Image Analysis Lab Services

Based in Appleton, Wisconsin, IPS hosts an image analysis laboratory that has powerful measurement capabilities that are unique in service laboratories anywhere. Capitalizing on one of the U.S.'s four original developers of industrial applications for this technology, IPS offers customized standard image analysis test methods and consulting expertise for the custom applications in today’s complex industrial world.

IPS serves clients that are involved with the paper, pulp, nonwovens, health care and allied industries from the U.S. to Canada, and even providing image analysis lab services internationally. We have even developed custom methods to support patent claims and many other applications. Our image analysis work is done on a time (at $150 per hour) and materials basis.

Image Analysis Lab Equipment

Our Northeast Wisconsin image analysis facility provides a state-of-the-art Leica QWIN® system that operates with two automatic stages for truly random sampling and hands-off operation and hosts imaging devices, accessory fixtures, and lighting modes to suit virtually any imaging problem.

We also interface closely with our Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) laboratory for additional imaging applications to cover the range of sample sizes measuring 12 inches to a few hundred angstroms. Using a dedicated temperature and light-controlled laboratory with antistatic carpeting, we can assure the best possible and most reproducible results that are free of reflections, glare, stray radiation and fluctuations in the ambient environment.

Image Analysis Test Methods Available

Test Method	Test Description
Formation	Provides several measures for the structural uniformity of essentially two-dimensional materials, such as paper, heavy-weight paperboard, sheet-plastic films, and nonwoven materials. Three primary parameters are: the industry-standard percent coefficient-of-variation (%COV); a custom parameters called FI-1, which is the mean gray-level of a substrate divided by its standard deviation; and Gray Skewness, a parameter measuring the asymmetry of the gray-level histogram from the analysis. In addition, the method provides a complete 14-parameter statistics block; a 32-class gray-level histogram with data columns providing class percentages; and a shading-corrected 4x5-inch image of a typical field-of-view, which measure 6x8 inches.
Surface Porosity	Provides percent area (%A) and equivalent-circular diameter (ECD) measurements on pores in the surfaces of substrates as measured from multiple SEM photomicrographs. The pores need not “go all the way through” the substrate to be imaged clearly by this unique method, which is not confused by variations in surface topography. Histograms and statistics are provided, as well as a 4x5-inch image of a typical field-of-view.
Tissue and Nonwoven Porosity (2D materials; Apert. Films)	Provides percent area (%A) and equivalent-circular diameter (ECD) measurements on pores that “go though” the substrate and are visible by line-of-sight illumination furnished with transmitted light. The pore sizes able to be accommodated varies from a few microns to several millimeters, or more for macroscopic samples. Histograms and statistics are provided, as well as a 4x5-inch image of a typical field-of-view.
Meltblown Fiber Diameters	The method employs proprietary SEM-based imaging to generate multiple photomicrographs which are used for either automatic or manual “line-slice” measurements through diameters of fibers in polymeric meltblown or other fine-fiber materials. Diameter histograms and statistics are provided to represent count and volume-weighted distributions, as well as a 4x5-inch image of a typical field-of-view.
Spunbond and other macro-fiber Diameters	Optical imaging is used to provide direct microscopic input for “line-slices” through images of polymeric spunbond, glass, ceramic, metal, and other more macroscopic fibers. A diameter histogram with statistics is provided to a represent a count-based distribution, as well as a 4x5-inch image of a typical field-of-view.Provides histograms on Count-based Diameters w/ statistics
Fuzz-on-Edge (FOE)	The fibers protruding from the surface of tissue, felt, paper, nonwoven sheets, and other flexible materials are measured by direct optical imaging to provide a special parameter, “perimeter-per-edge-length”, or PR/EL. This indexes the “fuzziness” of these materials, and correlates well (r > 0.98) with human tactile perception. A PR/EL histogram with statistics is provided to a represent a count-based distribution, as well as a 4x5-inch image of a typical field-of-view.
Optical Surface Crepe (OSC)	The surfaces of creped tissue, papers, or hardboard substrates are often topographically active, which means, “not flat”. Tissues in particular have a regular repeating pattern of hills (“peaks”) and valleys. This method provides histograms and statistics based on peak height, peak width, and valley-distance, to characterize topography. A 4x5-inch image of a typical field-of-view is provided as well.
Z-profile	Uses SEM-based cross-sectional imaging to obtain internal Z-directional void (or porosity) measurements in tissue paper, bond paper, or some non-woven materials. Primary parameters are Percent Voids (%V); Void Thickness (VT); Total Tissue Thickness (TTT). A histogram, with statistics, of Percent Voids as a function of depth through a substrate is often furnished, as well as a 4x5-inch image of a typical field-of-view. Z- pore length and diameter histograms are available as alternatives.

Serving clients in Wisconsin and the Midwest to the United States and internationally, Integrated Paper Services, Inc. (IPS) is an independent physical testing laboratory specializing in personal care product, medical devices, nonwovens, fiber analysis and the pulp, paper and allied industries.

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Integrated Paper Services, Inc. | 3211 E. Capitol Drive | Appleton, WI 54911 | (920)-749-3040