Flir Systems Infrared Camera Sales

The Future of Infrared Cameras

2010-06-17T10:30:00.000-07:00

Lyon, France — Initially developed for the military market by US defense companies, use of uncooled infrared (IR) cameras in commercial applications has been growing over the last ten years. In the infrared spectrum, Long Wave Infrared (LWIR) is the most commonly used wavelength (8-12 microns). Thermography and a variety of vision enhancement applications are the main growth markets for uncooled IR cameras.

This camera cost reduction will continue through 2015 in the thermography business and will also be a strong factor in the vision market (also called night vision or vision enhancement) with the growth of the security/surveillance and automotive markets.

Driven by the continued cost reductions, the volumes of cameras sold will triple by 2015 from more than 200,000 cameras today to more than 700,000 units, meaning +23 % annual growth rate. The revenue growth will be about + 9% as market prices for the cameras decrease.
FLIR (US) has been, and remains, the pioneer of uncooled IR cameras with a vertically integrated business model (internal detector production) and a presence in all markets. This domination will be challenged at two levels in the future:

At the camera level: camera manufacturers specialized in each market have strong distribution networks and market presence. In the thermography business, Fluke will take market share from FLIR. In the security/surveillance market, visible camera leaders will enter the IR camera business (Axis, Bosch, Pelco).
At the detector level: new detector suppliers will arrive on the market from the MEMS and semiconductor industry with low cost/high volume product capabilities (Sensonor, Bosch, Faun Infrared…).
One of the major cost components for uncooled IR cameras is the IR detector. Hence, detector cost reduction is one of the major keys to further widespread use of IR cameras.

Microbolometers are the dominant uncooled IR detector technology with more than 95 % of the market in 2010.

Microbolometer manufacturers were few up to now, often owned by camera manufacturers, which limited the cost competition at the detector level. More than 75 % of the production is based in USA, due the original development of the technology by US Defense Department.

This landscape will change in the next five years: many new players (Sensonor, Faun Infrared, Bosch…), focusing only on selling detectors, often in Europe, will enter on the market place with aggressive price strategies.

Vanadium Oxide (VO x), the current dominant microbolometer material, will be challenged by a-Si material and new silicon based materials introduced by new market entrants, thanks to their cost structure, and easier to manufacture.

Detector/Microbolometer product lines are mainly segmented by format from small format (typically 160 x 120) to large format (640 x 480). Price reduction will be huge with –58 % expected between 2010 and 2015 for small format. Larger format will be under less price pressure.

The following technical trends make detector cost reduction possible:

At the packaging level: Wafer Level Packaging and even Pixel Level Packaging will play a huge part in reducing cost, -20 % at least.
At the pixel level: smaller pixel size (17 microns is becoming a standard) will allow smaller detectors.
At the integration level: 3D integration, wafer bonding techniques will allow the production of microbolometers in standard MEMS or CMOS foundries.

COMPANIES MENTIONED IN THE REPORT:

Axis Communications, Acreo, Aerius, Agiltron, Argus, e2v, Audi, Autoliv, BAE systems, BMW, Bosch, Automotive, Bosch Security Systems, Bullard, Dali, Chauvin Arnoux, Current Corporation, Dalsa, DAS Photonics, Draeger, DRS technologies, Electro Optic Sensors, EO C, ETH , Extech, GE Security, FocalPlane Santa Barbara, Fraunhofer IMS, Faun Infrared, FLIR, Fluke, GM, Goodrich, Guide Infrared, Honda, Honeywell, Infrared Solutions, INO , Ipht Jena, Invisage, Irisys, ISG , Jenoptik, KTH , L3Com, Leti, MetuMET , Mikrosistemler, Mitsubishi Electric, MSA , Murata, NE C Avio, NTT , Noble Peak Vision, OKS I, Omnivision, Panasonic, Pelco, QinetiQ, Raytheon, Redshift, Sarnoff, Satir, Samsung, Scott, SCD Semiconductors, SensArray Infrared, Sensonor, Silex, Sirica, Sony, Sumitomo Electric, Testo, Thermoteknix Systems, Toshiba, Tyco, Tyndall, Umicore, Ulis, Vigo, Xenics, Ziptronix.

FLIR Still Going Strong Despite Depressing Economy

2010-06-14T11:04:00.001-07:00

JIM BATES / THE SEATTLE TIMES

Recession? What recession? You wouldn't know it from last year's results at Flir, where sales grew 6.5 percent over 2008 and profit was up a healthy 14.6 percent.

Then again, if anyone can ferret out hidden profit opportunities it's probably Flir. The company, which topped last year's ranking, relies on infrared technology. (Infrared, as you recall from high-school physics, is a part of the electromagnetic spectrum beyond visible light.)

Infrared cameras and other imaging systems detect minute temperature differences and can turn them into pictures without relying on external light; that makes them useful for everything from catching drug smugglers to driving in the fog.

Flir's strategy has been to pioneer new applications for infrared, often for the military (government sales account for well over half the company's sales), then pushing unit costs down to broaden the potential market.

Flir also has extended its technology toolbox and product offerings through acquisitions, 11 of them since 2003 and three last year alone. Just last month , Flir spent $180 million to buy Raymarine, a British maker of marine GPS systems — mainly to gain access to more than 1,000 retail outlets for its new hand-held night-vision cameras.

Last year, sales in Flir's government-systems segment were up 15.2 percent, mainly due to higher sales of its very stable platforms for airborne payloads. Commercial vision systems, the division that includes night-vision devices, was up 14.2 percent on broad sales increases across most product lines; but sales in the thermography segment, whose products tend to be costlier, fell 12.8 percent.

Water Ingress - The Complete Picture with Infrared

2010-06-08T09:42:00.000-07:00

Business for The Revival Company is the recovery of domestic property and equipment following fire and flood, particularly in the high net worth segment. Its sister company in the Revival Group, Arepa, is focussed on the recovery of technical equipment following a disaster. Scientific, AV and IT equipment as well as manufacturing plant are typical examples. And both companies are now benefiting from the addition of thermography to its range of detection techniques.

The Group bought a FLIR B200 infrared camera eighteen months ago and has since supplemented this initial investment with FLIR BCAM models from the company’s compact range. Thermography is used to complement traditional methods of moisture detection. It allows the quick identification of the point of ingress without intrusion and the target areas requiring particular attention to be highlighted.

“In particular it improves the level of certainty when identifying points and levels of ingress and saves us time and money in the process,” explained Group Technical Manager, Simon Walker.

The company recently investigated a case of water ingress to a substantial holiday villa in Spain that was believed to be the result of a roof leak. Severe damage had resulted throughout the property. Initial reports from the building contractor recommended either repair or replacement of the roof and guttering system.

The Revival Company conducted a thermal imaging survey of all areas using its B200 camera and discovered an unexpected cause. By tracing the passage of water through the fabric of the property, it was able to confirm that the source of ingress was not at high level as originally expected. It identified a moisture bridge from the roof level sun deck beneath the patio doors that allowed water to enter the property during heavy rainfall.

The recommendations made as result of this inspection included the standard drying techniques employed following an event of this nature. Remedial work to the sun deck/property junction was also identified and also the reconfiguration of the drainage system serving this area.

As a result of the FLIR thermal inspection the cost of this work was fractional by comparison with the large scale roof repairs originally envisaged. Furthermore the work could be undertaken with minimal disruption to the owners.

Establishing efficient drying systems after flood is another important application for FLIR infrared at the Revival Group. This includes identifying building defects which would either hamper the drying process or indicate a pre-existing problem. It enables the optimum drying system to be put into effect and for the drying process itself to be tracked and documented visually.

The first step in planning a drying system is to establish the extent of the moisture ingress to the property and the migration of this through various materials. Whilst standard moisture measurement and detection techniques are also used for this purpose, FLIR thermal imaging employed by The Revival Company provides its experienced technicians with a thorough understanding of the extent of the problem, without them having to resort to intrusive testing as a first resort.

Additionally the images provide The Revival Company with a visual representation of the moisture within the property allowing more detailed communication with all parties.

During the drying process, moisture monitoring is carried out using both thermography and standard techniques. The use of thermography provides an immediate indication of the progress of the drying process in various materials. This enables the operator to establish accurate timescale estimates and, if needs be, to reconfigure the drying system to maintain the optimum performance.

Simon Walker concludes, “Thermography is an extremely useful addition to the drying technician’s arsenal of monitoring and measuring equipment. However the correct interpretation of the results by a trained technician is the key to its success.”

Greater sensitivity and image analysis is the strength of the FLIR B200. It has a 2x digital zoom, 9Hz frame refresh and Picture-in-Picture function. This allows the overlay, pan and scale of an infrared image on a visual one and full analysis of the combined image from retained data. This is a particular useful customer service feature for The Revival Group. It makes the task of explaining the water damage problem to a customer so much easier.

Equally valuable for The Revival Group are the humidity and insulation alarms provided by the FLIR B200. These features are ideal for identifying the extent of moisture ingress to premises and can reduce the need to use other time-consuming and more intrusive methods of detection.

Contractors Tout FLIR Camera As Great Tool - Thermal Imaging Getting More Use In Homes

2010-06-02T14:10:00.000-07:00

(Re-published from KETV Channel 7 of Omaha, Nebraska)

Law enforcement and the military have been using thermal imaging technology and night vision gear for decades. But now more homeowners are using it to determine the energy efficiency of their home.

A forward-looking infrared radiometer, also known as a FLIR camera, can pinpoint more than just cold and warm air moving through a home. “You can look for termites in the walls. See where they’re colonizing in the walls. You can see HVAC problems, cracked heat exchangers, condenser coils outside where they are clogged,” said David Doerhoff with the FLIR Corporation.

Extremely sensitive cameras pick up just a 10th of a degree in thermal differences. Doerhoff placed his hand on the wall and the device could see the body heat left behind.

More and more contractors are finding the technology to be useful. “We’re able to walk around with the homeowner and show exactly what it looks like within their walls,” said Todd Trevaille with USA Insulation. Trevaille said he’s used the camera on 80 different homes in the metro. He said it allows him to see the problem without doing anything destructive to the home. The Omaha Public Power District also used the cameras to evaluate substations and lines. But, the cameras aren’t cheap. The starting price for a FLIR camera is $3,000.

The FLIR T300 Infrared Camera

2010-05-25T14:44:00.000-07:00

The FLIR T300 infrared camera takes high resolution IR images at 76,800 pixels (320 x 240) infrared resolution. The FLIR T300 is also a visible light digital camera with 3.1 MP resolution and a flash, providing sharp images regardless of the lighting conditions.

An added feature of the FLIR T300 is its being equipped with METERLiNK™, an exclusive wireless technology that records essential meter readings at a job site directly onto your infrared images. METERLiNK™ connects your FLIR camera with select Extech meters via Bluetooth, transmitting readings that add value and insight to your infrared inspections and reports, benefiting your business.

The FLIR T300 has a Fusion Picture in Picture (PIP) feature which displays the thermal image super-imposed over a digital image. The video lamp allows the visual camera and fusion to be used in poorly lit environments. The thumbnail image gallery allows for quick search of stored images on the 3.5" touch-screen display. Other features of the FLIR T300 infrared camera include a laser LocatIR ™ Pointer which pinpoints the hot spot on the IR image with the real physical target voice comment recording and SD card storage.

The FLIR T300 has a temperature range measuring from -4 to 1202°F (-20 to 650°C) and a ±2% accuracy. The convenient rotating lens rotates up to 120° providing an easy viewing angle. The FLIR T300 camera also offers interchangeable optics. Optional 6°, 15°, 45°, 90°, Close up: 100, 50, 25µm lenses easily attach to the camera body for greater versatility.

Energy Star Fraud - Beware, Applicable to Homes Too

2010-05-04T09:26:00.000-07:00

A new report from the auditing arm of Congress shows that the federal Energy Star program has a sloppy certification process that can be easily abused.

The 18-year-old program, which is administered jointly by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy, offers consumers rebates and tax credits on appliances that meet certain standards for energy efficiency. American consumers, businesses, and federal agencies rely on the Energy Star program to identify products that decrease greenhouse emissions and lower energy costs. Companies use Energy Star certification to market their products to consumers in the hopes they will buy products based on government certification of their energy consumption and costs.

Given the millions of dollars allocated to encourage use of Energy Star products and concerns that the Energy Star program is vulnerable to fraud and abuse, GAO was asked to conduct proactive testing to (1) obtain Energy Star partnership status for bogus companies and (2) submit fictitious products for Energy Star certification. To perform this investigation, GAO used four bogus manufacturing firms and fictitious individuals to apply for Energy Star partnership and submitted 20 fictitious products with fake energy-savings claims for Energy Star certification. GAO also reviewed program documents and interviewed agency officials and officials from agency Inspector General (IG) offices.

But in a report issued today, the Government Accountability Office says its auditors obtained Energy Star certifications for 15 of 20 products it submitted using fictitious companies and individuals. Those certifications led to requests from real companies to buy some products because they had received Energy Star endorsements.

The phony products included a gasoline-powered alarm clock, which was approved by Energy Star without a review of the company web site or questions about the efficiency claimed for it. Auditors also submitted a geothermal heat pump, which they claimed to be more efficient than any product listed as certified on the Energy Star Web site. The product was certified and its efficiency data was not questioned. Two bogus products were rejected by the program and 3 did not receive a response. One of the products that an outside company wanted to buy was a computer monitor that had been approved by Energy Star within 30 minutes of submission.

This clearly shows how heavily American consumers rely on the Energy Star brand.

At briefings on GAO's investigation, DOE and EPA officials agreed that the program is currently based on self-certifications by manufacturers. However, officials stated there are after-market tests and self-policing that ensure standards are maintained. GAO did not test or evaluate controls related to products that were already certified and available to the public. In addition, prior DOE IG, EPA IG, and GAO reports have found that current Energy Star controls do not ensure products meet efficiency guidelines.

In 2008 Energy Star reported saving consumers $19 billion dollars on utility costs. Energy Star is slated to receive about $300 million in federal stimulus money to be used for state rebate programs on energy-efficient products.

Energy Star fraud not only affects products, but your house. Many homes are Energy Star “approved”, while a quick thermal scan can determine whether the house is, in fact, energy efficient. As a licensed home inspector, I have come across many homes that were “Energy Star compliant” but consistently had gaps of missing insulation. Beware of an Energy Star rated home, get an infrared energy audit before investing in a property.

Below are some sample pictures of mine from home inspections of Energy Star approved houses:

President Issues Statement in Press Release on Home Star Program

2010-04-19T14:57:00.000-07:00

President Issues Statement on HOME STAR Program

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary

April 15, 2010
STATEMENT FROM THE PRESIDENT ON HOUSE ENERGY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE PASSAGE OF “HOMESTAR” LEGISLATION

“Today’s bipartisan Committee vote is an important step forward in our effort to create jobs, save consumers money, and increase energy efficiency. In my State of the Union Address and in the months since, I have called on Congress to pass a program of incentives to homeowners who make their homes more energy efficient. The Home Star legislation approved today would do just that – providing consumers with up-front rebates on investments in things like insulation, heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems and windows that have been proven to save energy. This proposal is not a Democratic or Republican idea: it’s a common sense strategy to help put Americans back to work while giving American consumers a break. I want to thank the members of Congress from both parties that have worked to support this legislation, as well as their colleagues in the Senate who are working to promote Home Star legislation. I look forward to working with Congress to get this bill to my desk without delay.”

"Home Star" Program to Plug Home Energy Retrofits

2010-03-29T16:04:00.000-07:00

(re-published from CNET news, Isaac Savage)

You heard of Cash for Clunkers, get ready for Cash for Caulkers, a proposed multibillion program designed to create jobs and give homeowners lower energy bills.

Representatives from building efficiency advocacy groups on Friday held a “Webinar” to outline the Home Star program–nicknamed Cash for Caulkers–and said that its prospects for becoming a law should be known within several weeks. A Home Star Coalition has been formed, which includes large retailers Home Depot and Lowes, equipment suppliers such as Dow and GE appliances, along with energy-efficiency contractors, labor groups, and environmental advocacy groups.

For homeowners, the proposed legislation provides incentives to weatherize homes, through the the inspection of an energy audit, and upgrade to more efficient lighting or heating and cooling systems. Another part of a comprehensive energy audit is a blower door test, which measures how air tight a home is by measuring air flow at a given air pressure.

It will be structured on two levels; silver and gold – depending on the level of investment made, said Matt Golden, the chair of the EfficiencyFirst advocacy group.

To get up to $2,000 in tax credits for an energy efficiency retrofit, a homeowner needs to do at least two approved improvements and work with contractors that meet certain “basic standards,” said Golden, adding that Home Star is designed to fit with the EPA’s Home Performance EnergyStar standards and state programs.

The gold level involves having a building’s energy “performance” rated by contractors accredited by the Building Performance Institute. The more stringent performance goals, which could reduce a building’s energy consumption of 20 percent, would be eligible for up to $4,000 of tax credits, according to the description on the EfficiencyFirst Web site.

The intent of Home Star is to create jobs in the short term, either through training or creating demand for home efficiency products and services. But given the amount of money being discussed and its standards-based approach, Home Star has the potential to be “transformative” in the building efficiency industry, Golden said. “This is a moment in time where we are going to have a foundation to drive a strong industry,” he said.

President Obama’s Economic Recovery Advisory Board, which includes venture capitalist and green-tech investor John Doerr, has endorsed the plan as it meets economic and environmental goals, Golden noted. There’s also the potential to create demand for green building products. Among some of Home Star Coalition members is Serious Materials, a Silicon Valley company that makes energy-efficiency building products including windows and sheet rock that’s manufactured in a relatively low-polluting way.

Golden cautioned that Home Star is not yet law. But it does have clear support from President Obama, who has touted the benefits of home weatherization many times and called insulation “sexy” during a Home Depot visit last month.

ROI With Infrared

2010-03-15T06:54:00.000-07:00

Seeing ROI With Infrared, Even In A Down Economy

by David Doerhoff

The sluggish economy is taking its toll on many areas of industry. Manufacturers are looking for smart, cost-effective ways to help their facilities operate more efficiently and save money without sacrificing product quality and performance.

Infrared (IR) thermography has proven itself to be a valuable tool for predictive maintenance and process monitoring system applications for many industries – even in sub-par economic times.

Infrared thermography is the production of non-contact infrared or heat pictures from which temperature measurements can be made. By detecting anomalies often invisible to the naked eye, thermography allows corrective action to be taken before costly system failures occur. Portable infrared imaging systems scan equipment and structures, then instantly convert the thermal images to visible pictures for quantitative temperature analysis.

Infrared thermography is being used by manufacturers for the predictive maintenance of a wide range of applications, including mechanical systems, electrical systems, and building diagnostics – making it a smart investment for its versatility. Typical mechanical systems monitored in a predictive maintenance infrared program include bearings, motors, pumps, compressors and conveyor idlers. For electrical applications, infrared thermography can detect loose connections, corrosion, and load imbalances.

Manufacturers are seeing favorable ROI with infrared thermography programs as the technology enables them to take corrective action before problems occur – thereby saving money and other resources. Types of savings include: reduced PM inventory because problems are detected early, labor savings by taking immediate corrective action, energy savings – both from making sure that equipment is running optimally and sealing building leaks, decreased downtime, increased production, reduction in waste and scrap parts, quality assurance during the process via real-time process control, and much more. This article provides examples of how IR programs save money, and are justified by their ROI.

Infrared Inspection Economics

During an economic downturn, a knee-jerk reaction in many companies is to cut expenses across the board. When it comes to predictive/preventative maintenance (PPM) activities, the philosophy may be: “We’ve cut production, so the equipment is being used less and we can cut back on PPM.” That’s questionable logic in general, but especially in the case of infrared (IR) inspections, where an immediate payback is possible from increased use of the technology. Even if IR inspections haven’t been part of a PPM program, investing in an IR camera can provide an almost instantaneous ROI.

PPM is like an insurance policy, and insurance companies aren’t known for laying out money needlessly. One of them, CNA Insurance, has made it their business to save their clients (and themselves) a lot of money by making IR inspections an integral part of their services1. CNA performs extensive economic analyses of the savings that can be gained from this activity. A few of its 2008 loss/cost savings estimates appear in Table 1.

InfraredTable

Taking corrective action before outright failures occur saves money in many other ways. These include:

• Reduced inventory of maintenance parts
• Labor cost savings by avoiding serious equipment failures
• Energy savings by optimizing equipment operation, and
sealing building leaks
• Savings from decreased downtime (i.e., increased output)
• Reduced waste and scrap parts by improving
equipment operation
• Increased quality and/or production through
real-time process control
• Safer working conditions (i.e., reduced injuries to
maintenance and operating personnel)

Chemical Manufacturing Switch Gear Example

An IR scan of switchgear in a chemical plant spotted a high temperature on the surface of the connection at the A-phase lead of an air compressor circuit (Figure 1, left view,). This temperature was 420.7°F hotter than the maximum temperature of the surrounding area. Using CNA’s criteria, the thermographer identified this as a Critical fault. If that fault had resulted in an arc flash event, or even ‘just’ started a fire that destroyed the switchgear, the facility could have lost 100% of its operations for a week. That was estimated to be worth about $1million, plus tens of thousands of dollars in direct repair costs. Even without such a catastrophic event, the bad connection was costing the company money in excessive energy consumption for every minute of operation.

Infrared1

While on the subject of arc flash, it should be noted that these events quite frequently have catastrophic results. Each year, arc-flash events in the U.S. cause millions of dollars in equipment damage, ghastly injuries, and deaths. When electrical circuits open due to overheating, the fault current that flows across the resulting air gap forms an electric arc plasma (highly ionized gas). This can result in a bright flash, tremendous heat, a high-pressure blast, vaporized metal, and shrapnel traveling at over 700 miles per hour. The strength of the arc depends on the amount of electrical energy available in the circuit that feeds it. It is not uncommon for arc temperature to exceed 35,000°F, and blast pressure to exceed 3000psi.

Low Cost Hydraulic System Fix

Hydraulic systems are another example of equipment that typically heats up to excessive temperatures before failure. This was the case on a transfer line at a diesel engine manufacturer (Figure 2).

Infrared2

Electricians for the cylinder block line were being called repeatedly to this operation to reset high temperature faults on the hydraulic system. All pressures and flows were found to be within specifications. A predictive maintenance team checked the temperature using an IR camera and found that the power unit was operating near its 117°F fault setting, as shown in Figure 2 (top view). Further analysis revealed that the hydraulic system was slightly undersized for this particular application. Subsequently, another gage station had been added to the machine, which increased the system load. Whenever the ambient temperature went high enough during the summer, the high temperature faults would occur.

While this is a rather simple situation, the costs of solving the problem can range from cheap to expensive, depending on circumstances. Upsizing a hydraulic system that works fine 10 months of the year is expensive. So is the purchase of a new chiller unit for the existing system. A trained thermographer on the maintenance team came up with a simple, ingenious, and low cost solution. The thermographer recalled one of the laws of thermodynamics taught in Level I thermography, that is:

InfraredEQ
The problem was that more energy was stored in the system, indicated by a higher temperature than was desired. So if the energy output rate of the system could be improved, then the temperature would go down. This basically amounted to increasing the heat transfer from the object. One of the easiest and most cost effective ways to do this is by increasing the emissivity of the surface of an object. By simply painting the hydraulic power unit and all its piping flat white, the paint increased emissivity, allowing heat to dissipate better, instead of being trapped inside. For the cost of a few cans of spray paint, the temperature of the system was reduced by about 10°F. This was enough to avoid the expensive alternatives, and provided a nice ROI for their IR camera.

Steam and Condensate Line Troubleshooting

Besides the obvious electrical components, power generation stations have a lot of equipment to worry about. One of these stations in the southwest U.S. started noticing worri-some symptoms on one of its steam turbine generators. The first indication was a decrease in electrical load. The control valves were open more than normal, and there was an increase in steam flow to generate the same load as before the problem was noted. Along with these problems, it became apparent that with the increased flow, all of the turbine pressures had also increased, including the condenser backpressure.

As a first step in troubleshooting the problem, infrared thermography of the crossover piping and two sides of the condenser was taken and analyzed. Figure 3 contains three thermograms showing abnormal heat patterns on parts of the turbine condenser. All indications, measurements, and IR imagery pointed to a steam breach in the lower region of the low-pressure (LP) turbine. Because this problem could lead to serious damage, the unit was taken out of service for further inspection and repairs.

Infrared3

The problem identified was that an expansion joint from the #3 extraction to a feed water heater had failed in the LP turbine, causing steam to impinge on the condenser walls, neck and adjacent piping. The failed expansion joint threw shrapnel throughout the condenser neck which pockmarked several other pipes and components. The loose pieces of metal and large volume of steam at 500°F, in a vessel that normally operates at 110°F, could have caused a serious event to occur. Shrapnel from the expansion joint could have also lodged in the condenser tube bundle and caused tube failures immediately, or in the future, due to the vibration and constant abrasion of the pieces of metal against the tubes.

Subsequently, all the expansion joints affected by the failure of the #3 extraction joint were replaced in an effort to avert any other failures. Maintenance personnel observed that had infrared imagery been taken when the turbine was originally installed, this would have provided baseline data for subsequent IR scans. Baseline images allow for more expeditious troubleshooting, and helps spot problems before they become more severe.

Thus early intervention minimizes damage to equipment that can cost millions of dollars to replace or repair. An important lesson here is that baseline IR scans are a tremendous enhancement to IR camera ROI.

IR Thermography Complements Mechanical Diagnostics

Many companies just scan their electrical equipment with IR cameras because they have other technologies to test motors and other rotating machinery. However, using IR scans on mechanical components improves IR camera ROI by capitalizing on one of the strengths of thermography. It can quickly detect temperature differences on mechanical equipment via non-destructive, non-contact temperature measurements (Figure 4). Using handheld IR cameras, thermography is a very fast and efficient method to scan many pieces of equipment quickly, searching for thermal anomalies. With baseline scan records, trend analysis of motors and bearings provide early warning of impending problems.

Infrared4

While thermography may not always point to the root cause of a problem, it does let you know one exists. Thus, it complements ultrasound, vibration, and electrical circuit analysis tools. These are a potent arsenal in the hands of competent technicians. Intelligent use of these tools has a synergistic effect on the ROI on all of your PPM diagnostic equipment.

Justifying the Cost

If you are not already using IR thermography in your PPM operations, the hardest part about starting a program is justifying the cost of the camera, software and training to do the infrared inspections. Naturally, management wants some idea of the program’s ROI. Gathering the data to provide a reasonable estimate can be time consuming, but knowing where to look can help shorten the process. Start by using online searches to look at other companies’ business cases that will provide examples.

Internally, use your company’s computerized maintenance management system (CMMS), which tracks maintenance inventory, work orders, purchasing, etc. Look for details regarding equipment failures, root causes of the failures, and the cost of the completed repairs. If you’re lucky enough to have access to this information, sort all the equipment failures for one year into mechanical and electrical equipment. Just the data on electrical equipment alone can often cost justify a new infrared program.

For instance, total the cost of all the electrical equipment materials. Don’t include the labor cost for the repair, but just the equipment replacement cost. Use the lowest equipment replacement cost when there is a range of costs. Leave off the labor cost to replace the failed equipment since this will offset the labor cost to fix (for example, loose or improper electrical connections on the equipment before it fails). This repair-before-failure category generally involves “disassemble, clean, and retighten to manufacturers’ specifications”, which are relatively inexpensive activities. On average, about two-thirds of electrical equipment failures are due to loose or improper connections that are easily spotted with IR scans. So, multiply the total electrical equipment replacement costs by two-thirds, because you’re finding those bad connections before the components burn up. You may want to factor this down a little if you assume that some of those bad connections won’t be found.

Now ask the following questions: Is the total cost avoidance enough to justify starting an infrared program? Given this cost avoidance total, will an infrared program pay for itself in 6 months, 1 year, or 2 years? (The ROI question). This calculation is extremely conservative, and most importantly, can be verified by the company’s accountant. Remember, this is only a small part of the ROI picture. We have not even considered lost production, downtime, safety or mechanical equipment costs. Even though these other pieces of the ROI puzzle are usually much greater in numbers and totals, they are also less quantifiable, so they are a potential source of disagreement.

If your company does not track equipment failures and replacement costs, or you need additional cost avoidance numbers, look at what preventive maintenance routines your company currently implements. Two preventive maintenance procedures to look closely at are:

1. Tightening all electrical connections once a year (many electrical
connection problems are actually caused by this approach).

2. Periodically replacing equipment before it fails, even if it does
not have a problem (presumably to avoid unplanned outages).

An IR scan program can eliminate or reduce the cost of these pre-emptive PPM activities. Even if your company runs all equipment to failure, IR scans can provide a “heads up” warning on what equipment has a problem or is about to fail, enabling the company to inventory spare parts for when they’re needed.

For established IR programs, be sure to keep a record of cost avoidance and other cost benefits of the program. These should be reported to management at least yearly, preferably ahead of budgeting activities. The savings garnered through the program provide a running tally of its ROI. These numbers are important anytime, but especially so during a business downturn.

References

1. Gray, Thomas A., “CNA Saves its Clients More Than $80 Million
over 3 Years of IR Surveys from March 2005 through 2008”, in
InfraMation 2008 Proceedings, Volume 9 (ITC 126 A 2008-05-14);
conference of Nov. 3-7, 2008, Reno, NV, available at
http://www.flir.com/WorkArea/showcontent.aspx?id=23398.

2. Hays, Deborah, “In Manufacturing, Little Things Mean a Lot”,
in InfraMation 2008 Proceedings, Volume 9 (ITC 126 A 2008-05-
14); conference of Nov. 3-7, 2008, Reno, NV, available at
http://www.flir.com/WorkArea/show content.aspx?id=23400.

David Doerhoff is a district sales manager for FLIR Systems, the world leader in the design and manufacture of infrared cameras for a wide range of applications, including preventive maintenance, product research and development, process monitoring, building inspection, and more. Mr. Doerhoff, who has more than 19 years’ professional sales experience, is responsible for FLIR’s sales efforts in Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, and Iowa. Prior to joining FLIR three years ago, Mr. Doerhoff worked for Olympus, selling industrial endoscopes and cameras. Mr. Doerhoff obtained his Level l Infrared Thermography Certification from the Infrared Training Center and is a member of the American Society of Home Inspectors. He has presented on infrared camera technology and applications at numerous industry events throughout the United States, including SMRP, ASHI, NPI, and Gas Emissions. Mr. Doerhoff holds a Bachelors degree in Economics and Finance from the University of Missouri. Based out of Kansas City, MO, Mr. Doerhoff may be reached at david.doerhoff@flir.com or 816-884-3021.

Flir A-Series Infrared Cameras Screen for H1N1

2009-10-08T15:09:00.000-07:00

Airports To Screen Passengers For H1N1 Symptoms
New Guidelines Allow Airports To Take Temperatures, Quarantine Passengers Exhibiting Flu-Like Illness
People Traveling Internationally May Be Screened When Leaving, Entering U.S.

With the holiday season just a few weeks away, health officials fear the swine flu will pick up right along with air travel.

New government guidelines are on their way, designed to help keep passengers healthy.

This flu season, airport staff across the nation won't just be screening for security threats. They'll also be looking out for health threats – people who look like they may have the H1N1 virus.

The government says that people traveling internationally may be screened for the H1N1 virus as they leave or enter the U.S.

"It feels a little bit overboard," Stanford, Conn. resident Derek Ferguson said.

The government warns that some passengers may be asked to pass through a screening device, have their temperatures taken, answer questions about their health, and even be quarantined if someone on the flight shows symptoms of H1N1.

"I'm all for it, I really am," Mount Vernon resident Rosa Raspaldo said. "Because – guaranteed – if people are coughing on the plane, all of those germs will be spread around."

But the H1N1 virus isn't just a danger in the skies. Buses and trains can also be a breeding ground for germs. Millions of riders climb aboard every day, and that has many taking precautions.

"I keep antiseptic in my purse and I use it all the time," said New York City resident Rose Donato.

Donato is a daily commuter, and says she isn't relying on others to take responsibility for her health.

"We're in Grand Central – I'm sure there are people that are sick and are walking around, and are spraying their germs all over the place," Donato said.

New York, along with other transportation agencies around the country, is posting signs reminding customers to keep their sneezes and coughs to themselves. It's common sense advice that doctors echo.

"Get vaccinated, wash your hands frequently, and you've really done the most that almost anybody can do to protect against influenza," Dr. Michael Phillips, of New York University's Langone Medical Center, said.

The first doses of swine flu vaccine arrived earlier this week, but new polls show that many people don't plan to get it. Flu shot or not, experts say that healthy habits will help make sure that, when you travel, germs don't take the trip with you.

Energy Inspectors Find the Hot & Cold Spots

2008-12-09T12:37:00.000-08:00

The New I-Series Cameras from Flir

2008-12-09T12:15:00.000-08:00

Arc Flash on Electrical Switch Gear

2008-06-21T16:17:00.000-07:00

This is why the Long range P-640 & P-660 Infrared cameras from
Flir Systems are used extensively in Electrical Transmission inspections.
Distance is Safety when 500 Kv is in play!
Shocking!!

Flir Infrared Cameras for Building Applications

2008-06-20T09:16:00.001-07:00

2008-06-17T14:09:00.000-07:00

Flir GasFinder Detects "CO""!!

2008-06-17T13:31:00.001-07:00

FLIR Systems' New GasFindIR Detects Carbon Monoxide

Leak Detection of Carbon Monoxide is Critical for a Variety of Bulk Chemical Manufacturing Including High-grade Steelmaking

BOSTON, Massachusetts (June 17, 2008) – FLIR Systems, Inc., the global leader in infrared cameras, announced today the addition of the ThermaCAMÆ GasFindIR CO(TM) to its line of infrared cameras. The new GasFindIR detects carbon monoxide that is created during a variety of industrial processes. Carbon monoxide (chemical formula CO) is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas. It is a principle component of syngas that is often used for industrial power; it is used in industrial scale operations to purify Nickel and much more. Carbon Monoxide is emitted as part of the Basic Oxygen Furnace (BOF) process that is part of the high-grade steelmaking process.

"FLIR's GasFindIR camera is ready to address the issue of CO leak detection as it addressed leak detection for Volatile Organic Compounds for the petrochemical, oil and gas industries in terms of predictive maintenance, improving efficiencies and safety," said Paul Czerepuszko, Director, Business Development, FLIR Systems. "While other types of sensors can detect the presence of CO, only GasFindIR can scan wide areas from a distance to quickly identify the emission at its source allowing for improved worker safety and greater efficiencies."

The GasFindIR CO is optimized to work in an environment and climate scene in which gases are present. These three user-selectable integration modes, Normal Scene, Cold Scene, and Hot Scene can be selected at 60 Hz. GasFindIR CO has an advanced cooled InSb detector and optical systems that are tuned to very narrow spectral infrared images for detection of very small leaks that can easily go unidentified with other detection devices.

In support of a variety of maintenance procedures, GasFindIR CO can be operated by battery lasting for 8-hours of continuous use, can be connected to AC power for round-the-clock use and be connected to 12-volt power for vehicle-based inspections. Images from the camera are recordable to any off-the-shelf video recorder for easy archiving, documenting and emailing. A variety of lenses are available for wide-angle scanning of piping systems and views of pipelines from moving vehicles.

Contact - American Infrared Consultants for more information.

520-325-3777

Gas Finder Camera in Action

2008-06-12T10:11:00.000-07:00

Gas Finder LW Wins Award

2008-06-12T10:05:00.000-07:00

FLIR has won the Gold Award in the 2008 Golden Gas Awards Competition in the category Gas Monitoring & Detection for its product GasFindIR-LW.

FLIR's GasfindIR-LW Infrared Camera Can Sense Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6), the “Greenhouse Gas” with an Estimated Atmospheric Lifetime of 3,200 Years.

Based on a unique, patent-pending technology, FLIR’s GasFindIR-LW is a one-of-a-kind infrared camera designed to help the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and utility companies to better control Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6) emissions. In addition to the “greenhouse gas” SF6, the versatile GasFindIR-LW can also detect more than 20 other fugitive gases. Preserve the environment now and for future generations!

What do all FLIR Infrared Cameras have in common?

The GasFindIR-LW comes with the FLIR name behind it. That means it incorporates FLIR’s 30+ years of experience in thermal imaging. You get superior ergonomics, advanced signal processing, ambient temperature control and a host of other infrared camera and thermal imaging exclusives. FLIR offers the widest selection of IR cameras and thermal imagers, the best post-sale technical support, the world’s largest and most experience thermal imaging training organization – the Infrared Training Center – and award-winning customer service. Our core business is infrared thermal imaging. We invite you to call and speak with your Airzona & New Mexico infrared camera and thermal imaging expert at 1-520-325-3777.

FLIR Infrared Thermal Imaging used in utility industry

2008-06-03T07:45:00.001-07:00

Flir Cameras save money and protect property.

9000 Servers are Lost Due to Electrical Fire

2008-06-03T05:54:00.000-07:00

Explosion At ThePlanet Datacenter Drops 9,000 Servers

"Customers hosting with ThePlanet, a major Texas hosting provider, are going through some tough times. Yesterday evening at 5:45 pm local time an electrical short caused a fire and explosion in the power room, knocking out walls and taking the entire facility offline. No-one was hurt and no servers were damaged. Estimates suggest 9,000 servers are offline, affecting 7,500 customers, with ETAs for repair of at least 24 hours from onset. While they claim redundant power, because of the nature of the problem they had to go completely dark.

So, ...Where was their Infrared Predictive Failure Program?

A Couple of Posts from Slash/Dot Forum -

9 Volts of Love (Score:5, Funny)

by Anonymous Coward on Sunday June 01, @02:11PM

Electricity is a fickle mistress, one moment she's gently caressing your genitals through gingerly applied electrodes the next she's blowing up your data centers.

I wonder what the dollar value of the repairs will run? I'm sure insurance covers this kind of thing, but I'd love to see hard figures like in one of those mastercard commercials: Structural damage: $15000 Melted hardware: $70000 Halon refill: $however much halon costs Real-Life Slashdot effect: Priceless

Data Centers, Universal Studios, Casinos, ... all with recent and high profile Electrical fires.
Property damaged, Business Lost, Reputations Ripped apart, all due to a lack of Predictive Maintenance and Predictive Failure Infrared programs.

Infrared Thermography as applied to electrical switch gear, sub stations, and high load panels is the Essential technology to predict and prevent just this type of real world loss.

American Infrared Consultants are your Flir Authorized Sales Representatives. Call us for a Quote or for Services. We are here to help You! (520) 325-3777

Infrared camera finds hot Electrical wires

2008-05-30T11:37:00.000-07:00

Use of Infrared Cameras can help prevent electrical fires

Electrical fires could be a thing of the past thanks to the efforts of Certified Infrared Thermographers.

American Infrared Consultants Level 2 Thermographers are expert at shooting thermal images of electrical wiring and breaker panels. Their $30,000.00 Flir Infrared cameras can detect infrared radiation coming off a surface, taking 76,800 individual temperature measurements and then converting those measurements to an image.

Most commercial or industrial buildings have undetected problems.

"I haven’t performed an inspection where there were zero problems. Most of these problems have previously been invisible and undetected until we scan with our Flir Infrared cameras. "Most things start heating up before they actually fail. I've been in hospitals and found Level 4 problems."

Level 4 = an acute condition that demands immediate attention — is a rating that indicates wires are exceeding 90 degrees Fahrenheit or more above an ambient reading.

But a wire even 10 to 18 degrees above normal, deserve further evaluation or in the very least monitoring, says Morris. Many Electricians say
readings 20 degrees above ambient are a concern.

"We offer our commercial customers a sample Thermal-Scan.” “Morris said”. "A majority of the time we find issues that requires at least some attention."

Morris said, identifying and replacing problem wires not only can prevent potential fires, but also can lower utility bills and offer building owners peace of mind.

While the Flir Infrared camera can spot hot wires that are visible, it is limited in revealing problem wires hidden within walls.

In 1980, the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada caught fire, killing 84 people, due to a faulty electrical wiring.

Infrared Thermography can help to prevent just such a catastrophic event.

Infrared Inspection for Facilities Managers

2008-05-30T11:36:00.000-07:00

Web Exclusive: Infrared Inspection for facilities managers

Infrared (IR) inspection is a powerful and noninvasive means of monitoring and diagnosing the condition of buildings. An IR camera can identify problems that can be immediately documented with full color thermal pictures and corrected before they become serious. IR gives the facility manager a new tool that not only saves time and money, but also helps to elevate him or her as a true technology professional.

How Infrared Thermography Works
Thermography enables users to see and measure heat. All materials on earth emit heat energy in the infrared portion of the spectrum. Unfortunately, the unaided human eye cannot see in the infrared. Thermal images reveal temperature anomalies that in turn identify potential problems in buildings and their component electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and waterproofing systems.

Today’s lightweight and rugged infrared cameras can measure the temperatures of target objects quite accurately—to within +/- 25° F, and can record infrared images in real time. Points of possible concern show up clearly as hot or cold in relation to their surroundings. Recorded thermal images can be easily inserted into reports and easily distributed, greatly facilitating communications among trades, attorneys, and other professionals and serving as invaluable, rational, evidentiary data in cases involving controversy.

How It’s Being Used

Following are just a few of the ways inspectors are using infrared to detect problem areas in commercial buildings:
•Leaking roofs. Roof leaks can cause costly damage to a building’s contents and discomfort to its inhabitants. An infrared inspection can quickly identify missing or moisture-soaked insulation under a flat roof membrane roof where the insulation needs replacement, permitting the surgical repair of failed areas rather than the much more costly replacement of the entire roof.
•Faulty electrical, mechanical, and HVAC systems and components. Infrared cameras are very effective at detecting overloaded circuits, faulty wiring, and loose electrical connections, which generate heat and can pose serious fire hazards. IR can detect thin spots in furnace heat exchangers and flues, mechanical problems such as worn, under-lubricated pumps, motors, and bearings in fans, compressors, and furnaces, electrical faults, refrigerant leaks and blockages in HVAC components, another source of costly energy waste.
•Construction defects. The increased use of EIFS (Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems) and stone, stucco, brick veneers and siding as facades on commercial buildings invites the possibility of water intrusion if they are not properly installed. IR can detect or verify moisture infiltration in these weatherproofing "barrier" systems, usually the result of insufficient detailing such as inadequate or improperly applied flashing or sealants. In addition, IR can monitor and track moisture migration paths within the wall cavity.
•Energy efficiency. An IR camera can quickly and non-destructively detect areas of missing, moisture-laden, or otherwise damaged insulation in walls, crawlspaces, and attics or around doors, windows, electrical outlets, and other access plates. All of these problems can increase a building’s energy costs by allowing cold air to enter the building and heated air to escape in the winter, and the reverse in the warmer, summer months. IR can also identify poorly or uninsulated pipes, another source of costly heat loss.
•Moisture intrusion and potential mold in walls and ceilings. IR thermal imaging is way faster, noninvasive, and provides evidentiary-quality, intuitively understandable data having a much higher degree of accuracy and reliability than other moisture detection technologies used to trace the source and scope of water damage, and thus potential mold in buildings. Once the IR camera identifies areas with significant thermal differences, a moisture meter can be used to confirm that they represent moisture and not some anomaly, such as air infiltration.
•Post-fire inspections. After fires, IR can quickly locate remnant hot spots, assuring the fire is completely extinguished and provide invaluable data for insurance companies’ Cause and Origin investigations. The clear IR images of normally invisible diagnostic evidence can assist in the planning and execution of the restoration effort and in the settlement process.
•Even termites. Although considered cold-blooded creatures, termites are hosts to bacteria, which help break down and digest cellulose, the main ingredient of the wood they digest. The digestion process generates heat, and when large numbers of termites in nests congregate, a substantial amount of heat is concentrated in one area. As this heat moves through the walls or floor of a building, an IR camera can detect it on the surface.

In addition, infrared can be used to perform energy audits and surveys, indoor air quality investigations and plumbing and radiant floor heating inspections.

Finally, there are many instances where an infrared camera will find problems that the cleaning and restoration professional wasn’t necessarily looking for. Such serendipitous findings can only enhance the contractor’s reputation and standing with his or her client and reinforce the business relationship.

One such find occurred when Four Star Cleaning & Restoration of Fremont, CA was called in to document the water damage for insurance purposes at the site of a serious electrical fire at a garment dying facility. In addition to the wet walls, which had been soaked by the sprinkler system and fire department hoses, Four Star’s IR camera found an unexpected thermal anomaly, an excessive heat source within a closed 32-gallon drum containing sodium hydrosulfite, used in the dying process.

Some water had apparently penetrated the drum to produce poisonous hydrogen sulfide gas and enough heat to cause a potentially explosive condition due to the risk of spontaneous combustion. A hazardous waste hauler was called in, and under the supervision of HAZMAT and local County Health Services, the drum was disposed of.

The Need for Training
Regardless of what an IR camera is used to look for or at, its effectiveness is dependent not only on the contractor’s knowledge and understanding of the component being inspected, but also his or her skill in operating the camera, and understanding of the science involved in the assessment of the thermal evidence. The trained and experienced thermographer knows that not every hot or cold spot represents a problem, but may in fact reflect a component’s normal operation, performance, or location in the structure. Alternatively, a thermal image may actually show heat from sources other than the target that is reflected from or transmitted through the target material. That’s why it’s often said in the industry that: “There are IR camera operators, and then there are thermographers.”

To meet the demand of the building diagnostics market, the Infrared Training Center (ITC), which is the world’s largest thermographer training organization, in conjunction with the Building Science Institute (BSI) has created a curriculum in Building Science. ITC’s three-and-a-half-day Building Science Certification class is the only training course in the U.S. that's ISO-9001 registered. Upon successful completion of the class, students become Certified Building Science Thermographers, so if they work for an ISO-9000 company, they'll have fulfilled their obligation for proper training. ITC also offers a two-day class for supervisors and a one-day class for technicians.

Flir Systems P-660 has GPS!

2008-05-30T11:33:00.000-07:00

FLIR Systems ThermaCAM P660 Brings Global Positioning And Remote Capabilities To The Utility Industry And Other Industrial Applications

May 27, 2008

New Features Give Predictive Maintenance Teams Robust Tools for Finding Problems Before Catastrophic Failure

Boston — FLIR Systems, Inc, the global leader in infrared cameras, announced the addition of a new camera to its P-Series line of thermal imaging cameras. The infrared cameras are designed for utility industry and thermography professionals for a wide variety of maintenance applications.

“Utilities and other industries have the challenge of maintaining equipment that is spread over great distances. Having GPS and the ability to monitor problems remotely from safe distances is a significant step in having a truly effective predictive maintenance program,” said David Francoeur, Director of Thermography Marketing, FLIR Systems. “And, having an effective predictive maintenance program means less downtime and minimal impact on the bottom line.”

The new ThermaCAMÆ P660 infrared camera includes a Global Positioning System (GPS) to automatically record the location of equipment. The tagging feature uses GPS Google Earth data to “tag” the infrared images captured. This can be used to determine equipment failure patterns so problems can be avoided in the future.

FLIR also introduces a new remote feature with the P660. Thermographers can extend the use of the P660 to new environments and applications by deploying the handheld Wireless LAN-based remote control and display. The remote can be used to capture and monitor equipment at safe distances. This is particularly useful in high-voltage and other dangerous areas where, for safety reasons, conductive cabling cannot be used to remotely control cameras.

In addition to the new GPS and remote features, the P660 offers a host of robust features for the professional thermographer. The P660 infrared camera includes a high-definition 640 x 480 detector array, powerful thermal sensitivity (<45mk),>

About FLIR Systems
FLIR Systems, Inc. designs, manufactures, and markets thermal imagers and infrared camera systems worldwide for a variety of applications. FLIR's thermal imagers are used in such diverse applications as public safety, defense, navigation, electronic news gathering and search and rescue, as well as for electrical inspection, commercial and residential building inspection, indoor air quality and home energy monitoring applications, non-destructive testing, medical science, research and development, and manufacturing process control.

SOURCE: FLIR Systems, Inc

T-200 Has Great Features!

2008-05-30T11:20:00.000-07:00

NEW! FLIR™ T200

The most affordable, feature rich infrared camera available!

When you need a professional level infrared camera at a truly affordable price, take a test drive of the new FLIR T200. See how you can use the latest technologies for predictive maintenance, manufacturing, and in the Utility industry. Request your FREE consultation and expert demo today*.

The FLIR T200 thermal imager is a new addition to the popular T-Series family of infrared cameras for building professionals. It’s jam-packed with many of the features found in higher-model FLIR T-series cameras. The bright 3.5-inch display makes it easy to see temperature differences and radiation emitted from objects—conditions that signal energy waste, building envelope troubles, even electrical system and component failures!

Features include:

• A new and advanced infrared camera detector that delivers sharp images.
• Flexible and interchangeable optics to help you get the proper angle on your work.
• An integral high-resolution visible light camera with target illuminator.
• Picture in Picture Fusion provides a scalable thermal picture inside a visible-light picture.
• Ability to upgrade - Let your camera grow with your business.

With FLIR’s exclusive IR Fusion capability, you combine infrared and visible light detail to easily show hidden trouble. Speed through reporting of trouble spots with the help of FLIR’s QuickReport software. QuickReport includes easy image organization tools and report templates so you can concentrate more on your IR inspection.

What’s more, FLIR is the world’s largest manufacturer of infrared cameras. FLIR offers the best training and unlimited FREE post-sale technical support.

Discover how you can boost your business, save money and energy for your customers or your company, advance your career, and find trouble in buildings before it’s too late.

Arrange a FREE Expert Demo and Consultation!

The FLIR T200 comes with the FLIR name behind it. That means it incorporates FLIR’s 30+ years of experience in thermal imaging. You get superior ergonomics, advanced signal processing, ambient temperature control and a host of other infrared camera and thermal imaging exclusives. FLIR offers the widest selection of IR cameras and thermal imagers, the best post-sale technical support, the world’s largest and most experience thermal imaging training organization – the Infrared Training Center – and award-winning customer service.

T-400 Series is Flir's Newest Infrared Camera

2008-05-30T11:15:00.001-07:00

ThermaCAM® T400 The most affordable, feature rich infrared camera available!

The new ThermaCAM® T400 is the most affordable feature rich infrared camera available! The T400 now has FLIR FUSION! FLIR's new FUSION functionality allows for easier identification and interpretation of infrared images. This advanced technology enhanced the value of an infrared image by allowing you to overlay it directly over the corresponding visible image. The functionality combines the benefits of both the infrared image and visual picture at the push of a button. The T400 camera does this in real-time and the overlay function can be easily adjusted to suit any application such as electrical surveys, building diagnostics, and mechanical inspections.

Thermal Fusion Functionality
Interchangeable Optics
1.3 MegaPixel Visual Camera
Automatically Associates the Visual and Thermal JPEG Images
Includes FREE QuickReport Software for Analysis & Reporting
Compatible with Optional Microsoft Word®-Based ThermaCAM Reporter Software w/Spell Check
Removable SD/Memory Card, USB & Video Out
In camera Emissivity Tables, 5 Temperature Spots & Delta T Functionality
Touch Screen Technology Adds Markers, Draw, Sketches
Auto or Manual Focus with 8x Continous Digital Zoom
Auto Hot/Cold Spot & Audible/Visual Alarms
Large 3.5" Color LCD Display
High Thermal Sensitivity for Maximum Temperature Accuracy
Voice, Text & Sketch Annotation
Built-in LaserLocat IR
Optics head & display screen are independently rotatable for optimum viewing
Holster for Portability and Easy Access to Camera
Target Illuminator and 1.3 Mega Pixel Visual Camera
Tiltable Optics Reduces Back and Arm Strain
Touch Screen Text/Sketch Functionality