Product category:
Non-contact, Optical and Laser measurement systems
News Release from: Flir Systems | Subject: Radiometric camera
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 04 June 2007
Portable 640 X 480 radiometric camera
Flir Systems has produced the ThermaCAM B640 infrared camera with 640 x 480 pixels detector giving >307,000 measuring points instead of the 76,800 available on the standard 320 x 240 option.
The ThermaCAM B640 infrared camera, Flir Systems claims, provides four-times the resolution of any other portable model on the market This superior performance is thanks to its 640 x 480 pixels detector giving >307,000 measuring points instead of the 76,800 available on the standard 320 x 240 option
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 20 May 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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High resolution is particularly important in the building industry as it allows smaller targets to be spotted and measured accurately at greater distances.
The camera's field of view is larger and therefore fewer images need to be taken.
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On average 25 percent fewer images are required on typical survey, getting the job done quicker and more efficiently.
This is the first ever camera of its type dedicated to the specific needs of the building industry.
So in addition to unrivalled image quality, the ThermaCAM B640 also includes features to make infrared inspection and reporting in the building services sector easy, quick and exceptionally efficient.
The ThermaCAM B-Series cameras were the first to introduce a dew point alarm that detects areas at risk from condensation.
This is now complemented by the Relative Humidity Alarm on the ThermaCAM B640 that indicates areas of potential mould build-up.
By changing the relatively humidity setting the operator can see, directly in the field and on a clear infrared image, the parts of the building that are most susceptible.
With the ThermaCAM B640 this smart operation is extended even more.
A separate function integrated in the ThermaCAM allows the operator to determine immediately whether or not a building is well insulated.
All that is required is for a temperature measurement of the outside face of a wall to be taken and a critical surface temperature factor applied.
When the temperature is then taken of the inside face of the same wall the feature will calculate which areas are inadequately insulated and highlight them in an 'alarm' colour on the infrared image.
This measurement is based on pixel counting and as the ThermaCAM B640 has 230,200 more measurement points than its nearest portable competitor it is the only model capable of having a viable insulation alarm.
The ThermaCAM B640 is ideal for inspecting all building structures.
It has been designed specifically for applications such determining energy loss, locating water and air leaks and detecting construction failures such as unsealed windows, faulty glazing and detachment of wall plaster.
It can also monitor the drying of water leaks and provide highly valuable information on fire protection.
Automatic cold or hot spot detection, 8 x digital zooming and panning functions are standard features.
So too is Picture-on-Picture (POP), a technology that allows a saved image to be compared with the object being scanned, directly on the screen in real-time.
The operator can also set a maximum and minimum temperature in the camera.
If these thresholds are exceeded the camera will produce an audible and/or visual alarm.
Moveable spots, line profiling, isotherms, in-built emissivity tables and the ability to calculate temperature differences between measurement points directly in the field contribute to making this camera a perfect tool for the building inspector.
The ThermaCAM B640 runs for more than 3 hours with a single Li-ion batter The batteries can be changed in the camera and recharged in a 2-bay charger or optionally in the car via a 12V cable en route to the next job.
No infrared specialist other than FLIR Systems manufactures its own lenses.
This has allowed the company to develop and produce dedicated high-powered lenses for this flagship camera.
The resultant high-precision germanium lenses have therefore been designed to take full advantage of the high-resolution focal plane array sensor.
A full range of lenses is available including 12, 25, 45 and a 50-micron microscope lens.
These lenses have an integral ultrasonic motor focussing mechanism, a facility commonly used by professional photographers.
This enables the operator to employ either electronic or manual focussing to achieve the desired result.
The ThermaCAM P640 takes high definition infrared and 1.3 Megapixels digital images assisted by an in-built video light.
It is also the only camera available to provide readily exchangeable digital camera lenses via a simple C-mount.
In this way the digital image can be completely adapted to the field of view of the infrared.
The camera also allows the hottest spot to be marked in the field on both the infrared and visual image to identify the problem clearly for swift post-analysis.
Another capability introduced with the ThermaCAM 640 series is simultaneous display of on-screen live and reference images for comparison.
Text and voice annotation naturally remain standard features.
The large 5.6" foldable high quality LCD can be fully rotated to suit the application.
It is also in wide-angle format that allows easy-to-use menus to be displayed and accessed without impinging on the image.
This flexibility is enhanced by the user-selectable font size enabling the camera to be used for extended periods without eyestrain.
The turntable control grip allows the camera to be moved to the most comfortable operating position.
The customisable direct access buttons and joystick control are integrated in the handle and therefore remain underneath the fingertips allowing continuous point-and-shoot operation.
Fully radiometric video sequences can be recorded on a removable SD card in the same way as Jpeg's.
In-camera playback allows the recordings to be viewed in the field without the need for a PC.
The camera's ability to record compressed MPEG data to an SD card eliminates the need for a separate video recorder to capture a complete inspection sequence.
Two SD slots are provided enabling thousands of images to be stored easily.
Radiometric jpeg images can then be downloaded from the camera using the resident ThermaCAM QuickView software.
Images are viewable as thumbnails via Microsoft Explorer and can also be shared with others without their requiring specialist viewing software.
For increased flexibility the camera can be programmed with a number of defined user profiles.
Choices include colour palettes, emissivity settings and temperature ranges.
The ThermaCAM B640 is extremely light and easy to carry.
Including battery it weights just 1.7 kgs, ideal for those who need to use it every day for several hours.
It is a tough instrument whose strong IP54 magnesium housing protects its internal core from shock and vibration.
The speed and ease with which a highly professional infrared report can be generated is thanks to the latest generation ThermaCAM Reporter - version 8.
This Windows-based system takes the integration of image analysis and report generating functions to a whole level for even faster and accurate evaluation of infrared reports.
It also fully integrates Word enabling all of its features such as spell-check, font selection etc., to be used.
It even allows images and text to be edited and manipulated in Outlook.
A range of accessories completes the ThermaCAM B640 package including exchangeable optics, battery chargers, extension cables, memory cards etc.
"This is another world first for FLIR Systems.
It's a design from the ground up following major re-evaluation of what a professional thermographer needs to do the job better and quicker," explained Paul Sacker, Sales and Marketing Manager of FLIR Systems UK.
"The ThermaCAM B640 combines even higher resolution with dedicated lenses and features specific to building inspection.
And it introduces a brand software package that provides powerful analysis and exceptionally quick and easy report generation via Word. Request a free brochure from Flir Systems ...
Without doubt it's the best on the market.".
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