Design of a practical scanner unit for precision analysis of micrographs

Abstract A precision mechanical scanner has been constructed for the purpose of preparing digital transcriptions of micrographs for computer analysis, and of performing elementary analysis without resort to a computer. Design criteria include convenience of operation and precision sufficient to correctly record all of the real information in one micrographic field. Performance data are included. An analysis is given of the precision which may be expected in estimating area and volume percentage of a phase under various conditions. The attained precision is at least an order of magnitude greater than is normally obtained by manual methods.