Inline infrared camera costs half the price of alternatives

[See also this article from 8 June 2010: Compact, inline thermal imager with more options - Ed]

The new Micro-Epsilon TIM (thermoIMAGER) - which was initially referred to as the PI (Process Imager) - is an inline radiometric thermal imaging device that provides temperature images and profiles of a target area. Included as standard is free software that enables users to both configure all the adjustable parameters of the TIM and capture (at 100Hz full frame rate) and store images or an event for play back at a later date - which is an important feature for R&D purposes.

Rather than being a handheld thermal imaging camera, the Micro-Epsilon TIM is fixed into position in a production process or R&D laboratory to monitor the temperature profile of target materials or objects. The camera is well suited to process control, quality and R&D applications across a wide range of industries, including plastics, packaging, FMCG, thermoforming, automotive, paper, printing, textiles, food, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, medical engineering and machine building.

Simple interface

A USB 2.0 interface enables real-time thermography, with 100Hz frame rate as standard (most competing cameras offer only 50Hz) and a cable length of up to 20m. If required, repeaters or boosters can be used to extend the distance between the TIM and the PC to 50 or 100m.

Temperature measurement ranges are comparable with current inline thermal imaging cameras, with -20 to 100degC, 0 to 250degC and 120 to 900degC available, enabling users to adapt the device to suit their application. System accuracy (+/-2degC or +/-2 per cent) is also said to be comparable with alternative cameras currently on the market.

The system can be used to monitor the thermal behaviour of working electronic PCBs in test stations or to check the thermal effects on mechanical components such as automotive brake discs or clutches. The device is also suitable for checking the homogeneity of solar heating panels, LCD flat screens and for semiconductor process applications. Other uses include temperature measurement and control in extrusion and thermoforming processes. The TIM also enables users to detect hot spots in bulk materials or products that are moving on materials handling and conveyor systems.

Similar to other industrial thermal imaging cameras, the TIM uses an uncooled micro bolometer focal plane array (FPA) with 160x120 pixels, offering a pixel size of 35 x 35um. Exchangeable lenses of 31 degrees field-of-view (FOV) and nine degrees FOV enable temperatures to be measured across a variety of object distances, including 'close', 'standard' and 'far field' focus. The camera has good thermal sensitivity (NETD 0.08K with 31 degree FOV; 0.3K with 9 degree FOV), which means it is able to show very fine temperature details for the target object.

Chris Jones, Managing Director at Micro-Epsilon (UK), comments: "Many process plants have maintenance technicians who patrol certain areas of the plant using relatively expensive handheld thermal imaging cameras to monitor critical processes or equipment. The Micro-Epsilon TIM can be installed in a fixed monitoring position next to a critical part of the production process to constantly monitor a target material or object. The relatively low cost of the system makes it a viable option for many process plants and R&D laboratories."

Easy set-up

Operators can choose to use a flexible spot with crosshair mark, or a fixed measurement area with automatic display of the maximum, minimum or average value. Temperature profiles along defined lines inside the image can be shown in a separate graph.

As well as a digital USB 2.0 interface for image processing, the TIM comes with a programmable 0-10V analogue output and programmable limit switches. This means the temperature of the target or other measurement information can be re-transmitted to other logging equipment or alarms. There is also a 0-10V analogue input and a trigger input. The software provided with the PI enables users, for example, to set up an alarm if certain process temperature limits are exceeded. A Process Interface analogue input (PIF in) allows users to adjust the emissivity of the target object or material remotely.

Made from anodised aluminium, the Micro-Epsilon TIM is compact and lightweight. The camera housing measures 45 x 45 x 62mm and weighs just 250g (including lens and 1m USB cable), enabling easy mounting in restricted spaces. The rugged device is protected to IP65 (NEMA-4) and is powered (5V DC) via the USB 2.0 interface, with a maximum current draw of 500mA.

Compatible with Windows XP and Vista, the system generates thermal imaging information that is easily integrated with mini-PCs, rail-mounted PCs and industrial embedded PCs and PLCs. A DLL is provided so that users can export thermal imaging data from the process imager into customer-specific software.

Micro-Epsilon's TIM Connect software is supplied as standard, and includes a recording function with radiometric video, snap shot, an analysis and post-processing of infrared images function and video. Not only does the software enable users to configure the process imager, it also allows engineers to capture and store the images on a PC for play back at a later date. TIM Connect also offers different colour palettes including iron, rainbow, black-white and inverted black-white.

Follow the link for more information about the Micro-Epsilon TIM (thermoIMAGER).