Meaning
Optical method for measuring surface deformation and strain in materials. Practical applications of digital image correlation allow for the visualization of strain distribution across a complex moulded part. This technique eliminates the need for physical gauges that might interfere with the material behavior.
Displacement Tracking
Software algorithms compare successive frames to calculate the motion of individual pixel blocks. In digital image correlation the relative change in position provides a full field map of the deformation. Small movements are captured with high precision even during rapid loading cycles.
Strain Mapping
Visualizing the localized hotspots reveals where a part is most likely to fail under load. Modern digital image correlation identifies shear bands and necking zones that remain invisible to the naked eye. This data assists in refining the gate placement or wall thickness of a part.
Tooling Calibration
Validating a finite element analysis model requires empirical data that matches the simulated stress patterns. Employing digital image correlation ensures that the actual performance of an injection moulded component aligns with the design specifications. Discrepancies often point to hidden internal stresses or cooling rate variations.
High resolution cameras detect subtle deformations that occur before any visible cracking or whitening appears. The resulting data set provides a defensible account of how the material responds to multi axial loads.
