Nikon NIS-Elements software

As a leading microscope manufacturer, Nikon realizes the importance of providing its customers with system-based solutions to free them to focus on their projects and research and not on the complexities of the microscope. Never before has a software package offered such comprehensive control of microscope systems, image acquisition, image analysis and data management.

NIS-Elements is an integrated software imaging platform developed by Nikon which delivers comprehensive microscope control, image capture, documentation, image analysis and data management. NIS-Elements handles multidimensional imaging tasks flawlessly with support for capture, display, peripheral device control, and analysis & data management of images of up to six dimensions. The system also contributes to experiment efficiency with an intuitive image analysis feature set and database building capabilities developed to handle archiving and management of large numbers of multidimensional image files.

Unified control of the entire imaging system offers significant benefits to microscopists for cutting-edge research, such as live cell imaging

Unified control of the entire imaging system offers significant benefits to microscopists for cutting-edge research, such as industrial applications as well as live cell imaging.

Intelligent Software solutions:

Designed to serve the needs of advanced bioresearch, clinical, industrial and documentation professionals, NIS-Elements provides a totally integrated solution for users of Nikon and other manufacturers’ accessories by delivering automated intelligence to microscopes, cameras, and peripheral components. The software optimizes the imaging process and workflow and provides the critical element of information management for system based microscopy.

EDF

       - Automatic acquisition of 3D surfaces with motorized Z drive,

       - Acquisition of 3D surfaces with manual Z drive

       - 3D surface visualization, animation (rotation), anaglyph for viewing through 3D glasses.

       - Real-time EDF (focusing)

       - Reconstruction of 3D surfaces from existing Z-sequences

HDR

       - Automatic acquisition of HDR images

       - Possibility to customize exposure times

       - Creation of HDR from existing sets of images

Filters

Advantages:

The image analysis system simply called “Filters” is aimed at analysing the cleanliness of filters according to the ISO 16232 and ISO 4406 international standards.

       - The main advantages include accuracy, stability, reliability and reproducibility of measurements.

       - Measurement and scanning is fully automatically controlled from the PC.

       - The operator has full control over the system at any time, he can pause the measurement and check the measured parameters or detection progress.

       - The operation of the system is clear and simple.

       - Advanced image analysis tools can be used for more detailed procedures not prescribed by the standard, such as moving the stage to the largest detected particles and examining them, extending the set of measured parameters and more.

       - Unevenness on the filter is corrected by several sharpening methods.

Filter Analysis

The Filters system automatically scans and evaluates the examined filters. The measurement is carried out in accordance with the ISO 16232 and ISO 4406 standards and usually takes three steps:

1. The system scans the entire filter and saves the image to disk - it is called virtualization of the filter.
2. The virtualized (scanned) filter image opens in the software and is automatically measured.
3. A report is generated containing the measurement result.

The virtualization and measurement phases are independent of each other and can run on two different computers for optimal use of the hardware resources. The virtualized filter can of course be archived in electronic form. Detected particles can be viewed arranged in a gallery.

Reports

Thanks to great variability of the reporting tool, measurement outputs can be easily modified for various purposes, for example to ensure compliance with your company standards. Compliance with ISO standards is a matter of course.

Weld Measurement

Workflow

The module is a comfortable tool for measuring of individual weld parameters. The measurement proceeds step by step according to the prepared guide, procedures for fillet, lap and spot welds are available. Other procedures can be created for non-standard and user-defined weld geometries.

During the measurement, various auxiliary lines, circles, point lines, etc. are drawn into the image, they disappear once their purpose is fulfilled. In addition to measurement using the fixed wizard, anything can be measured separately using general measurement tools. Measurement of lengths can be extended to measure areas or defect sizes.

After the measurement is finished, the module creates a report. It usually includes:

       a header containing information about the workplace, author, etc.

       the evaluated image, possibly accompanied by a geometry drawing

       a table with the measured data

       optionally, an automatic evaluation can be added to determine whether or not the measured values meet the specified limits.

The report can be saved in the native NIS-Elements format (RPT) and / or exported to PDF or RTF. Data output can also be linked to MS Excel templates. Weld images can be saved in standard image formats (TIF, JP2, BMP, JPG) during or after the measurement or included in the report.

Other features

Image Organizer

The NIS-Elements software includes an image organizer which meets basic requirements for image management including sorting, searching by parameters, etc. Different levels of user rights can be set in the system for greater security of the electronic data.. Optionally, the system can be adapted to the customer's needs to cooperate with MS SQL-based databases, information systems, etc.

Requirements on the Optics Used for Acquisition

A stereomicroscope, a macro-optic or a standard lens on a stand with illumination is suitable for acquisition of weld images.

Layer Thickness

       - Assisted measurement of layers

       - Manual and automatic layer detection tools

       - Simple data export

Grain Size

       - Measurement of single-phase structures (e.g. austenite, aluminum)

       - Measurement of two-phase structures (e.g. ferrite-austenite, ferrite-perlite)

       - Various measurement methods: planimetric, linear, circular, Abrams, comparison sheets.

       - Custom measurement procedures

       - Support of standards:

o    ASTM E112-13 (2013)

o    ASTM E1382-97 (2015)

o    ISO 643 (2012)

o    JIS G 0551 (2013)

o    GB/T 6394 (2017)

Cast Iron

       - Classification of graphite in cast iron according to the standards:

o    ISO 945-1 (2006)

o    ASTM A247-06 (2006)

o    JIS G5502 (2007)

       - Measurement of ferrite/perlite ratio

       - Custom measurement procedures

Concrete / Beton:

The method strictly respects the European Standard EN 480-11:2006 E. On prepared concrete samples (painted, polished with filled pores), the amount of air in the micropores is measured using the traversing method. This is a measure of the frost resistance of concrete. Our system with Jenoptik Cameras or Nikon cameras is fully automated which speeds up the traverse measurement significantly.

       - Histogram of pore size distribution

       - Total traverse length

       - Total air content

       - Total number of traverses measured

       - Specific air content

       - Spacing factor