Software
MagScope is Magcam’s advanced data analysis software for measuring and analyzing magnetic field distributions. MagScope is designed to extract as much information as possible from the measurement data. Various plugins are available for enhanced performance.
Use the filters on the left to narrow the MagScope features down to your application. You can then send us this configuration using the 'Send configuration' button, so we can contact you back with customized information.
MagScope software
Zero crossing detection on a circle
Some applications require to cut out a pole of a ring magnet, but the ring can be arbitrarily oriented along the angular direction, which makes it impossible to know where the poles will be exactly. In the 2DPlot Section cutouts can be defined based on zero crossings that are automatically detected
Some applications require to e.g. cut out a pole of a ring magnet, but the ring can be arbitrarily oriented along the angular direction, which makes it impossible to know where the poles will be exactly. In the 2DPlot Section cutouts can be defined based on zero crossings that are automatically detected.
Saving settings and networks
When a network setup is configured for a specific measurement and /or analysis flow, it can be saved to a specific file, which can be loaded later again.
When a network setup is configured for a specific measurement and /or analysis flow, it can be saved to a file, which can be loaded later again.
To save a network to a file, select Save as… in the network’s context menu:
By default, MagScope will propose to save the file in the ‘C:/ProgramData/Magcam/MagScope/Presets/Custom’ directory. The ‘Presets’ directory is special, since files that are saved in this folder are directly available from the MagScope menu.
Saving measurement data
MagScope provides the option to save measurement data manually (one measurement) or automatically (measurements on multiple magnets).
MagScope provides the option to save measurement data manually (one or a few measurements) or automatically (measurements on multiple magnets).
Manually
To save the measurement data to a data file, right-click one of the elements in the network, e.g. the Camera element and select Save…:
A dialog is shown that asks the user to which type of file (.mcb or .csv) the data should be saved. Select the desired format.
Extracting a 1D cross-section
To gain more insight in the magnetic field of the permanent magnet, it is possible to extract a cross-section from the data in MagScope by using the lines feature in the 2D Plot element.
To gain more insight in the magnetic field of the permanent magnet, it is possible to extract a cross-section from the data in MagScope by using the lines feature in the 2D Plot element. Six different lines are available, given the user every option to learn more about the magnetic field details:
- Cross
- Circle
- Diagonal line
- Horizonal line
- Vertical line
- Rectangle
A circular cross-section is used to explain this feature.
In the toolbar on top, click on the Circle.
Opening a data file
MagScope supports two types of data files, CSV files and MCB files (the native MagScope format). To open a previously recorded/saved file, one can select File/Open MCB or File/Open CSV, depending on what type of file you want to open.
Two types of data files are supported by MagScope:
- MCB files: the native MagScope format. These are binary files containing magnetic field images. These files can be opened only by MagScope. Their file size is smaller than that of a corresponding CSV file.
- CSV files: ‘Comma Separated Values’ files containing magnetic field distribution data. These files can be opened with other programs, such as Matlab, Excel, Notepad etc.
Note: MagScope is backward compatible with the older ‘.magcam’ file format, as used by earlier versions of MagScope (v.3.x). They can be opened the same way as CSV files.
Creating plots and graphs
MagScope has the ability to show the magnetic field in different plot and graph formats, such as 2D, surface and quiver plots.
MagScope has the ability to show the magnetic field in different plot and graph formats, such as 2D, 1D, surface and quiver plots.
2D Plot
The 2DPlot element visualizes the data in a two dimensional color graph. When creating a 2DPlot element the ‘2DPlot’ window is shown. The 2DPlot allows you to draw following plot elements such as lines and circles. Measurements can be made between plot elements of the same type.
From the plot window, cross-sections and 2D areas can be selected and further analyzed in a new network.
MagScope basics
MagScope is built around ‘data’ and ‘networks’. Data is a matrix of measurement points, such as the magnetic field distributions that come from the magnetic field camera. The data is processed inside one or more ‘networks’, where it can be displayed, analyzed, transformed etc.
MagScope is built around ‘data’ and ‘networks’. Data is a matrix of measurement points, such as the magnetic field distributions that come from the magnetic field camera. The data is processed inside one or more ‘networks’, where it can be displayed, analyzed, transformed etc.
A network is a chain of ‘Elements’ through which the data flows. There are many types of elements and they can be combined in many ways, making the software very modular and flexible. Each element does something with the data (e.g. a ‘Plot’ element visualizes it) and then the data continues through the network to the next element.
MagFit plug-in
MagFit introduction
The MagFit magnet analysis software module offers advanced data analysis capabilities for a complete characterization of uniaxial permanent magnets. By comparing the measured data with theoretical magnet models, MagFit extracts a lot of extra information from the data.
The MagFit magnet analysis software module offers advanced data analysis capabilities for a complete characterization of uniaxial permanent magnets. By comparing the measured data with theoretical magnet models, MagFit extracts a lot of extra information from the data, such as:
Residual image
The output of the MagFit element in the network is the residual image. It can be visualized by adding a 2DPlot or surface Plot
The output of the MagFit element in the network is the residual image. It can be visualized by adding a 2DPlot after the MagFit element.
The residual image shows all deviations from the fitted theoretical magnetic field distribution used in MagFit.
On the left is the measured magnetic field distribution. On the right is the same distribution zoomed around the pole value.
In the residual image, shown below, material defects and magnetization inhomogeneities are readily visible.
Magnetization vector and angle measurement
The MagFit magnet analysis software module offers advanced Magcam data analysis capabilities for a complete characterization of uniaxial permanent magnets.
The MagFit magnet analysis software module offers advanced Magcam data analysis capabilities for a complete characterization of uniaxial permanent magnets. By comparing the measured data with theoretical magnet models, MagFit can extracts the magnet’s full magnetization vector (Mx, My and Mz components) and its deviation angle from the main axis.
The first step in making a MagFit analysis is the measurement of a magnetic field image of the magnet under test using the Magcam magnetic field camera.
3D plug-in
3-Component plug-in
The 3D plug-in for MagScope adds the functionality for analyzing the full three-component magnetic field distribution recorded with the MiniCube3D magnetic field camera.
The 3D plug-in for MagScope adds the functionality for analyzing the full three-component magnetic field distribution recorded with the MiniCube3D magnetic field camera. This includes:
3D analysis elements
In MagScope, most of the analysis elements have additional functionality for analyzing 3-component data. It not only contains the measured Bx, By and Bz components, but also derived components in the used coordinate system.
Most of the analysis elements have additional functionality for analyzing 3-component data. Generally, the component to be analyzed can be selected in a dropdown menu at the top left of the element window. This window not only contains the measured Bx, By and Bz components, but also derived components in the used coordinate system.
For the Cartesian coordinate system the available components are:
Portal Scanner plug-in
Portal Scanner introduction
The Portal Scanner is controlled by the MagScope measurement & analysis software, together with several plug-ins.
The Magcam Portal Scanner is a motorized mechanical X-Y-Z stage with an integrated magnetic field camera for magnetic field mapping of larger permanent magnets and magnet assemblies.
The Portal Scanner is controlled by the MagScope measurement & analysis software, together with several plug-ins. The scanner uses a Beckhoff PLC controller to control the 3 axis.
The controller can be initialized in two ways:
- Creating a new Scanner Action on a network in MagScope
- Loading a saved network (‘preset’)
To create a new network, select ‘Configure Actions’ from the network context menu.
Image stitching
The stitcher function in MagScope combines multiple frames or channels into a single image. This way it is possible to stitch multiple measurements from a single camera or measurements from multiple cameras in a single image.
The stitcher function in MagScope combines multiple frames or channels into a single image. This way it is possible to stitch multiple measurements from a single camera or measurements from multiple cameras in a single image. During creation you first need to configure the total image dimensions in the ‘Data Stitcher’ dialog. Here you configure the number of images to combine and the dimensions of the combined image.
Next you will need to configure the location of each image in the total stitched image in the ‘Stitcher’ window.
Rotor Inspector plug-in
Rotor scan volume
The ‘Scan Volume’ group in the MagScope software defines the measurement volume. For the X and Z directions, the user defines the desired offset and range of the measurement. The Range for the X direction determines how many concentric scans are performed. The Range for the Z direction determines the axial scan length.
The ‘Scan Volume’ group defines the measurement volume. For the X and Z directions, the user defines the desired offset (relative to the Z Reference position for Z and relative to the outer rotor surface for X) and range of the measurement. The Range for the X direction determines how many concentric scans are performed (at different radial distances). The Range for the Z direction determines the axial scan length.
The number of steps needed to cover the defined volume is instantly updated.
Rotor Scanner introduction
The Rotor Scanner is controlled by the MagScope measurement & analysis software, together with several plug-ins.
The Rotor Scanner is controlled by the MagScope measurement & analysis software, together with several plug-ins. The software takes care of automated scanning and image stitching to display the magnetic field distribution of the complete rotor in one image. The analysis of the radial, tangential and axial magnetic field components (with MiniCube3D camera) can be performed in great detail.
It is possible to detect zero crossings automatically, count and measure the poles, check the uniformity and symmetry of north-south poles, perform a Fourier analysis of hamonics, etc.
Python Scripting
Pass/fail quality control
Using the quantitative results of a MagFit analysis, an additional pass/fail analysis can be easily and directly performed. For this the Python scripting module for MagScope is used.
Using the quantitative results of a MagFit analysis, an additional pass/fail analysis can be easily and directly performed.
In the Python script, the results of a MagFit element in MagScope are accessed using the ‘Results()’ function of the ‘IElement’ class. In the return variable of this function, the results can be obtained and displayed.
Magcam engineers can assist our customers with writing Python scripts when desired.
Python scripting introduction
Magscope supports the use of Python scripts to add unlimited flexibility and functionality.
The Python scripting module for MagScope allows using the analysis results and other data of MagScope in an unlimited number of ways, chosen by the user, who can have his own Python scripts run automatically in MagScope.
The MagScope measurement and analysis software supports the use of Python scripts to add flexibility and functionality. MagScope comes standard with Python script templates which can serve as a basis for writing your own script to define a custom functionality. Alternatively, Magcam offers services for writing custom scripts.
Typical applications include:
