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The section half image logger (SHIL) takes digital images of the flat face of split cores using a line scan camera and generates RGB data. All 'Archive' section halves are imaged on the SHIL. Sediment cores are imaged as soon as possible after splitting and scraping to minimize color changes that occur through oxidation and drying. The SHIL can also be used to image the outside of a whole round hard rock section (see <<section>> for details).
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- Preparing samples (Sample Preparation).
- Preparing track system (Instrument Preparation).
- Calibrating the system (Calibration).
- Running samples (Running Samples).
- Analyzing data and uploading to LIMS (LIMS Integration).
Sample Preparation and Loading
Sediment
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If the surface of the archive half is not even After whole-round core sections are split into archive and working halves in the splitting room, use a flat spatula to scrape the flat face of the archive half section to provide a "clean" surface for imaging.
Sediment cores should be imaged as soon as possible after splitting and scraping are completed to minimize color change through oxidation and drying.
Hard Rock
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All rock Rock pieces should be dry and individually rotated such that the split face is approximately perpendicular to the axis of the camera. The lights and lens aperture are configured to give consistent illumination and focus to effectively image rubble bins.
For 360 Imaging of hard rock cores refer to Appendix X, 360 Imaging of Hard Rock.
Loading Section
- Pick up section half and place in the track loading area with the blue end cap forward against the color block. Make sure the section the section is pushed all the way against the block so the end cap is lined up with 0cm on the ruler.
- Bring the endcap for the section to the SHIL workstation for entering sample information.
- If
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- the section has a whole round sample taken, denoted by a yellow bottom endcap, place a split styrofoam spacer at the end of the section. Cut the styrofoam to same length of the sample taken and write letters on the styrofoam to indicate the type of the sample taken. For example a 5cm Interstitial Water whole round sample taken. A 5cm styrofoam spacer with 'IW' written on it would be placed at the bottom. Once a spacer has been made it can be used over the course of the expedition for applicable section halves.
Launch IMS Application
First open the IMS Application 'SHIL' on the desktop.(Figure X)
IMS will open and test communication with the instruments, reads configuration files, and homes the instrument . After successful initialization the main IMS
Two windows will appear: The 'IMS Control Panel on the left and the measurement window along the top of the screen. FIGURE (XX)
Start A Measurement
- Click the green 'Measure' Button in the 'IMS Control' panel (FIGUREXX)
- The 'Sample Information' Window will pop up (FIGURE XX).
- The area on the left has four fields to define the condition of the sample measurement:
- Image Type: 'Section Imaging' or '360 Imaging'. For instructions on the 360 imaging refer to XXXXXX
- Wet/Dry: Indicates the type of the material being imaged
- Condition: 'Pristine' or 'Sampled/Altered'. Sampled/altered could include imaging the working half or a highly disturbed section. Most instances should be pristine.
- 360 Imaging: This area is grayed out unless '360 Imaging' Image Type is selected. For instructions on the 360 imaging refer to XXXXXX
Select the conditions appropriate for the section half.
4. There are three ways to enter sample information into IMS:
Barcode (most common): Put cursor in the 'Scan' box. Use the bar-code scanner to scan the label on the end-cap. The sample information will parse into the 'Sample ID', 'LIMS ID', and Length fields.
LIMS Entry: Select the 'LIMS' tab at the top of the window. Navigate through the hierarchy to select the correct, expedition, site, hole, core, and section. Length information will automatically populate when the section is selected.
Manual Entry: Select the 'Manual' tab at the top of the window. Click in the box and manually type sample information into the box.
5. Click 'Take a Picture'. The lights will turn on and start moving down the length of the core. In the IMS interface the sample information will go away revealing the measurement windows. The image and RGB data is displayed and updates as the measurement progresses.
Uploading Data
After section is imaged, select the Ends of Material Points > Save, and a virtual label with section identification will attach to the saved image while the concatenation endpoints are recorded to the LIMS.
Maintenance
Instrument Preparation
Preparing the track system for imaging cores requires adjusting the position of the lights and barcode imager for optimal quality and calibrating the system by adjusting camera settings. The position of the lights and barcode imager, once set, should be stable throughout an expedition. The technical staff will calibrate the camera settings (SHIL: Camera Configuration AUG) and light array (SHIL: Light Array AUG) whenever the camera or light sources have been repositioned or changed.
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The laboratory technician calibrates the system when needed by adjusting camera settings and analyzing an imaged Kodak Q13 grayscale standard.
Calibration adjustments are performed using an iterative process of imaging a ruler placed crosswise on the track then counting the pixels between millimeter marks, moving the camera up or down, and repeating. See <LINK> [Author: Where is this procedure documented?] for details on this procedure.
Running Samples
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LIMS Integration
Sample and Analysis Components
Analysis Code | Component | Description |
IMAGES | adapter_mag |
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adapter_tube |
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comment |
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compound_field_of_view |
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contrasting_method |
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dimension_horizontal |
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dimension_vertical |
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file_create_date |
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filename |
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filesize |
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filters |
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illumination_type |
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light_source |
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objective |
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objective_field_of_view |
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objective_mag |
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ppi |
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total_magnification |
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tube_field_of_view |
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After section is imaged, select the Ends of Material Points > Save, and a virtual label with section identification will attach to the saved image while the concatenation endpoints are recorded to the LIMS.
Health, Safety, and Environment
Safety
- Avoid staring into the line lights, as they produce 90,000 lux each at full power. This is roughly equivalent to staring directly into the sun.
- Do not put your hands in or near the moving equipment. The actuators will torque out when impeded but injury could occur before that happens. Hardware abort buttons are located at both ends of the system for an emergency stop.
- Take care when working inside the electronics enclosure to avoid shocks from the power supply terminals.
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Troubleshooting
Common problems encountered when using the core imager and their possible causes and solutions:
Issue | Possible Causes | Solution |
Actuator squeal | NA | Lightly tap the actuator housing to silence the noise |
Image too dark | Manual F-stop on the camera closed down | Have technician adjust F-stop aperture |
Exposure time is too low | Increase exposure time | |
Focused lights are not aimed at the correct spot | Adjust lights | |
Track is “stuck” | Run was aborted with the software abort switch | Reset software and run sample again |
Run was aborted with the hardware abort switch | Reset hardware and run sample again | |
Gantry flag has tripped the end-of-travel limit switch | Adjust gantry flag and run sample again | |
Current limit on motors was exceeded | Check the Galil AMP-19520 for LED error indicators. Call track technician or ET to reset the motor controller | |
Torque limit on motors was exceeded. <we need to check how Labview handles this!>[djh1] |
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Image indicates that camera was triggered erratically OR no image acquired | Camera was left in Free Run mode in MAX | Set camera to Externally Triggered for normal operation |
Linear encoder head has failed | Call an ET to verify/repair | |
Lens cap is on | Remove cap and repeat image capture procedure. |
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Scheduled Maintenance
Frequency | Task |
|---|---|
Daily | Ensure that the color standards, ruler, and barcode imager lens are free from dust, smudges, and crumbs. |
Weekly | Using a mirror, ensure that there are no fingerprints or smudges on the camera lens. Call the imaging specialist if the lens needs cleaning. Do not attempt to clean it yourself! |
Monthly | Check socket head cap screws in the camera and lights mounting plates for looseness. |
Every Expedition |
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Annually |
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Non-camera-specific items are part of the shared spares pool for all the track systems. See a technician for the location of the shared spares.
Health, Safety, and Environment
Safety
- Avoid staring into the line lights, as they produce 90,000 lux each at full power. This is roughly equivalent to staring directly into the sun.
- Do not put your hands in or near the moving equipment. The actuators will torque out when impeded but injury could occur before that happens. Hardware abort buttons are located at both ends of the system for an emergency stop.
- Take care when working inside the electronics enclosure to avoid shocks from the power supply terminals.
Vendor Information
Galil Motion Control
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