Impact and fracture analysis with high-speed cameras
In the drop-weight tower the striker hits the supported specimen; a high-speed camera triggered by the impact sensor records the moment of fracture. Marker points and the crack tip are tracked between frames; the crack path and the absorbed energy are compared with the threshold.
The frame sequence, the crack-tip trace and the energy value are written to the test record; a below-limit result is flagged in the report and the display shows the slow-motion frames and the crack trace.
- 01 Lifting
- 02 Drop
- 03 Impact
- 04 Playback
- 05 Decide
The striker is raised on the guide columns to the drop height.
- Absorbed energy
- —
- Impact velocity
- —
- Crack length
- —
Scenes are illustrative simulations; they are not customer references or performance guarantees.
Need
Fracture is over in a few milliseconds; with the eye or an ordinary camera only the result is seen, not the process. Short exposure needs strong light; the striker and broken fragments leave the field of view abruptly.
Solution approach
The camera is triggered by the impact-sensor signal and its pre-trigger buffer also keeps the frames before contact. Two continuous spot lights give enough light for short exposure. Marker points on the specimen are tracked between frames and the crack-tip position is measured frame by frame; the absorbed energy is computed from the striker velocity.
Process steps
- 01
Lifting
The striker is raised on the guide columns to the drop height.
- 02
Drop
The striker is released; lights at full power, camera in pre-trigger buffer.
- 03
Impact
The impact sensor triggers the camera; the moment of contact is recorded.
- 04
Playback
Marker points and the crack tip are tracked in the slow-motion frames.
- 05
Decide
Absorbed energy and crack path are compared with the threshold.
Related applications
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