Software for interferometric evaluation of lubricant film thickness using the SLIM method

Description

Software developed in VB.NET language for the interferometric evaluation of lubricant film thickness using the SLIM method is hereby attached. Source code and executable program are available. An EXAMPLE image and calibration files have been attached to the dataset. A DEMONSTRATION VIDEO is provided in the following link: https://video.uhu.es/media/t/1_773jyeky This software is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported (CC BY-NC 3.0) License.

Steps to reproduce

SLIM Software: Operational Manual This guide covers the two-step process of calibrating and analyzing film thickness. Please ensure your images do not exceed the graph panel limit of 550 x 480 pixels. ________________________________________ PHASE 1: Calibration (SLIM Calibrator) Before analysis, you must generate a calibration curve correlating RGB values to input speed and thickness. 1. Load Image: Take a screenshot or load a bitmap file (BMP/PNG/JPG). 2. Input Data: Enter the Input Speed at which the image was captured. Note: For high-quality results, usage of speed intervals of 2 mm/s is recommended. 3. Define Area: Click the image to select the central area. A red circle (20-pixel radius) will appear. 4. Process: Click Average RGB. The software will calculate the mean RGB values for that area. 5. Save/Append: Choose your destination folder and append the data to your calibration file. 6. Repeat: Load the next image in the sequence until the speed range is covered. 7. A TXT file containing Speed vs. RGB data is obtained. Critical step (Interpolation): The final calibration TXT file must contain thickness data from 1 nm to X nm in increments of 1 nm. Use your interpolation software to convert the Speed vs. RGB data into Thickness vs. RGB format before proceeding. ________________________________________ PHASE 2: Film Thickness Analysis Once your calibration file is ready, you can perform the mapping. 1. Setup & loading • Open Software and select your Mapping Type: ·Full Map (Pixel-by-pixel circular analysis). ·Central Film Thickness. ·Longitudinal (X) or Transversal (Y) profiles. • Load Image: Ensure the format is compatible. • Load Calibration: Select the interpolated TXT file. 2. Configuration Parameters • Thickness Order: Set the top and bottom limits (as an estimate of expected film thickness). A range of 150 nm is recommended for accuracy. • Tolerance: Set to 40 (Standard recommended value). • Precision (pixel skipping): Set to 0 for general use or 1-2 for Full Mappings (recommended). 3. Execution • Select Area: Click on the image to define the study area (indicated by a red shape). ·For Full Map or Central Thickness, you can manually tune the Shape Radius. • Generate Results: Press the Map Film Thickness Area button to start the extrapolation. 4. Output & Export • Visuals: Results will appear in the Side Table (for Central Thickness) or the Side Graph (for Profiles). • Data Export: A TXT file is generated automatically for every analysis. Use the "Save in..." button to define your export directory (by default in the previously loaded image directory). ________________________________________ Calibration File Format Reference When editing the TXT file in the interpolation software, follow this structure: • Line 1: number_of_points • Following Lines: Red [Tab] Green [Tab] Blue [Tab] Film_thickness

Institutions

• Universidad de Huelva

  Andalusia, Huelva
• University of Sussex

  England, Brighton

Categories

Funders

• MICIU/AEI/ 10.13039/501100011033 and FEDER, UE

  Grant ID: PID2023-151761NB-100

Licence