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Capture an image sequence

Capture a sequence of images of a melting sample as part of your collected data.

In addition to the temperature data, Chemvue can collect images of a sample throughout the process of heating and data collection. To do so, you will need to connect a Melting Point Apparatus Eyepiece Camera (SE-6215) to the program and install it in place of the Wireless Melting Point Apparatus's eyepiece.

  1. Start Chemvue, then connect a Wireless Melting Point Apparatus to the program. The Melting Point Module should open automatically, and the Melting Point Apparatus will automatically be selected as the active sensor.
  2. Remove the eyepiece from the Melting Point Apparatus, then insert the narrow end of the included camera adapter into the viewing port and secure it in place with the thumbscrew on the port.
  3. Remove the storage cap from the Eyepiece Camera, then insert the camera into the wide end of the camera adapter and secure it in place with the thumbscrew on the adapter.
  4. Using the included cable, connect the port on the back of the Eyepiece Camera to a USB port or powered USB hub on your computer. The Eyepiece Camera should automatically connect to Chemvue. (If it does not, click the Select Camera box and choose "MD100" from the dropdown list to connect the camera to the program.)
  5. Slightly loosen the screw on the camera adapter, then adjust the position and orientation of the Eyepiece Camera until the image is in the clearest possible focus. Tighten the screw again to secure the camera in place at this position. (You may need to repeat this process as the experiment continues.)
  6. Insert Capillary Tubes (SE-2236) containing your samples into the slots in the heating block.
  7. Set an appropriate light level and profile, as described in Set up a heating profile.
  8. In the profile, create a Start Image Capture step at the point where you want the camera to begin recording images. This step should usually be placed directly before the final ramp step after holding near the expected melting point of the substance. This placement will prevent the capture of unnecessary images that would greatly increase the experiment's file size.
  9. Select the Start Image Capture step, then select the Image capture interval text box and enter a value in seconds (minimum 5) for the time between each image capture.
  10. Create a Stop Image Capture step at the point where you want the camera to stop recording images.
  11. Select Start to begin capturing data. The program will automatically capture images at the specified sample rate during the selected range. A recording icon will briefly appear in the bottom left corner of the screen every time an image is captured.

Data collection stops automatically once the profile is complete. (You can also select Stop to end data collection early.) Once the program has stopped, you can review the images in the sequence by selecting Playback Mode and using the video controls. The bottom left corner of the screen features the time (in seconds) at which each image was taken, as measured from the start of data collection.