REGULA 7517A User manual

HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE SYSTEM FOR FORENSIC
EXAMINATION OF FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION SERIAL
NUMBERS REGULA 7517.
MAGNETO-OPTICAL DEVICE REGULA 7517A
USER’S GUIDE
Certied Quality
Management System
Regula Ltd.
2017

CONTENTS
ABBREVIATIONS .....................................................4
INTRODUCTION .....................................................5
1 DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION .........................................6
1.1 Device Description and Operation ....................................6
1.1.1 Device Function .............................................6
1.1.2 Technical Specications .......................................6
1.1.3 Delivery Set ...............................................8
1.1.4 Conguration and Operation ....................................9
1.1.5 Means of Measurement, Tools and Accessories ......................10
1.1.6 Marking .................................................11
1.1.7 Packaging ................................................11
1.2 Description and Operation of Device Components ........................11
1.2.1 USB Device for Magneto-Optical Visualization (MOV USB Device)..........11
1.2.2 Magnetic Copying Accessories Set (MCAS) .........................13
1.2.3 Personal Computer (PC) ......................................14
1.2.4 Software.................................................15
1.2.5 Spare Parts and Repair Kit (SPRK) ...............................15
2 INTENDED USE ...................................................16
2.1 Device Intended Use ............................................16
2.1.1 Safety measures and operating limitations .........................16
2.1.2 Preparing the device for operation ...............................16
2.2 Intended Use of Device Components .................................17
2.2.1 MOV USB device ...........................................17
2.2.2 Magnetic Copying Accessories Set ...............................19
3 MAINTENANCE OF THE DEVICE COMPONENTS ..............................27
3.1 MOV USB Device ...............................................27
3.2 Magnetic Copying Accessories Set...................................27
4 ROUTINE REPAIRS .................................................28
4.1 General Instructions ............................................28
4.2 Repair Instructions .............................................28
5 STORAGE .......................................................30
6 TRANSPORTATION .................................................30
7 RECYCLING ......................................................30
8 MANUFACTURER’S WARRANTY .........................................30
9 ACCEPTANCE CERTIFICATE ...........................................31
10 SALE CERTIFICATE ................................................31

ABBREVIATIONS
MCAS — magnetic copying accessories set
MOI — magneto-optical image
MOV — magneto-optical visualization
MOV USB device — USB device for magneto-optical visualization
OMB — optic-mechanical block
MT — magnetic tape
SPRK — spare parts and repair kit
CMS — combination magnetic scanner

5
INTRODUCTION
The User’s Guide is the main operational document to the magneto-optical device
Regula 7517A (hereinafter referred to as the “device”). The device is a part of the hardware
and software system for forensic examination of rearms and ammunition serial numbers
Regula 7517. As a part of the system the device is used together with the eddy-current
magnetographing device Regula 7517B and magnetizing equipment Regula 7517C.
The User’s Guide contains information concerning device and its components design,
principles of operation and specications. The Guide also provides instructions on the correct
and safe use of the device (intended use, maintenance, routine repairs, storage and
transportation) and on its technical condition evaluation when deciding whether it is necessary
to send the system for repairs.
Description of the device software is given in a separate document.
Personnel operating the device are required to:
zhave higher or specialized technical education,
zpass special training and get clearance to perform expert examination in the eld of
trace evidence,
zbe an OS Windows user,
zstudy techniques of authenticity verication of rearms and ammunition serial numbers
and the User’s Guide,
zpass practical training on the use of equipment supplied,
zpass training on safety measures observed when working with the system.
ATTENTION!
USB devices do not have dangerous voltage as they are powered by
a secondary power supply source — a PC USB-bus with nominal voltage 5 V.
However, the mains power source and PC peripherals (supplied optionally)
can have life hazardous nominal voltage ~ 220 V 50 Hz. To avoid electric
shock personnel are obliged to strictly observe the safety measures.
ThedeviceisclassiedasClassIEquipment(IEC60950–1)withregardto
protection against electric shock.
Themagneticcopyingaccessorysetcontainsinammableliquid(alcohol).
To ensure device proper operation it is strongly recommended not to
change software settings. The system should be operated, maintained,
repaired, stored and transported in conformity with paragraphs 2–6 of
this User’s Guide. Violation of these requirements will result in the loss of
the manufacturer’s warranty.

6
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
Device Description and Operation
Device Function
The device is intended for forensic examination of rearms and ammunition serial numbers
with the following purposes:
zserial numbers authenticity verication,
zrecovery of initial numbers in case of any damages in their relief (corrosion, scale, wear, etc.),
zrecovery of initial numbers in case of their removal,
zgeneral trace evidence examinations and non-destructive testing of relief and stresses
in the surface layer of metal objects.
Regula 7517A is a set of hardware and software products enabling visualization (video
imaging) of relief and structural inhomogeneity of metal surface with magnetic properties
(traces of mechanical processing, inclusion of non-ferromagnetic materials, surface aws
of welding seams), without removing the lacquer-and-paint coating (if applicable) by methods
of magneto-optical visualization. A PC is used for capturing, collecting, processing, transferring
and displaying information.
Area of application
The device is intended for use by forensic laboratories, law enforcement agencies, judicial
authorities, customs and insurance companies. Regula 7517A can be used for express
inspection (e.g. at customs or by highway patrol), as well as for advanced forensic examination
of rearms serial numbers in laboratory conditions due to the fact that the device provides
high-quality results, visual evidence and uses non-destructive magneto-optical methods.
In case any changes in serial numbers are detected, further investigations can be carried out
using a special set of peripheral hardware tools (supplied optionally).
Storage and operation conditions
The system is to be used indoors.
Climatic conditions:
air temperature +10˚С … +35 ˚C
relative air humidity up to 80 % at temperature of +25 °C
atmospheric pressure from 84 to 107 KPa (from 630 to 800 mm
mercury)
Operating temperature on the data carrier surface during magnetic copying: -20 ˚С…+50 ˚С.
Operating temperature on the surface of the combination magnetic scanner during magnetic
copying: -20 ˚С…+50 ˚С.
Climatic conditions of storage (see paragraph 5).
Climatic conditions of transportation (see paragraph 6).
Avoid hitting and vibrations during device transportation and operation.
TechnicalSpecications
Device technical specications are given in the description of its components
(see paragraphs 1.2.1–1.2.3).
In working conditions device nonstop operation with maintained performance lasts for up
to 8 hours.
Warm-up time — maximum 3 min.
Power supply
Autonomous
power supply PC battery
Mains power supply External PC power supply source, converting AC voltage of 110–240 V,
frequency 50–60 Hz into DC voltage of PC power supply.
External PC power supply source, converting DC voltage of the vehicle
on-board system (nominal value — 12/24/48 V) into DC voltage of PC
power supply.
1
1.1
1.1.1
1.1.2

7
Power consumption
USB device for
magneto-optical visualization not more than 2,5 W
Reliability
Time to failure not less than 10 000 hours
Mean lifetime not more than 5 years
Operation warranty period 12 months from the date the device is delivered to
the customer
Storage warranty period 12 months
Dimensions
In transportation packaging not more than 350×280×220 mm
In working position (open case) not more than 240×110×110 mm
Weight in transportation packaging
Gross weight not more than 4 kg
Net weight not more than 3,2 kg

8
Delivery Set
The device delivery set is given in Table 1.
Table1
Components Quantity Packing Figure№ Marking
USB device for magneto-optical
visualization 1
box 3
Regula 7517A
serial #,
year of
production
USB cable to connect to the PC 1
**Laptop 12’’ 1
**External PC power supply source 1
Magnetic copying accessories set box 8–10
Combination magnetic scanner-demagnetizer
with the set of changeable concentrators:
rotary 15 mm
1case 8
1case
rotary 21 mm 1bag
at 11 mm 1case
Compact magnetic scanner 11 mm 1bag
Magnetic tape cartridges 2case 6
Magnetic tape reserve (magnetic tape strip,
250 mm) 10 case
Magnetic clamps for magnetic tape 2case
Container for alcohol (10 g) 1bag 7d
Brush 1bag —
Marker 1bag —
Case for accessories 1box 1b
Bag for accessories 1box 1b
**Peripheral examination tools Regula 7516 body-case Regula 7516
Software
**PC drivers and utilities +/-
CD folder — —
CD 1
**OS Windows XP +/- CD 2
**MS Ofce +/- CD 3
Special software for managing USB devices,
for capturing, processing and stitching images
NUCA (EYER) 1 CD 4
Driver for the USB device for magneto-
optical visualization 1 CD 4
Software settings les 1 CD 4
Graphic les (.cdr, dwg) of paper cartridges
for threading plastic magnetic tape 2 CD 4
Operational documents — —
Passport 1
Regula 7517A user’s guide 1
**User’s guide to eddy-current scanners
Regula 7515
+/-
** User’s guide to peripheral examination
tools Regula 7516
+/-
User’s guide to NUCA (EYER) software 1
**PC user’s guide +/-
Warranty card 1
Spare parts and repair kit — —
Magnetic tape cutter + metal magnetic
tape reserve (10 m roll) 1bag
1’’ plastic magnetic tape reserve (10 m roll) 1bag
½’’ plastic magnetic tape reserve
(5 m roll) 1bag
Paper cartridges intended for threading ½’’
plastic magnetic tape 1bag
1.1.3

9
Components Quantity Packing Figure№ Marking
Test-object 1bag 1b, 2 —
Sleeve gaskets of the combination
magnetic scanner 2bag —
Polyethylene bag 1box —
Transportation packaging 1 — —
Regula 7517A
serial #,
year of
production
** — supplied optionally.
CongurationandOperation
Regula 7517A is a set of hardware components and software products. The device allows
examining objects using different methods.
Examination starts with magnetic copying (making a magnetogram = magnetic copy) of
the ferromagnetic object surface. The magnetic copying accessories set (MCAS) contains
various kinds of magnetic scanners which locally magnetize the object, excite its magnetic
stray elds and copy them to the intermediate exible magnetic carrier (magnetic tape) without
removing the lacquer–and-paint coating. The eddy-current scanner (supplied optionally) is
used for investigating internal stresses in ferromagnetic objects and for examining the surface
of aluminum objects.
The magnetogram is loaded into the USB device for magneto-optical visualization
(MOV USB device) where information about object’s surface layer is scanned. The MOV USB
device combines two functional components: optic-mechanical block and block of electronics.
The optic-mechanical block (OMB) contains a magneto-optical visualizer which converts
magnetic stray elds of a magnetic copy into an image and a special tape drive mechanism
which moves the magnetic copy relative to the visualizer.
A magnetic copy is loaded into the tape drive where it is automatically detected and
introduced into the tape drive tract. Then it is scanned step-by-step by a sensor designed
on the basis of a magneto-optical crystal. Magneto-optical visualization of magnetograms of
the examined object is based on Faraday magneto-optical effect which occurs in crystalline
lms of Bi-containing ferrite garnets.
Light distribution obtained as a result of visualization is received by the sensitive element
of the video camera and is converted into a digital TV signal which is further processed and
examined with the help of PC software.
Step-by-step input of images into a PC allows making automatic panoramic stitching of a
digital image from several sub-shots.
The block of electronics manages OMB resources (electric drive, inductor, illuminator,
video camera and indicators).
The PC operates the MOV USB device via special software. The PC displays newly obtained
and stored examination data which are processed, examined and documented.
Peripherals (supplied optionally) extend examination possibilities of the device by applying
additional methods and means of investigation.
The device operates together with the following peripherals:
zUSB device for optical input,
zmagnetic powder visualization device,
zeddy-current probe,
zelectrochemical etching device.
Basic functions of NUCA (EYER) software:
zoperating USB devices,
zinput and processing of images,
zautomatic program correction and panoramic stitching of MOV frames,
zimage scaling and rotation,
zcomparison of images,
zmeasurements of linear and angular sizes,
zsaving and printing of image les as illustrations to the photo charts.
Table1(continued)
1.1.4

10
A set of operational documents contains data on design, principles of operation,
properties of the device and its components. It also contains instructions on correct and safe
device operation and evaluation of its technical condition when deciding whether it is necessary
to send it for repairs.
The device is designed as a compact unit for desktop use. The general view of the device
is given in Figure 1.
Figure1
1 — MOV USB device, 2 — USB-cable, 3 — PC (laptop).
Means of Measurement, Tools and Accessories
The device belongs to indicating (not measuring) equipment. Therefore control of device
operation is carried out using test-objects, simulating several known methods of number
alteration (cold calking, sealing with fusible metals, dot welding and pressing-in fragments).
See paragraph 2.2.1.2 for the details of the device operational check-up using the test-object.
Test-objectspecications
The test-object (see Figure 2) imitates an examined object. It is a plate (unkilled sheet
steel) with the thickness of 0,8–0,9 mm bearing “291634” original number applied by mechanic
pressing (cold stamping). The original number details: manual stamping with the use of “font
No.6” stamping set and a hammer on a massive anvil. The depth of digit relief is about 0,3–
0,4 mm.
Three digits of the original number were modied: “9” to “0”, “6” to “9” and “4” to “5”.
Thus, the altered number appears as “201935” (altered digits are underlined).
Digit “9” of the original number was altered manually using cold calking of one element
(crosspiece) of digit “9” with the help of bench tools. Then digit “0” was stamped over
the remaining contour of digit “9”.
1.1.5
1
2
3