The following information will help you decide what is the optimal imaging station to build. Your imaging requirements will be differ depending on whether you intend to capture reverse circulation cuttings (RC Chips) or diamond core.
Diamond Core
There are two alternative setups to capture diamond core photographs of drill core boxes or trays. You can setup a fixed imaging station or a mobile imaging station.
Fixed Imaging Station
When using a fixed imaging station the core is brought to a designated location where the core photograph will be taken. This scenario has the following advantages and disadvantages:
Advantages
- The quality of the picture will be better given we can control the light more effectively
- You have greater consistency in the images
Disadvantages
- You have to move the core to the imaging station
Here is an example of a fixed imaging station:
Mobile Imaging Station
When using a mobile imaging station the camera is moved to the core in order to take the photograph. This scenario has the following advantages and disadvantages:
Advantages
- You do not have to move the core to take the picture.
Disadvantages
- The quality of the picture will be lower given it is harder to control the light
- You have less consistency in the images
Here are some examples of mobile imaging stations:
Reverse Circulation Cuttings
For RC cutting you can will need to use a manual or motorized slider. Here are some examples:
Field Piles
For RAB drilling or Iron Ore RC drilling it is necessary to capture the images in the field. For this Imago has designed a mobile imaging station using the Imago Mobile capture application and a phone.
Handheld Samples
For handheld core sample or microscopic sample we designed a mobile imaging station using the Imago Mobile capture application and a phone. In this case again we control the lights by enclosing the sample and using an LED light source that is powered by the phone.
The solution can also be used in combination with a handheld wifi microscope
Where to Buy
The team at Dynamics G-Ex offers prefabricated imaging stations you can buy directly from them. Below are some examples of their offer. If you want something that is proven and reduces the headache of coordinating manufacturing these are a great option.
Fixed imaging station that bolts on to roller racks.
Mobile imaging station:
Chip imaging station:
