Non-contact infrared (IR) thermometry has always offered an ideal solution for hot and hazardous process conditions. The latest advances in this technology make it both more accurate and more affordable.

While temperature is often a good indicator of potential process or equipment problems, regular temperature measurement should be an essential element in any preventive maintenance or quality assurance programme. Non-contact infrared (IR) thermometers and sensors provide accurate temperature measurements at a safe distance of extremely hot, moving or hard-to-reach targets, without damaging or contaminating the material's surface.

Digital photographs

The latest development in this technology is a new IR thermometer that also takes digital photographs. It will help maintenance and inspection professionals to ensure accurate temperature measurements over time, and clearly and effectively communicate with management, equipment manufacturers, and service personnel about maintenance issues, by incorporating real-time photos documenting temperature, date/time, location and other useful information into emails and reports.
In addition, service providers can create permanent visual inspection records indicating temperature behaviour before and after repairs.
Developed by leading IR thermometry company Raytek Corporation, the PhotoTemp MX6 is a powerful and affordable way for maintenance and inspection professionals to simultaneously take non-contact temperature measurements while documenting them with digital photographs.
Believed to be the first portable inspection tool of its kind, the PhotoTemp MX6 combines a precision non-contact IR thermometer (range -32° to 900°C) and a digital camera in one lightweight unit for a price far less than that of a thermal imaging camera (Fig.1).
PhotoTemp accurately shows the temperature measurement area with its True Spot coaxial laser sighting system - believed to be the most accurate sighting system found in any infrared thermometer - and highlights it in a photograph in the context of surrounding objects.
Temperature, location, and date/time data are superimposed on the PhotoTemp images, which can be viewed on a PC or incorporated into emails and reports.
For tripod-mounted, continuous-mode monitoring, users can utilise the video function and set high and low alarms for each location, which trigger the unit to take a photograph the moment the target temperature falls out of the desired range.
A focus setting ensures the best results for near or distant photos and the built-in flash illuminates the target area in low-light conditions.

100 measurements

Up to 100 temperature measurements and photographs can be taken along an inspection route and stored in the unit, then later downloaded to a PC for temperature trend analysis and reporting using DataTemp companion software.
The PhotoTemp MX6 leverages the many features of the Raytek's MX portable infrared thermometer series, including the 16-point True Spot circular laser sighting and many flexible temperature measurement capabilities.
The unit provides high accuracy MIN, MAX and AVG temperature readings in a range from -32° to 900°C with 60:1 optical resolution, which allows measurements of smaller targets at optimal distances. Selectable and adjustable material emissivities are also displayed.
Emissivity refers to the ability of a surface to emit IR energy. Pointed at the measurement target, the IR thermometer captures this energy as it passes through the atmosphere, directs it through its optical system, and converts it into an electrical signal, which is translated into a temperature reading. This is displayed instantly in degrees Celsius (or Fahrenheit) on the unit's LCD readout.
The PhotoTemp MX6 features selectable and adjustable emissivity values to ensure accuracy when measuring materials such as metals, glass, and thin film plastics, which emit infrared energy differently.
The unit captures not only IR but also contact (built-in probe jack) temperature readings and provides manual single-point recording or continuous recording with programmable time intervals.
Options include a close-focus model for pinpointing very small targets with a resolution of 50:1 and a low-temperature model with a temperature range starting at -50°C.

Low-cost IR cameras

FLIR Systems, which specialises in the design, manufacture and marketing of IR camera systems, has launched seven new handheld IR camera models. The new cameras feature the latest imaging technology, greater ease-of-use and enhanced ergonomics, all at highly competitive prices.
Four of the product models are part of the new E-Series line of thermography cameras which the company says are smaller, lighter and less expensive than any thermal imaging camera in the market today. The cameras, which resemble a flashlight in appearance, weigh only 1.5 pounds and feature a built-in colour display, long-life battery, temperature measurement and image storage capabilities.
The new cameras also enable images to be downloaded to a computer through its USB port connection used by consumer video cameras. The E-Series cameras are small enough to wear on a belt in the same way electricians now carry small voltage and amp meters.

The remaining three new product models were introduced as part of the P-Series line of thermography cameras, which are designed for the professional thermographer.
These new cameras offer significantly enhanced sensitivity, improved data connectivity, automatic report generation, auto focus and an innovative new product design that incorporates a detachable colour LCD display.
"What is most exciting," said Earl Lewis, president and ceo of FLIR Systems, "is that with these new product lines, not only can we further develop our core commercial markets, but we can also now enter into new commercial applications where previously system cost and complexity had made access into these markets difficult. The capability and pricing of these new cameras will make them important tools for a variety of new users."

New DSC sensor

Another new development comes from Netzsch Thermal Analysis. Its DSC (Differential Scanning Calorimetry) SuperSensor was developed in cooperation with a German institute in the aerospace technology sector.
Based on semiconductor material, this sensor allows measurements with sensitivities 10 to 20 times greater than with conventional DSC sensors.
The new sensor system can be installed in the company's DSC 204 Phoenix calorimeter, permitting measurements with sensitivities approaching those obtained with a true micro-calorimeter.
However, compared with micro-calorimeters, the sensor offers a broader temperature range (-150 to 400°C), faster heating and cooling rates, a higher sample throughput and easier handling.
The new DSC SuperSensor can also be used for detection of second-order phase transitions, for example weak glass transitions, which previously could only be characterised using dynamic mechanical analysis. Important applications for the DSC SuperSensor can be found in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, forensic medicine, polymer technology and in the foods sector - wherever only weakly-defined or overlapping DSC effects occur.