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  • Offer Profile
  • Photron was founded in 1974 to provide manufacturing, sales, and service for state-of-the-art professional film and video equipment used to capture thousands of high resolution images for playback and analysis.

    Photron has continually expanded their product line to aid in the advancement of photo optics and electronic technologies furthering research and development in the areas of digital imaging and slow motion analysis. Markets include microfluidics, military testing, aerospace engineering, automotive, broadcast, particle image velocimetry (PIV), digital image correlation (DIC), ballistics testing, and more.
Product Portfolio
  • Nova Series

      • FASTCAM NOVA S-SERIES

      • The FASTCAM NOVA brings together unique CMOS image sensor technologies and extensive high-speed digital imaging expertise to provide a camera with the flexibility to be used in a wide variety of applications. Available in four different models, the FASTCAM NOVA offers 12-bit image recording rates up to 16,000 frames per second (fps) at megapixel image resolution, and shutter speeds to 0.2µs. Recording rates to 1,100,000fps are available at reduced image resolutions. All of this available from a camera that is rugged, compact, lightweight and provides the best light sensitivity in its class.

        Standard features of the FASTCAM NOVA include an internal mechanical shutter to allow remote system calibration, a high-performance Gigabit Ethernet interface for camera control and high-speed image download, memory segmentation that allows recording into one memory partition while downloading from another, and compatibility with a number of industry standard lens formats to allow the use of Nikon G-Type, C-mount and Canon EF lenses.

        The FASTCAM NOVA also features a sealed body design that prevents dust and corrosive particles from contaminating sensitive electronics. An optional FAST Drive SSD can be used for the download of images at up to 1GB per second.

        Intuitive and feature rich Photron FASTCAM Viewer (PFV) software is included with each FASTCAM NOVA camera. Also included is a Photron Device Control SDK that allows integration of the camera with user-specific software, and libraries for controlling the camera within a MATLAB® or LabView environment.
      • FASTCAM NOVA R

      • The FASTCAM NOVA R2 brings together unique CMOS image sensor technologies and extensive high-speed digital imaging expertise to provide a camera with the flexibility to be used in a wide variety of applications. The FASTCAM NOVA R2 offers 12-bit image recording rates up to 1,440 frames per second (fps) at 4-megapixel image resolution, and shutter speeds to 2.7μs. Recording rates to 100,000fps are available at reduced image resolutions. All of this available from a camera that is rugged, compact, lightweight and provides the best light sensitivity in its class.

        Standard features of the FASTCAM NOVA R2 include an internal mechanical shutter to allow remote system calibration, memory segmentation that allows recording into one memory partition while downloading from another, and compatibility with a number of industry standard lens formats to allow the use of Nikon G-Type, C-mount and Canon EF lenses.

        The FASTCAM NOVA R2 also features a “sealed body” design that prevents dust and corrosive particles from contaminating sensitive electronics. An optional FAST Drive SSD can be used for the download of images at up to 1GB per second.

        Intuitive and feature rich Photron FASTCAM Viewer (PFV) software is included with each FASTCAM NOVA R2 camera. Also included is a Photron Device Control SDK that allows integration of the camera withuser-specific software, and libraries for controlling the camera within a MATLAB® or LabView environment.
    • SA Series

        • FASTCAM SA-Z

        • The Photron FASTCAM SA-Z offers scientists, researchers and engineers the ability to capture high resolution digital images at ultra-high speeds to see and understand previously invisible processes and events. Using Photron’s proprietary CMOS image sensor technology, the FASTCAM SA-Z combines high recording rates with outstanding light sensitivity and excellent image quality to provide the most versatile ultra-high speed digital camera available today.

          The ultra-high speed FASTCAM SA-Z provides megapixel image resolution at frame rates up to 21,000 frames per second (fps) from its highly light sensitive image sensor (monochrome ISO 50,000) with 12-bit dynamic range delivering the ultimate imaging performance. The FASTCAM SA-Z provides frame rates greater than 2 million fps at reduced image resolution and shutter speeds as short as 159 nanoseconds (export restrictions may apply).

          An innovative camera body design exploiting heat-pipe technology provides a thermally stable and reliable high-speed imaging system suitable for use in the most challenging environments. Available in 12-bit monochrome or 36-bit color versions with recording memory options from 8GB to 128GB, the FASTCAM SA-Z offers versatility of use in a wide range of scientific and industrial applications.

          Standard operational features of the FASTCAM SA-Z include a mechanical shutter to allow remote system calibration, dual-channel Gigabit Ethernet Interface for fast image download, and internal memory card drives allowing image download and storage to low cost removable recording media. The system also features memory segmentation to allow recording in one memory partition while at the same time downloading a previous recording, and the ability to remotely switch off cooling fans to eliminate vibration when recording at high magnifications.

          FASTCAM SA-Z is optionally available with the FASTDrive removable SSD drive permitting high-speed transfer of image data from camera recording memory to removable mass storage media enabling repeated recordings to be made in quick succession without the delays associated with download of data to a PC.
        • FASTCAM SA-X2

        • In order to meet the requirements of the most demanding high-speed imaging applications a balance of high frame rate, image resolution, dynamic range and light sensitivity is required. The FASTCAM SA-X2 high-speed camera system has been designed to provide a careful balance of these requirements.

          FASTCAM SA-X2 brings together unique CMOS image sensor technologies and digital imaging expertise to provide optimum imaging performance. The system offers recording rates up to 13,500fps at megapixel image resolution with 12-bit dynamic range and high image quality. Frame rates greater than 1 million fps are available at reduced image resolution with shutter speeds as short as 293 nanoseconds (export restrictions may apply).

          Light sensitivity is often the most critical performance criteria in high speed imaging. Without high light sensitivity, imaging at high frame rates with short exposure times is not possible. A camera system providing high light sensitivity allows a wide range of objective lenses and lighting techniques to be optimized to visualize complex high-speed phenomena.

          The FASTCAM SA-X2 system may be controlled over a high-speed Gigabit Ethernet network or via the optional keypad. Standard operational features of the FASTCAM SA-X2 include a mechanical shutter to allow remote system calibration, dual-channel Gigabit Ethernet Interface for fast image download, and internal memory card drives allowing image download and storage to low cost removable recording media. The system also features memory segmentation to allow recording in one memory partition while at the same time downloading a previous recording, and the ability to remotely switch off cooling fans to eliminate vibration when recording at high magnifications.

          The system is supplied with intuitive and feature rich Photron FASTCAM Viewer (PFV) software and Photron Device Control SDK (software development kit) allowing integration with user specific software. Alternatively the camera can be controlled as a device within a MATLAB ® or LabVIEW environment.
      • MINI SERIES

          • FASTCAM Mini AX

          • The FASTCAM Mini AX is Photron’s highest performance model within the FASTCAM Mini series of high-speed cameras. The Mini AX delivers exceptional light sensitivity, excellent image quality and flexible region of interest (ROI) features for customers who do not require the ultimate frame rate performance of the FASTCAM SA-X2 and SA-Z, but would benefit from the same high-end camera image sensor features.

            Three performance level models – Mini AX50, AX100 and AX200 – deliver 1-megapixel image resolution (1024 x 1024 pixels) at frame rates up to 2,000fps, 4,000fps and 6,400fps respectively. All three Mini AX models offer a minimum exposure duration of 1μs as standard with recording memory options up to 32GB providing extended recording times and triggering flexibility.

            Subject to export approval the Mini AX100 can be offered with maximum frame rates up to 540,000fps and the Mini AX200 with maximum frame rates up to 900,000fps with a minimum exposure time of 260 nanoseconds. Standard operational features of the FASTCAM Mini AX include a mechanical shutter to allow remote system calibration, Gigabit Ethernet Interface for reliable system control with high-speed data transfer to PC, and the ability to remotely switch off cooling fans to eliminate vibration when recording at high magnifications.

            With the combination of high frame rates, high image quality and exceptional light sensitivity contained within a 120mm x 120mm x 94mm rugged camera body weighing just 1.5kg, the FASTCAM Mini AX is ideally suited for use in a wide range of demanding scientific and industrial applications.
          • FASTCAM Mini UX

          • For use with a wide range of general scientific and industrial applications the Photron FASTCAM Mini UX high-speed camera provides outstanding imaging performance at a very attractive price performance ratio.

            Two Mini UX camera models provide 1.3-megapixel (1280 x 1024 pixels) image resolution with frame rates up to 2,000fps from the Mini UX50 and 4,000fps from the Mini UX100. Both models are available with recording memory options up to 32GB providing extended recording times and triggering flexibility.

            Using innovative proprietary CMOS image sensor technology, the FASTCAM Mini UX achieves high light sensitivity from a small image sensor (10μm pixel pitch) through the utilization of microlenses to increase effective Fill Factor. At maximum image resolution the image sensor is fully compatible with readily available 1-inch C-mount lenses offering a wide choice of small, lightweight, rugged and high aperture objective lenses.

            The FASTCAM Mini UX features a rugged design suitable for operation in high shock and vibration environments and a compact camera body (120mm x 120mm x 93mm) weighing just 1.5kg. This small and rugged camera design makes the FASTCAM Mini UX ideally suited to on-board and off-board automotive safety testing and many other applications where a compact size and compatibility with standard optical systems is required.

            Standard operational features of the FASTCAM Mini UX include a Gigabit Ethernet Interface for reliable system control with high-speed data transfer to PC, and the ability to remotely switch off cooling fans to eliminate vibrations when recording at high magnifications.
          • FASTCAM Mini WX

          • The FASTCAM Mini WX100 high-speed camera delivers exceptional high resolution imaging performance by providing 2048 x 2048 pixel resolution at 1,080fps (Mini WX50 750fps), 1920 x 1080 pixel full HD resolution at 2,000fps (Mini WX50 1,500fps) and frame rates up to 80,000fps (Mini WX50 67,500fps) at reduced image resolution. The system’s flexible Region of Interest (ROI) capability allows the user to choose an image aspect ratio appropriate for the subject being recorded.

            The FASTCAM Mini WX is compact, lightweight and also rugged (operationally tested to 100G, 10ms, 6-axes). This unique combination of high resolution imaging performance in a compact, lightweight and rugged package makes the system well suited to a wide range of industrial and scientific applications. It is ideally suited for biomechanics, microscopy, automotive safety testing and defense applications.

            The FASTCAM Mini WX utilizes Photron’s proprietary CMOS image sensor design expertise, including on-chip microlens technology to optimize light sensitivity. The camera provides broadcast quality high definition image resolution, color fidelity and dynamic range. Recording memory options from 8GB to 32GB permit the capture of over 10 seconds of uncompressed and un-interpolated data at 1,000fps with full HD image resolution.

            Standard operational features of the FASTCAM Mini WX include a mechanical shutter to allow remote system calibration, Gigabit Ethernet Interface for reliable system control with high-speed data transfer to PC, and the ability to switch off cooling fans to eliminate vibration when recording at high magnifications.
          • FASTCAM Mini CX

          • Designed for both on-board and off-board vehicle safety testing, the FASTCAM Mini CX camera delivers an exceptional combination of resolution, frame rate, light sensitivity and durability in a compact, standalone package.

            With 1080 HD resolution at 1,000 frame per second and an industry leading light sensitivity of ISO 5,000 color and ISO 10,000 monochrome, the Mini CX provides outstanding image quality. Well suited for the space limited locations and High-G operating environments common to automotive safety testing as well as certain military/defense applications, the Mini CX is Photron’s smallest, lightest and – with operational testing to 150G – most rugged standalone camera.

            Additional features add to the usability of the Mini CX. For instance, HDMI video output allows easy local focusing of the camera. An internal battery offers 30 minutes of camera operation if the primary power source fails during a test. Rapid download to nonvolatile memory ensures protection for recorded images. A built-in accelerometer provides a backup trigger source.
        • Tethered Head Series

            • FASTCAM MH6

            • Perfectly suited for severely space- and weight -constrained locations commonly found in both on-board vehicle safety testing and military testing applications, the FASTCAM MH6 camera system provides an extraordinary mix of resolution, frame rate, light sensitivity and durability through the incorporation of multiple small and lightweight camera heads with a single processor. The MH6 allows up to six miniature (35mm x 35.4mm x 35.4mm, 100g) camera heads to be connected to a single processor.

              Extremely thin and flexible connecting cables are available in varying lengths to accommodate a wide variety of camera head viewing angles and mounting locations. The camera heads are extremely rugged and have been operationally tested to 160G. Each MH6 camera head provides outstanding image quality with 1080 HD resolution at 1,000 frame per second and an industry leading light sensitivity of ISO 5,000 color and ISO 12,500 monochrome. Camera heads are compatible with readily available 1-inch C-mount ruggedized lenses.

              The MH6 system allows automated image download to built-in non-volatile memory. Image transfer to a computer is available via Gigabit Ethernet and USB3. A built-in 3-axis / 1kHz acceleration sensor can be used to provide a trigger signal to the system if necessary.
            • FASTCAM MULTI

            • The FASTCAM Multi is a unique high-speed camera system featuring one or two compact and lightweight, RV sealed camera heads tethered to a remote processor which can be located up to fifty meters away.

              The FASTCAM Multi is ideally suited for test ranges and other applications which require high-performance camera heads to be precisely synchronized while being controlled remotely. The camera heads allow image capture in confined areas that are not large enough to support the size of a “typical stand alone” high-speed camera. The separation of the camera head from the processor ensures that image data is safely retained in the processor, even if the camera head is damaged or destroyed during an explosive event.

              Despite the small size of its camera head(s), the FASTCAM Multi provides a very high level of imaging performance. The system offers up to 4,800fps at full 1280 x 1024 pixel resolution and 6,000fps at 720 High Definition (HD) resolution, and with reduced resolution to 750,000fps. A global shutter provides blur free 12-bit images with exposure times as short as 1 microsecond. The FASTCAM Multi’s CMOS sensor features 10 micron square pixels that deliver light sensitivity of ISO 10,000 monochrome and ISO 5,000 color..

              The FASTCAM Multi is compatible with a large quantity of off-the-shelf commercial lenses, including C-mount, Nikon F (G-Type) and Micro Four Thirds (MFT) lens mounts, which provide full remote control of both focus and aperture. Due to the small (10μm) pixel pitch of the FASTCAM Multi’s 12-bit sensor, the camera is capable of utilizing 1″ C-mount lenses without vignetting. Its distinctive feature set makes the FASTCAM Multi well-suited for many different applications including microscopy, detonation and explosives testing, off board automotive safety testing and more.
          • POLARIZATION SYSTEMS

              • HIGH-SPEED 2D POLARIZATION CAMERA

              • The Photron Crysta is a high-speed polarization camera for the two-dimensional analysis of birefringence measurements, film thickness analysis, and surface roughness inspection, and is a powerful tool to understand phenomena such as birefringence, retardation, stress and impact fracture mechanisms of materials and fluids.

                Currently established systems employ mechanical or electrical drives as polarization modulators, they require several photo-detection processes to measure polarization. In order to overcome this problem, The Crysta utilizes a high-speed 2D birefringence measurement system with a sampling rate of 1.3 MHz as the core device of the system with 16 parallel read out circuits in a matrix in the image sensor, which are connected to each pixel with individual A/D converters.

                The image sensors design and fabrication incorporates a pixelated polarizer array which is made from photonic crystal bonded directly to the CMOS sensor, making the optical system in this sensor resistant to vibration. Each polarizer corresponds to each pixel of the image sensor with a one to one ratio. The size of each polarizer and pixel is 20 µm x 20 µm. In the polarizer array, groups of four neighboring polarizers (2 x 2) are set to have differing fast axis orientation at 0°, 45°, 90° and 135° in a clockwise arrangement. One polarization datum can be obtained by calculating detected light intensities from the four pixels of the image sensor. Consequently, the parallel read out circuit is arranged in a corresponding matrix.

                The electric charges that represent the light intensities accumulated from each pixel are quantized by the multi-channel A/D converters and are stored in the memory of the camera. After that, we apply a phase shift analysis process to the stored data to obtain time-serial images of birefringent phase difference.
              • BIREFRINGENCE MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS

              • NEAR INFRARED TWO DIMENSIONAL BIREFRINGENCE MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS

                Our near infrared systems (NIR), operating at 850nm and 940nm wavelengths, provide powerful tools for production and quality control of samples not transparent at visible light wavelengths, such as special resins and chacolgenide used, for example in LIDAR and face recognition systems.

                Objects that are opaque to light will appear black to ‘normal’ visible spectrun cameras, but are transparent at other light wavelengths and can reveal a great deal of information about their composition and the residual stress induced during their manufacture.

                These new systems operating in the Near Infrared range enable measurment of objects that were previously impossible to evaluate.

                APPLICATIONS
                Measureing residual stress in materials that are opaque to the visible spectrum of light.

                TWO DIMENSIONAL BIREFRINGENCE MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS
                Our wide-range birefringence measurement PA/WPA series systems provide high-speed birefringence measurement of transparent and semi-transparent materials, such as lenses and other transparent components, for residual stress evaluation, or transparent films for phase uniformity evaluation.

                Ranging from microscopic to macroscopic (~50cm), the field of view can be adapted to pretty much any measurement FOV. Regardless of your subject matter, we believe we have a system for every size.

                The dedicated software supplied provides such options as changing the field of view size and increased measurement range for high-retardation samples. Various filters, such as noise reduction or local variation enhancement etc., are provided to help your data analysis tasks, plus configurable and multiple filters can be applied simultaneously. Software analysis functionality is also available to extend PA/WPA system functionality to meet your most demanding polarization imaging needs.

                APPLICATIONS

                Measurement of the retardation and orientation andle in:
                • Glass
                • PC and PMMA
                • PVA, CO, TAC, and PET
                • As well as other transparent or semi-transparent materials
            • 6D-Marker

                  • 6D-Marker

                  • Automated Motion Analysis for 3D and 6D Data Requiring any Single Camera

                    Traditional 3D measurement techniques require a minimum of two cameras, precisely located through complex calibration procedures, to produce multiple data streams that must then be correctly synchronized to enable analysis to produce 3D or 6D data. The new proprietary lenticular 6D-MARKER™ from Photron provides engineers with the ability to automatically analyze and plot true 3D and 6D, also referred to as 6DOF (six-degree of freedom) coordinate data from a single camera view. Furthermore, the calibration process is vastly improved over conventional methods, requiring a single video to be made of the supplied calibration card, using the desired camera and lens FOV. The calibration file created can then be used whenever the same camera and lens configuration are adopted for future tests.

                    As your test takes place, the Variable Moiré Pattern (VMP) bars and Flip Detection Pattern (FDP) on the 44mm square marker are automatically detected, tracked and analyzed by the Photron 6D-MARKER Analyst™ software to produce precise 6D (X, Y, Z, roll, pitch and yaw) data. Furthermore, the unique QR code in the markers center identifies each marker with a unique visual code to enable multiple markers (up to 32) to be identified and tracked simultaneously.

                    Photron 6D-MARKER Analyst™ software can track any suitable video, regardless of its source, be it high resolution, real time or prerecorded, time-lapse or high-speed. Data from any camera capable of outputting AVI, MP4 or WMV video formats, or bitmap, PNG to TIFF image sequences can be tracked and analyzed. Plus, 6D-Marker Analyst can directly control the latest high-speed cameras from Photron, and specific Gig-E and/or USB3 machine vision cameras from Basler and Toshiba.
              • DISCOUNTED PRODUCTS

                  • DISCONTINUED SA SERIES CAMERAS

                      • FASTCAM SA1.1

                      • As with the SA4 and SA5 models in this series, the FASTCAM SA1.1 utilizes the same CMOS sensor with a 20µm pixel delivering an ISO light sensitivity 10,000 (monochrome) and 4,000 (color), both measured to the published ISO 12232 Ssat standard.

                        Maintaining a square aspect ratio of 1024 x 1024 pixels for frame rates up to 5,400fps is extremely useful when the system is coupled to a microscope, borescope or when observing events such as combustion through optical access windows.

                        With the benefit of variable region of interest (ROI) to match the aspect ratio of the subject, the FASTCAM SA1.1 can capture images at a maximum frame rate of 675,000fps and a submicrosecond exposure* eliminates motion blur.

                        Lenses designed for both FX (35mm full frame) and also DX (APS-C digital SLR) formats are fully compatible with the FASTCAM SA4, SA1.1, and SA5 at full image resolution and these cameras are supplied with both C-mount and Nikon F-mount lens adapters. The Nikon adapter is compatible with newer “G” type lenses that do not have a manual iris/aperture ring. An optional Canon EF lens mount permits control of the lens aperture and focus through our Photron FASTCAM Viewer (PFV) camera control software.

                        The FASTCAM SA4, SA1.1 and SA5 all connect easily to your laptop through the Gigabit Ethernet port, provide both dual composite video and HD-SDI MNC outputs and can be operated using the optional LCD keypad.

                        *Submicrosecond exposure option subject to export control
                      • FASTCAM SA4

                      • As with the higher specification FASTCAM SA1 and SA5 models in this series, the FASTCAM SA4 camera utilizes the same CMOS sensor with a 20µm pixel delivering an ISO light sensitivity of 10,000 (monochrome) and 4,000 (color), both measured to the published ISO 12232 Ssat standard.

                        Maintaining a square aspect ratio of 1024 x 1024 pixels for frame rates up to 3,600fps is extremely useful when the system is coupled to a microscope, borescope or when observing events such as combustion through optical access windows.

                        With the benefit of variable region on interest (ROI) to match the aspect ratio of the subject, the FASTCAM SA4 can capture images at a maximum frame rate of 500,000fps and a one microsecond exposure eliminates motion blur.

                        Lenses designed for both FX (35mm full frame) and also DX (APS-C digital SLR) formats are fully compatible with the FASTCAM SA-4, SA1 and SA5 at full image resolution and these cameras are supplied with both C-mount and Nikon F mount lens adapters. The Nikon adaptor is compatible with new “G” type lenses that do not have a manual iris/aperture ring. An optional Canon EF lens mount permits control of the lens aperture and focus through our Photron FASTCAM Viewer (PFV) camera control software.

                        The FASTCAM SA4, SA1 and SA5 all connect easily to your laptop through the Gigabit Ethernet port, provide both dual composite video and HD-SDI BNC outputs and can be operated using the optional LCD keypad.
                      • FASTCAM SA5

                      • The highest performance model in this series (SA4, SA1.1. and SA5), the FASTCAM SA5 camera utilizes the same CMOS sensor with a 20µm pixel delivering an ISO light sensitivity of 10,000 (monochrome) and 4,000 (color), both measured to the published ISO 12232 Ssat standard.

                        Maintaining a square aspect ratio of 1024 x 1024 pixels for frame rates up to 7,000fps is extremely useful when the system is coupled to a microscope, borescope or when observing events such as combustion through optical access windows.

                        With the benefit of variable region of interest (ROI) to match the aspect ratio of the subject, the FASTCAM SA5 can capture images at a maximum frame rate of 1.5Mfps and a sub-microsecond exposure* eliminates motion blur.

                        Lenses designed for both FX (35mm full frame) and also DX (APS-C digital SLR) formats are fully compatible with the FASTCAM SA-4, SA1 and SA5 at full image resolution and these cameras are supplied with both C-mount and Nikon F mount lens adapters. The Nikon adapter is compatible with newer “G” type lenses that do not have a manual iris/aperture ring. An optional Canon EF lens mount permits control of the lens aperture and focus through our Photron FASTCAM Viewer (PFV) camera control software.

                        The FASTCAM SA4, SA1 and SA5 all connect easily to your laptop through the Gigabit Ethernet port, provide both dual composite video and HD-SDI BNC outputs and can be operated using the optional LCD keypad.

                        *1.5Mfps and sub microsecond exposure options subject to export control
                    • APPLICATIONS & TECHNIQUES

                        • BIOMECHANICS

                        • Biomechanincs is the study of motion, function and structure of the mechanical form of living organizims. High-speed cameras have been used for years to study the movement of the human body, including how tendons, ligaments, bones and muscels work together. In sports, biomechanics focuses on the actions of the body and the mastery of individual tasks. For eample, performing a squat would include studing the position and movements of a person feet, knees, legs, hips, back, shoulder and even their arms. Biomechanics is also widely used for orthopedic research and development for implants, such as joints. Researching the performance of biomaterials such as joint implants plays a pivotal role in design improvements for medical purposes. Biomechanics not only includes the study of the human body, but also animals and sometimes plants.
                        • COMBUSTION

                        • Combustion research involves the complex study of a chemical reaction between multiple substances. The speed at which the substances combine is very high due to the energy that is generated by the combination of oxygen and heat or flame. The study of combustion is based on the knowledge of chemistry, physics, and mechanics. Combustion research is utilized in a wide range of applications, including engine testing in the automotive industry and in rocket and jet engine testing in the aerospace industry.
                        • FLUID DYNAMICS

                        • In fluid dynamics, high-speed imaging provides an indispensable tool to measure and to visualize the complex movement of liquids, gases and plasmas in motion. The movement of liquids and gases is generally referred to as flow, a concept that describes how fluids behave and how they interact with their surrounding environment. Flow can be either steady or unsteady, laminar or turbulent. Laminar flows are smoother, while turbulent flows are more unstable. The study of liquid flow is called hydrodynamics. While liquids comprise of a variety of substances including oils and chemicals, the most common liquid is water. Most applications for hydrodynamics involve managing the flow of these types of liquids.

                          The flow of gas, commonly referred to as aerostatics, has many similarities to the flow of liquid, however it is important to note that it also has some differences. First, gas is compressible, and liquids are generally considered incompressible. Second, gas flow is hardly affected by gravity. The most common gas is air. Wind can cause air to move around various structures, including building and it can also be forced to move by fans or pumps.

                          Photron high-speed cameras have been designed to meet the requirements of specialized imaging techniques employed in fluid dynamics including Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV), Laser Induced Fluorescence (LIF) and others.

                          For years, high-speed imaging has been utilized in the following industries for Fluid Dynamics research and analysis: Automotive, Aerospace, Biotech and Medical, Marine Propulsion, and Electronics.
                        • MICROFLUIDICS

                        • Microfluidics is the science of manipulating and controlling fluids through micro-channels. This type of research requires microminiaturized devices that contain chambers through which fluids flow or are confined. A microfluidic chip enables fluids, down to femtoliters (fL), to be transported, mixed, separated, processed or visualized. Fluids behave differently on a micrometric scale than they do in a normal environment, these unique behaviors are important for scientific research and detailed experiments.

                          For years, high-speed imaging has been utilized in the following industries for microfluidics research and analysis: Academia, Medical, Biotechnology, Energy, Chemistry, Biology, Pharmaceuticals and more. High-speed cameras have the ability to capture large amounts of data for slow motion analysis.
                        • SCHLIEREN

                        • Schlieren imaging is used as a means of visualizing changes in pressure, temperature and shock waves in a transparent medium such as air. In applications such as wind-tunnels and pressure chambers schlieren imaging provides clear and detailed information on changes of pressure and density.

                          Schlieren imaging was developed in the 1800’s to detect flaws or ‘schliere’ in glass. The technique is frequently used today as a means of visualizing shock waves in wind-tunnels and temperature gradients around objects. Schlieren imaging relies on the refractive index, the ability to ‘bend’ light, of a transparent medium changing with density to produce an image. In a simple schlieren system a parallel beam of light is passed through the subject and is focused on to a knife edge using lenses or spherical mirrors. A change in density in part of the subject causes that part of the light beam to be refracted and to fall above or below the knife edge creating lighter or darker areas in the image. Color filters are sometimes used in place of a knife edge to produce an image using different colors to denote different areas of density.

                          Optical Set up – Illumination for schlieren imaging must be produced from a point light source. For high speed photography the intensity of the light source and sensitivity of the imager should allow recording at the desired frame rate. A parallel beam of light is created using a pair of lenses or mirrors. The diameter of the lenses or mirrors determines the size of the working area, or measurement volume, in which the image is produced. A knife edge or specially designed color filter is mounted on a Vernier adjustment close to the image plane. The schematic diagram above shows the light path and position of the camera sensor.
                        • LASER ILLUMINATION

                        • The sort pulse widths, narrow spectral range and high light intensity offered by laser light sources provides the opportunity for unique imaging techniques when combined with high-speed cameras. To achieve good quality images equal consideration should be given to the illumination source as to the camera resolution and sensitivity. If you have an incorrectly lit subject the resulting image will always be poor. There are a wide range of light sources suitable for most high-speed imaging applications; however, some applications may require something utilizing a laser. For example, laser illumination would help eliminate excessive motion blur.

                          Most high-speed cameras have an electronic global shutter offering exposure durations down to a few microseconds; however, where a given subject is moving at extreme velocities relative to the field of view, motion blur becomes more of an issue. A high-repetition rate pulsed laser can provide effective shutter durations typically in the range of 30ns – 250ns at frequencies up to around 50kHz without the need for an image intensifier (you will need to match the laser frequency to that of your camera frame rate). Typical applications requiring this level of shuttering could be ballistics, where velocities in excess of 700m/s are common or working at high magnification where the effect of any movement is amplified.
                        • MATERIAL TESTING

                        • Organizations and consumers place their trust in various materials every day. Throughout every major industry, engineers need to be assured that the materials used in manufacturing their products or equipment are up to their intended task. Therefore, they must actively and diligently verify that the manufacturing processes will perform to expectations. Materials testing is a highly precise technique that measures the characteristics of materials, such as mechanical properties, elemental composition, corrosion resistance and the effects of heat treatments. Most testing is performed on metallic materials, composites, ceramics and polymers.

                          High-speed imaging is applied to materials testing in order to measure the physical and mechanical properties of different materials or components. Typical testing methods include: Tensile Testing, Drop Testing, Compression, Deformation, Crush Resistance, Delamination and many more. Photron high-speed cameras have been designed to meet the requirements of specialized analysis techniques employed in materials testing including Digital Image Correlation.
                        • DIGITAL IMAGE CORRELATION

                        • Digital Image Correlation, often referred to as DIC, is a 2D or 3D optical tracking technique used to measure deformation, vibration and strain in materials. DIC tracks a gray value pattern in subsets through digital imaging. You will often see this speckled pattern on objects such as aluminum, rubber, glass, and plastics. This technique is used for a variety of tests including torsion, tinsel, bending, or load testing. DIC can be used on very small or large testing areas.

                          For two-dimensional DIC tracking, a single high-speed camera can capture the deformation in a single plane. For three-dimensional DIC tracking, two high-speed cameras are need for simultaneous recording. By using multiple synchronized cameras along with DIC software, you can create 3D renderings of your object allowing you to enhance your visualization. Photron high-speed cameras are utilized by all DIC system integrators worldwide.

                          A camera’s minimum exposure time is often a critical factor in choosing a high-speed camera. Some very fast high-speed events require extremely short exposure times – sometimes even less than 1 microsecond – to stop the motion of those high-speed events. A camera’s ability to achieve a sub-microsecond exposure is dependent on two things. First, the camera’s sensor must be capable of performing such a short exposure. Second, the camera’s sensor must be sensitive enough that when it does utilize a sub-microsecond exposure it can capture enough photons of light during the exposure to be able to generate video that is of sufficient quality for analysis. A short exposure does no good if the end result is a sequence of images that are so dark that you cannot see what happened within the high-speed event.
                        • PARTICLE IMAGE VELOCIMERTY

                        • Particle Image Velocimetry, otherwise known as PIV, is an optical method widely used in flow visualization and fluid dynamics research. PIV provides detailed measurements of velocities, vectors and related properties in fluids.

                          The technique is used to obtain the time dependent velocity distributions in a Field-Of-View (FOV) of single and multi-phase flows which are very fast, turbulent and complex. PIV is very useful for analysis of turbulent flow, transient flow, micro flow and 3D volumetric flow studies. As an example, the high temporal rate allows visualization of the laminar separation bubble found in the flow over an airfoil, turbulent flow near an object or complex flows found in bioreactors.

                          To facilitate visualization of a flow, most applications require seeding the flow with tracer particles. These tracer particles will be very visible in the flow when pulsed with a sheet or spot laser illumination. The laser illumination is very short in duration, easily stopping all motion. When the laser illumination is off, the image is completely dark. The short intense laser pulse provides an excellent contrast to the tracer particles after capture. The tracer particles can then be tracked for movement in the flow where each image is analyzed for the position of these particles as a function of time. Knowing the precise time between the double laser pulse provides a reference for the spacing and direction change between these particles in the image sequence. The particles are plotted as a series of velocity vectors representing the flow at a given instant in time.

                          For years, high-speed imaging has been utilized in the following industries for PIV research and analysis: Automotive, Aerospace, Biotech and Medical, Marine Propulsion, and Electronics. There are several companies that manufacture high-speed cameras, so how do you decide which company to buy from and which model of camera to buy? There are a couple factors that are important to consider when purchasing a high-speed camera for PIV applications, including frame rate, light sensitivity, resolution, and interframe time.
                      • INDUSTRIES

                          • Academia

                          • For years high-speed imaging has been used in research laboratories and academic institutions worldwide providing students and faculty with detailed analysis of a wide variety of events. Common applications and techniques in the academic field include, but are not limited to, the use of Digital Image Correlation (DIC), Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV), Microfluidics, Schlieren, Combustion Research and more. To learn more about each application and technique or to find out what type of Photron high-speed camera would be best suited for those applications simply click on the title for each section.
                          • Automative

                          • High-Speed Cameras for Automotive Safety Testing

                            Photron offers two high-speed camera systems that are intended specifically for automotive safety testing — the FASTCAM Mini CX and the FASTCAM MH6. Both offer outstanding HD 1080 resolution at 1,000fps with industry leading light sensitivity of ISO 5,000 color and ISO 10,000 monochrome.

                            The Mini CX delivers an exceptional combination of resolution, frame rate, light sensitivity and durability in a compact, stand-alone package suited for both on-board and off-board testing. Designed for space limited locations and tested to 100G, the Mini CX is Photron’s smallest, lightest and most rugged self-contained camera. The camera provides HDMI video output, an internal battery offering 30-minutes of camera operation if the primary power source fails, rapid download to nonvolatile memory, and a built-in accelerometer providing a backup trigger.

                            The MH6 allows six miniature camera heads to connect to a single processor and is designed for severely space/weight constrained locations. The camera heads and processor are extremely rugged, tested to 160G and 100G respectively. The system provides automated image download to non-volatile memory, Gigabit Ethernet and USB3 for image download, and a built-in accelerometer that functions as a backup trigger signal source and allows waveform data to be saved alongside recorded images.
                          • R&D

                          • New product design and development is a crucial factor in the success of any organization. The utilization of new and innovative materials and processes requires a complete understanding of events that are too fast for the eye to see. High-speed imaging allows engineers and scientists to visualize, measure and characterize complex industrial processes and experimental scientific research.

                            For years high-speed imaging has been used by research and development teams worldwide providing engineers and manufactures with detailed analysis of a wide variety of events. Common applications and techniques in the R&D field include, but are not limited to, the use of Digital Image Correlation (DIC), Materials Testing, Production Line Troubleshooting, Robotics, and more. To learn more about each application and technique or to find out what type of Photron high-speed camera would be best suited for those applications simply click on the title for each section.

                            Digital Image Correlation – Digital Image Correlation, often referred to as DIC, is a 2D or 3D optical tracking technique used to measure deformation, vibration and strain in materials. DIC tracks a gray value pattern in subsets through digital imaging. You will often see this speckled pattern on objects such as aluminum, rubber, glass, and plastics. This technique is used for a variety of tests including torsion, tinsel, bending, or load testing. DIC can be used on very small or large testing areas.

                            Materials Testing – Organizations and consumers place their trust in various materials every day. Throughout every major industry, engineers need to be assured that the materials used in manufacturing their products or equipment are up to their intended task. Therefore, they must actively and diligently verify that the manufacturing processes will perform to expectations. Materials testing is a highly precise technique that measures the characteristics of materials, such as mechanical properties, elemental composition, corrosion resistance and the effects of heat treatments. Most testing is performed on metallic materials, composites, ceramics and polymers.

                            High-speed imaging is applied to materials testing in order to measure the physical and mechanical properties of different materials or components. Typical testing methods include: Tensile Testing, Drop Testing, Compression, Deformation, Crush Resistance, Delamination and many more.

                            Production Line Troubleshooting – Using high-speed cameras for production line troubleshooting and monitoring has been an essential tool used by manufacturing, engineering, and quality personnel worldwide. They are used to verify and document periodic issues, including timing, failure, and equipment performance issues to expedite process improvement and drive corrective action. When using high-speed cameras to troubleshoot industrial machinery and manufacturing equipment, you virtually stop the process allowing the catastrophic flaw to be visualized.

                            Robotics – A high-speed camera can be an essential tool when it comes to testing, measuring, calibrating, and debugging robot mechanisms.