Section Half Imaging Logger: User Guide
Manual Information
Author(s): | M. Hastedt |
Reviewer(s): | Crawford, Fulton, Beck |
Supervisor Approval (Name, Title, Date): |
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Audience: | Scientists and Technical Staff |
Current Version: | Draft 11/01/08 LLP |
Revised: | Draft 1/7/ |
Domain: | Physics |
Analysis: | Section Half Imaging |
Contents
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Introduction
The section half image logger (SHIL) takes digital images of the flat face of split cores using a line scan camera. 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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SHIL system operation involves a number of processes, some performed only once upon initial installation, some only when lighting or camera equipment is replaced, and some on a routine basis at the beginning of each expedition or at the beginning of each batch of samples. The following procedures are covered in this manual:
- Installing and calibrating light array (see Light Installation).
- Setting black and white saturation gain levels (see Maximum Dynamic Sensor Range).
- Setting color balanceunmigrated-wiki-markup
*\[Author: Where is this covered?\].* - Making camera corrections (see Routine Camera Adjustments).
- Setting track velocity (see Track Speed Example).
- Adjusting knee slope, if needed (see Procedure: Iterative Adjustment).
- Performing QA/QC to confirm camera settings (see Quality Assurance/Quality Control).
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Data are collected using the LabVIEW 10.0 application.
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Sample Preparation & Analysis
Core imaging takes place in the Core Description Laboratory on board the ship. The workflow is as follows:
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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).
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Sample Preparation
Sediment Cores
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.
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All 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.
If the user wishes to image the outside surface of….
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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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- Rotate the lights to the desired rough angle to the camera (usually ~30° to the camera axis for sediment cores). Fine-tune the light position by observing the camera output using MAX.
- Manually turn on one line light at a time to full power by pressing the "+" button on the light controller until you reach 100%.
- Loosen the brackets on both sides of the light mounts and make small position adjustments until the brightest image is achieved.
- Turn off the light by pressing the "–" button and press Select to enable the other light.
- Repeat Steps 2–4 for the second light.
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Calibration
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 unmigrated-wiki-markup
*<LINK> \[Author: Where is this procedure documented?\]*...
Running Samples
- Ensure that the track gantry is clear of obstacles for the entire length of its linear actuators and that camera height is adjusted so that 20 pixels = 1 mm.
- After the section has been split and prepared either by scraping or scrubbing, place the section on the rails with the section top against the stop by the color standard tiles.
- Rotate the section/hard rock pieces along their lengths so that the split surface is approximately perpendicular to the axis of the camera lens.
- Click Scan on the computer screen and verify that the barcode information has decoded correctly.
- The 2D barcode includes the original length of the section. If the section is now longer due to expansion then enter the new length manually.
- If you are satisfied that all information is correct then hit GO.
- The section will be imaged. If the image is satisfactory, 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.
- Otherwise, press Discard, correct any problems, and scan the image again.
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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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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.
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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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Maintenance & Troubleshooting
Common problems encountered when using the core imager and their possible causes and solutions:
Issue | Possible Causes | Solution |
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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!> |
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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. |
Scheduled Maintenance
Frequency | Task |
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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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Standard Replacement Parts/Spares
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