Measurement of lubrication parameters based on image processing of chromatic interferograms

This paper presents an example of image processing approaches (lookup tables, interpolations, convolution filters, interactive GUI), successfully applied in study of tribological parameters of ball bearings. During the last 15 years, optimized experimental measurement methods were developed for mapping of tribological parameters (lubricant thickness, pressure distribution etc.) of elastohydrodynamically lubricated ball bearings. Among many possible approaches, the best performing proved to be combination of optical tribometer (used for inside view into the bearing) and software processing of chromatic interferograms, based on colorimetric analysis (thin film colorimetric interferometry, TFCI) and image filtering methods (inverse elasticity theory, IET).