{"id":15714,"date":"2025-06-26T12:44:26","date_gmt":"2025-06-26T10:44:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.servosis.com\/?p=15714"},"modified":"2025-07-01T16:36:33","modified_gmt":"2025-07-01T14:36:33","slug":"optical-strain-gauges-such-as-video-extensometers-are-transforming-mechanical-testing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.servosis.com\/en\/extensometro-optico-como-los-videoextensometros-estan-transformando-ensayos-mecanicos\/","title":{"rendered":"Optical extensometer: how video extensometers are transforming mechanical testing"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In materials testing, accuracy in strain measurement is essential. Compared to traditional contact systems, the optical extensometer - especially in its video extensometer version - has established itself as an advanced, non-contact and highly accurate solution.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This technology is transforming the way universities, laboratories and R&amp;D centers obtain data in their mechanical testing.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you want to learn more about this type of non-contact strain gauges, you can read our article dedicated to the<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.servosis.com\/en\/extensometro-de-video-2\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">videoextensometer<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">where we explain in detail how it works and why it is revolutionizing the industry.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2><b>What is an optical extensometer and how does it differ from a contact extensometer?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The optical extensometer is a non-contact measuring device that uses high-resolution digital cameras and image processing algorithms to detect length variations in a sample during a test.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The best known variant is the video extensometer, which captures real-time images of the marked specimen, accurately detecting changes in position between reference points.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unlike the contact extensometer, this system:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It does not alter the behavior of the material.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Avoids mechanical interference.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reduces wear and tear.<\/span>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In addition, it is ideal for delicate materials, soft tissues or parts with complex geometry where direct contact is not feasible.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2><b>Advantages of the optical extensometer in demanding test environments<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>Non-contact measurement<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The optical extensometer avoids any physical interaction with the sample, which guarantees a measurement more faithful to the real behavior of the material, especially in composite materials or biomaterials.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>2. High resolution and accuracy<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With sub-micrometer resolutions, these devices offer far superior accuracy to conventional systems, making them indispensable in critical applications.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>3. Wide range of applications<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From tensile and compression to cyclic, thermal or fatigue testing, the video extensometer adapts easily. It can even be used in climatic chambers or environments with extreme conditions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>4. Digital integration and traceability<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Optical systems are integrated with data acquisition platforms to facilitate analysis and reporting. Servosis optical extensometers are designed to work in sync with our testing machines, providing full traceability.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Under the <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.une.org\/encuentra-tu-norma\/busca-tu-norma\/norma?c=N0051031,N0051031\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ISO 9513 standard<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">which regulates the calibration of extensometers used in materials testing.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>5. Measuring to breakage and maximum equipment protection<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unlike manual systems, the optical extensometer allows recording the strain up to the exact moment of breakage, without risk to the equipment. Since it is not in contact with the sample, the system is not damaged by vibrations or sudden shocks. In addition, the video extensometer can focus precisely on the area of the material that is actually being stretched, allowing a more representative and accurate measurement to be obtained.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2><b>Imetrum and X-Sight Official Distributors in Europe<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At Servosis we work with two international leaders in optical extensometry technology:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imetrum.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Imetrum<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: British manufacturer specializing in video strain measurement systems with Video Gauge\u2122 technology.<\/span>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.xsight.eu\/optical-extensometer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">X-Sight<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">European benchmark in non-contact extensometry, ideal for demanding tests in industrial and academic environments.<\/span>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Both systems are integrated and validated by our technical team, which allows us to adapt each solution to the customer's needs.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2><b>Optical extensometer in universities and R&amp;D centers<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The implementation of this technology is growing in academic institutions and technology centers. In the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.unileon.es\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Home | University of Le\u00f3n<\/a>For example, the use of Servosis video extensometers allows advanced research in the field of materials engineering to be carried out with previously unthinkable precision and stability.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thanks to the optical extensometer, complex mechanical behavior can be studied, simulation models can be validated and new materials can be developed with guaranteed reliability.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2><b>Key factors for choosing the right optical strain gauge<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When acquiring a system of this type, it is essential to take into account:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Capture speed and resolution<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Depending on the type of test (static or dynamic), a system with high-resolution cameras and adjustable speed (up to 100 fps or more) should be chosen.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Analysis software<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Intuitive yet powerful software is essential. The <\/span><b>optical strain gauge<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> must have an interface that allows easy configuration, measurement, graphing and exporting of results.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Compatibility with existing equipment<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Servosis guarantees the integration of its optical extensometers with new or existing equipment, adapting the system to the particularities of each laboratory.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2><b>Accuracy and reliability in every measurement<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The incorporation of the optical extensometer marks a turning point in the way mechanical testing is approached. Its precision, versatility and adaptability make it an essential tool in sectors where data reliability is critical.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At Servosis, we design customized solutions in optical extensometry, advising each customer according to their technical needs, type of sample and applicable regulations. Whether in the university, industrial or research environment, our commitment is to guarantee reliable, durable and future-proof results.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<p><b>Are you interested in integrating an optical strain gauge in your laboratory or research center?<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Talk to our specialists and receive a customized proposal.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.servosis.com\/en\/contact-2\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Contact Servosis<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>En los ensayos de materiales, la precisi\u00f3n en la medici\u00f3n de deformaciones es esencial. Frente a los sistemas tradicionales de contacto, el extens\u00f3metro \u00f3ptico \u2014especialmente en su versi\u00f3n videoextens\u00f3metro\u2014 se consolida como una soluci\u00f3n avanzada, sin contacto y altamente precisa.\u00a0 Esta tecnolog\u00eda est\u00e1 transformando la manera en que universidades, laboratorios y centros de I+D obtienen [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":15720,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15714","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-noticias"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.servosis.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15714","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.servosis.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.servosis.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.servosis.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.servosis.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15714"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.servosis.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15714\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.servosis.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15720"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.servosis.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15714"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.servosis.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15714"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.servosis.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15714"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}