Brinell “scanners”
Some in the world of metal hardness testing talk about “scanning” Brinell indentations to measure their diameter. Others refer to using “artificial intelligence” to measure them and calculate the material hardness. Of course, such has been the speed of development in microprocessor power in the last forty years that highly complex tasks can be performed by a computer that will fit easily within a hardness testing machine. What is not, perhaps, widely appreciated is that Foundrax actually pioneered automated Brinell measurement and calculation and had a reliable commercial system available way back in 1984 (and that this system has been improved again and again; remaining far more accurate than international standards stipulate).
Automatic scanner
When people refer to a Brinell automatic scanner, they are using what is almost a generic term to describe a system which can view an indentation, measure its diameter, and calculate material hardness from that diameter (using the Brinell equation) with no human intervention. Such systems can take a number of forms (indeed the term ‘scanning’ is a very broad one and can refer to procedures carried out with a variety of media (sound, infra-red light, laser light etc)). At the end of the day only one thing matters: Does this Brinell automatic scanner, however it works, read indentations accurately and give repeatable results? And will it continue to do so month after month in the rigours of a steelworks? This is important because the Brinell method remains the test of choice in iron and steel making, in heat treatment and in the oil and gas industry because large components with relatively rough surfaces can be tested this way.
Automated measurement
Foundrax’s advanced automatic measurement system uses proprietary software, is field proven, is far more accurate than the international Standards demand, and is fitted to machines which have been engineered to cope with years of robust use. Machines which have been endorsed by household-name clients building world-class products. For firms which do not have the space or funds for a floorstanding automated test machine we have our portable BRINtronic automatic measurement system – the same technology as discussed above, supplied either modular, with a PC, or in an armoured case, for use with machines which are not fitted with automatic measurement systems.
So, don’t be bamboozled by talk of Brinell automatic scanners and artificial intelligence – please talk to us first! Please contact sales@foundrax.co.uk for more information on our automated test machines and microscopes.
