Product category:
Monitoring and sensor equipment and systems
News Release from: Flir Systems | Subject: IR cameras
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 13 December 2007
IR cameras suit for on-board image
analysis
Thermography has emerged as one of the most widely applicable preventive maintenance and condition monitoring technologies for the railway sector.
It is finding favour not only with those maintaining the infrastructure but also those focusing on the efficient running of rolling stock too FLIR Systems is now a front runner in the provision of this technology across the application span and this is direct result of the broad range of choices it offers the industry
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 6 Jun 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
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For many companies a 'thermascan' is a name applied to a professional thermographic survey that pinpoints faults before they become fatalities.
Flexible thermography manages remote assets
Remote asset management incorporating thermography can be a highly cost effective solution provided there is a high degree of flexibility in the IR camera's installation and set-up.
FLIR Systems' has a high and constant commitment to funding R+D and as a result its IR cameras are innovative, future proof and represent excellent value for money.
The latest development in its mid-range is typical.
Introduced a matter of months ago, the ThermaCAM T-Series breaks new ground on many fronts.
Further reading
Updating thermal imaging saves energy costs
The Climate Change Levy is focussing the attention of many companies on improving plant efficiency to reduce energy costs. Thermal imaging cameras help identify hotspots and so save energy.
Insurer uses camera to help clients avoid claims
The engineering arm of Royal and SunAlliance has invested in a Flir Systems Thermacam to help clients minimise their cost of operation by detecting faults before they develop into insurance claims
In-house thermal imaging reduces maintenance costs
The Solihull site of Land Rover has invested in its own Flir Systems ThermaCAM PM675 thermal imaging camera to provide a dedicated in-house resource.
No other camera in its class has its flexibility or functionality.
Designed for a frequent user of infrared, the ThermaCAM T-Series has a number of time-saving features to make thermal imaging a quicker and easier job.
In this model FLIR Systems has perfected the integration of visual and thermal imaging and the design includes a 3.5in touch screen, an industry first.
A top of the range ThermaCAM T-Series model has recently gone into service to help maintain the new UK Bullet Trains on the CTRL.
Hitachi Rail Maintenance will be using this ThermaCAM T400 for a range of tasks including checking the integrity of fixings on high voltage jumper cables, assessing the condition of contactor tips and inspecting high resistance contacts on third rail shoe gear assemblies.
Where high speed, high resolution and high sensitivity are critical performance criteria the FLIR Systems ThermoVision fixed-mounted SC- range scientific grade cameras provide maximum flexibility and performance.
Complete with Gigabit Ethernet, Camera Link and USB interfaces these cameras are ideally suited for on-board image analysis.
They can be specified with a choice of software including a Software Developers Kit for custom programming.
The fast frame rates of these cameras bring important time- and cost-saving benefits.
For example when mounted on an inspection train, that train can run within the normal operating schedule instead of at service speed.
Typical applications therefore include the real-time inspection of tracks and line-side components such as signaling systems, observing the dynamic behaviour of wheels and monitoring transfer of power from third or fourth rails.
The FLIR Systems SC640 combines performance with portability.
This 640 x 480 pixels camera has exceptional image quality so that dynamic events can be seen in greater detail at greater distances.
This allows real-time thermal distribution analysis of a range of targets including high voltage bonds, insulators and trackside switchgear.
Naturally in the rail sector there is a wealth of applications that do not require such advanced performance and FLIR Systems therefore continues to develop its cameras designed for these find-it-fix-it tasks.
InfraCAM is typical of these troubleshooting models that are ideal for identifying hot spots and energy wastage in general track electrification such as points heating systems. Request a free brochure from Flir Systems ...
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