Posted to News on 20th Jun 2013, 08:11
Easy set-up, low-cost, entry-level infrared machine vision
Flir is launching the A5 fixed mounted thermal imaging camera as the entry-level product in the Flir A-Series but it is still very capable. In common with all models in this range it is compatible with popular third-party software that enables it to be set-up optimally to suit the application.
For example, when used in conjunction with Halcon software it is suitable for a full range of applications in the field of machine vision, robotics, electronic inspection, medical image analysis, surveillance and remote sensing. IMAQ Vision is another popular partner for this product for a variety of engineering and scientific applications.
Flir's A-Series thermal imaging cameras are proving popular for automatically checking the thermal performance of products such as electronic resistors and car windscreen heating elements. In the manufacture of plywood and veneer, logs are softened for further processing and Flir cameras ensure the critical temperature is reached. And in the automotive industry infrared machine vision cameras check the curing temperature of the bonding process for composite body panels. The food and beverage industries are also enthusiastically adopting the technology for a variety of applications. Its scope spans the complete life cycle of food from processing and packaging to storage and sale.
The Flir A5 model has been introduced at an affordable price to encourage manufacturers will little experience in automation to incorporate infrared vision into their processes. Its small size (40x43x106mm) enables it to be installed on almost any production line, providing users with the ability to control the process and assure quality by measuring and visualising thermal differences.
Unlike traditional visible light systems, this Flir infrared machine vision camera requires no additional lighting to do its job and is therefore much less complicated and cumbersome to install. And, in comparison with thermocouple technology, it enables the thermal profile of the entire target area to be monitored, not just discrete measurement points.
Compatibility with standard GigE Vision and GenICam interfaces is key to the simple set-up of the Flir A5. It also has a general-purpose output that can be used to control other equipment, and an input to read the status from the same equipment. Communication and power are provided via a single power-over-Ethernet cable.
It is also possible to configure one Flir A5 to be the master and others as slaves for applications that call for more than one camera to cover the object or for stereoscopic applications.
The Flir A5 produces thermal images of 80x64 pixels and is therefore suited to monitoring small target areas. It is able to visualise temperatures between -40degC and 550degC and differences as small as 50mK. Flir Tools software enables thermal images to be viewed and analysed, and it includes functions such as time versus temperature plots.
Follow the link for more information about the new Flir A5 fixed mounted thermal imaging camera go to www.flir.com.
