See temperature sensing products at MAINTEC 2009

Micro-Epsilon's thermoMETER PI (Process Imager - pictured right) is a rugged, inline, infrared thermal imaging camera that is claimed to be comparable in terms of technical specification and performance to the latest inline thermal imagers on the market - yet it is around 60 per cent of the cost.

This device is an inline radiometric thermal imager that provides temperature images and profiles of a target area. The plug-and-play device is very compact (45mm x 45mm x 62mm) and lightweight (250g including lens and 1m USB cable), enabling easy mounting in restricted spaces. The camera is protected to IP65 (NEMA-4) and is powered (5V DC) via the USB 2.0 interface, with a maximum current draw of 500mA.

Included as standard is free software that enables users to both configure all the adjustable parameters of the PI and capture (up to 100Hz full frame rate) and store images or an event for playback at a later date. Rather than a handheld thermal imaging camera, the Micro-Epsilon PI is fixed in position to monitor the temperature profile of target materials or objects.

Also on show for the first time at MAINTEC will be the thermoMETER CSm hs, a new infrared temperature sensor that Micro-Epsilon claims breaks new ground in terms of extreme high resolution and low ambient drift.

This device is suitable for measuring very small temperature differences down to 0.025degC. Alternative sensors currently on the market measure temperature differences down to 0.1degC at best, according to Micro-Epsilon. The extreme sensitivity of the device was achieved by utilising a new type of infrared detector material, developed by Micro-Epsilon. This thermal and electronic design - which has no moving parts such as chopper wheels - ensures a very low ambient drift and results in a sensor that has a noise level claimed to be five to seven times less than alternative thermometers.

Visitors can also see a demonstration of Micro-Epsilon's new thermoMETER CT laser 3M. This infrared temperature sensor measures at a short wavelength of 2.3um for all temperature measurements between 50degC and 600degC. However, probably the most significant breakthrough with this product is that it is claimed to have the lowest unit price of any 2-3um wavelength sensor in the marketplace - typically 50 per cent of the cost of other sensors currently available.

With a start temperature of 50degC, the sensor fulfils the demands being made by many end users needing to measure the temperature of metals or composites while processing at room temperature. The short wavelength also enables measurements to be taken through glass or transparent plastic windows.

Precision double laser sighting, coupled with the sensor's excellent optical resolution (100:1), minimum spot size of 0.7mm, and favourable price/performance ratio, mean the device is suitable for measuring in the metal processing and metal components industry at temperatures up to 600degC.

The double laser sighting system has two laser beams, which precisely follow the infrared optical path, marking at any distance the real spot size. Most pyrometers use a central laser beam, through-lens sighting system or video sighting, which simply mark the centre and estimate the spot size.

For more information on Micro-Epsilon's thermoMETER range of non-contact temperature measurement products, or for a demonstration, go to stand 58 at MAINTEC 2009, call the sales department on +44 (0)151 260 9800 or email [email protected]. Follow the link for more information about Micro-Epsilon's non-contact temperature sensors.