Instrumentation
to keep an exact record of equipment models, nameplates; and electronic compass, which saves precise location with the image. Fluke has also announced a major expansion of its US
service options with Fluke CarePlans, a series of extended warranty and calibration packages featuring priority service to ensure a new level of convenience for users of Fluke handheld instrumentation. The gold and silver CarePlan packages offer
comprehensive priority service and support, including extended factory calibration, extended warranties, and expedited shipping for 170 different Fluke tools. With CarePlans, users can - for the first
time - obtain Fluke calibration services and repairs directly from their regular distributor, making it easy to get best-in-class Fluke service. “These CarePlans are about convenience
and quality,” said Clare Grehofsky, director of Fluke Service. “Our new CarePlan packages provide greater convenience and value, along with peace of mind for Fluke handheld test tool users.”
Why thermal imaging? Omega recommends that potential users ask themselves some important questions when considering thermal imaging technology. For example, why use a thermal imager in the first place? According to the company, thermal
imagers allow users to measure temperature in applications where conventional sensors cannot be employed. Specifically, in cases dealing with
moving objects, or a conveyor belt, or where non-contact measurements are required because of contamination or hazardous reasons such as high voltage, where distances are too great, or where the temperatures to be measured are too high for thermocouples or other contact sensors. The thermal imagers provide an image which shows the temperature difference of the object being measured. Hot
Fig. 2. The Ti110 model.
spots can be seen immediately versus traditional infrared guns which average the area being measured.
Resolution Another question that must be asked concerns the importance of resolution. Essentially, a higher resolution camera means that smaller problems can be found at greater distances - an important consideration on a large and complex process plant. Then there is the application to be measured. Here a number of important factors must be taken into consideration, including field of view (target size and distance), type of surface being measured (emissivity considerations), spectral response (for atmospheric
effects or transmission through surfaces), temperature range and mounting (handheld portable or fixed mount).
Other considerations include response time,
environment, mounting limitations, viewing port or window applications, and desired signal processing.
Thermopile array detector One solution recommended by Omega is its compact OSXL-101 IR thermal imaging sensor utilising a thermopile array detector. The sensor measures real time temperature and
a thermal image up to 300°C. Ethernet connectivity allows the sensor to communicate with the PC running the application software or customers’ LAN. In monitoring mode the temperature data is
outputted continuously by a command from the PC. In capturing mode the temperature data is outputted row-by-
row horizontally by a command from, for example, a PLC. Up to four sensors are able to connect to a PC via LAN and viewer
software allows users to monitor thermal images, measuring temperature and alarms. Meanwhile Arc imagers from Land Instruments are a
range of general purpose thermal imaging cameras which are rugged enough to withstand heavy industrial applications,
High-resolution infrared OEM modules I
nfrared (IR) specialist Xenics has launched new high-resolution IR OEM modules and outdoor camera systems.
XenicsCores is a new family of high-resolution IR OEM modules offering easy integration and excellent image quality. The first two members are the Xenics Short Wave module XSW-640 and the Xenics Thermal Module XTM-640. These compact uncooled OEM modules are lightweight, low-power consuming and easy to integrate in a customer’s application via the universal QTE
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connector. Longer detection, recognition and identification distances are possible thanks to the small size of the pixels of the detector. The SWIR module XSW-640 is based on an uncooled InGaAs array of 640 by 512 pixels with 20 μm pixel pitch and measures only 45 x 45 x 24 mm. It is optimised for the detection of shortwave infrared radiation between 0.9 and 1.7 μm wavelength which can be extended into the visible spectrum down to 0.6 μm. With a sensitivity of less than 90 noise electrons, the
XSW is optimised for active and passive night vision.
The LWIR module XTM-640 is based on an uncooled microbolometer array of 640 by 480 pixels with 17 μm pixel pitch and measures only 45 x 45 x 32 mm. It is optimised for the detection of thermal IR radiation between 8 and 14 μm wavelength and achieves a high thermal sensitivity of 50 mK. Such small size, weight and power (SWaP) are essential for portable applications. n
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