IR InformIR

Measuring Thin Film Plastics

2012-01-30T10:41:00.000-05:00

A common application that is well suited to IR filters is that of measuring thin film plastics. Since the process of making thin plastic film itself is highly temperature critical, it is imperative to evaluate both the temperature and the uniformity of the plastic as it exits the extruder or web process. The product is typically moving at high speeds which precludes the use of contact temperature

Black Ice Thermal Images

2012-01-19T12:47:00.001-05:00

Please see thermal images and associated visual images of black ice below:

Infrared Wildlife and Black Ice Detector - Looking for Feedback

2012-01-16T16:03:00.001-05:00

by Rosaele Tremblay Hello, I am a high school student writing a paper for my science project and I would like any feedback from the InfraMation readers (scientists or thermographers to see if I am on track with this idea or if anyone has suggestions as to how we can make this work. Thank you for any input. You can provide comments and suggestions for Rosaele by leaving a comment on this

Analyzing Building Images Acquired at Different Times

2012-01-04T13:00:00.001-05:00

A camera user writes: "I find that images taken of the same structure, not much separated in time, sometimes look very different. This poses a problem for me as I’m trying to compare the heat images of different houses (to detect homes that need weatherization). Presently I’m not confident that images of two homes reflect actual differences in the structures, or are caused by minor

Industry Outlook: Re-Envisioning The MRO Model

2011-12-12T09:04:00.001-05:00

Written by Andy Teich, President, Commercial Systems Division, FLIR Despite high unemployment numbers, our industrial base is dealing with a substantial shortage of skilled technicians. In particular, the skills gap has made it difficult to fill an increasing number of MRO roles, including non-destructive testing. Many factors are at play, not the least of which is a rolling exodus of

Stainless steel reflecting sky temp

2011-12-09T12:12:00.001-05:00

This is extracted from a recent message board post: "I'm curious as to how to adjust for stainless steel reflecting sky temp. The apparent reflected temp of the ground and surroundings is approx 50F. The bottom half of the drum is reflecting this (SP4). The top half is reflecting the sky (SP5). In my software, if I set the emissivity to 1, the sky temp in the picture shows -34F.

FLIR Authorized Camera Technician Certificate

2011-11-07T19:34:00.001-05:00

Know how to use your IR camera? Want everyone to know it? Take a FLIR Authorized Camera Technician test and earn an official FACT Certificate to verify your expertise no matter what type of IR imager you own. FACT exams are currently offered at all of our Level I class locations as well as at our annual InfraMation Conference. Best of all, they’re free! Frequently-asked questions about FACT

Using Cavities to Solve Emissivity Problems, Here's the Drill

2011-11-07T15:03:00.001-05:00

by Bernie Lyon Here are two illustrations that I have created to demonstrate how the cavity effect works. Referring to Figure 1, the “ideal” block has an emissivity of 0.2 and a reflectivity of 0.8 We are assuming that these values are constant and do not change with angle. This is not the case. If thermal radiation strikes a single surface, 20% of the radiation is absorbed and 80% is

Call for Papers - 7th International Infrared Conference InfraR&D

2011-10-07T10:52:00.001-04:00

Thermography in R&D, Industry and Automation April 25th and 26th, 2012, at the Hannover Fair. After the great success of the Infrared Conference InfraR&D the last few years, ITC is pleased to announce its popular international event for thermographers working in Research & Development, Industry and Automation in April 2012. With presenters from six countries, the recent 2011

Free Online Thermography Training Courses

2011-06-21T12:22:00.001-04:00

ITC has made the following courses available at no charge to IR camera users. WEB-TH10 Thermography Basics This course is a primer or first course in thermography and serves as an excellent, and recommended, addition to the infrared camera basics operation courses. Thermography involves more than just learning how to use an infrared camera. IR science, heat transfer, thermal tuning, and

Lens Choice for Looking Through IR Windows

2011-06-03T18:39:00.001-04:00

by Gary Orlove More and more organizations are installing IR windows or sight glasses in their electrical equipment so inspections can be made with an infrared camera. The advantages are obvious: worker safety is improved as thermographers and electricians don't have to open live electrical cabinets, and inspection times can be reduced. However, what lens choice is the best to use with your

Outstanding STS-134 Ascent Imagery Highlights video link

2011-06-03T15:51:00.001-04:00

This video makes me proud I was able to contribute to the shuttle thermal imaging program; and makes me sad that it is ending. It has an outstanding collection of visible and infrared imagery; superbly edited with a great score - just about the best combination of the Science of Imagery Analysis and the Art of “Film” Editing.

WEB-IR40 E Series Basics Course

2011-05-25T16:29:00.003-04:00

Description This course covers basic operation for all new (2011) FLIR E Series cameras. This includes the E30, E40, E50, E60, and E30 bx, E40 bx, E50 bx, and E60 bx models. There is NO CHARGE for this FREE course. We will discuss the controls of the camera as well as the user interface, and show you how to operate your camera. Who should take this course: This course is intended for users of

It is Not Always about Loose Contacts

2011-04-04T14:35:00.004-04:00

by Ahmed Osman Mohamed Hamoudy Electrical PM & PdM Engineer Cemex, Egypt In modern industries, there are many predictive maintenance techniques that can be utilized to avoid an unexpected failure. At CEMEX, we count on those techniques and deploy them in such a way as to get the most use from it, and avoid any undesirable consequences. IR thermography's use has become widespread in cement plants

FLIR i3/i5/i7 Thermal Tuning

2011-02-09T15:33:00.006-05:00

By Bernie Lyon Some infrared cameras do not have the ability to manually adjust the Level and Span, which is the equivalent of brightness and contrast. This can often be accomplished with image processing software after the image has been captured and saved. However, anomalies can go undetected in the field if the level and span are not adjusted well. If no problem is detected in the field, the

New book on IR imaging: the ultimate resource for all users

2011-02-02T18:43:00.001-05:00

The new up to date book “Infrared thermal imaging – fundamentals, research and applications” by Michael Vollmer and Klaus-Peter Möllmann from the University of Applied Sciences in Brandenburg / Germany gives a straightforward introduction to thermography. The hard cover book is in full color with about 600 pages and more than 600 images. It may either serve as textbook for beginners or as

Windshield Glass Reflections - How to Remove Them

2011-01-26T13:46:00.002-05:00

by Bernie Lyon, Gary Orlove, and Jason Gagnon "I do a lot of windshield defrost testing at different temps. And I wonder is there any way that can keep from having the camera and myself reflected back into the images." Glass is about 15% reflective in the 8-12 micrometer waveband. If you are directly facing the windshield, you will inevitably get a reflection of yourself and the camera. I'm sure

Cost Avoidance/Energy Savings for IR Thermography

2011-01-21T15:03:00.001-05:00

"Has anyone documented Cost Avoidance Or Potential energy savings using Thermography. Ex. Downtime, Labor, Materials. I would be interested in understanding how you determined final cost or energy savings." This is the $64,000 question, how to justify the cost and benefits of an IR program. The methods used vary depending on your situation, what downtime costs in your facility, overtime and

InfraMation 2010: A Stand-Out Success Story!

2010-12-03T11:08:00.001-05:00

What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, right? Wrong! InfraMation 2010 may have ended a few weeks ago, but people are still talking about it. From tweets to message boards, (http://www.infraredtraining.com/community/boards/thread/9924/), the feedback is clear: InfraMation 2010 broke all the records in its 11-year history! View Full Album “The numbers speak for themselves …” states David

6th International Infrared Conference InfraR&D

2010-12-02T10:13:00.004-05:00

Thermography in R&D, Industry and Automation April 6th and 7th, 2011, on the Hannover Fair. After the great success of the Infrared Conference InfraR&D in the last years, ITC is pleased to announce the corresponding event for 2011. Today's infrared cameras are opening up a new world of opportunities, providing infrared camera users and thermographers with innovative ways to solve technical

Furnace and Heater Tube Inspections

2010-09-17T16:18:00.002-04:00

by Ron Lucier, ASNT NDT Level III One of the more challenging applications of infrared thermography is in the measurement of process heater and furnace tubes. In fact we get dozens of inquiries each year from our clients on this very subject. Since this is a very complex subject it is probably appropriate to start from the beginning. Process Heaters There are as many uses for process heaters as

Blower Door Inspection for Air Infiltration in a Remodeled Cottage

2010-09-10T13:19:00.004-04:00

By Tom Coffey, Infrared Training Center A small cottage (700 sq. ft) outside of Knoxville, TN was completely remodeled from January to March 2010. It was an existing cinder block structure with no insulation except ½ inch of airspace between the nailers and the block wall as well as the empty block core. The R value of existing building walls was approximately 2.97. After the remodel an R-value

New Online Course - Introduction to IR Camera Operation

2010-08-30T13:29:00.007-04:00

This course will introduce you to the operation of a generic infrared camera. At the conclusion of this course, you will be able to successfully operate your infrared camera to capture and save meaningful images. This course is a self paced on-demand web course, you can start as soon as you enroll and you can stop and continue where you left off at any time. We will discuss the controls of an IR

Getting Started with R&D Thermography Online Course

2010-08-24T13:07:00.001-04:00

This course includes video tutorials of how to connect R&D Cameras to ExaminIR and ExaminiR software operating basics. Includes information on: Getting started with the FLIR A300 series cameras (A320) Getting started with the FLIR SC645 camera Getting started with the FLIR SC6000, SC6700 Getting started with the FLIR SC7000 Getting started with ExaminIR software

Where can I find the Regulations for Airline Transport of IR imagers/equipment?

2010-08-04T16:46:00.001-04:00

If you are traveling with your IR camera or other battery-operated equipment to, from or within the USA - and perhaps elsewhere around the world - the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) recent pronouncements about the rules governing the transport of batteries containing Lithium* means you may have to plan a bit more carefully how many rechargeable battery packs you carry with you, and how

IR finds Yellow Jackets Nest in House

2010-08-04T15:53:00.001-04:00

by Sanin Mulic, Barber Foods After attending my level one instruction during the week, and ITC wetting my appetite for thermal imaging, I returned home with my company's P-65 camera. I decided to scan my own house to practice what I was taught all week. All looked good until I went upstairs and noticed a bright spot on the inside wall. I took several images of the spot and come Monday, I

Why does my Infrared Camera read higher than my Infrared Temperature Gun?

2010-07-20T14:09:00.004-04:00

The answer is, in a word, resolution. Take a look at the image below. The infrared camera is able to locate and measure much smaller objects than an IR temperature gun. Note the spot measurement on the infrared image; its reading is 250 F. Contrast that to the average area measurement typical of an infrared gun at a reading of 184 F. The gun is averaging all the hot areas along with the cold

Vented Soffits or Cover-up?

2010-06-02T15:33:00.003-04:00

By Kenneth Brown, MD A homeowner recently requested our services to help her understand why her attic temperatures could remain so high. For some reason she had placed an electronic thermometer in the attic. In late spring when the outside temperature was pleasant, i.e., in the 70's, in her home in Pennsylvania the attic air temperature, 24” below the ridge vent, were 40-50 degrees warmer. A

Can I Inspect Stud Walls when the Weather is Warm?

2010-05-26T12:10:00.003-04:00