About DIC and MatchID
Digital Image Correlation (DIC) is an optical, non-contact measurement technique that tracks displacement and deformation of a surface by comparing images captured before, during and after loading. By analysing the movement of a random speckle pattern applied to a specimen, DIC software computes full-field displacement and strain maps across the entire surface - without the need for strain gauges, extensometers or physical contact with the specimen itself.
MatchID is one of the most advanced DIC software platforms available and is a spin-off from the University of Leuven, Belgium, founded by a dedicated team of leading academics and specialists in experimental mechanics. Designed for both industry and academia, MatchID offers a powerful, flexible, and modular platform for full-field, highly accurate deformation measurements, supported by customised hardware, dedicated user training, and ongoing technical support. Its architecture goes beyond simple image correlation: MatchID integrates measurement, material property identification and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) model validation into a single, modular workflow - providing not just data, but rigorous quantative insight into material and structural behaviour.
THIS-camera: Official UK & Ireland Partner - providing software licences, hardware integration, user training and ongoing technical support to research institutions, universities and industrial R&D teams.
Digital Image Correlation
MatchID offers non-contact software (DIC & Grid) to retrieve mechanical and kinematical data at the surface of complex objects under any kind of loading.
Proprietary techniques combine both dense and spatial and temporal information, applicable from small to large scales.
This allows assessment and validation of the mechanical behaviour of both materials and structures.
Modular Structures
While the MatchID platform can be used simply as a measurement tool, it expands on this by seamless integrating the identification of mechanical properties and quantitatively validating numerical models based on the captured images.
The modular structure allows for a customised platform composition, 100% adapted to your specific application.
Advantages
The MatchID solution is a fully open and flexible engineering platform, invoking advanced algorithms that generate quantitative and accurate results with integrated error assessment.
Combined with a strong emphasis on documentation, user training and guidance, customised and integrated camera hardware, this allows the user to get the most profound insights into test results.
Test optimisation
Focused on tailored hardware and synchronisation.
Covering alignment, debugging, and speckle analysis.
Highlighting different testing types.
Emphasising real-time processing and feedback.
Key Features
Design of Experiments
Focusing on the systematic DIC approach.
Optimal Settings
Highlighting graph generation and parameter optimisation.
Signal Analysis
Detailed signal evolution tracking and noise dependency analysis.
Achieve quantified of finite element simulations with seamless alignment of FEA data throughout the complete DIC chain.
Our comprehensive error and validation mapping ensures accurate correlation between simulation and real-world testing results.
Uncertainty Assessment
Generation of reference synthetic images based on FEA with known values
Assessment of systematic DIC errors
Virtual test campaign creation for experiment optimisation
Application Areas
Full-field strain testing under static and fatigue loading is a certification-critical activity for aerospace components - from composite fuselage panels and wing structures to engine brackets and landing gear. MatchID's FEA validation capability supports the correlation between test data and simulation, providing the quantitive evidence required for design sign-off.
Automotive engineers use DIC to characterise sheet metal forming behaviour (Forming Limit Diagrams - FLDs), measure strain distribution in stamped parts and validate impact simulation models. MatchID's high-speed DIC capability - combined with SinceVision high-speed cameras from THIS-camera - enables dynamic strain measurement during impact and forming events.
Non-contact, large-field DIC measurement is increasingly used for testing of reinforced concrete, steel structures, timber connections and masonry walls. MatchID supports large scale measurements where field of view can span meters rather than millimetres, using appropriately scaled speckle patterns.
Soft tissue, bone and implant materials exhibit highly non-linear mechanical behaviour that DIC is well positioned to characterise. Non-contact measurement eliminates the compliance of physical grips or extensometers from the measurement, and full-field data reveals regional variations in tissue mechanics that point measurements cannot capture.
Non-Destructive Testing
DIC can detect and track damage in structures by monitoring changes in the strain field over time or load cycles. Crack initiation, crack propagation, delamination in composites and debonding in adhesive joints all produce characteristic signatures in the full-field strain data that MatchID is designed to identify and quantify.
FEA Model Validation & Digital Twins
As simulation-led design becomes standard practice, the need to rigorously validate FEA models against physical test data has grown. MatchID FEA-Val provides a systematic, quantitive framework - generating spatial error maps that allow engineers to identify where model assumptions are correct and where refinement is needed, rather than relying on comparison of single-point sensor data.
FAQ - Frequent Questions
Why choose MatchID as your Digital Image Correlation solution provider?
Explore our unique offering here:
MatchID is designed as a camera-agnostic platform and works with a wide range of scientific cameras. THIS-camera supplies both MatchID software and compatible SinceVision high-speed and sCMOS cameras, providing a fully integrated, pre-validated system. We can advise on camera selection for specific DIC applications - spatial resolution, frame rate, sensor size and lens choice all affect measurement accuracy.
Yes! MatchID supports high-speed DIC using frame sequences from high-speed cameras. This enables dynamic strain measurement during impact, crash, forming or vibration events. The SH8 and SH6 Series SinceVision cameras from THIS-camera are well suited to high-speed DIC applications.
MatchID FEA-Val supports data import from major commercial solvers including Abaqus, ANSYS, LS-DYNA and others via standard export formats. Contact our team if you need to confirm compatibility with your specific simulation environment.
MatchID provides structured user training, and THIS-camera supports this with application specific guidance for UK and Irish customers. Training is available for new users starting with DIC fundamentals through to advanced topics including the Grid Method, high-speed DIC and FEA validation workflows.
MatchID differentiates itself through its modular architecture - particularly the integration of material identification (MatID) and FEA validation (FEA-Val) that most DIC packages do not offer - and through its emphasis on rigorous uncertainty quantification. It is widely used in academic research and increasingly adopted in corporate R&D for applications where measurement accuracy and traceability are critical. Contact us to arrange a technical demonstration.
The Good Practices Guide, published by the International Digital Image Correlation Society (iDICs), provides guidance on DIC measurement setup, image correlation and post-processing for strain computation in laboratory conditions. It is recommended reading for both new and experienced DIC practitioners. A copy is available to download from this page.
Best Practices
The Good Practices Guide (GPG) by the International Digital Image Correlation Society (iDICs) provides comprehensive guidance on DIC measurement setup, image correlation, and post-processing for strain computations under common laboratory conditions.
This resource serves dual purposes:
- Training document for new DIC practitioners (supplementing vendor training and technical documentation).
- Reference guide for experienced users to refresh fundamentals and troubleshoot measurements.
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