A regular dot pattern is etched on the sheet metal prior to deformation. In the forming process, this dot pattern is distorted as it deforms with the sheet.

The deformed sheet metal is recorded from different viewing directions using a high-resolution CCD camera.

Using photogrammetric evaluation procedures, the ARGUS software automatically defines the positions of all 3D points. Using the individual distances of the point pattern, the strain distribution is calculated.

The results as topology, major and minor strain, thickness reduction, Forming Limit Diagram or section diagram are graphical displayed or exported in standard file formats.