubber)
- biological processes
Heat or cold can lead to permanent deformation, especially in plastics.
Determining the thermal limits of complex-shaped plastic components is therefore a classic case for deformation analysis, for example in optical 3D measurement technology.
The permanent load on structures can be implemented particularly well through deformation analysis and monitoring.
Here it is mostly technical structures such as bridges, tunnels and dams that can be examined for undesirable movements using deformation analysis.
Deformation analysis – easy to implement
The possibilities of modern technology not only make many processes feasible in principle – the clever use of existing technologies and synergy effects also make these approaches surprisingly inexpensive.
The complex laser scanning process is still unrivaled in terms of precision. However, such a high resolution is usually not necessary at all, especially for deformation analysis.
In this case, it is photometry that can deliver the desired results with sufficient precision much more quickly, easily and, above all, cheaply. All that is needed is a number of permanently installed cameras.
With before and after comparisons or long-term observations, all relevant data can be collected and monitored using digital photometry. This requires powerful software that can be equipped with any parameters, such as a 2D camera equipped with autofocus and zoom, which enables repeatable images.
Visual deformations or alarm functions are the usual applications for this. Digital cameras with sufficient resolution are now in the low-cost range. The software does not make the tools for deformation analysis significantly more expensive either.
In this way, you can quickly obtain a reliable and durable system with simple means, which can be used to determine permanently valid data.
Deformation monitoring using photometry is therefore an important contribution to sustainably improving the quality and safety of products and structures.
