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Using custom electronics for high-speed synchronization.

Coanda and Suncor Energy Inc. have developed a geotechnical centrifuge that spins tailings samples to simulate an amplified gravity, allowing rapid prediction of tailings deposits’ settling behaviour.

The centrifuge takes photos of the sample jars while they spin, creating a time-lapse of the tailings’ consolidation progress. To get these images, the spinning samples are briefly illuminated by a strobe light. The strobe needs to fire at precisely the right time, every time, in order to capture the jar in the same position as it spins past the camera.

To synchronize the jar, camera, and strobe light, Coanda developed a custom logic circuit that uses the signal from an encoder on the motor that spins the sample jars. The captured images are then readily stitched together to form a time-lapse video of the tailings sample settling in the centrifuge.

In this video, a 10 cm sample of clay, sand, and water is spun at 50 g for 4 hours which is equivalent to 13 months real-time evolution of a 5 m deposit.