Digital imaging technology provides enhanced analysis

New equipment adds a valuable assessment capability for colour evaluation, area measurement and customs tariff verification of fabric soling areas.

SATRA is pleased to announce the introduction of digital imaging technology to our already wide range of on-site colour testing/measurement equipment. This will provide SATRA with the ability to digitise tests that are traditionally performed by visual inspection, such as colour, light fastness testing and area measurements.

In addition to existing colour testing, the digital imaging technology offers an almost endless range of exciting new possibilities through its custom colour-sorting filters. This will allow SATRA to create and apply bespoke filters to both quantitatively and qualitatively assess almost any characteristic that can be seen with the eye. For example, it can be very difficult to accurately evaluate damage or wear of a product or material following testing using traditional means. However, with the power of this new equipment, SATRA is not only able to provide high-quality images of the damage with filters that clearly highlight its location, but can also supply quantitative analysis of the amount and degree of damage. These filters can even be designed to highlight different levels of severity. One potential use of this involves the calculation of usable areas of a piece of leather, as any impairment can be characterised and highlighted within the filter.

Measurement of complex shapes

The bespoke colour filters also allow changes in colour to be mapped by area. This can be particularly useful for carrying out area measurements of intricate shapes or designs. For instance, shoes with textile soles (consisting of at least 50 per cent of textile material) face lower import duties than those with rubber or plastic soles. However, carrying out area measurements on the sole of a shoe with a complex tread can be very difficult. By creating and applying custom colour filters with the digital imaging technology, calculations can be performed quickly and accurately to determine which area consists of a particular material, while also providing a clear visual representation of the analysis alongside the quantitative results.

Publishing Data

This article was originally published on page 28 of the June 2020 issue of SATRA Bulletin.

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