DOLPHITECH DolphiCam User manual

1
Date
Version
Author
June 27, 2013
1.1
Jan Olav Endrerud / Eskil Skoglund
© 2013 DolphiTech. All rights reserved. DolphiTech, the DolphiTech logo, and other DolphiTech marks are owned by DolphiTech and may be
registered. Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corp., registered in the U.S. and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of
their respective owners. DolphiTech assumes no responsibility for any errors that may appear in this manual. Information contained herein is
subject to change without notice.
www.dolphitech.com
DolphiCam®
User Manual

2

3
Contents
1. Overview 4
1.1 General 4
1.2 Visualization 4
1.3 Materials 4
1.4 DolphiCam 5
1.4.1 In the Box 5
1.4.2 Off/Mode Switch 5
1.4.3 Scan Button 5
1.4.4 Charging 6
1.4.5 Installing Software 6
1.4.6 Connecting and Starting the Camera 6
1.4.7 Low Battery 8
1.5 Starting Application 8
1.6 Software Overview 8
1.6.1 Calibrating the Camera 9
1.6.2 Taking Images 10
1.7 C-Scan 11
1.8 A-Scan 12
1.9 B-Scans 12
1.9.1 Vertical B-Scan 12
1.9.2 Horizontal B-Scan 13
1.10 3D View 13
1.11 DolphiCam Settings & Functionality 14
1.11.1 Start Gate and End Gate 14
1.11.2 Amplitude Threshold 15
1.11.3 Color Focus 16
1.11.4 Measurement in C-Scan 17
1.11.5 Depth Measurement in B-Scan 17
1.11.6 Unit 18
1.11.7 Material depth 18
1.11.8 Material Sound of Speed 18
1.11.9 Transmitting Elements 18
1.11.10 Number of Averages 19
1.11.11 Transmitting Pulse Shape 20
1.11.12 Time Corrected Gain 20
1.11.13 Time of flight Palette 21
1.11.14 Amplitude/B-Scan palette 21
1.11.15 Amplitude Auto Color Focus 21
1.11.16 Save 22
1.11.17 Load 22
1.11.18 Reset 22
1.11.19 Close 22
1.12 Menu Items 22
1.13 Controlling DolphiCam Settings 22
2. Technical Specifications 23
3. Troubleshooting 23
4. Installing Software 24
5. Handling, Safety & Support 27
5.1 Cleaning the DolphiCam 27
5.2 Important safety information 27
5.3 DolphiCam Support 27
5.4 Disposal and recycling information 27
6. License terms 28

4
1. Overview
1.1 General
DolphiCam is an advanced ultrasound camera designed for test and inspection of CFRP (Carbon fiber
reinforced plastic) to detect material flaws and defects. The DolphiCam connects to a standard Windows PC
or Windows tablet (not included), making it easy to view and interpret results.
The camera has a transducer with 124 x 124 (15376) elements over the 31x31 mm transducer (16
elements/mm2), capable of detecting very small defects. The transducer pad is silicone-based, enabling dry
coupling on smooth and painted surfaces. Water or contact gel can be used to improve coupling on rougher
surfaces.
1.2 Visualization
DolphiCam supports the following visualization images:
A-Scan
B-Scans
oB-Scan Horizontal
oB-Scan Vertical
C-Scans
oAmplitude
oTime-Of-Flight
3D View
1.3 Materials
The DolphiCam is designed for the following materials:
Material type
Min. approximate
thickness
Max. approximate
thickness
CFRP (Carbon fiber reinforced plastic)
~ 1 mm
~ 8 mm
NOTE: Depending on the exact material variant, material additives, surface treatment and surface structure,
exact minimum and maximum thicknesses may vary.

5
1.4 DolphiCam
1.4.1 In the Box
The DolphiCam comes in a protective case.
Contents:
DolphiCam with a protective cap
USB stick with DolphiCam software
Plexiglas “flower” for demonstration purposes
Charger (EUR, UK or US standards)
Spare protective cap
1.4.2 Off/Mode Switch
Turn the camera ON/OFF, and switch between different camera modes.
Position
Description
Off
The Camera is turned OFF
1
The Camera is ON
2
Reserved, currently the same as Mode 1
3
Reserved, currently the same as Mode 1
Calibrate
Camera in Calibration Mode
1.4.3 Scan Button
Start / end scanning. The Scan Button must be clicked (press-and-release) to start scanning video images.
The Scan Button must be clicked again to freeze the images (stop scanning).
The Scan LED is placed in the camera top, oriented towards the operator, just below and to the right of the
Scan Button.
Scanning images
Action
Indication
To start scanning
Click Scan Button
Scan LED switches from red to green light
To view a live image stream from the
camera
Leave the scan button
Scan LED is green
To end scanning and freeze current
image
Click Scan Button again
Scan LED switches from green to red light

6
Make sure that you do not unintentionally leave the camera in scanning mode, as this will drain the battery.
1.4.4 Charging
The DolphiCam is delivered with some power in its internal battery. The camera should be fully charged
with the supplied charger before first use.
Charge DolphiCam with the included USB cable or power adapter. Using damaged cables or chargers, or
charging when moisture is present, can cause electric shock. Power adapters may become warm during
normal use, and prolonged contact may cause injury. Always allow adequate ventilation around power
adapters when using them.
Charging the DolphiCam to full capacity will take up to 5 hours using the charger.
The charging LED is RED when the camera is charging.
The charging LED is GREEN when the camera is fully charged.
NOTE: The DolphiCam charges whenever the camera is connected to an USB port.
NOTE: Make sure the camera is turned OFF using Off/Mode Switch before charging.
1.4.5 Installing Software
See Installing Software (chapter 4).
1.4.6 Connecting and Starting the Camera
When the software installer has finished, connect the camera to the PC by inserting the USB plug.
Turn the camera ON by setting the Off/Mode Switch to “1”.
It is optional to turn the camera ON before it is connected. If the camera is turned OFF when it is connected,
the application waits until a camera is detected.

7
Waiting for camera to be plugged in (USB) and turned on:
DolphiCam is detected and Software is ready:

8
1.4.7 Low Battery
Low battery is indicated in the software by a blinking battery symbol above the C-Scan.
1.5 Starting Application
Start the DolphiCam software by clicking on the icon on your desktop.
Alternatively, start DolphiCam with the name of a DolphiCam configuration file as a parameter:
Example:
C:\Program Files (x86)\DolphiTech\DolphiCam\DolphiCam.exe <mysettings>.dolphicam
You can also double click on the configuration file to start DolphiCam software
1.6 Software Overview
Main window:

9
1.6.1 Calibrating the Camera
Before use, the camera must be calibrated. This will ensure that the ultrasound system is adjusted to the
small variances in the transducer as an effect of microscopic deformations, temperature variations and
other factors.
Calibration is performed towards air.
The Calibration Wizard starts the first time the camera is connected to the PC:
Point the camera towards air and turn Mode Switch to “Calibrate”.
Click the Scan Button to start scanning.
The calibration sequence will take a few seconds.
Turn Mode Switch back to “1” when the calibration is finished.
Click the Scan Button again to stop scanning.
The camera can be re-calibrated at any time. The calibration is not affected by camera settings.

10
1.6.2 Taking Images
Click the Scan Button to start scanning video.
Click the Scan Button again to freeze image (stop scanning).
When scanning towards air, the result will be something like this:

11
1.7 C-Scan
The C-Scan represents the material as seen from the transducer directly into the material. Two C-Scan
modes are available; Amplitude and Time-of-Flight.
DolphiCam scans in both Amplitude and Time-of-Flight modes and data is recorded independent of which
scan mode the application is in. The user can at any time switch between the two image modes by pressing
Amplitude or Time-of-Flight buttons in the application.
Amplitude
The color in amplitude C-Scan image shows the intensity of the maximum value of your reflected pulse
within your gate.
Time-of-Flight (TOF)
The color in TOF C-Scan shows the depth of the reflected pulse within your gate. Notice the blue back wall
and the different colors of the defect.

12
1.8 A-Scan
The A-Scan is presented in the bottom, left part of the application. The A-Scan displays a signal processed
time series of the ultrasound reflection from the material at the intersection between the C-Scan crosshairs,
over the depth of the material.
1.9 B-Scans
The B-Scan represents a cross-section through the material. There are two B-Scans; a vertical B-Scan and a
horizontal B-Scan. The B-Scans are taken at the position of the white lines in the C-Scan image.
To reposition the B-Scans, click inside the C-Scan to move the white cross-hair to a different position. The
cross-hair will reposition itself at the time of the next picture frame.
1.9.1 Vertical B-Scan
The vertical B-Scan is positioned to the left of the C-Scan, and above the A-Scan. The vertical B-Scan displays
a vertical cross-section at the position of the vertical line in the C-Scan image. Notice the relationship to the
color in C-Scan TOF image and the depth of the reflections/defects in your B-Scan.
The start- and end gates can be set by clicking near the gates in the vertical B-Scan, or by modifying the gate
values above (gating is described more in detail in chapter 1.11.1).

13
1.9.2 Horizontal B-Scan
The horizontal B-Scan is positioned to the right of the A-Scan, and below the C-Scan. The horizontal B-Scan
displays a horizontal cross-section at the position of the horizontal line in the C-Scan image.
1.10 3D View
Data from the Time-of-Flight scan is used to give a 3D representation of the material and any defects.
For each time the 3D button in the main window is pressed, a new 3D image is produced. The image can be
zoomed, panned or rotated using the mouse or screen touch.
Screen control:
Mouse wheel
Scroll in or out
Hold left mouse button
Pan
Hold right mouse button
Rotate
Cube in lower, right corner; U, D
View from upside or bottom
Cube in lower, right corner; F, B
View from front or back
Cube in lower, right corner; L, R
View from left or right

14
1.11 DolphiCam Settings & Functionality
1.11.1 Start Gate and End Gate
Setting your gate enables you to study a specific depth of your material.
The start and end gate can be set between -0.38 mm and 8.06 mm.
The gates can be set in different ways:
Entering a specific depth in the Start Gate and End Gate fields respectively, or
Adjusting the gates using the + (plus) and –(minus) buttons on each side of the Gate Value field, or
Click the mouse in the vertical B-Scan to get your desired gate. If the cursor is closest to the Start
Gate line, the Start Gate value will be adjusted. If the cursor is closest to the End Gate line, the End
Gate value will be adjusted.
NOTE:
The gate values will take effect in your next image.
Amplitude image and Time-of-Flight image have separate Start Gate and End Gate settings.

15
1.11.2 Amplitude Threshold
The blue horizontal line in the A-Scan sets the amplitude threshold (0-100%). All signal amplitudes below
the threshold will be ignored:
For C-Scan Amplitude and B-Scan images:
All signal amplitudes below the amplitude threshold will be interpreted as the same value as the
threshold value.
For C-Scan TOF and 3D image:
All signal amplitudes below the amplitude threshold will be ignored and given the color value of the
grayscale color palette (GrayWhite).

16
1.11.3 Color Focus
By default, the DolphiCam will spread colors in the palette evenly over 0-100% in Amplitude Images and
over the complete depth in TOF image.
By using the Color Focus Slide Bar to the right of the C-Scan, it is possible to focus the colors in a smaller part
of the color scale. The color focus is possible for both amplitude images (%) and Time of Flight images
(depth –mm/inches/mils).
There is a top slider and bottom slider to control the color focus. You can also move the selected color focus
by click-and-hold in between the top and bottom slider and drag your color focus area up and down.
Time-of-Flight Color Focus
In Time-of-Flight image, all colors above the top slider will be given the color of the top slider, and all values
below the bottom slider will be given the value of the bottom slider.
Amplitude Color Focus
In all amplitude images (C-Scan and B-Scan), all colors above the top slider will be given the color of the top
slider, and all values below the bottom slider will be given the value of the bottom slider.

17
1.11.4 Measurement in C-Scan
By right-clicking drag-and-hold in the C-Scan, you can measure the size of your defect. This is useful for
measuring the size of material defects.
1.11.5 Depth Measurement in B-Scan
By right-clicking drag-and-hold in any of the B-scans, you can measure the depth from the click position to
the mouse position. This is useful for measuring the size of material defects.

18
1.11.6 Unit
Sets the units for the system.
Setting
Input
Unit
Select from dropdown list:
Millimeters (mm) - default
Inches (in)
Mils (1/1000 inches)
1.11.7 Material depth
Limits the material thickness to be examined.
Sets the depth scales for A-Scan and B-Scan.
Also, this affects the color distribution in C-Scan TOF. It is recommended to limit the Material Depth to just
include your back wall echo, as this takes advantage of all the colors in your palette.
Setting
Input
Material depth
Use slider; select an approximate material
thickness in the range:
1.1 –8.1 Mm, or
0.044 –0.317 Inches, or
44 –317 Mils
1.11.8 Material Sound of Speed
Sound of speed in m/s or ft/s for the material.
Setting
Input
Material sound of
speed
Set value:
Enter numeric value (default=3000
m/s) for the material to be examined
1.11.9 Transmitting Elements
The transmitting energy can be adjusted using different number of transmitting elements (1-5).
Transmitting a higher number of elements gives higher energy and focus at higher depths.
Transmitting fewer elements gives less energy but might give higher resolution for very thin composite
materials.
Note that the transmitting elements are aligned next to each other along an array in the vertical direction.

19
The default number of transmitting elements is 4.
Setting
Input
Transmitting
elements
Select from dropdown list:
1
2
3
4 - default
5
1.11.10 Number of Averages
Noise reduction strategy. You can choose how many averages the system runs on each transducer element.
A lower number of averages gives you slightly poorer Signal-to-Nose ratio, but a higher frame rate.
Setting
Input
Number of averages
Select from dropdown list:
2: Noise reduction based on 2
ultrasound samples. The noise
reduction is good, but the frame
rate is higher; 4 images per
second.
4 –Default: Noise reduction
based on 4 ultrasound samples.
This noise reduction is higher, at
the cost of a lower frame rate; 2
images per second

20
1.11.11 Transmitting Pulse Shape
DolphiCam has 8 different user selectable transmitting pulse shapes. Each pulse shape has an adapted
digital filter. The combination of the nature of the pulse shape and the adapted digital filtering makes each
pulse special in the sense of different parameters, such as Signal-to-Noise ratio, pulse length, etc. Each of
the different pulse shapes has different qualities that makes them suitable for different material, material
thickness, size of defect, etc.
Setting
Input
Transmitting Pulse
Shape
Select from dropdown list:
1 - default
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
1.11.12 Time Corrected Gain
Gain adjustment (analog) as a function of time/depth. With time corrected gain, it is possible to adjust the
amplification (or dampening) of signals at a specific depth. The system has 5 different preset ramp-ups and
can also be set custom.
Setting
Input
Time Corrected
Gain
Select from dropdown list:
Off - default
Preset 1 (view only)
Preset 2 (view only)
Preset 3 (view only)
Preset 4 (view only)
Preset 5 (view only)
Custom (edit settings)
In Preset 1-5, the Time Corrected Gain can only be viewed, not edited.
1.11.12.1 Editing Custom Gain Values
Open Time Corrected Gain Custom Settings by selecting “Custom” from the drop-down menu and click the
“Edit” button. (Click Edit).
Adjust the gain at a specific depth by clicking and dragging its handle (blue button) vertically.
The values along the top, horizontal bar is reference values, and have no practical, physical meaning. They
should only be used for comparing against each other.